CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
MajorsJul 07, 2017
QVC Parent to Buy HSN in $2.6B Deal
Liberty Interactive is acquiring the 62 percent of HSN Inc. that it doesn’t already own.
Liberty Interactive Corp., parent company of West Chester, Pennsylvania-based home shopping channel QVC, is buying rival station HSN in a deal valued at nearly $3 billion.
Englewood, Colo.--QVC parent company Liberty Interactive Corp. announced Thursday that it is buying out rival home shopping network HSN Inc. in a deal valued at $2.6 billion.
Liberty Interactive already owns 38.2 percent of HSNi. Under the terms of the agreement, it will acquire the remaining 61.8 percent stake, making HSN a wholly owned subsidiary.
The long-talked-about merger brings together two rivals in the home shopping arena that sell a combined $800 million-plus in jewelry and watches annually, according to National Jeweler’s latest State of the Majors report.
And it comes at a time when the home shopping networks, like many brick-and-mortar retailers, are struggling to compete with online players like Amazon.
“There’s so much change going on in retailing, and by combining forces our ability to serve the customers at that much higher a level, to create new digital platforms, new interactive television platforms (improves),” QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George said on MSNBC Thursday. “Now we join forces, and we compete that much more strongly in the broader retail marketplace.”
The QVC-HSN merger is an all-stock transaction; HSNi shareholders will receive 1.65 shares of QVC Group common stock for each share of HSNi stock that they own.
Liberty Interactive already owns 38.2 percent of HSNi. Under the terms of the agreement, it will acquire the remaining 61.8 percent stake, making HSN a wholly owned subsidiary.
The long-talked-about merger brings together two rivals in the home shopping arena that sell a combined $800 million-plus in jewelry and watches annually, according to National Jeweler’s latest State of the Majors report.
And it comes at a time when the home shopping networks, like many brick-and-mortar retailers, are struggling to compete with online players like Amazon.
“There’s so much change going on in retailing, and by combining forces our ability to serve the customers at that much higher a level, to create new digital platforms, new interactive television platforms (improves),” QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George said on MSNBC Thursday. “Now we join forces, and we compete that much more strongly in the broader retail marketplace.”
The QVC-HSN merger is an all-stock transaction; HSNi shareholders will receive 1.65 shares of QVC Group common stock for each share of HSNi stock that they own.
QVC Inc. President and CEO Mike George | Mike George QVC Inc.
The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the majority of HSNi’s stockholders, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter 2017.
Also later this year, Liberty Interactive will spin off QVC and flash-sale site Zulily, which it acquired in 2015, to form the QVC Group Inc. HSNi will become part of the group. HSNi includes HSN (the Home Shopping Network) and Cornerstone, which is comprised of home and lifestyle brands Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and Improvements.
Even after the merger is complete, HSNi will remain headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, but be headed by George, who works out of QVC’s headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. HSN has been without a CEO since Mindy Grossman left the company in late May.
Both QVC and HSN were on National Jeweler’s 2016 list of $100 Million Supersellers. QVC ranked No. 11 with an estimated $626 million in watch and jewelry sales in 2015, while HSN Inc. was at No. 26 with an estimated $214 million in sales.
According to a presentation the companies made to shareholders on Thursday, jewelry currently accounts for a nearly equal percentage of the product offerings at both networks; 8 percent at HSN and 9 percent at QVC.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
