Policies & Issues

5 Things to Know About Signet’s Sustainability Goals

Policies & IssuesJul 06, 2021

5 Things to Know About Signet’s Sustainability Goals

From inclusivity in the workplace to climate change, these are the issues the jewelry giant is prioritizing.

20210706_Signet header.jpg
As part of its long-term corporate sustainability goals, Signet Jewelers is emphasizing the importance of workplace diversity and inclusion. (Image courtesy of Signet Jewelers)
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers has mapped out its sustainability goals for the next decade.

The jewelry giant said it will focus on charity work, inclusion, climate change, and other people-focused initiatives.

“Our 2030 Corporate Sustainability Goals provide a roadmap for the next decade of our journey as a company,” CEO Virginia C. Drosos said in a press statement. 

“From prioritizing our team in creating a rewarding and welcoming culture to protecting human rights throughout our supply chain and innovating in ways such as embracing the circular economy and continually reducing carbon emissions, we’re committed to operating in ways that create positive change for our planet and people.”

Signet has a list of 44 goals, organized into a “three loves” framework: love for all people, love for its team, and love for its planet and products.

Here are some of the highlights of its plan.

Signet wants to advocate for social change.

As beauty ideals shift away from traditional perfection to more inclusive realness, Signet wants its ads to reflect that.

The company is pledging to create inclusive marketing campaigns, representing a diverse array of shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and abilities. Signet said it will partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to feature patients and their families.

And, as society continues to parse through important conversations about social change, the company said it wants to be a part of the discussion in places where its voice can be helpful.

The company is leaning into its philanthropic side as quarterly sales continue to surge, and it is encouraging its employees to do the same. Signet’s Love Inspires Foundation will encourage team members to focus on social causes that are important to the communities where they live and work.

It aims to align the charity’s grant-making policy with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Signet wants to promote a more inclusive work environment.

The jewelry company has set several goals related to a more inclusive workplace.

It aims to interview diverse candidates for manager-level positions and above.


For the next four years, Signet plans to continue requiring its team members to take courses on inclusion and equity.

Employees in the director level and above will be required to complete a “Traits of Inclusive Leaders” course by 2025.

If all goes to plan, the management team is expected to better reflect its customer base and communities by 2025, the jeweler said.

In addition, by 2030, Signet expects to increase diversity in its leadership positions at the level of director and above by 25 percent, and increase the representation of BIPOC in leadership roles at this level in support centers by 20 percent.

It plans to earmark contributions for historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving academic institutions, setting up scholarships and academic partnerships as a way to increase diversity in its pool of interns and direct hires.

The retailer set a goal of becoming an “Employer of Choice” for LGBTQ+ communities and be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.

Signet also is increasing its base wage in the United States to $15 per hour by the spring of 2022, an intention it announced earlier this year.

Signet wants to carry that inclusivity over to the design studio.

The retailer also has set goals to promote inclusivity in the design process.

One goal is to increase the total spend on indirect diverse suppliers to $250 million.

It also plans to up its merchandise spend to global direct suppliers with programs that pay living wages to women.

The company wants to foster talent in the diamond jewelry sector, particularly for BIPOC designers, offering scholarships, mentorships, business development, and more.

It plans to add five BIPOC-owned companies and brands to its vendor list.

Signet will also give support to five new female entrepreneurs in the jewelry industry.

Looking at its supply chain, the company hopes to increase “access to career opportunities and upward mobility for women employed by our key suppliers.”

Signet wants to do its part to promote human rights via supply chain management.

The company said it will source “conflict-free” rough diamonds from high-risk areas, like Central Africa, by working with artisanal and small-scale miners, aligned with the guidance provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

In a push for traceability, it will disclose diamond origin by company and share information with customers about the economic impact for those diamonds traceable through De Beers Group, Alrosa and other major rough diamond sources.

The company also plans to provide skills and opportunities to the diamond cutting and polishing areas of Botswana.

In addition to its sustainability goals report, Signet filed its eighth consecutive Form Specialized Disclosure and Conflict Minerals Report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, alongside an independent private sector audit report.

Signet’s report, backed up by the accompanying audit, states it has obtained its gold, tin, tantalum, and tungsten from conflict-free sources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Looking to its suppliers, all of Signet’s “strategic indirect suppliers” have signed the company’s Supplier Code of Conduct or have a similar one in place, the company said, and have been audited for compliance.

Its direct and indirect suppliers are also increasing career opportunities and upward mobility for women.

Signet said all of its direct suppliers offer safe and healthy workplaces for its employees, and all key suppliers are expected to be certified members of the Responsible Jewelry Council by 2025.

Signet wants to address climate change.

As heat waves ripple across the country, climate change continues to be an issue large companies are looking to address.

Signet has set the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, partnering with transportation suppliers to meet that goal.

The company also wants to make its packaging more eco-friendly, offering customers sustainable packaging options in stores and online.

It aims to use at least 50 percent recycled content for pulp and paper-based packaging and 30 percent recycled content in plastic-based packaging.

In addition, Signet’s supply chain will make use of corrugated boxes consisting of no less than 60 percent recycled material.

As for water usage, it will implement reduction policies in all of its factories and facilities that operate in “water-stressed areas.”

The company also wants to join the U.N. Global Compact CEO Water Mandate and pledge by 2050 to have a net-positive water impact in these water-stressed areas.

In addition to the initiatives outlined above, Signet also set goals to provide professional development training for its retail employees, improve employee retention in its field and support centers, and more.

“I couldn’t be prouder to embrace this direction—a true north that our customers, employees and investors want—and be the change we want to see in the world,” said Drosos.

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

The Latest

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

Branko Gems
SourcingMar 21, 2025
BrankoGems To Hold Conference in Montana

The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

Til Death Ring by Marrow Fine
TrendsMar 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marrow Fine’s ‘Til Death’ Ring

After the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.

Korman Fine Jewelry Austin store
IndependentsMar 20, 2025
Korman Fine Jewelry’s New Store Is Double the Size

The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.

JCK Rocks 2025
Events & AwardsMar 20, 2025
JCK Rocks to Feature Snoop Dogg, Jason Derulo

The rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.

Conversations with Chris Ploof YouTube Video Series
TechnologyMar 20, 2025
Chris Ploof, Severine Ferrari Launch YouTube Video Series

“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamond store in India
Lab-GrownMar 20, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond Sector

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

Lab-grown diamond engagement ring
FinancialsMar 19, 2025
Signet Jewelers to Close Stores, Cut Staff Amid Declining Sales

The moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.

×

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