FinancialsApr 13, 2023
LVMH Talks Tiffany Flagship Reopening, Makes Another AcquisitionFinancialsMay 04, 2023
In Q1, Pandora Notes ‘Heightened Consumer Hesitancy’ in US
Pandora’s like-for-like sales were flat globally while they fell 7 percent in the United States.
A stack of lab-grown diamond rings from “Diamonds by Pandora,” the company’s lab-grown diamond line that launched in the United States last summer. Diamonds by Pandora sales totaled $5 million in the first quarter, the company reported Tuesday.
Copenhagen, Denmark—First-quarter sales essentially were flat for Pandora, as the company famous for its affordable, collectible beads continues to grapple with declines in consumer spending amid inflation and rising interest rates.
Pandora reported Tuesday that first quarter 2023 sales totaled 5.85 billion Danish kroner ($868.2 million) up about 3 percent from DKK 5.69 billion ($844.4 million) in the first quarter 2022.
However, like-for-like sales were flat, and organic growth was only 1 percent, which Pandora described as “resilient growth despite macroeconomic challenges.”
EBIT margin in the first quarter was 21.5 percent, down from 23 percent in the prior-year period, mainly attributable to the money the company is sinking into its turnaround plan, dubbed “Phoenix,” and employee raises.
The company noted that the price increases it implemented six months ago have had a positive impact on EBIT margin without negatively impacting sales, and it will consider raising prices again in the future while still keeping its jewelry affordable.
“We have started 2023 well with resilient growth and solid margins,” Pandora President and CEO Alexander Lacik said.
“Our investments in lifting the brand are paying off with good performance in our ‘Moments’ base business and strong results from newer platforms, ‘Timeless’ and ‘Pandora ME’ … The macroeconomic outlook remains uncertain, but we are confident in our ability to adapt and thrive, as we’ve proven over the past few quarters.”
In the United States, first-quarter revenue totaled DKK 1.72 billion ($254.8 million), up 4 percent from DKK 1.65 billion ($245 million) in the first quarter 2022.
On a like-for-like basis, Pandora’s quarterly sales in the U.S. slipped 7 percent—the same as in Q4—and organic sales were down 4 percent.
Pandora said sales at company-owned and -operated stores improved between the fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023 while the performance of franchise stores declined.
Conversion rates also were slightly lower due to signs of “heightened consumer hesitancy.”
The U.S. is Pandora’s largest market, accounting for 29 percent of revenue worldwide, twice as much as the company’s second biggest market, the United Kingdom (14 percent).
In reporting its first-quarter results, the company also gave an update on “Diamonds by Pandora,” its lab-grown diamond jewelry line piloted in the U.K. and launched in the U.S. in August 2022.
Revenue from sales of Diamonds by Pandora totaled DKK 34 million ($5 million) in the first quarter, up from DKK 9 million ($1.3 million) in the first quarter 2022, before it had expanded to the U.S.
The company said the line is “tracking as planned” while noting its potential, which it aims to realize by expanding the assortment and investing in marketing while also rolling out to more markets later this year.
Diamonds by Pandora currently accounts for 1 percent of Pandora’s total revenue.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, Pandora is raising its guidance despite political and economic uncertainty, citing its resilient Q1 performance while also noting, “the economic outlook for the remainder of 2023 remains uncertain. High inflation and rising interest rates suggest that consumer spending will continue to be under pressure.”
Pandora updated its guidance to organic growth of -2 percent to 3 percent, a slight improvement from the previous range (-3 percent to 3 percent).
It is forecasting like-for-like sales growth will be flat at best and down 4 percent at worst, a range that depends on how macroeconomic conditions progress throughout 2023.
As of the first quarter, Pandora operated a total of 6,483 points of sale worldwide, a mix of concept stores (Pandora-owned, franchisee-owned, and third-party distribution) as well as other points of sale, which includes shop-in-shops like the ones it has in Macy’s stores in the U.S.
That is 44 fewer points of sale than the company had at the close of 2022 (6,527).
Pandora expects to open a net of 50-100 concept stores this year and 50-100 company-owned and -operated other points of sale.
More on Financials
The Latest
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
