Pandora Promotes GM to Chief of Retail Operations
Massimo Basei is moving up, while Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down.

In addition, Pandora said Monday that Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down, and all nine market clusters now will report directly to CEO Alexander Lacik.
Basei will report to Lacik as well and serve on the jewelry company’s executive leadership team. His promotion will be effective April 1.
Sara Bergiotti, currently sales director of Pandora’s Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa cluster, will take over as general manager.
Pandora said the change is part of its two-year restructuring plan, dubbed “Phoenix,” which includes moving its North American headquarters to New York from Baltimore, among other changes.
Pandora said after implementing operational changes it is now “turning its attention outwards to further accelerate brand desire as well as delivering a world-class customer experience.”
As chief of retail operations, Basei will be responsible for heading operations across the company’s 6,500 points of sale in more than 100 markets. This will include opening new stores, managing relationships with franchisees, the omnichannel experience, store development and merchandising.
“I am happy Massimo will take the role as chief of retail operations,” Lacik said. “Over the past 13 years, he has established Italy as one of Pandora’s largest markets and built an exceptionally strong position for the brand.
“I thank Martino for taking our retail operations … forward by expanding our store network and evolving our omnichannel approach.”
Basei is an Italian national who joined Pandora as country manager for Italy in 2010. Since then, he has taken on additional responsibility, leading commercial operations across Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
He currently lives in Milan, Italy, with his wife and three children. They will relocate to Copenhagen later in the year.
Basei holds a master’s in economics from Università degli Studi di Trieste.
The Latest

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.


Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.