The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Tiffany’s Q1 Sales Dragged Down By Weak Tourist Spending
Trade tensions between the United States and China took a toll on the jeweler.

New York—Tiffany & Co. reported a dip in worldwide sales in the first quarter, weighed down by weak tourist spending.
Net sales in the first quarter, which included both Valentine’s and Mother’s Day, totaled $1 billion, compared with $1.03 billion in the previous first quarter, a 3 percent drop.
Worldwide same-stores sales fell declined by 2 percent.
“Our first quarter results reflect significant foreign-exchange headwinds and dramatically lower worldwide spending attributed to foreign tourists,” CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said in the news release on the results.
Trade tensions between the United States and China also have taken a toll on the retailer, as tariffs haven risen to 25 percent on jewelry sent to China from the U.S., as noted in the filing.
Gross profit fell about 5 percent to $619.2 million, or about 62 percent of sales, compared with $650.9 million, or 63 percent of sales, a year ago.
“The sharp decline we saw [in foreign tourist spending] really presented itself for the first time in June of last year and we have been running down significantly since that point in time,” Chief Financial Officer Mark J. Erceg said during the company’s earnings call Tuesday morning.
Net sales in the Americas, where the most Tiffany stores are located, were down 4 percent to $406 million. Same-store sales in the region fell 5 percent.
European sales fell 4 percent to $102 million while same-store sales were down 7 percent.
Asia-Pacific sales dropped 1 percent to $324 million as tourist spending slowed, and same-store sales were down by 5 percent.
Sales in Japan fell 4 percent to $145 million, again linked to lower tourist spending, while same-store sales were down 4 percent.
Sales from the “other” segment, which includes five Tiffany stores in the United Arab Emirates, were a bright spot on the balance sheet, climbing 17 percent to $26 million as wholesale diamond sales grew.
However, same-store sales in the UAE fell by 17 percent.
By category, sales of pieces from Tiffany’s jewelry collections, which includes lines like “Tiffany T” and “Paper Flowers,” increased 1 percent.
Sales of engagement jewelry fell 6 percent while jewelry from designers such as Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger dropped 14 percent.
As of April 30, there were 321 Tiffany stores in operation compared with 314 a year ago. There are 124 stores in the Americas, one more than a year ago.
Looking ahead, Tiffany expects worldwide net sales to increase by a low-single-digital percentage over last year.
Earnings
“At the core of our business, global sales attributed to local customers, led by sales in China, grew over last year’s very strong sales results,” he said.
He said growth in sales to local customers “reflects progress” and said Tiffany is set to improve in the second half of the year.
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.