Financials

Signet Opening James Allen Concept Store in DC

FinancialsAug 30, 2018

Signet Opening James Allen Concept Store in DC

It is set to open before the holiday season and will be more high-tech than the jeweler’s other stores.

2018_JamesAllen-logo.jpg
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos announced Thursday that the company soon will open the first full-line brick-and-mortar store for online retailer James Allen. Signet acquired James Allen parent company, R2Net, in September 2017.

Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. CEO Gina Drosos announced Thursday that the company will be opening a James Allen concept store and showroom in Washington, D.C., before the upcoming holiday season.

While the company declined to release specifics on location or exact timing, Drosos did say the store will be more technology-focused than Signet’s current stores.

The opening of a full-line brick-and-mortar location is a first for the online retailer; James Allen does have a showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York City, but that space is by appointment only.

The announcement of James Allen moving into brick-and-mortar came as Signet released its second quarter results Thursday morning.

Signet’s total sales hit $1.42 billion in the 13-week period ended Aug. 4, a 2 percent year-over-year increase. Same-store sales were up 2 percent as well.

In North America, comps rose 2 percent. The company’s same-store sales result includes sales on its own e-commerce sites as well as on JamesAllen.com, which recorded a 25 percent year-over-year increase in sales to $54.4 million.

RELATED CONTENT: Signet Completes R2Net Acquisition
Leading the way among Signet’s brick-and-mortar businesses was Piercing Pagoda, with a same-store sales increase of 12 percent, followed by Zales at 7 percent. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores recorded a 1 percent increase in comps, while same-store sales at Kay Jewelers slipped 2 percent.

Bridal and fashion jewelry were the strongest sellers in the quarter, while sales of jewelry classified as “other,” including beads, declined. Signet is phasing out its “Charmed Memories” line of beads sold at Kay stores.

E-commerce sales (including James Allen) totaled $150.3 million, an 83 percent year-over-year increase. Online sales accounted for 11 percent of Signet’s sales in the second quarter.

The increases come as Signet is in the middle of a three-year turnaround plan launched in March and termed the “Path to Brilliance.”

Drosos said the retailer is “encouraged” by the results so far and is “modestly” raising its revenue and earnings guidance for the year. She added, though, that Signet is “remaining appropriately cautious” in its outlook as many of its Path to Brilliance initiatives are being launched later in the year.

Toward the conclusion of Thursday’s earnings call, the Signet CEO was asked about lab-grown gemstones, specifically lab-grown diamonds and if Signet had any interest in carrying them.

While Drosos echoed some of what she told Yahoo Finance in an April interview—that she believes consumers
want a mined diamond for their engagement ring—she did not seemed closed to the idea of Signet carrying lab-grown diamonds in fashion jewelry.

She said there could be some “growing interest” in the fashion jewelry space for lab-grown diamonds, adding: “We will make sure Signet is well-positioned to participate in that space … if customers point us in that direction.”

Her philosophy on man-made diamonds sounds similar to one adopted by De Beers in launching its lab-grown line, Lightbox: lab-grown diamonds belong in lower-priced fashion jewelry given for occasions like graduation and Sweet 16, while mined diamonds are for engagement rings.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

×

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