Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Signet Turns in Better-Than-Expected Q2 Performance
The retailer’s same-store sales in North America dipped 1 percent as foot traffic continued to decline, but it beat analysts’ expectations and saw its stock rise.

Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported a dip in second-quarter revenue and a decline in foot traffic but the jeweler still posted better-than-expected sales.
Second-quarter sales for all Signet stores, both in North America and the United Kingdom, fell 4 percent year-over-year but totaled $1.36 billion, slightly higher than the $1.3 billion analysts had expected.
The jeweler also reported earnings of $0.51 per share, double the $0.25 per share analysts had expected.
The company's Q2 performance prompted CEO Gina Drosos to note the company is beginning to see results from its turnaround plan.
“We continue to gain traction on our transformation initiatives and delivered second-quarter results that exceeded our same-store sales, non-GAAP operating profit, and non-GAAP earnings per share expectations,” she said in the company press release announcing its Q2 results.
Signet’s Q2 same-store sales, which include both online and in-store sales, slipped 2 percent.
Quarterly e-commerce sales were up 4 percent to $156.9 million, accounting for 12 percent of overall sales, compared with 11 percent in the prior-year second quarter.
Brick-and-mortar same-store sales dipped 2 percent.
In North America, where Signet operates stores like Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and Piercing Pagoda, sales totaled $1.24 billion, with same-store sales down 1 percent.
The average transaction value increased 1 percent, but the number of transactions was down 2 percent.
By banner, Piercing Pagoda was the top performer, with same-store sales for the chain of ear-piercing kiosks climbing 11 percent.
This marks the fifth consecutive quarter the banner has seen double-digit growth, Signet CEO Gina Drosos noted on the company’s earnings call Thursday morning.
Same-stores sales at Zales rose 2 percent, while comps were down 2 percent at e-tailer James Allen and 3 percent at Kay Jewelers.
Comps fell 4 percent at Jared the Galleria of Jewelry while Canadian chain Peoples Jewellers recorded a 1 percent decline in same-store sales.
Regional banners performed poorly, with same-store sales falling 10 percent.
By category, fashion sales were strong, growing across all North America banners, Drosos said. Gold fashion jewelry, the “Love + Be Loved” collection, and Disney were the top performers.
Bridal, watches and other categories declined on a same-store sales basis, with the drop in the “other” category stemming from sliding Pandora sales.
Within bridal, Enchanted Disney and The Leo Diamond performed well, while sales of Ever Us and Tolkowsky slipped.
On the call, Drosos discussed the company’s strategy for the upcoming holiday season, which includes improving its merchandise assortment and shopping experience,
“As we enter the competitive holiday season, we believe we are positioned to execute our product strategy by launching additional flagship brands, delivering relevant on-trend new merchandise and offering a highly competitive assortment for value-oriented shoppers,” she said in press release.
Signet’s holiday plans include new products, including offering more colored gemstone bridal jewelry, and a new Vera Wang’s men’s collection.
Regarding tariffs, Drosos said they’ve had no “meaningful impact” on the business and Signet does not expect to pass costs along to the customer.
She added that the company has moved some of its business out of China to decrease its exposure.
Looking ahead, the retailer reiterated its full-year outlook, expecting sales of $6-$6.06 billion with same-store sales falling between 2 and 3 percent.
Signet also announced plans Thursday to refinance its existing credit facilities, entering into five-year $1.6 billion senior asset-based credit facilities, extending maturities and increasing its liquidity.
The Latest

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.


The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.