Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
Tiffany & Co. Q4 Comps Down 2% in Americas
Total sales in the region also were down 3 percent as spending in the U.S. remains soft.

New York--Tiffany and Co. reported Friday that comps and sales were both down in the Americas in its fiscal fourth quarter as spending in the U.S. remained soft.
In the Americas region, comps were down 2 percent and total sales were down 3 percent to $587 million in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31. For the full year, comps were down 6 percent while net sales declined 5 percent to $1.8 billion in the full year.
The company said it saw softness across the U.S. last year and attributed the decline to lower spending by U.S. customers and foreign tourists.
Tiffany & Co. also continued to report on the impact of post-election activities to traffic to its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York, reporting that sales were down 7 percent in the fourth quarter there. This is an improvement on the 14 percent decrease for the location in the November-December period alone, though management attributed this improvement to some large transactions at the store in January.
Meanwhile, sales at the flagship were down 11 percent in the full year.
Globally, comps for the company were flat in the fourth quarter while net sales increased 1 percent to $1.2 billion. For the full-year, worldwide same-store sales were down 5 percent and net sales declined 3 percent to $4 billion.
In its earnings conference call Friday morning, Mike Kowalski, who took the position as interim CEO last month after Frederic Cumenal stepped down from the position, called the jeweler’s sales results “disappointing.”
To help it get back to growth and positive results, the company said it intends to accelerate the pace of new product development and innovation going forward, with which they believe newly appointed Chief Artistic Officer Reed Krakoff will be able to help.
Lately, it has been seeing success with its fashion jewelry category, which is attributed in part to higher gold jewelry sales and the success of the T collection.
Tiffany also noted growth in its silver jewelry category, with sales “approaching stabilization” after years of decline, executives reported on the call, as well as an increased performance in the under-$500 category, on which Tiffany will continue to focus in the future.
The softest categories were high, fine and solitaire jewelry--though the company reports it is doing well with the Victoria platinum and diamond collection--as spending remains light at the high end of the category.
In
In Asia-Pacific, meanwhile, comps were down 2 percent in the three-month period and 9 percent in the 12-month period, while total sales of $284 million in the fourth quarter were 9 percent above the prior-year period and total sales of $1 billion in the full year were about flat.
In Japan, same-store sales increased 19 percent in the quarter and 16 percent in the full year, while total sales in the fourth period were up 15 percent to $185 million and net sales in the full year rose 12 percent to $604 million.
Tiffany opened 11 company-operated stores during the full year and closed five locations, which, when combined with the relocation of five stores, resulted in a net increase in gross retail square footage of approximately 3 percent for the retailer.
As of Jan. 31, Tiffany & Co. operated 313 stores: 125 in the Americas, 85 in Asia-Pacific, 55 in Japan, 43 in Europe and five in the UAE. This is compared with 307 stores a year ago: 124 in the Americas, 81 in Asia-Pacific, 56 in Japan, 41 in Europe and five in the UAE.
The Latest

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.