ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsMar 24, 2016
Signet’s Full-Year Comps Rise 4 Percent
CEO Mark Light called it “an excellent finish to another strong year” for the retailer, aided by strong diamond fashion jewelry sales in the fourth quarter.
Akron, Ohio--Signet Jewelers Ltd. finished the year with a 4 percent increase in same-store sales, buoyed by strong diamond fashion jewelry sales in the fourth quarter.
The retailer reported Thursday morning that total sales for the year were up 14 percent, from $5.74 billion to $6.55 billion. Fiscal 2016, which ended Jan. 30, was the first full fiscal year in which Signet owned all the Zale brands.
Net income rose from $381.3 million to $467.9 million.
As previously announced, fourth quarter same-store sales were up 5 percent.
Total sales in the period went from $2.28 billion to $2.40 billion, also an increase of 5 percent.
Signet reiterated on its earnings call held Thursday morning that the “Ever Us” collection of two-stone rings was a major driver of sales in the fourth quarter, with CEO Mark Light calling it “one of the most significant innovations in the jewelry industry in years.”
The retailer is testing line extensions planned for release for the 2016 holiday season.
Light said earring and bracelet sales also were strong in Q4 as was bridal, particularly Vera Wang Love, Neil Lane, Tolkowsky and, at H. Samuel in the U.K., Forever Diamond.
Among its various chains, Kay recorded the highest same-store fourth quarter sales at 7 percent, followed by Zales Jewelers and Piercing Pagoda at 6 percent.
Comps for Jared the Galleria of Jewelry increased only 1 percent, with Light noting that the chain faces a different challenge as an off-mall store with a different set of competitors than Kay and Zales and is doing comparatively well in its market.
Jared is in a “transitional phase,” he said, with the impending addition of Pandora shop-in-shops and a new program Signet is testing called “Chosen Diamond,” where customers will be able to trace the entire journey of their diamond from mine to store.
During Thursday’s call, Signet Chief Financial Officer Michele Santana also addressed the strength of Sterling’s in-house credit program, which Bloomberg Business called into question in an article published last month, speculating that the retailer is taking too much risk with the type of people to whom it offers jewelry on credit.
This is the second time the retailer has spoken out in defense of Sterling’s in-house credit program since the Bloomberg story ran.
Santana said that customers’ “emotional attachment” to their jewelry purchases supports repayment history, and that offering credit--which 75 percent
of Sterling customers use when purchasing bridal--allows them to develop relationships and market to their customers.
She also noted that the in-house credit finance is designed for rapid repayment and turns over in nine months on average, and that the average FICO score of those receiving credit from Sterling has been in consistent range for a number of years.
Looking ahead, Signet said it expects a same-store sales increase of 3 to 4 percent in the first quarter, while it projects comps for the fiscal year to increase between 3 and 5 percent.
She also noted that the in-house credit finance is designed for rapid repayment and turns over in nine months on average, and that the average FICO score of those receiving credit from Sterling has been in consistent range for a number of years.
Looking ahead, Signet said it expects a same-store sales increase of 3 to 4 percent in the first quarter, while it projects comps for the fiscal year to increase between 3 and 5 percent.
More on Financials
The Latest
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
