Financials

In Q1, Pandora Notes ‘Heightened Consumer Hesitancy’ in US

FinancialsMay 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.

20230504_Pandora lab-grown diamond rings.jpg
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.” 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
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.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Bicolor pink and colorless diamond
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink Diamond

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Pomellato Rodeo Drive Flagship Exterior
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive Flagship

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

Grown Brilliance NYC Flagship Exterior
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First Flagship

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Douriean Fletcher Messenger Collection
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Sothebys the glowing rose pink diamond
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink Diamond

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.

2025_Gemfields logo.jpg
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby Mine

They were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Empress Eugénie’s pearl and diamond tiara
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre

It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.

Lauren Gayda
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European Sales

Gemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.

Charles London, Mayer and Fran Udell, Mark and Candy Udell
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The Edit – A Gallery of Italian Jewelry Masterpieces Graphic
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYC

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Judi Powers Jewelry Stella Earrings
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ Earrings

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

Jeffrey Zimmer Reeds Jewelers
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

Sothebys salon new bond street
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry Service

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

Oscar Heyman 2025 Holiday Catalog Cover
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s Spectacular

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ Collection

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Kathy Corey
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy Corey

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado Jeweler

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

Logo for Timepieces at Luxury
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next Year

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

Max Fawcett Claibourne Poindexter
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department Leadership

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy