The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Movado Group Sees Flat Q2 Sales
The company said fashion watches and licensed brands were down in the United States.

Paramus, N.J.--Movado Group said net sales were almost flat in the second quarter and down in the first-half of the year in its latest earnings report released Tuesday.
In the second quarter, sales were $128.8 million compared to $128.1 the year prior, an increase of less than 1 percent.
Gross profit was $66.1 million, or 51 percent of sales, compared to $70.3 million, or 55 percent of sales, in the second quarter last year, while operating expenses decreased 4 percent to $57.8 million and operating income was down from $10.1 million in the year-earlier period to $8.3 million.
CEO Efraim Grinberg said the U.S. retail environment was challenging for the company during the period, but noted it was offset by particularly strong growth in net sales in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
During a conference call Tuesday morning, Grinberg said that the U.S. presented a challenge for fashion watches especially. Licensed brands also were down in the region, posting a 26 percent decrease in the U.S.
Movado company stores, however, grew 5 percent overall, and the wholesale business was up 8 percent.
Grinberg added that the launch of its Movado Connect smartwatch was “very well received” by retail partners and will be available in stores beginning Sept. 1.
During the first quarter, Movado focused on streamlining operations to reduce costs and operate more efficiently and faster, Grinberg said, continuing a move it started near the end of the last fiscal year. It also continued to focus on growing its digital footprint, particularly through social media platforms.
Overall, in the first six months of fiscal 2018, net sales were down 6 percent to $228 million.
Operating income in the first half was $4.7 million, compared with $15.5 million in the first-half last year, and gross profit was 51 percent of sales at $115.3 million, compared with $131.6 million, or 54 percent of sales, in the prior year.
The company said that it is updating its outlook for the full fiscal year 2018 to reflect the acquisition of the Olivia Burton brand.
Movado said that since the brand is performing “in line with (its) expectations” and they are seeing “initial success with the integration as the brand continues to resonate with its core millennial customer,” it now anticipates that net sales will be in the range of $530 to $545 million and operating income will be approximately $53 to $58 million in the
In addition to growing Olivia Burton globally, the company also will focus on expanding other new business initiatives, including Rebecca Minkoff and Movado Connect watches, and increasing its direct-to-consumer business.
Later this year, they also will extend the Movado Heritage line with several new models and new retail partners, Grinberg said.
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.


























