The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Tiffany Q4 Sales Dragged Down by Weak Holiday Season
Global sales dipped 1 percent in the fourth quarter, a disappointing ending to an otherwise strong year.

New York—Tiffany & Co.’s worldwide sales dipped by 1 percent in the fourth quarter, weighed down by a weak holiday season.
The retailer had attributed its disappointing holiday sales to a decrease in spending by Chinese tourists and softening demand in the Americas and Europe.
Fourth-quarter net sales totaled $1.32 billion, compared with $1.33 billion in the fourth quarter 2017.
Sales in the Americas, where the most Tiffany stores are located, were flat compared with a year ago at $618 million, which the company said was due to foreign tourists spending less. Same-stores sales were flat as well.
European sales were down 3 percent to $162 million, again linked to a decline in tourist spending. Same-store sales dipped by 5 percent.
Asia-Pacific sales, meanwhile, declined 1 percent to $316 million as sales slowed in mainland China, and same-store sales were down by 3 percent.
Japan was the exception, reporting a 3 percent increase in sales to $196 million, as both locals and foreign tourists spent more. Comps climbed 3 percent.
Sales from the “other” segment, which includes five Tiffany stores in the United Arab Emirates, were down 25 percent to $29 million due to a decline in wholesale sales of diamonds as well as a dip in same-store sales.
In terms of categories, jewelry collection sales, which includes lines like Tiffany T and Paper Flowers, rose by 3 percent in the fourth quarter. Engagement jewelry sales fell 3 percent, and sales of jewelry from designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger dropped 8 percent.
The fourth-quarter decline capped off what was otherwise a strong year for Tiffany.
Worldwide net sales for the full year climbed 7 percent higher to $4.4 billion with same-stores sales up 4 percent.
Total annual sales in the Americas rose by 5 percent, clocking in at $2 billion, while same-store sales for the region increased by 5 percent.
Looking to fiscal 2019, the company forecasts worldwide net sales to increase by a low-single-digit percentage.
Net sales are expected to decrease in the first half of the year due to a dip in tourism spending, a stark contrast to the nearly 7 percent increase in revenue analysts had forecasted.
Despite the lackluster results, CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said that he continues to “strongly believe that Tiffany has vast global growth opportunities, and we look forward to realizing our full potential in the future.”
As of Jan. 31, there were 321 Tiffany stores in operation, compared
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

























