PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
MajorsJan 10, 2018
Signet Sees 5% Drop in Holiday Comps
Kay and Jared stores turned in the worst performance, as the retailer continues to grapple with credit issues.
Continued problems with the in-store credit approval process resulted in a 9 percent drop in same-store sales for Signet Jewelers’ Sterling division, which includes Kay Jewelers stores.
Akron, Ohio--Signet Jewelers Inc. said continued issues with its in-store credit processes impacted holiday season sales at Kay and Jared, which dragged down comps for the company as a whole.
In a conference call held Wednesday morning, the retailer reported that same-store sales were down 5 percent year-over-year in the nine-week period ended Dec. 30.
Total sales declined 3 percent to $1.88 billion.
The company’s Sterling division, which includes Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, recorded a 9 percent drop in comps.
While the average transaction value was up 3 percent, the number of transactions dropped 11 percent.
On Wednesday’s call, Signet CEO Gina Drosos said two-thirds of the holidays sales decline is attributable to in-store issues related to the outsourcing of Sterling’s credit program. These issues impacted both bridal and fashion sales at higher price points, where credit is typically used.
In the fall, Signet completed the outsourcing of $1 billion in prime-only credit accounts to Alliance Data System Corp. (ADS), which is now its primary provider of credit funding and servicing for customers of Kay, Jared and the regional brands under the Sterling umbrella. The outsourcing came after analysts questioned the amount of risk Signet was assuming with the credit it was extending and how that was being accounted for on the balance sheet.
Pressed to explain exactly what’s happening at the store level within the credit approval process that’s causing the retailer to lose sales and customers, Chief Financial Officer Michele Santana said it’s not one particular problem but a number of issues, including sales associates having to ask for the same information from customers multiple times, which “throws them off the sales process,” and a “learning curve” for sales associates to understand and explain the payment plans under ADS.
“We significantly underestimated the impact these changes would have on in-store sales,” she said.
Drosos allowed that the time it took to process transactions was longer over the holiday season, which also was an issue.
Both said there has not been a change in the number of customers being approved for credit since the transition to ADS, a question posed by numerous analysts on Wednesday’s call.
The company’s Zale division, meanwhile, turned in a stronger performance.
Same-store sales were up 4 percent, driven by the strength of the Vera Wang Love and Enchanted Disney collections, as well as pieces designed for stacking and layering, yellow gold, and jewelry repairs.
The
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
average transaction value rose 6 percent while the number of transactions was flat.
Drosos called Zale a “good example” of how the changes Signet is making to improve its website, SEO and social media presence are impacting sales without having to account for the problems being caused by the credit transition. (Stores under the Zale umbrella are not having credit transition issues because Alliance Data has been providing credit services to their customers since 2013, prior to its acquisition by Signet.)
E-commerce sales for Signet, including both its Sterling and Zale divisions, rose 48 percent and accounted for 11 percent of total sales, compared with 7 percent last year.
For the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2018, Signet projects a mid-single-digit decline in comps.
The retailer also said Wednesday that it expects a significant tax benefit in fiscal year 2018 thanks to the lower corporate tax rate brought in with tax reform, though it expects that impact to moderate in future years as the savings from a lower corporate income tax rate will be largely offset by disallowances and limitations in certain tax deductions.
Drosos called Zale a “good example” of how the changes Signet is making to improve its website, SEO and social media presence are impacting sales without having to account for the problems being caused by the credit transition. (Stores under the Zale umbrella are not having credit transition issues because Alliance Data has been providing credit services to their customers since 2013, prior to its acquisition by Signet.)
E-commerce sales for Signet, including both its Sterling and Zale divisions, rose 48 percent and accounted for 11 percent of total sales, compared with 7 percent last year.
For the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2018, Signet projects a mid-single-digit decline in comps.
The retailer also said Wednesday that it expects a significant tax benefit in fiscal year 2018 thanks to the lower corporate tax rate brought in with tax reform, though it expects that impact to moderate in future years as the savings from a lower corporate income tax rate will be largely offset by disallowances and limitations in certain tax deductions.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
