The pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
Tiffany Sees Q4 Sales Bump, Braces for Coronavirus Hit
The jeweler’s main focus is preparing to weather the coronavirus pandemic, said CEO Alessandro Bogliolo.

New York—Tiffany & Co. reported an increase in sales in the fourth quarter as gold and diamond jewelry boosted its balance sheet, but the coronavirus outbreak looms large as many of the retailer’s stores remain closed.
Worldwide net sales in the fourth quarter rose 3 percent to $1.36 billion, compared with $1.32 billion a year ago. Same-store sales were also up 3 percent.
Net sales for the full year clocked in at $4.44 billion, a slight increase compared with $4.42 billion a year ago, while same-store sales were unchanged.
“Our primary focus now is on preparing our company, business and communities for the COVID-19 pandemic and the return to normal operations,” CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said in a press release.
Tiffany’s stores in the United States and Canada have been closed temporarily as the countries grapple with the coronavirus outbreak.
In mainland China, the jeweler has lost half of its normal selling days since Jan. 24.
Looking at the jeweler’s fourth-quarter performance region by region, in the Americas, where the most Tiffany stores are located, net sales in the fourth quarter were up 4 percent to $640 million with same-store sales up 3 percent as local customers increased spending.
Full-year sales slipped 2 percent to $1.9 billion with same-store sales also down 2 percent. The dip in sales was attributed to lower spending by foreign tourists.
In the Asia-Pacific region, fourth-quarter net sales were up 8 percent to $342 million with same-store sales climbing 7 percent. For the full year, net sales were up 2 percent to $1.3 billion with same-store sales down 1 percent.
The company experienced “significant disruptions” in the Hong Kong market due to political unrest but double-digit growth in mainland China in the fourth quarter and the full year offset that.
European sales rose 4 percent to $168 million in the fourth quarter with same-store sales up 5 percent. For the full year, sales dipped 1 percent to $498 million with same-store sales down 1 percent.
In Japan, sales dipped 8 percent in the quarter to $180 million, which Tiffany said reflected a change in Japan’s consumption tax, with same-store sales also down 8 percent.
Full-year sales in Japan were up 1 percent to $650 million with same-store sales unchanged.
Sales from the “other” segment, which includes five Tiffany stores in the United Arab Emirates, fell 9 percent to $26 million in the quarter while same-store sales were up 11 percent.
Full-year sales were down
By category, sales from Tiffany’s jewelry collections, which includes lines like “Paper Flowers,” were up 2 percent while engagement jewelry sales dipped 2 percent.
The “Tiffany T” collection as well as its high jewelry were the sales drivers, the jeweler said, while sales of jewelry from designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger fell 6 percent
Bogliolo attributed growth in the fourth quarter to the company’s focus on “elevating our sales mix toward higher-value items within each jewelry product category, with the largest growth being in our gold and gold and diamond offerings.”
The higher price points of the gold and diamond offerings contributed to a 10 percent year-over-year increase in overall average unit retail price.
Highlights of Tiffany’s year include the addition of colorful pieces to its “Tiffany T” collection, a new men’s collection, the launch of his and hers Tiffany & Love fragrances, and the “Very, Very Tiffany” holiday campaign and catalog featuring luxe, high-ticket gift items.
As of Jan. 31, there were 326 Tiffany stores in operation worldwide, including 124 in the Americas. Nine stores opened and four closed this fiscal year.
Tiffany did not provide guidance for the year ahead as its acquisition by luxury titan LVMH is still pending.
The Latest

"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.

The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?


The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.

Our Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.

Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.

For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.

Movado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.





















