CrimeFeb 05, 2025
‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars Luxury watch dealer Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty late last year to defrauding clients in a scheme with Ponzi-type elements.
MajorsMar 06, 2020
Pandora Trims Workforce Again Amid Reorganization
The jeweler has a multi-step strategy to get back on track, including increased investments in tech and improvements to its retail presence.
A 14-karat rose-gold-plated link cable chain necklace ($225) featuring an “O Pendant” with a pink Murano glass leaf pendant ($65) and a pink Murano glass leaf ring ($90) from Pandora. The jewelry brand is undergoing a reorganization as part of its turnaround plan.
Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora announced this week that it is cutting 180 jobs as part of a multipronged strategic reorganization, the next step in its turnaround plan.
The Danish jeweler employs a total of 28,000 people worldwide, meaning the job cuts will affect less than 1 percent of its workforce.
Here’s a rundown of the changes and what they mean for the jewelry brand.
Pandora is closing some regional offices.
The company will close its three regional offices in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region.
“The reorganization will reduce organizational complexity, enable Pandora to execute with more speed and agility, and add critical capabilities required to support growth”, CEO Alexander Lacik said in a press release announcing the changes.
Lacik said the change would allow feedback from customers to translate into new concept creations at a quicker pace.
As a result of the reorganization, David Allen, president of Pandora EMEA, will step down from his position but stay with the company.
Kenneth Madsen, current president of Pandora Asia Pacific, will leave the company.
Pandora operates in 100 markets, which will now be grouped into 10 clusters with each cluster led by a general manager who will be based in the largest market in each cluster.
Sid Keswani, president of Pandora Americas, will become president of the North America cluster, which will include the United States. (Latin America, which was part of Pandora Americas, will be part of a different cluster.)
Keswani is based in Baltimore, where Pandora has its North American headquarters.
Pandora wants to bolster its retail skills.
As part of the new system, the general managers will report to the chief commercial officer, a newly created position.
The external candidate will be announced shortly, said Pandora, and is set to join the company’s executive team in the second quarter of this year.
The CCO will report to Lacik and be tasked with improving Pandora’s global retail skills including global merchandising, store development, planning and execution.
A new department called “network and franchise management” will also be created to support its global franchise partners.
Pandora is separating old business from newer ventures.
Pandora is setting up two global business units. One will oversee core products, like its charms, and the other will oversee newer products.
The new setup is expected to “offer more impactful products and marketing concepts and a more consistent consumer experience across markets,” Pandora said in the release.
The
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
units will be responsible for concept development, design, execution and marketing plans.
These units will report to Carla Liuni, the newly appointed chief marketing officer and former Bulgari executive who starts at Pandora on March 20.
The company also recently appointed Erik Schmidt as its chief human resources officer.
Pandora is going all-in on tech and data analytics.
Pandora is establishing a global business services center to make its transactional processes more scalable and efficient.
In January, the jeweler announced the creation of a new Copenhagen-based digital group, consisting of software engineers, designers and analysts, established to boost its digital presence and data use.
The group is set to be up and running next month.
Pandora said it expects to hire around 80 new employees in 2020, including product managers, digital engineers, operations managers, strategy managers and data analysts.
“How we derive the benefits from technology and data to create a great customer experience is key for us as a global brand,” Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer David Walmsley said in release announcing the creation of the digital hub back in January.
Pandora doesn’t expect the job cuts to result in cost savings.
The company’s financial guidance for 2020 remains unchanged.
The reorganization will translate into one-time costs of 200 million Danish kroner ($300 million), mostly related to severance payments, consultancy support, recruitment costs and other costs associated with closing down the regional offices.
Its total restructuring costs will amount to 1.3 billion Danish kroner ($1.95 billion) in 2020.
Pandora said the cost savings of eliminating 180 employees will be limited and are expected to be offset by costs related to “further strengthening” the company.
The changes are set to go into effect April 2.
These units will report to Carla Liuni, the newly appointed chief marketing officer and former Bulgari executive who starts at Pandora on March 20.
The company also recently appointed Erik Schmidt as its chief human resources officer.
Pandora is going all-in on tech and data analytics.
Pandora is establishing a global business services center to make its transactional processes more scalable and efficient.
In January, the jeweler announced the creation of a new Copenhagen-based digital group, consisting of software engineers, designers and analysts, established to boost its digital presence and data use.
The group is set to be up and running next month.
Pandora said it expects to hire around 80 new employees in 2020, including product managers, digital engineers, operations managers, strategy managers and data analysts.
“How we derive the benefits from technology and data to create a great customer experience is key for us as a global brand,” Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer David Walmsley said in release announcing the creation of the digital hub back in January.
Pandora doesn’t expect the job cuts to result in cost savings.
The company’s financial guidance for 2020 remains unchanged.
The reorganization will translate into one-time costs of 200 million Danish kroner ($300 million), mostly related to severance payments, consultancy support, recruitment costs and other costs associated with closing down the regional offices.
Its total restructuring costs will amount to 1.3 billion Danish kroner ($1.95 billion) in 2020.
Pandora said the cost savings of eliminating 180 employees will be limited and are expected to be offset by costs related to “further strengthening” the company.
The changes are set to go into effect April 2.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsFeb 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Growth After Strong Holiday SeasonIn its full-year results, the retailer shared its 2025 outlook and an update on the global rollout of its lab-grown diamond collection.
TrendsFeb 05, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Feeling Fabulous in FebruaryCelebrate February birthstones and the gem shows in Arizona this month with a versatile stone like amethyst.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
SourcingFeb 04, 2025
New Deal With Botswana Is Done, De Beers Confirms The agreement will allocate an increasing proportion of the country’s rough diamonds to the government of Botswana over the next decade.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNH“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry From the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels,” opens April 11 at the American Museum of Natural History.
SurveysFeb 04, 2025
Valentine’s Day Jewelry Spending Forecast to Hit Record High, Says NRFThose celebrating Valentine’s Day this year are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on jewels, flowers, candy, and more.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Best Jewelry Moments From the 2025 Grammy Awards From Lady Gaga’s 1930s Tiffany & Co. necklace to Taylor Swift’s “T,” Michelle Graff recaps the night’s most memorable jewelry looks.
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Q&A: 5 Jewelry Designers on Shopping the 2025 Tucson Gem ShowsA group of creatives talked to Associate Editor Lauren McLemore about their approach to the annual Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil shows.
AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for RetailersFor every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks SnowballsThe boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New MembersJewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
