ESOP MONTH
Ownership is our culture. Growth is our future
ESOP Month Fun Continues!
By now, everyone should have received their Blingo cards. The game runs from October 27 through October 31, so get ready to play and have fun celebrating ownership.
We can’t wait to see your creativity shine in the “Andy’s Coming” video challenge Remember to send in your submissions soon. The more original and spirited, the better.
And don’t forget, our pumpkin creations are due by October 31. Whether spooky, sparkly, or ESOP inspired, we look forward to seeing your masterpieces.
Finance
New Hire
We are thrilled to welcome our new Business Analyst, Gina Lemire, to the team. Gina comes to us with years of experience in the business analytics field and we are looking forward to her helping bring Day’s to the next level! It’s her first stint in retail, but she is already soaking in all the terminology and nuance Welcome aboard Gina!
Procedural
Please keep in mind the importance of submitting approved invoices to FIN in a timely manner, Amex included. Even during the slower seasons, the AP team enters on average 1,300 invoices into the system each month. Waiting until the end of the month causes a bottleneck and can delay month-end close
Financial
YTD September 2025 sales are running behind budget by -1% (or -$214,000), however we are nearly $1MM ahead of YTD September 2024: $18.89MM vs. $17.96MM respectively.
o When modeling out the new Salem build, we had assumed similar line of credit utilization as we had in 2024 With the increased sales this year as compared to last, we have positioned ourselves nicely from a cash flow perspective going into Q4
Gross Margin continues to outperform budget. YTD September 2025 coming in 59% vs. the budget of 57.22%, which has allowed us to offset all of the sales shortfall.
The annual company valuation process related to the ESOP is underway. I look forward to being able to present the outcome sometime in the next few months
theCHR ut
Holiday Party Updates – Final Countdown
The Holiday Masquerade Ball is only a few days away, and we can’t wait to celebrate together
Room Reservations
If you haven’t connected with Lauryl to request a room, please reach out immediately. Availability is very limited at this point, and while Lauryl will do her best, late requests cannot be guaranteed.
Venue Guidelines
A quick but important reminder: our contract with Sable Oaks prohibits outside alcoholic beverages Please refrain from bringing your own alcohol, including Jello-shots, pudding shots etc Thank you for helping us honor the agreement and keep the evening running smoothly.
The Showcase
Merchandising
In October, we hosted three Gemstone Round Tables with John and Lisa Bradshaw. We had great events! Thank you to all four stores who participated- Bangor, Waterville, Augusta, and South Portland! Below are the event results:
*Augusta and Waterville hosted a combined event at the corporate office
This is a great opportunity for an additional sale for a custom design! If you love gemstones and want to learn more, you can sign up for the monthly email newsletter from John Bradshaw! John focuses on the Gemstone(s) of the month, the science of gemstones, other stories and notes, and features a few of his newest stones. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please reach out to Lisa at lisa@johnjbradshaw.com
The Showcase Inventory
Thank you for all the retagging work you've done this year in response to the economic shifts that have led to more frequent repricing. Your efforts play a vital role in helping us maintain healthy product margins and support the sustainability of our business. We recognize the time and energy this requires, and we truly appreciate your dedication.
Please take a moment to review the updated Tagging Guide and Video both are available on the Blue Box
Video Link: Tagging Guide
-Heather
Sparkling Impressions Marketing
From a customer who lives in Cleveland, Ohio
Hello, I just ordered a piece from Day’s and wanted to relay my reasons for doing so and why Day’s will be my choice jeweler from here out. We live in the Cleveland Ohio area and discovered the beauty of Downeast Maine during a family vacation 3 years ago. Wanting to bring a piece of Maine home with us, we subscribed to the Downeast magazine where we saw ads for Day’s Jewelers, which frequently featured diverse race models Being a Black American, I can’t help but notice companies who include various races in their advertising My grown daughter also noticed when leafing through the magazine So, I just wanted to reach out to say we noticed, good job and thank you!
Location Spotlights
Augusta
Ready for an Amazing Augusta update? Well, you ’ re in luck! We’ve been busy this year! We had a lot to celebrate and a few sad goodbyes We wished Ken a splendid goodbye to his semi-retirement. Matt left the Top team and came to the A-Team. Liz flew off to be with her wonderful husband down south. Catherine left us for the Assistant buyer position. Amber got engaged to her wonderful fiancé. Chase also got engaged to his lovely fiancée.
Augusta has seen some personal records set this year. Jenna sold the Exceptional Diamond from Forevermark ($56,000) and Amber sold a stunning 4 carat natural oval diamond in a platinum bezel. ($66,000 after trade).
We head into the busy season ready to welcome a new Service Consultant, who you will all meet soon enough
Expect big things from the A-team as we move forward -Matt
Salem
Nothing but Networking
We have been very busy this month with events to raise awareness for Salem and support our local communities. I attended the Southern NH Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala and Awards ceremony at the Atkinson Country Club on Sept. 24th. It was exciting to share with a number of chamber members our upcoming location news and also to start building relationships in our community.
Most of the Salem team joined Nikia and Larkin at the Tuscan Concert Series last weekend which we sponsored It was a beautiful weekend of connecting at the Tuscan Village, listening to some great live music and spreading the word!
Shelby and I also attended the Charity event for Marguerite's Place in Nashua alongside Nikia, Larkin, Eric and his team. They were absolutely thrilled with the Maine Tourmaline pendant that we donated for the silent auction.
https://margueritesplace.org/
It's an exciting time to be a part of Day's!! -Ellen
Location Spotlights
Days Jewelers Team Conquers Katahdin
On September 7th, seven Day’s Jewelers’ employees and one special guest set out to tackle Maine’s tallest peak, Mount Katahdin, via the rugged Abol Trail For a team more accustomed to polishing gems than scrambling over boulders, this would prove to be an adventure of grit, laughter, and pure resiliency.
The journey started the night before, when the crew gathered near Baxter State Park. As the rain poured down, they huddled together in a remote camp, swapping stories and building energy for the challenge ahead. A quick stop at Knifes Edge Brewery helped fuel the excitement, and by the time dawn broke, everyone was ready.
The skies cleared just in time for the climb At 7:12 a m , the group set out with their slogan for the day: “Trust your treads ” Jellybeans tucked into pockets quickly became the secret weapon, fueling bursts of energy during the steepest stretches
Each hiker added their own spark to the adventure. Nick Butler charged ahead, setting the pace with unstoppable energy, while LT brought steady encouragement that lifted the whole group. Savanna kept spirits bright with her humor, turning even tough moments into fun ones. Gretchen climbed with quiet strength, while her fiancé Logan shouldered the Days Jewelers flag with pride, carrying it all the way to the summit. Mike, usually found behind a computer, showed that IT knows how to trek, and Raquel’s memorable slip on the descent earned her the nickname “the Chronicler,” as she documented the day with laughter
The trail itself demanded everything the team had The loose, sandy rock forced them to scramble with both hands and feet, and sore muscles pushed them to dig deep. But every step brought unforgettable views. Clouds swirled around the mountain, sometimes far below, sometimes right above, creating a dramatic backdrop to the climb.
Location Spotlights
Days Jewelers Team Conquers Katahdin
By late morning, the team reached the Tablelands, pushing through the final mile to the summit. When they arrived, the celebration began. The Days flag waved proudly over Katahdin’s peak. Nick and Gretchen split an overstuffed ham and cheese sandwich, mayonnaise spilling out as proof of the day’s effort. Fireball nips made their way around the circle, adding warmth to the cool mountain air. Even strangers joined in the celebration; a fellow hiker promised to visit the Days Jewelers store after hearing their story.
The way down proved no less challenging Legs wobbled, rocks shifted, and slips reminded them all that the mountain tests both the climb up and the journey back Nick led the descent, with the first group reaching the base at 5:30 p m and the last by 6:15
The day ended around a big wooden table at River Driver’s Restaurant, where the exhausted team refueled and reflected. What had started as a hike became so much more. It was a 12hour lesson in courage, camaraderie, and the unstoppable spirit of Days Jewelers. – Hikers Hike!
