Financials

Tiffany sees third quarter comps fall

FinancialsMar 03, 2016

Tiffany sees third quarter comps fall

Despite sales growth in Canada and Latin America, weak tourist spending in the United States resulted in a poor third quarter in the Americas for Tiffany & Co.

2016-Tiffany-T-collection.jpg
While Tiffany’s overall sales were slow in the third quarter, the retailer reported strong sales of gold fashion jewelry worldwide with its T collection (pictured here) particularly popular.

New York--Despite sales growth in Canada and Latin America, weak tourist spending in the United States resulted in a poor third quarter in the Americas for Tiffany & Co., the retailer reported Tuesday.

The New York-based retailer’s same-store sales in the Americas were down 6 percent during the period ended Oct. 31, while total sales on a constant-exchange-rate basis fell 5 percent. 

Despite strong sales of statement jewelry, there were “varying degrees of softness across most other jewelry categories” compared with last year’s strong third quarter, executives said in Tuesday’s earnings conference call.

Year-to-date comps and total sales also were down in the region, declining 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

The retailer said the declines were due in large part to lower foreign tourist spending in the U.S., attributed to the strong dollar, while sales to U.S. customers were relatively flat to last year due to a difficult year-over-year comparison as well as continued softness in consumer spending. 

Tiffany executives also noted during the call that the retailer is in the process of some major U.S. store renovations. It just completed an upgrade of its store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and now is focusing on its stores in San Francisco’s Union Square and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. 

Globally, total same-store sales inched up 1 percent while total sales on a constant-exchange-rate basis rose 4 percent to $938 million in the third quarter. Sales growth in Japan, Europe and Asia-Pacific was partly offset by the lower sales in the Americas.

Worldwide, Tiffany said it recorded considerable growth in sales of high-end statement jewelry through its VIP customer events. Engagement jewelry performed well in Japan and Europe but was soft globally. 

Gold fashion jewelry sales also were strong, reflecting the success of the Tiffany T collection.

The company noted that it is focused on expanding and refreshing existing collections, including reintroducing designs in its “Return to Tiffany”collection to improve its silver sales at price points below $500.

Meanwhile, Tiffany’s Infinity collection has been expanded in silver and gold, and the retailer also expanded the Victoria collection with new designs in platinum and diamonds as well as the Tiffany Bow collection with designs in gold and diamonds. 

Executives also said that they have been happy with sales of the new CT60 and East West watch collections launched earlier this year. 

In the nine-month period ended

Oct. 31, Tiffany’s global same-store sales were up 2 percent and total sales rose 4 percent. The company said that it raised prices during the quarter, which moved it closer to restoring its global pricing structure to normal levels given the dollar’s continued strength. 

Tiffany opened two company-operated stores in the third quarter--in Santiago, Chile, and Macau--while closing one in Korea. Year-to-date, it has opened 10 net new stores.

As of Oct. 31, Tiffany operated 305 stores: 125 in the Americas, 79 in Asia-Pacific, 56 in Japan, 39 in Europe, and five stores in the United Arab Emirates and one in Russia. This is up from the 294 stores it operated a year ago: 122 in the Americas, 72 in Asia-Pacific, 56 in Japan, 38 in Europe, and five in the UAE and one in Russia.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

Exterior of the Venetian and the Las Vegas Sphere
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 Sessions

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

JCK show
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Amy Curran
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Daymond John
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The eight rings in Viviana Langhoff’s AU79 jewelry collection
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into Gold

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

Article Image 1.png
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.

Woman’s hand holding shopping bags
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.

Dakota Johnson as Roberto Coin Brand Ambassador
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand Ambassador

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

Mason Kay Jade necklace
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade Reports

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Gemfields ruby
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat Ruby

The 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.

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

Graff Fontainebleau Las Vegas
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas Flagship

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Kim Kardashian
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist Trial

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

New York Liberty 2024 WNBA Championship Ring
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic Win

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

Jewelers Board of Trade logo
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT President

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy