Piercing Pagoda Has a New Name
Plus, Signet took the final step in the process of fully outsourcing its credit offerings.

The Signet Jewelers-owned chain of kiosk stores will now be called Banter by Piercing Pagoda.
The new name is a nod to the personal relationships between the retailer’s employees and its new and long-standing customers, said Signet.
The name change has already happened at around 100 of Piercing Pagoda’s more than 500 U.S. locations.
It’s being tested in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and other cities, and will gradually roll out to the full fleet.
“Our new Banter by Piercing Pagoda name is full of energy, invoking the excitement of playful conversation, like the adrenaline of a new piercing or piece of jewelry,” said Kecia Caffie, president of Banter by Piercing Pagoda, in a press release about the rebranding.
“Our customers are fiercely individual, creative people who inspire us to reject labels and celebrate our unique identities each day.”
The change comes as part of the jewelry giant’s “Inspiring Brilliance” growth strategy, which aims to bolster its omnichannel presence and technologic capabilities and evolve its product offerings.
The brand, marked by a gold script capital letter “B” logo, will stock gender-neutral chains, charms, necklaces, and earrings.
Long known for its ear piercing services, the brand branched out to nose and facial piercings to meet rising consumer demand during the pandemic, while, it said, still following health and COVID-related safety protocols.
“Banter by Piercing Pagoda combines stylish designs and approachable service at affordable price points with tech-enabled stores and warm, modern service,” said Signet.
Of Signet’s nine jewelry brands, Piercing Pagoda has consistently been a top performer.
The brand had its strongest quarter ever in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and, in fiscal 2021, saw its sixth consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth amid stable merchandise margins, said Signet.
This year, more than 135 Piercing Pagoda locations are on track to post $1 million in sales.
Signet plans to open as many as 100 additional locations in fiscal 2022 in regional malls.
Some of these new locations will be traditional stores instead of kiosks, complete with a piercing lounge and, in select locations, smart mirrors for virtual jewelry try-ons.
The brand caters to “tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial customers,” said Signet, and will be improving upon its mobile experience.
In fiscal 2021, Piercing Pagoda saw 140 percent year-over-year e-commerce growth, with mobile playing a big role in that.
Enhanced virtual capabilities, including sales and search, and an updated website are part of the digital overhaul.
In addition to its new name, Banter by Piercing Pagoda is introducing a new marketing campaign featuring “bold, diverse models who epitomize self-expression and pride—a hallmark of the brand.”
The campaign launched Monday in select locations.
Also this week, Signet Jewelers announced it has renegotiated its $1.5 billion asset-based lending facility, extending it by nearly two years to July 2026 for greater financial flexibility.
Signet also entered into new, long-term receivable purchase agreements, which improved the terms of the agreement and removed the consumer credit risk from its balance sheet.
The new agreements mark the final step in Signet fully outsourcing its credit offerings.
Genesis remains its long-term third-party credit servicer and it also provides other payment options, including via Affirm and Progressive Leasing.
“These actions, as well as S&P’s recent upgrade of Signet’s issuer credit rating resulting from our enhanced financial profile, demonstrate the progress we are making with our Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy,” said Chief Financial and Strategy Officer Joan Hilson in a press release.
The Latest

The new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.

The collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.

Organizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Woodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.


A WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.

The founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

Valeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.

The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.

Jewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.

The graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.

The event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.

The yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.

The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.

The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.

Bold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”

The New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.

Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.

These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.

Initiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”

The designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.

The diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.

The annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
























