The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Tiffany’s US Sales Soft in Q1
Spending by both foreign tourists and local customers was down, with comps in the Americas region as a whole sliding 4 percent.

New York--Tiffany & Co. reported Wednesday that while U.S. sales varied by location in the first quarter, they were “generally soft” with both foreign tourists and local customers spending less.
In the first quarter ended April 30, the New York-based retailer recorded a 4 percent decline in same-store sales in the Americas, with net sales down 3 percent to $392 million.
The retailer did not say anything specific about the first quarter performance of its flagship store in New York after reporting a difficult fourth quarter for the location in the wake of increased security at its neighbor, Trump Tower.
Worldwide, comps sank 3 percent while net sales grew 1 percent to $900 million on the back of growth in wholesale diamond sales and in the Asia-Pacific market, Tiffany’s second largest market. Much of that growth was concentrated in mainland China.
On a constant-exchange-rate basis, same-store sales were down 2 percent while net sales rose 2 percent.
Sales of fashion jewelry--particularly gold pieces in the Tiffany “T” collection--were strong while engagement rings underperformed and high jewelry sales were mixed.
During the company’s earnings call on Wednesday morning, Chief Financial Officer Mark Erceg said the retailer is not focused on “macroeconomic factors we cannot directly influence” but, rather, a set of strategies, which also were outlined by interim CEO Michael Kowalski during the call.
They are: clienteling and CRM (customer relations management) to more effectively engage with customers; adding more new products at a faster pace; optimizing the store network through openings, renovations and, in some cases, store closings; and enhancing brand awareness through effective marketing.
Tiffany’s net earnings in the first quarter totaled $92.9 million, compared with $87.5 million in the same period last year.
Gross margin rose from 61.2 percent to 62 percent due to sales of higher-margin fashion jewelry, partly offset by increased wholesale sales of diamonds.
Tiffany did not open any company-operated stores in the first quarter but closed three.
As of April 30, Tiffany had 310 stores worldwide, including 124 in the Americas. A year ago, the retailer had 308 stores, including 124 in the Americas.
The company completed the renovation of its store on San Francisco’s Union Square in the first quarter and reopened its newly renovated store on Burrard Street in Vancouver.
Tiffany’s guidance for the full fiscal year remains unchanged; the retailer expects a low single-digit increase in sales.
This fall, the
The Latest

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.


Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.

The employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.

The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.

General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.





















