Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
FinancialsNov 19, 2014
Same-store sales soar, losses narrow for Birks
Following a tough fiscal year, specialty jeweler Birks Group Inc. has rebounded with a strong second quarter and first half, driven by watch sales and an increase in average ticket, number of transactions and store traffic.
Montreal--Following a tough fiscal year, specialty jeweler Birks Group Inc. has rebounded with a strong second quarter and first half, driven by watch sales and an increase in average ticket, number of transactions and store traffic.
Montreal-based Birks operates the 18 Mayors stores located throughout the Southeastern U.S., as well as one Rolex store, Rolex Presented by Mayors, in Orlando, Fla.
In the second quarter ended Sept. 27, Birks reported that its 19 U.S. stores recorded a 29 percent year-over-year increase in same-store sales. The company said a combination of factors drove the increase: higher average sales and number of sales transactions; an increase in foot traffic due to the success of the company’s watch brand and client acquisitions strategies; and higher sales in recently renovated stores.
Same-store sales in Canada were up 17 percent in the period, driven by a higher average sale transaction due to the introduction of new watch brands, an expanded selection of both watch and fine jewelry brands, and Birks’ 135th anniversary celebrations. Birks operates a total of 28 Birks stores, which span most of Canada’s major metropolitan markets, as well as Brinkhaus stores in Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Total same-store sales for Birks Group Inc. rose 24 percent. Net sales were up 14 percent from $57.3 million to $65.5 million.
Through the first six months of the year, total same-store sales rose 20 percent, 25 percent in the U.S. and 14 percent in Canada.
Net sales increased 10 percent from $127.4 to $139.7 million. Net loss shrunk from $7.7 million to $4 million.
“We are extremely pleased with our performance during the first half of the fiscal year,” President and CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos said. “Our strategies, which we began implementing during the prior fiscal year, are delivering strong sales growth and are providing the company with significant momentum as we head into the holiday period.”
When Birks reported its fiscal year-end financials in July, it recorded a $5.8 million loss that the retailer said was the result of opening new stores and remodeling others, the money it poured into new marketing campaigns and poor holiday sales. This remodeling included the introduction of the mono-brand concept at Birks stores in Canada, overhauling the merchandise assortment so they carried only one brand: the Birks brand.
The company said at the time it was restructuring and cutting costs to save
money. These cost-cutting measures included the closure of its office in Tamarac, Fla., with the functions of that office migrating to company headquarters in Montreal.
More on Financials
The Latest
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
