SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
MajorsMar 06, 2020
Pandora Trims Workforce Again Amid Reorganization
The jeweler has a multi-step strategy to get back on track, including increased investments in tech and improvements to its retail presence.
A 14-karat rose-gold-plated link cable chain necklace ($225) featuring an “O Pendant” with a pink Murano glass leaf pendant ($65) and a pink Murano glass leaf ring ($90) from Pandora. The jewelry brand is undergoing a reorganization as part of its turnaround plan.
Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora announced this week that it is cutting 180 jobs as part of a multipronged strategic reorganization, the next step in its turnaround plan.
The Danish jeweler employs a total of 28,000 people worldwide, meaning the job cuts will affect less than 1 percent of its workforce.
Here’s a rundown of the changes and what they mean for the jewelry brand.
Pandora is closing some regional offices.
The company will close its three regional offices in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region.
“The reorganization will reduce organizational complexity, enable Pandora to execute with more speed and agility, and add critical capabilities required to support growth”, CEO Alexander Lacik said in a press release announcing the changes.
Lacik said the change would allow feedback from customers to translate into new concept creations at a quicker pace.
As a result of the reorganization, David Allen, president of Pandora EMEA, will step down from his position but stay with the company.
Kenneth Madsen, current president of Pandora Asia Pacific, will leave the company.
Pandora operates in 100 markets, which will now be grouped into 10 clusters with each cluster led by a general manager who will be based in the largest market in each cluster.
Sid Keswani, president of Pandora Americas, will become president of the North America cluster, which will include the United States. (Latin America, which was part of Pandora Americas, will be part of a different cluster.)
Keswani is based in Baltimore, where Pandora has its North American headquarters.
Pandora wants to bolster its retail skills.
As part of the new system, the general managers will report to the chief commercial officer, a newly created position.
The external candidate will be announced shortly, said Pandora, and is set to join the company’s executive team in the second quarter of this year.
The CCO will report to Lacik and be tasked with improving Pandora’s global retail skills including global merchandising, store development, planning and execution.
A new department called “network and franchise management” will also be created to support its global franchise partners.
Pandora is separating old business from newer ventures.
Pandora is setting up two global business units. One will oversee core products, like its charms, and the other will oversee newer products.
The new setup is expected to “offer more impactful products and marketing concepts and a more consistent consumer experience across markets,” Pandora said in the release.
The
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
units will be responsible for concept development, design, execution and marketing plans.
These units will report to Carla Liuni, the newly appointed chief marketing officer and former Bulgari executive who starts at Pandora on March 20.
The company also recently appointed Erik Schmidt as its chief human resources officer.
Pandora is going all-in on tech and data analytics.
Pandora is establishing a global business services center to make its transactional processes more scalable and efficient.
In January, the jeweler announced the creation of a new Copenhagen-based digital group, consisting of software engineers, designers and analysts, established to boost its digital presence and data use.
The group is set to be up and running next month.
Pandora said it expects to hire around 80 new employees in 2020, including product managers, digital engineers, operations managers, strategy managers and data analysts.
“How we derive the benefits from technology and data to create a great customer experience is key for us as a global brand,” Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer David Walmsley said in release announcing the creation of the digital hub back in January.
Pandora doesn’t expect the job cuts to result in cost savings.
The company’s financial guidance for 2020 remains unchanged.
The reorganization will translate into one-time costs of 200 million Danish kroner ($300 million), mostly related to severance payments, consultancy support, recruitment costs and other costs associated with closing down the regional offices.
Its total restructuring costs will amount to 1.3 billion Danish kroner ($1.95 billion) in 2020.
Pandora said the cost savings of eliminating 180 employees will be limited and are expected to be offset by costs related to “further strengthening” the company.
The changes are set to go into effect April 2.
These units will report to Carla Liuni, the newly appointed chief marketing officer and former Bulgari executive who starts at Pandora on March 20.
The company also recently appointed Erik Schmidt as its chief human resources officer.
Pandora is going all-in on tech and data analytics.
Pandora is establishing a global business services center to make its transactional processes more scalable and efficient.
In January, the jeweler announced the creation of a new Copenhagen-based digital group, consisting of software engineers, designers and analysts, established to boost its digital presence and data use.
The group is set to be up and running next month.
Pandora said it expects to hire around 80 new employees in 2020, including product managers, digital engineers, operations managers, strategy managers and data analysts.
“How we derive the benefits from technology and data to create a great customer experience is key for us as a global brand,” Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer David Walmsley said in release announcing the creation of the digital hub back in January.
Pandora doesn’t expect the job cuts to result in cost savings.
The company’s financial guidance for 2020 remains unchanged.
The reorganization will translate into one-time costs of 200 million Danish kroner ($300 million), mostly related to severance payments, consultancy support, recruitment costs and other costs associated with closing down the regional offices.
Its total restructuring costs will amount to 1.3 billion Danish kroner ($1.95 billion) in 2020.
Pandora said the cost savings of eliminating 180 employees will be limited and are expected to be offset by costs related to “further strengthening” the company.
The changes are set to go into effect April 2.
More on Majors
The Latest
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
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.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
