Supporting US Small Businesses and Helping Retailers Get Started with Sustainability
Small Business Sustainability Toolkit’, ‘Retailer Sustainability Toolkit’, and ‘Creating a Beautiful Podcast’ among many RJC support and marketing tools unveiled at JCK Las Vegas
Las Vegas, USA – August 27, 2021: Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC), the world’s leading standard-setting organization for the global jewelry and watch industry, is exhibiting at JCK Las Vegas in The Plumb Club Pavilion. This is the first time RJC is exhibiting at JCK, the jewelry industry’s leading annual trade event, to highlight the pivotal role of small businesses and retailers in deepening consumer trust in the jewelry and watch industry. RJC will provide sustainability and marketing tools and practical guidance, designed with a focus on removing industry barriers and increasing understanding of sustainability for all members. The RJC tools include:
- ‘Small Business Sustainability Toolkit’
- ‘Retailer Sustainability Toolkit’, and
- ‘Communications Toolkit’ complete with press release templates, co-branded videos and posters, social media graphics, and an in-store nameplate.
Visitors to JCK Las Vegas are invited to meet the RJC team in its booth at The Plumb Club Pavilion on the second floor of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Sands Expo Convention Center, between August 27 – 30.
The Retailer Sustainability Toolkit is a sales support tool for RJC certified members who supply jewelry and watch retailers. It provides a common language when speaking about and explaining sustainability, the 17 UN Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), RJC standards and industry progress, and the value of a third-party independent audit in becoming RJC certified. The toolkit will enable members to enhance their competitive edge while approaching new customers and accelerate the transformation of a sustainable supply chain.
The Small Business Sustainability Toolkit is a step-by-step guide for non-members and members who want to increase their understanding of sustainability and find ways to take action in their business. Many small business owners are already used to balancing profit and purpose, this toolkit helps them understand common terms increasingly used by customers and within the supply chain, so that they are able to use these terms in their sales, marketing and recruitment efforts.
The Member Communications Toolkit is an asset pack of templates, branded and co-branded marketing materials that RJC certified members can use immediately to draw attention to their commitment and actions to put people and planet first, and how this contributes to the 17 SDGs. The toolkit includes: press release templates, co-branded videos and posters, social media graphics, and an in-store nameplate.
RJC will release its ‘Creating Beautiful podcast’, a series of 1-on-1 conversations with industry leaders hosted by Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director, RJC. The first episode features Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and sustainability, as well as IWC’s evolving relationship with Gen Z and Millennials, and other topics of relevance to the wider industry such as standards of sourcing and practical actions taken to address equality. The purpose of the podcast is to share real stories, key learnings, and relatable challenges, and to stimulate and accelerate responsible business practices throughout the entire supply chain. Upcoming podcasts will feature Cartier, Bvlgari, De Beers, World Diamond Council and Jewelers of America. The podcast is available on Spotify and all main platforms.
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director for Responsible Jewelry Council, said, “We are proud to be present at JCK. Sustainability is about human dignity for all and we as an industry of beauty and emotions need to work closely together to deliver positive impact on the ground. The time is now to accelerate action at all levels and every stage of the supply chain. This is the decade of trust and transparency, 2030 is just around the corner and we as an industry have a responsibility to contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This global agenda of the world is about leaving no one behind. As the leading standard of the global jewelry and watch industry we take this responsibility very seriously. We are proud to launch different tools specifically targeted for companies that are starting on their sustainability journey. We hope companies will use these tools as a first step in their journey of continuous improvement.”
David Bouffard, Chair for Responsible Jewelry Council, added, “By setting industry standards and sharing best practices, we have, for the past 15 years, created a strong sounding board for the jewelry and watch industry to grow sustainably. With our focus on creating sustainable supply chains, we are empowering established heritage brands as well as small businesses to develop business models that strengthen our industry and create a positive social and environmental legacy. JCK and The Plumb Club specifically offer us the platform to engage with industry stakeholders and channel discussions on the need to look at their business practices to support the five pillars of sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships. We thank both JCK and The Plumb Club for this platform.”
