Majors

Signet Once Again Moves Up NRF ‘Top 100’ Retailers List

MajorsJul 11, 2023

Signet Once Again Moves Up NRF ‘Top 100’ Retailers List

The jewelry giant jumped 10 spots on the list, while other retailers battled a labor shortage and a rise in organized retail crime.

A Jared Atelier ruby and diamond necklace
A necklace from the “Jared Atelier” collection by Signet Jewelers-owned banner Jared. Signet Jewelers took the No. 56 spot on the National Retail Federation’s 2023 Top 100 Retailers list.
New York—Signet Jewelers has once again made the National Retail Federation’s Top 100 Retailers list, moving up 10 spots to No. 56.

The jewelry company was No. 66 last year, and No. 78 in 2021.

The list, compiled by market research firm Kantar Group, ranks the largest retail companies in the United States, based on 2022 annual U.S. retail sales.

The NRF says it uses “a variety of estimation techniques” to calculate its figures, so the sales figures on its list may differ from the companies’ official public filing reports.

The NRF’s calculations have Signet’s total retail sales at $7.5 billion in 2022, up 8 percent year-over-year.

Signet reported full-year sales in North America of $7.29 billion, up 0.3 percent year-over-year.

The NRF reported store growth of 5 percent year-over-year, with a total of 2,351 stores in 2022, reflecting the acquisitions of Diamonds Direct and Blue Nile.

Signet Jewelers was considered one of the list’s “anomalies,” according to David Marcotte, senior vice president of Kantar, alongside Kohl’s (No.30) and Dell Technologies (No.39).

While Kohl’s and Dell stood out because of their significant drops in sales, Signet was a standout based on its growth trajectory, due in part to its recent acquisitions.

“But it also speaks to supply chain: The size and portability of jewelry means it’s significantly less likely to be impacted by these issues than, say, furniture,” said Marcotte.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Like last year, Signet was the only specialty jeweler on the list, with Amazon and big-box stores claiming the top spots.

Notably, this year’s list excluded restaurant chains, which were included in prior years.

The top three spots mirrored last year’s list, with Walmart at No.1 with U.S. sales of $499.65 billion and growth of 8 percent.

Amazon was No.2 at $232.46 billion and 7 percent growth, while Costco was at No.3 with $217.53 billion and 17 percent growth.

Growth in the big-box and mass merchandise sectors isn’t just taking place in the U.S., but internationally as well, said Marcotte.

“People are comfortable putting out the membership fee to buy into the value proposition,” he said, noting that while this category is well-established in the U.S., there is “a great deal more room for expansion” worldwide.

According to the report, labor shortages are hurting drug store chains like CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Rite Aid.

“You cannot run a drug store without a pharmacist and there’s been a severe shortage of pharmacists in all three chains,” said Marcotte.

The shortage has led to shortened hours and closed stores, which is reflected in their sales, he said.

An issue affecting retailers across the board has been organized retail crime (ORC).

“Retailers have increasingly been tying ORC to weak sales,” he noted.

The industry average for shrink, or loss of inventory, fell from its five-year average of 1.5 percent to 1.4 percent, but that still amounts to an estimated loss of $95 billion in 2021, as per the NRF’s 2022 National Retail Security Survey.

“The real impact is harder to measure,” he said, noting the broader effects of store damage, employee turnover, shopper fear, “and, too often, intimidation and violence.”

Swarming attacks, where a large group of people rob a store at the same time, became a popular tactic again in 2022, but with greater organization than in prior years, he noted.

Marcotte also pointed out retailers are leaving markets where they no longer feel safe.

The 2022 National Retail Security Survey found 80 percent of retail organizations had reported a rise of violence within their stores.

ORC is a “very old problem,” said Marcotte, that has been growing in complexity.

The NRF, as well as other retail organizations, is in support of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.

The legislation, introduced in the House and Senate, would set up a national coordination center that would gather and share info on ORC and provide training and assistance.

The NRF also advocated for the Inform Consumers Act, which recently went into effect. The legislation requires online marketplaces to verify the identities of high-volume third-party sellers in the hopes of combatting the selling of stolen as well as counterfeit goods.

To read the full Top 100 list, visit the NRF’s website.

The Latest

Single Stone Bryn Ring and Grace Lee Marquise Demi Demi Ring
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement Ring

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

Yvonne Léon Python Gold Bracelet
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ Bracelet

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

Stock image of handcuffs
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry Heist

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond and Blue Belle sapphire necklace
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’s

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week. 

Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Caryl Capeci Starboard Cruises
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry Shopping

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

Gresham grasshopper ring
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56K

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Kirk Kara fine jewelry
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New Jewels

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

Gemfields 36 Carat Ruby
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough Ruby

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

Alex Brown
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee Group

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Jade Ruzzo Gloria Collar
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

Jewelry industry author, speaker, and sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

Selection of jewelry from Sotheby’s New York High Jewelry sale
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry Sale

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Botswana Minster of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Joy Kenewendo
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las Vegas

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

Greenwich Street Jewelers Your Love Has the Perfect Ring Campaign
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ Couples

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

New York Liberty Nyara Sabally Catbird campaign
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand Ambassador

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Robinson Pelham Fruits of Love Pear Earrings
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear Earrings

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

Three diamonds with diagrams
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education Conference

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

Ella Sophie
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella Sophie

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

A pink gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 2499
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

Gabriel Love Foundation Logo
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias Gabriel

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Celine Assimon
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins Bonhams

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

De Beers CEO Al Cook speaking at JCK Las Vegas 2025
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and Tariffs

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

Pandora Las Vegas ribbon cutting ceremony
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American Flagship

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Tiffany Stevens
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board Leader

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

×

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