The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
US Comps Fall 9% for Michael Hill
The jeweler said it “struggled to gain traction” in the United States following a change in leadership and marketing strategy.

Brisbane, Australia--Same-store sales dropped 9 percent at Michael Hill’s U.S. stores in the retailer’s recently concluded fiscal year.
For the period ending June 30, total sales in the U.S. market were down 12 percent, from $14.2 million to $12.5 million. The company posted a loss of $3.8 million, up from a loss of $2.6 million in the prior-year period.
As previously announced, Michael Hill closed one U.S. store during its fiscal year, the store in the Easton Centre in Columbus, Ohio.
The retailer also said when releasing its full-year results this week that because of the “substandard” location of its store in the Roosevelt Field mall on New York’s Long Island, it has now marked the store as “impaired” on its balance sheet, resulting in a $667,000 write-down of impaired assets and onerous lease provision.
The store remains open.
In September, Michael Hill appointed Brett Halliday, who has run the chain’s more successful Canadian business, to head the U.S. market as well.
The company said: “The board and the executive team continue to closely monitor the U.S. business as this is potentially a lucrative market for the group, if we can develop a viable model.”
Globally, Michael Hill’s same-store sales were up 2 percent while total sales rose 6 percent to AU$583 million ($461.4 million).
Net profit after tax was AU$32.6 million ($25.8 million), up 66 percent year-over-year. Gross profit was 63.5 percent.
During its fiscal year, Michael Hill opened 13 stores while closing seven under-performing locations, including the Columbus store.
The company also opened 13 Emma & Roe stores. Emma & Roe sells low-priced fashion jewelry, with an emphasis on charms; there are none in the United States.
The company had 332 stores at the end of its fiscal year, including 29 Emma & Roe stores.
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.





















