These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Signet Is Done Outsourcing Its Credit Programs
It marks the end of a process that began in May 2017.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. has completed the outsourcing of its credit programs, a process the retailer started a little over a year ago.
Signet announced Monday that it sold 70 percent of its non-prime receivables to funds managed by CarVal Investors and the remaining 30 percent to funds managed by Castlelake L.P.
In addition, CarVal and Castlelake will purchase new non-prime receivables going forward at a discount and with the same percentage breakdown, 70 percent to CarVal and 30 percent to Castlelake.
Signet, which has had problems at the store level with the outsourcing of credit programs previously, said the sale of its non-prime receivables will not impact any customer or store-facing systems.
The jeweler began getting its credit programs off its books in May 2017 after speculation arose regarding both the retailer’s method of accounting for past-due accounts and the amount of risk it was assuming in its credit program. In February 2016, Bloomberg published a story quoting critics of the jewelry retailer titled “Is Signet a Sparkly Empire or a Finance Company?” (subscription required to read).
Signet started by selling $1 billion in prime credit accounts to Alliance Data System Corp.
It inked a seven-year deal with the company, which already was handling the credit programs for the stores under the Zale umbrella, to become its primary provider of credit funding and servicing for customers of Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and its regional brands.
In addition, the retailer signed a seven-year deal with Progressive Leasing, a subsidiary of lease-to-own retailer Aaron’s Inc., that allows customers who don’t quality for any sort of credit to do a lease-purchase on jewelry.
Signet, which is now under the leadership of Gina Drosos, is in the midst of executing a turnaround plan it calls the “Path to Brilliance.” It focuses on putting customers first, building a robust omnichannel structure and creating a culture that is more agile and efficient.
The Latest

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

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

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.


Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.

Wiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.

The “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.

Set for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.

Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”

The highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.

The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.

Former Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.

The group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.

Movado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.






















