A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
Online Sales Drive Holiday Season Growth for Signet
The retailer has upped the number of stores it plans to close from 150 to 165.

Akron, Ohio—The largest player in the jewelry industry recorded growth in comparable sales over the holiday season, fueled mainly by a double-digit increase in online sales.
Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported Thursday morning that in the nine-week period ended Jan. 4, total same-store sales inched up 1.6 percent, with comps in North America rising a full 2 percent.
Online sales are what drove the increase.
E-commerce sales reached $252.3 million, up 14 percent year-over-year, while comps at Signet’s brick-and-mortar stores in the U.K. and North America were essentially flat.
The payment plan participation rate, including both credit and leasing sales, declined year-over-year.
Signet said in April it planned to close 150 physical locations this fiscal year, which ends on Feb. 1.
That number has since increased to 165, with 38 stores opening for a net store reduction of 115.
Out of Signet’s traditional brick-and-mortar banners, Piercing Pagoda (comps up 7 percent), Zales (comps up 5 percent) and Canadian chain Peoples (comps up 5 percent) were the top performers.
Sales at Kay were flat, while Jared the Galleria of Jewelry saw comps slip 4 percent, and Signet’s regional banners recorded a 10 percent drop in same-store sales.
James Allen, which started as an online-only retailer but now has a couple physical locations, saw sales increase 27 percent.
Category-wise, Signet sold more bridal and fashion jewelry—lines like Neil Lane and Adrianna Papell bridal, the new Marilyn Monroe collection and Love + Be Loved—on the back of new product, while sales of beads and watches declined.
The company declined to comment on the performance of lab-grown diamonds, which it just started carrying in all its major U.S. stores this year, over the holiday season.
The number of transactions was up, while the average transaction value was flat.
Commenting on the company’s holiday season results, CEO Gina Drosos said: “We delivered holiday same-store sales growth ahead of guidance as we continued to implement year two of our ‘Path to Brilliance’ transformation.
“Product newness, investments in our digital capabilities and more targeted marketing campaigns drove both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar growth in North America.”
The retailer is increasing its financial guidance for the fiscal year to a same-store sales increase of 0.1 percent, with total sales reaching $6.1 billion.
Previously, Signet had forecast that same-store sales would decline as much as 2 percent.
The Latest

The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.

The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.


At Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.

Six people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.

Ben Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.

It’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.

It included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.

The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.

Fordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.

Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.

A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.

The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.

Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.