CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2015
Blue Nile goes brick-and-mortar
The Seattle-based e-tailer plans to open a standalone store in one of the country’s “top malls” where customers can see and try on its rings, though they will still have to buy them online.
Seattle--Blue Nile is moving its showcase experiment from Nordstrom into its own storefront.
CEO Harvey Kanter announced during the company’s earnings call Tuesday morning that the Seattle-based e-tailer would be opening a standalone showcase store in one of the country’s “top malls,” though he declined to say specifically when and where.
The store will mirror the brick-and-mortar presence Blue Nile launched in recent years in two Nordstrom locations: Customers can see and try on rings from Blue Nile’s inventory and consult with one of its employees, but won’t be able to walk out of the store with a purchase. Any buying that happens in the store will be done on a tablet computer via Blue Nile’s website, and the ring will be delivered just as it is when customers order online.
“Like the Nordstrom test this also is a test from which we will learn and leverage to grow,” he said.
Though Kanter called the showcase experience in Nordstrom a “success” during Tuesday’s call, other remarks he made indicated that Blue Nile did not get everything it wanted out of the in-store experiment.
When asked by an analyst later in the call about the Nordstrom test, Kanter allowed that the bridal salon where Blue Nile’s showcase was located was not the highest traffic area. He said having its own freestanding store in a leading mall where there’s more foot traffic will provide Blue Nile with a “materially bigger” opportunity to drive brick-and-mortar shoppers onto its website and grow its revenue base.
He said Blue Nile will not keep the showcases in either Nordstrom store.
Blue Nile is not the first online-only retailer to experiment with having a brick-and-mortar presence. Amazon has done the same, as has Boston-based Gemvara.
RELATED CONTENT: What’s ailing the Internet giants
Kanter’s announcement came as the e-tailer reported disappointing fourth quarter sales.
Net sales were up 8 percent year-over-year to $157.4 million, though $5.9 million of that was due to the fiscal fourth quarter having an extra week this year. Taking out those sales, fourth quarter revenue grew only 4 percent year-over-year.
Fourth quarter net income was down slightly, from $4.9 million to $4.8 million.
“This quarter’s results are below our expectations, as the general slowdown that affected the industry also affected our performance,” Kanter said during the call.
Despite what he termed a “challenging” quarter for the jewelry industry, Blue Nile
reported record engagement ring sales in the U.S. in Q4. They increased 8 percent to $85 million, $2.9 million of which came in that additional week.
Non-engagement ring sales in the U.S. were up 6 percent to $48.8 million, $1.8 million of which were in the additional week.
International sales for the fourth quarter were up 16 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis and including the additional week. Kanter said on the call that China is Blue Nile’s largest market outside the U.S., and that the company is opening a fulfillment center in Canada.
For the full fiscal year ended Jan. 4, Blue Nile’s net sales were up 5 percent, from $450.0 to $473.5 million. Net income declined year-over-year from $10.9 to $9.7 million.
In the second quarter Blue Nile, which already has exclusive lines with fashion designers Monique Lhuillier and Zac Posen, plans to add another exclusive line with a brand ambassador, though Kanter did not provide any more details on who he, or she, is.
More on Financials
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet RingIt's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEOThe brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
IndependentsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
