The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
Pandora Cuts Jobs, Sales Forecast for 2018
The bead and jewelry maker said it is laying off 397 workers, mostly at its manufacturing facilities in Thailand.

Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora said Tuesday it will cut nearly 400 jobs as it looks to streamline manufacturing and shift more resources to digital and e-commerce operations.
A total of 397 of the company’s 27,000 employees, or less than 2 percent of the total workforce, will be laid off. The majority of the layoffs, 218, will be in Thailand, where its jewelry is manufactured.
Pandora said it is making the cuts to protect profitability and support the five-year strategy implemented last year. The cuts will save the company about DKK 150 million ($23.3 million).
The announcement came the day after the bead and jewelry maker reported flat second quarter sales and slashed its forecast for the year.
Pandora, which is grappling with slowing sales in key markets like the United States and China, said it now expects a revenue increase of 5-7 percent (in local currency) on the year, down from its previous prediction of 7-10 percent. It also warned that profit margin will be lower than previously forecast, 32 percent instead of 35 percent.
Also this week, the company announced the appointment of a new head for the Americas, Sid Keswani.
Keswani replaces Scott Burger, who resigned at the beginning of the year.
He joins Pandora from Fiesta Mart, a Texas-based grocery store chain. Prior to that, he spent 19 years as an executive at Target Corp. and was the senior vice president of operations for Susser Holdings, a convenience store chain.
As president of the Americas for Pandora, Keswani will oversee the bead and jewelry company’s operations in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. The region has more than 2,300 points of sale, including more than 650 concept stores, nearly a third of which are now owned and operated by Pandora.
The region employs a total of 3,400.
Pandora said a key priority for Keswani will be to work with franchisees and Pandora-owned stores to ensure they are integrating their operations with the company’s online store, which opened in April 2015.
His appointment is effective Aug. 13.
The Latest

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.


The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Of 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.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Lazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.

A portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.

Their partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.

Respondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.

Our Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.

Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.

“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.

Believed to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

Officials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.

Sponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition

Some retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.

The Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
























