CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
FinancialsMay 18, 2014
Earnings roundup: Kohl’s, JC Penney, Walmart
Despite a dismal winter that hampered many retailers’ sales, J.C. Penney posted relatively strong first quarter same-store sales, with fine jewelry listed as one of its best-selling categories.
New York--Despite a dismal winter that hampered many retailers’ sales, J.C. Penney posted relatively strong first quarter same-store sales, with fine jewelry listed as one of its best-selling categories.
Walmart, meanwhile, had a flat first quarter at its U.S. stores while Kohl’s saw same-store and total sales decline.
Highlights from the first quarter results of all three companies are below.
Walmart
U.S. same-store sales (excluding fuel) were essentially flat in the first quarter ended May 2 for Walmart, as were Sam’s Club sales and the company’s U.S. comps overall.
Net sales for Walmart U.S. rose 2 percent in the first quarter, from $66.55 billion to $67.85 billion.
“Like other retailers in the U.S., the unseasonably cold and disruptive weather negatively impacted U.S. sales and drove operating expenses higher than expected,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., though he added that the retailer’s underlying business is “solid.”
Walmart said it will continue to invest in its smaller-format Neighborhood Market stores in the U.S.
J.C. Penney
Same-store sales rose 6 percent for J.C. Penney Co. Inc. in what the company described as a “difficult retail environment.”
Total sales also were up 6 percent, from $2.64 billion to $2.80 billion. Net loss, however, climbed from $348 million to $352 million.
In addition to fine jewelry, women’s and men’s apparel and home were the top-performing categories for the retailer.
While gross margin improved year-over-year, increasing from 30.8 percent to 33.1 percent, it is still being impacted by clearance sales, the company said.
“We are very pleased to report that J.C. Penney delivered its second consecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth, as well as continued gross margin improvement,” CEO Myron Ullman III said. “It is clear that our efforts to re-merchandise many areas of the store and revamp our messaging to the customer are taking hold … We expect to carry this momentum into the second quarter as we continue to position the company for long-term profitable growth.”
J.C. Penney forecasts a mid-single-digit increase in same-store sales for the second quarter as well as the full year.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s Corp. saw first quarter same-store decline 3 percent while total sales dropped 3 percent also, from $4.07 billion to $4.12 billion.
Net income was down 15 percent, from $147 million to $129 million.
“We did not achieve our first quarter sales goals but we were encouraged by
the improvement in sales as the quarter progressed. Our teams managed our inventory levels appropriately and expenses were controlled throughout the organization during the quarter,” said Kohl’s Chairman, President and CEO Kevin Mansell.
Kohl’s ended the quarter with 1,160 stores in 49 states, slightly more than it had at the same time last year. The retailer opened four new stores, relocated one and closed two during the first quarter.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA 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.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
