Swan Hill’s Kennedy’s Showcase Jewellers has picked up the organisation’s International Retailer of the Year 2020-2021 award – for the worst year of the pandemic.
Rosie Ficarra, who has owned Kennedy’s Showcase Jewellers for the past 17 years, says they had to pivot quickly when the pandemic hit.
“We already had an e-commerce website, we just really needed to learn to promote and use it,” she remembers.
“Being from a farm, we’ve always known how hard it is for people on the land to make it into town to shop for important occasions, so we’ve always offered a personal shopping and delivery service. So that really increased over COVID.”
“Our suppliers have also been incredibly helpful in helping us source the pieces that our customers were looking for.
“If I can’t get it, I can’t sell it. Being part of a buying group like Showcase Jewellers offers us access to the best supplier network on the planet and therefore the best stones, metals, workmanship and pieces on the planet.”
Rosie’s husband and resident repair man Tori added: “Showcase also have a terrific marketing portal and support staff from head office, so the support and ideas we had during the pandemic eased a lot of that stress for us.
“I don’t think I’ve felt anything like this since Woorinen won the premiership in 1993 when I was president!” he said.
“It’s pretty amazing, but it’s all Rosie and the girls at the front of house. I just hide out in the workshop.”
Showcase Jewellers buying group consists of more than 180 stores across Australia and New Zealand. The awards cover: accounting performance, attendance at conferences, use of marketing programs, mystery shopper program, supplier nominations, utilising support, and head office engagement.
