ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
MajorsApr 03, 2018
Saks, Lord & Taylor the Latest Hit by Hackers
They reportedly gained access to the retailers’ cash register systems to steal payment card data from more than 5 million customers.
Hudson’s Bay Company announced Sunday that hackers had gained access to the debit and credit card numbers of customers at two of its retailers--Lord &Taylor and Saks.
New York--Saks Fifth Avenue and sister retailer Lord & Taylor just joined the long list of large companies that have been hacked.
On Sunday, parent company Hudson’s Bay Co. issued a short statement confirming that it had become aware of a “data security issue” involving the credit and debit card numbers of customers who shopped at certain Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th and Lord & Taylor stores in North America.
While the investigation is ongoing, HBC said it doesn’t appear the breach impacted customers who shopped at any of its other stores or online, including on Gilt.com.
“The company deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this might cause,” the statement reads. “Once the company has more clarity around the facts, it will notify customers quickly and will offer those impacted free identity protection services, including credit and web monitoring.”
HBC did not release any specifics about the number of consumers or location of stores impacted, but in a blog post also published Sunday, Gemini Advisory pinned the attack on a cybercrime syndicate known as JokerStash or Fin7.
The cybersecurity research firm said Fin7 announced March 28 it would be releasing for sale more than 5 million stolen debit and credit card numbers on the dark web, and already has put about 125,000 out there.
Fin7 didn’t say where it obtained the numbers, but Gemini said it confirmed with a “high degree of confidence” that the numbers came from Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. It estimated the breach occurred between May 2017 and now, impacting all Lord & Taylor and 83 Saks stores mainly in New York and New Jersey.
The research firm said it is “among the most significant credit card heists in modern history.”
A spokesperson for HBC declined to comment on Gemini’s statement.
Cybercrime is a growing problem for retailers, including retail jewelers.
In its recently released annual crime report for 2017, the Jewelers Security Alliance noted a “large dollar increase” in thefts by deception and impersonation made possible by the internet, with the average loss from this type of incident topping $1 million.
JSA President John J. Kennedy called it a “dangerous and growing crime trend” for the industry.
On Monday, he offered a number of cybersecurity tips for retailers. Some, he noted, might involve hiring an IT consulting firm.
Kennedy said retailers need to have proper firewalls and up-to-date anti-malware software for all systems, and they need to avoid visiting “questionable and risky sites.”
Jewelers
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
also need to educate their staff on the common mistakes made that let hackers in.
Kennedy said one of the main methods cybercriminals employ is social engineering, in which they use various methods to win the trust of the company’s employees in order to gain unauthorized access to its IT system.
(The New York Times reported this is what was used by the hackers who targeted Saks and Lord & Taylor. The credit and debit card numbers were stolen via software implanted into the stores’ cash register systems that, most likely, was installed through phishing emails sent to HBC employees.)
He said staff need to be told, or reminded, not to open or click into unknown or suspicious emails.
They also need to be aware that emails can be spoofs—which use the exact email address of known individuals—or come from someone who has obtained an email address that is very similar to, but not exactly the same as, a known party’s address. They need to look for foreign domains, misspellings and other anomalies in emails.
When a transaction is involved, Kennedy recommends calling the person on the phone to confirm that it is not a fraud.
He also recommends having a written cybersecurity policy employees have to read and sign, and having regular staff meetings that include reviews of the company’s cybersecurity protocols.
Kennedy said one of the main methods cybercriminals employ is social engineering, in which they use various methods to win the trust of the company’s employees in order to gain unauthorized access to its IT system.
(The New York Times reported this is what was used by the hackers who targeted Saks and Lord & Taylor. The credit and debit card numbers were stolen via software implanted into the stores’ cash register systems that, most likely, was installed through phishing emails sent to HBC employees.)
He said staff need to be told, or reminded, not to open or click into unknown or suspicious emails.
They also need to be aware that emails can be spoofs—which use the exact email address of known individuals—or come from someone who has obtained an email address that is very similar to, but not exactly the same as, a known party’s address. They need to look for foreign domains, misspellings and other anomalies in emails.
When a transaction is involved, Kennedy recommends calling the person on the phone to confirm that it is not a fraud.
He also recommends having a written cybersecurity policy employees have to read and sign, and having regular staff meetings that include reviews of the company’s cybersecurity protocols.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
