Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
Jewelry, watch sales stand out for LVMH
The Paris-based luxury goods conglomerate reported Tuesday that its Watches & Jewelry division saw sales increase by double digits in the first half of the year, led by Bulgari.

Paris--LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported Tuesday that its Watches & Jewelry division saw sales grow by a double-digit percentage in the first half of the year, led by Bulgari.
Watches & Jewelry sales totaled $1.72 billion in the first six months of 2015, compared with $1.40 billion in the same time period last year, an increase of 23 percent. At constant exchange rates and with comparable structure, watch and jewelry sales were up 10 percent.
Profits for the division nearly doubled, jumping 91 percent year-over-year.
The company’s watch and jewelry brands, which include Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith, posted the largest year-over-year increase of any of LVMH’s divisions. It outperformed Fashion & Leather Goods, the division that sells Louis Vuitton brand purses and wallets, and Selective Retailing, which includes the popular Sephora chain of cosmetics stores.
LVMH said overall, its jewelry sales showed “strong growth” while retailers that carry its watches remained cautious in purchasing.
On a brand-by-brand basis, Bulgari sales were strong, driven by its iconic jewelry collections and new woman’s watch, the Lucea.
TAG Heuer, meanwhile, “continued to refocus its core offering,” and concluded its partnership with Intel and Google to develop a smartwatch. In late April, Jean-Claude Biver revealed to Bloomberg that the TAG smartwatch will be released in October or November and cost $1,400 at retail. TAG announced its plans for a smartwatch at Baselworld in March but provided few details at that time.
Total sales for LVMH in the first half of the year reached $8.47 billion, an increase of 6 percent year-over-year with comparable structure and constant exchange rates. Profit from recurring operations was $3.31 billion, up 15 percent year-over-year.
LMVH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said the company had “excellent” results in the first half because of the strength of its brands and its “entrepreneurial style” of management. He said the company is confident about its prospects for the remainder of 2015.
The Latest

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.


The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.