FinancialsDec 05, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Slide Amid Slow Engagement Ring Sales, Tech IssuesFinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall Short
The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
A selection of rings available at Signet-owned banner Kay Jewelers. Signet Jewelers lowered its fourth-quarter guidance following lackluster holiday sales.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers’ holiday performance fell short of expectations, leading the company to lower its guidance for the fourth quarter.
The retailer, which is the parent company of several large jewelry store chains including Zales, Jared, and Kay Jewelers, shared details Tuesday morning about its preliminary sales for the 10 weeks ending Jan. 11, though it did not provide an exact dollar amounts.
“Our holiday results of approximately -2% SSS [same-store sales] reflect peak selling days leading up to Christmas that were below forecast,” said Joan Hilson, chief financial and operating officer.
Engagement ring and service sales met expectations and the jeweler did see merchandise average unit retail (AUR) increase in bridal and fashion jewelry.
Merchandise AUR, which is calculated by dividing same-store sales revenue by same-store sales units, was up 5 percent compared with last holiday season, despite a drop in in-store traffic and lower conversion rates.
However, sales of fashion jewelry, a popular choice for holiday gifting, underperformed, said Hilson, noting consumers were looking for deals even more than Signet had anticipated this holiday season, and the retailer did not have enough lower-priced jewelry to meet their needs.
“Merchandise assortment gaps at key gifting price points impeded our ability to meet that trend,” she said.
Its merchandise margin improved, but it was less than expected due to a lower mix of fashion jewelry and a “stronger customer response to promotional items.”
Related stories will be right here …
The retailer, which is the parent company of several large jewelry store chains including Zales, Jared, and Kay Jewelers, shared details Tuesday morning about its preliminary sales for the 10 weeks ending Jan. 11, though it did not provide an exact dollar amounts.
“Our holiday results of approximately -2% SSS [same-store sales] reflect peak selling days leading up to Christmas that were below forecast,” said Joan Hilson, chief financial and operating officer.
Engagement ring and service sales met expectations and the jeweler did see merchandise average unit retail (AUR) increase in bridal and fashion jewelry.
Merchandise AUR, which is calculated by dividing same-store sales revenue by same-store sales units, was up 5 percent compared with last holiday season, despite a drop in in-store traffic and lower conversion rates.
However, sales of fashion jewelry, a popular choice for holiday gifting, underperformed, said Hilson, noting consumers were looking for deals even more than Signet had anticipated this holiday season, and the retailer did not have enough lower-priced jewelry to meet their needs.
“Merchandise assortment gaps at key gifting price points impeded our ability to meet that trend,” she said.
Its merchandise margin improved, but it was less than expected due to a lower mix of fashion jewelry and a “stronger customer response to promotional items.”
In response to its lackluster holiday results, Signet has lowered its guidance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.
It now expects total quarterly sales of $2.32 billion to $2.34 billion, down from its prior guidance of $2.38 billion to $2.46 billion.
Same-store sales are expected to be down between 2 and 2.5 percent, compared with its prior guidance of flat to 3 percent growth in same-stores sales.
Its adjusted operating income is expected to be $337 million to $347 million, down from $397 million to $427 million, while its adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $381 million to $391 million, down from its prior guidance of $441 million to $471 million.
New CEO J.K. Symancyk said that while there were positives to be found in its holiday performance, the retailer has the opportunity to adjust its consumer-facing strategies, particularly in marketing, product design, and assortment innovation.
“I see meaningful potential to unlock shareholder value through the strength of both our brand portfolio and financial foundation,” said Symancyk.
“We can build on our industry-leading position in bridal while dramatically accelerating our reach into the larger fashion categories of self-purchase and gifting to drive sustainable organic growth.”
More on Financials
The Latest
AuctionsSep 17, 2025
Mythical Set of Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Expected to Sell for $10M+A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
SourcingSep 16, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Launches Retailer Accreditation ProgramBen Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
