The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Signet’s Holiday Saved by Online Shoppers
The jewelry giant’s online sales surged 61 percent year-over-year during the holiday season.

Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd.’s overall 2020 holiday sales were flat, though online sales soared by double digits.
On Thursday, the jewelry giant reported a preliminary sales total of $1.8 billion for the nine-week period ended Jan. 2, flat to last year.
Same-store sales—which includes both physical and e-commerce sales—rose 6 percent year-over-year. Online sales surged 61 percent year-over-year, while brick-and-mortar sales fell 4 percent.
As of Jan. 2, Signet had 2,866 locations. It has closed 355 of the 380 stores it plans to shutter this fiscal year.
“Our results were driven by new digital and fulfillment capabilities, increasingly personalized and insight-based marketing, banner portfolio differentiation, and a strong merchandising strategy that included competitive newness and a strengthened core assortment, all of which increased conversion, attracted new customers, and increased market share,” CEO Virginia Drosos said in the release announcing the retailer’s holiday results.
In North America, same-store sales were up 8 percent. The number of transactions rose 4 percent while average transaction value was up 2 percent.
Online sales in the region shot up 58 percent while brick-and-mortar sales were down around 1 percent.
Sales in bridal and fashion categories climbed by double digits on a same-store sales basis, said Signet, due to new products and a strong core assortment.
In the U.K., the governmental lockdown sent same-store sales tumbling 19 percent year-over-year, though online sales nearly doubled, up 93 percent.
Signet increased its e-commerce fulfillment capacity to five times that of the last holiday season, delivering 98 percent of customer orders on time in North America.
New selling capabilities, including buy online pick-up in-store (BOPIS), ship from store (SFS) and virtual selling, were also highlights of the retailer’s holiday season.
Looking at its U.S. banners, including Zales and Kay Jewelers, all posted positive same-store sales.
At Zales and Piercing Pagoda, popular with gift-givers and self-purchasers, fashion jewelry sales were especially strong.
At Kay Jewelers, bridal jewelry, particularly the newer Leo’s Ideal Cut and First Light lines, was a top seller.
At Jared, the Royal Asscher and Pnina Tornai collections were the standouts.
Existing lines, like Center of Me at Kay and Vera Wang at Zales, also did well.
Looking to the fourth quarter, Signet expects to see same-store sales increase 4 to 5 percent, with total sales of $2.10 billion to $2.12 billion.
The Latest

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

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

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.


The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

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.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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