Financials

Online Sales Soar, Strengthening Signet’s Q4

FinancialsMar 18, 2021

Online Sales Soar, Strengthening Signet’s Q4

The jewelry giant saw e-commerce sales increase 71 percent year-over-year in its fourth quarter.

20210318_Signet header.jpg
Signet’s total sales rose 2 percent overall in the fourth quarter, but fell 15 percent for the full year.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. posted a strong fourth quarter but the specialty jeweler’s full-year sales fell by double digits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, sales totaled $2.2 billion, up 2 percent year-over-year, with same-store sales climbing 7 percent, the retailer reported Thursday morning.

Brick-and-mortar sales were down 4 percent year-over-year while online sales climbed 71 percent, accounting for 23 percent of all sales.

Signet’s Buy Online Pick-Up In Store feature, or BOPIS, was up and running by the fourth quarter, noted CEO Virginia Drosos on an earnings call Thursday morning.

It was a popular choice, particularly among male customers ahead of the holidays.

Drosos noted high rates of customer satisfaction and on-time fulfillment with BOPIS, with 86 percent of orders picked up within three hours in December.

For the full fiscal year, Signet’s sales totaled $5.2 billion, down 15 percent year-over-year, with same-store sales sliding 11 percent.

 Related stories will be right here … 

As the vaccine rollout brings customers closer to normal, discretionary spending may shift to other categories, noted Signet on the earnings call.

The retailer said it will increase its marketing spending to continue to fuel momentum.

Drosos said the company is keeping its ear to the ground as to what consumers are interested in, looking into rental and subscription jewelry services as well as new designers.

In North America, where Signet’s banners include Kay, Jared and Zales, fourth-quarter same-store sales were up 10 percent.

The company noted particular strength in the bridal and fashion categories.

All U.S. banners reported same-store sales growth for the second consecutive quarter, noted Signet.

Brick-and-mortar same-store sales in North America were up less than 1 percent, while online sales rose 66 percent.

Average transaction value (ATV) inched up 1 percent while the number of transactions was up 10 percent.

For the full year, same-store sales were down 10 percent. Online sales were up 56 percent while brick and mortar sales declined 19 percent. ATV was flat to last year while the number of transactions fell 8 percent.


In the U.K., fourth quarter same-store sales fell 28 percent.

Brick-and-mortar sales plummeted 56 percent as e-commerce sales more than doubled, up 115 percent. ATV increased 6 percent while the number of transactions dropped 30 percent.

For the full year, same-store sales were down 25  percent. Online sales were up 81 percent while brick and mortar sales declined 42 percent. ATV was up 9 percent while the number of transactions fell 30 percent.

Following the third year of its Path to Brilliance transformation plan, Signet said Thursday it is moving into the next phase, “Inspiring Brilliance.”

The plan includes growing services revenue, expanding its luxury and value segments, bolstering digital commerce, and utilizing its data.

As for store count, Signet had 2,833 stores at the close of its fiscal year on Jan. 30, 375 fewer than the end of fiscal 2020. It closed 395 stores this fiscal year, which is FY21 for Signet.

The company is planning to close more than 100 stores and open more than 100 in stronger locations this fiscal year.

Signet has been optimizing its store footprint in recent years, moving away from low-performing malls to off-mall locations. It also has plans to add kiosks in underserved markets.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2022, the company expects to see first-quarter revenue between $1.42 billion and $1.46 billion while full-year revenue is expected to total between $5.85 billion and $6 billion.

Lenore Fedowis the associate editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Diamonds Direct Atlanta store
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in Atlanta

It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.

Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ Earrings

Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.

Stock image of Providence, Rhode Island, skyline
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest State

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.

Untitled design.jpg
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price Stability

As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.

Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Amazon package outside door
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews

They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.

De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ Market

Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.

IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard Dies

A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.

Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 Backpacks

The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.

Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High Jewelry

The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.

Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance Provider

Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.

Bradlei Smith
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship Winner

Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales

In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.

De Beers rough diamond display
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2

The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.

Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod Vacation

The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.

Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ Campaign

The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.

Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant Winners

The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.

Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With Customer

Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.

Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJC

The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.

Karen Rentmeesters
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEO

Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.

Brian and Jessie Mann
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70

Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.

Tudor store in Denver
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor Boutique

The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Messika’s So Move Max Necklace
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ Necklace

Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.

Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs

Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.

Etsy billboard rendering in NYC
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid Backlash

Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.

Ariana Grande Modeling in Swarovski Jewelry
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand Ambassador

The celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy