Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
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

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The organization also announced its board of directors.


Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.