Rhode Island’s Alex and Ani is a Worldwide Sensation; Sponsors 4th of July Parade Coverage
By Mark Curtis
The Rhode Island economy may be struggling, but there is a glaring exception.
The “Alex and Ani” jewelry line – founded here – has exploded into a worldwide phenomenon. Stores are popping up everywhere and they continue to hire new workers.
This year “Alex and Ani” is partnering with ABC-6 to broadcast the 227-th Bristol Fourth of July Parade.
Customers are packed into the Alex and Ani store in Cranston, as business for this Rhode Island based company continues to boom. The jewelry giant has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and is now partnering with ABC 6 to broadcast the 227th Bristol 4th of July Parade.
Giovanni Feroce, CEO, Alex and Ani says, “Well I think Alex and Ani and the 4th of July are kind of synonymous. It's all about the United States. It's all about Made in America. And we couldn't think of a better way to carry out our message, and bring it through the Channel 6 audience. It's wonderful.”
As a sign of the companies growth…and it's loyalty to its Rhode Island roots and founder Carolyn Rafaelian – the Alex and Ani world headquarters remains in Cranston:
Mark Curtis of ABC 6 News says, “Alex and Ani continues to be an incredible success story, with 16 stand alone stores and 900 retail partners across the world established in just the past few years.”
And while store sales are booming on the ground floor, the ideas are buzzing in the world headquarters on the floor above. The corporate staff is planning to expand the Alex and Ani product line even further across the globe…in both stores and on the Internet:
Giovanni Feroce, Alex and Ani CEO says, “We are also now rolling out our E-commerce platform, so that Europe can now begin ordering online.”
The popularity of the jewelry has spurred job growth, with Alex and Ani now employing over 300 people in Rhode Island and elsewhere.
