Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
FinancialsFeb 20, 2014
Earnings roundup: HSN, Walmart, Nordstrom
Three jewelry-selling retailers that reported their financials Thursday did not record strong increases in sales in the fourth quarter, despite the fact that it is generally the most wonderful time of the year for retailers.
New York--Three jewelry-selling retailers that reported their financials Thursday did not record strong increases in sales in the fourth quarter, despite the fact that it is generally the most wonderful time of the year for retailers.
HSN reported a 2 percent increase in fourth quarter sales, with jewelry cited as one of the weaker performers, while Walmart’s U.S. quarterly comps were flat and Nordstrom saw same-store sales increase 3 percent.
Below are highlights from the fourth quarter and full-year financial statements from these three companies.
HSN Inc.
HSN Inc., parent company of multi-media retailer HSN, reported Thursday that HSN’s sales for the three months ended Dec. 31 totaled $697.4 million compared with $683.8 million in the prior-year period, a 2 percent increase.
Jewelry sales were slow while revenue grew in the health, beauty, and apparel and accessories categories.
Digital sales were up 7 percent. HSN’s gross profit increased 3 percent to $230.6 million during the quarter.
Full-year sales for HSN were up 2 percent, from $2.27 billion in 2012 to $2.31 billion in 2013. Gross profit increased 1 percent for the year to $796.7 million.
As a whole, HSN Inc. reported a 4 percent increase in sales for the full year, from $3.27 billion in 2012 to $3.4 billion in 2013.
In commenting on the company as a whole CEO Mindy Grossman said, “Throughout 2013, we successfully managed the company to position us for long-term growth. We kept our focus on the customer, emphasized our unique content and proprietary products, strengthened our digital platform, further leveraged opportunities and synergies across the HSN and Cornerstone brands and returned value to our shareholders by delivering nearly $200 million through share repurchases and cash dividends.”
Walmart
Walmart Stores Inc. reported a 0.4 percent decline in same-store sales (excluding fuel) in the U.S. in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31. Full-year comps were also down, declining by 0.6 percent.
Total sales reached $76.43 billion during the three-month period, a 2 percent increase from the $74.64 billion reported in the prior-year period. Sales for the fiscal year increased 2 percent to $279.41 billion.
At Sam’s Club, same-store sales (without fuel) during the quarter were down 0.1 percent, while the full year saw a 0.7 percent increase in comps. Total sales for the year were up 1 percent to $57.16 billion.
Operating income for Walmart’s U.S. stores during the fourth quarter was
essentially flat, increasing 0.1 percent to $6.38 billion but rose 4 percent for the year to $22.35 billion.
“For fiscal 2015, the Walmart U.S. team is focusing on growth and returning to positive comps,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO. “To get there, we will drive additional improvements in price investment and merchandise, test our market ecosystem and pilot our tethering concept.”
He added that comps were down in the first two weeks of February due to continued severe winter storms. During the worst of it, Walmart had more than 200 stores across the country closed. Walmart U.S. said that it expects comps to be relatively flat for the 12-week period ending May 2.
The company also announced that it is significantly accelerating its capital plan for U.S. small store format openings for the current fiscal year. Walmart now expects to add approximately 270 to 300 small stores during the fiscal year, doubling the initial forecast of 120 to 150 stores.
Nordstrom
Same-store sales for Nordstrom Inc. were up 3 percent in the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1. Total sales for the period were basically flat at $3.6 billion.
The company identified the strongest categories for the period as cosmetics, accessories, men’s shoes and women’s apparel.
Full-year sales reached $12.17 billion, up from the $11.76 billion recorded in the year earlier, a 3 percent increase.
For fiscal 2014, Nordstrom said that it anticipates same-store sales to increase in the range of 2 to 4 percent, and for total sales to increase between 6 and 8 percent.
Nordstrom currently operates 260 stores in 35 states, including 117 full-line stores, 140 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store. Nordstrom also reaches customers through Nordstrom.com and in the online private sale marketplace, HauteLook.
More on Financials
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 25, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
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.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
