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RSSThe Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
By Leigh Dyer, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
Apr. 7--QVC, the shopping behemoth known for selling wares on television and online, has chosen SouthPark as the location for its first jewelry store in the nation.
SAVOR -- The Jewelry Lounge is in 1,600 square feet in the Belk wing of the mall, across from J. Crew. The store held an opening party Thursday.
It's an ongoing trend for retailers successful in one channel, such as catalogs or online shopping, to open brick-and-mortar stores, and vice versa. And it's not the first time a national retailer has chosen SouthPark for one of its first locations.
German glassware seller Leonardo chose SouthPark for its first U.S. retail store last year. And upscale home goods catalog Frontgate chose SouthPark for its second U.S. store in 2004, and has since opened others elsewhere.
QVC says its store differs from traditional jewelry stores because it allows shoppers to browse precious metals and costume jewelry in a hands-on, "please touch" environment.
Jewelry designers featured in the store include Michael Dawkins, creator of the Elements line; Robert Lee Morris, who has a line of silver, gold, copper and brass jewelry; and the Classics Collection Jewelry by Joan Rivers.
Other brands include Honora, Diamonique, Affinity Diamonds and Epiphany Silver Jewelry.
All products featured in the store are also available at QVC's 800 number and Web site: (800) 345-1515 or QVC.com.
QVC, based outside Philadelphia, has a distribution center in Rocky Mount and broke ground on one in Florence in January. The company operates one store called QVC@The Mall at Minnesota's Mall of America and several outlet stores elsewhere, but the SouthPark location is its first jewelry concept store.
Leigh Dyer: (704) 358-5058
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