The family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Tiffany Sees Q4 Comps Rise, Outlines Priorities
Its goals won’t sound unfamiliar: focus on omnichannel, improve the in-store experience and make sure the merchandise is right.

New York--Tiffany & Co. reported Friday that its fourth quarter comps increased as its new CEO outlined six priorities for the company going forward, including a focus on omnichannel and store renovations.
In the Americas, Tiffany’s same-store fourth quarter sales rose 5 percent (4 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) year-over-year while total sales in the period also rose 5 percent (flat on a constant-exchange-rate basis).
Total net sales were up 5 percent to $619 million in Q4 and rose 2 percent (1 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) to $1.9 billion for the full year.
The Americas started 2017 with a decline in sales, but improved as the year progressed, allowing the retailer to finish with a slight increase. Tiffany saw higher spending from local customers in the market, with sales to tourists unchanged year-over-year.
Globally, Tiffany’s fourth-quarter comps were up 3 percent (1 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) and net sales grew 9 percent (6 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) to $1.3 billion.
For the year, same-store sales were flat on both a reported and a constant-exchange-rate basis. Net global sales were up 4 percent to $4.2 billion, with sales growing in most regions.
Product-wise, Tiffany said sales of fashion and designer jewelry, its new fragrance, watches and home and accessories were strong. Engagement ring sales were weaker, ending 2017 down when compared with the previous year.
Tiffany’s fourth quarter and full year earnings call held Friday morning—a marathon call that lasted nearly two hours and included Tiffany taking calls from analysts, which the retailer has not done in the past—sounded similar to the one held Wednesday morning by Signet Jewelers.
Both retailers are under new leadership, and both outlined multi-step plans to improve sales that contained like elements: emphasizing omnichannel, improving the in-store experience, fine-tuning the product assortment and making the company more efficient overall.
The Tiffany brand is healthy, CEO Alessandro Bogliolo, who came on board in October, said Friday, but it also has “a tremendous opportunity to grow.”
Also on the call, Bogliolo shared a few details of the new jewelry line coming soon from Reed Krakoff. It will feature platinum and diamonds—the first for Tiffany in “many years,” Bogliolo said—and will be an “addictive” type of product that is “very nice surprise for the market.”
He also mentioned watches, particularly women’s watches, as a priority for the retailer going forward.
Tiffany’s store count remained relatively unchanged
As of Jan. 31, Tiffany had a total of 315 stores worldwide, including 124 in the Americas, one less than it had a year ago.
In 2018, the retailer said it plans to open nine, at least one in each region worldwide; close two; relocate 15, primarily in the Americas and Asia-Pacific markets; and renovate “many” stores.
The pop-up stores that Tiffany experimented with in the latter half of the year in the United States, Canada and Tokyo are not included in the store count.
The Latest

Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.

The reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.

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

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association


The 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.




















