CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
MajorsJan 12, 2018
Head of Pandora Americas to Step Down Next Month
Scott Burger served in the role for almost six years and had been with the jewelry brand for 10.
Copenhagen--Pandora A/S announced Thursday that Scott Burger, who has headed the Americas market for five and a half years, will step down next month.
The company said it already has begun looking for his replacement and expects to name a president for Pandora Americas, which has its headquarters in Baltimore, in the second quarter.
In the meantime, Pandora CEO Anders Colding Friis will oversee the region.
Burger was named president of Pandora Americas--which encompasses the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America--in August 2012. Prior to that, he spent a year as the company’s chief financial officer and about four years as its chief operating officer.
During his early years with Pandora, the brand enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with independent jewelers in the United States; the jewelers relied on the inexpensive bead brand to help get them through the recession and Pandora, in turn, saw huge growth in the market.
In the last few years, however, Pandora’s plans have changed. The company has pulled its merchandise from thousands of U.S. independents in favor of opening company-owned and -operated concept stores or shop-in-shops in order to have more control over its brand, leaving many independents feeling like they were treated unfairly.
Over the past few quarters, the company has seen U.S. sales slip, dinged in part by the decline in mall traffic and by other affordable jewelry brands being “increasingly promotional,” it said.
Meanwhile, the news about Burger’s departure came as a small paragraph at the end of a larger company announcement about the resignation of Pandora Chief Financial Officer Peter Vekslund, who will leave the company after about four years as CFO.
Board member Anders Boyer, 47, will resign from the board at the company’s annual general meeting in March and take over as CFO later this year.
Boyer currently is the CFO of Hempel A/S, a manufacturer of coatings. Vekslund will remain with Pandora until Boyer can assume the position, which is expected to be no later than Aug. 1.
Pandora is scheduled to release its annual report on Feb. 6.
Ahead of that, the company reported preliminary results for 2017 in a separate announcement also made Thursday.
Pandora said global sales totaled 22.8 billion DKK ($3.71 billion), a 12 percent year-over-year increase but below
where the bead brand forecasted to be for the year.
CEO Friis said it was a “challenging” year for Pandora due to in part to the “difficult” retail climate in the U.S.
The company opened a net of 308 concept stores over the course of the year, slightly above its initial guidance of 300.
CEO Friis said it was a “challenging” year for Pandora due to in part to the “difficult” retail climate in the U.S.
The company opened a net of 308 concept stores over the course of the year, slightly above its initial guidance of 300.
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
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.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
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.
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store BurglaryPolice officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
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.
