This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Simon Property Group To Acquire Taubman Centers at a Discount
Simon will acquire its fellow mall owner at a discount of around $800 million after revising the terms of the deal.

Indianapolis—Simon Property Group’s acquisition of Taubman Centers will go through, albeit at a lower price.
Simon has agreed to a modified purchase price of $43 per share, down from the initial $52.50 per share.
The discount amounts to around $800 million less than the original price of $3.6 billion.
Simon had tried to back out of the deal in June, believing the company would be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mall operator has several factors working against it, said Simon—a significant number of enclosed retail properties, and malls located in major metropolitan areas that depend on domestic and international tourists and showcase high-end stores.
Simon also claimed Taubman failed to protect itself against the impact of the pandemic or take cues from others in the industry, including by not making “essential cuts” to its operating expenses and capital expenditures.
The two were heading to Oakland County Superior Court in Michigan to discuss the deal, but the pending litigation has been settled, according to a press release.
As per the deal, Simon will acquire 80 percent ownership of Taubman Centers.
The Taubman family will sell one-third of its ownership interest and remain a 20 percent partner in the company.
The boards of directors of Simon and Taubman, including a special committee of independent directors of Taubman, have agreed to the terms of the deal.
The acquisition is expected to close in late 2020 or early 2021, depending on Taubman shareholder approval and customary closing conditions.
Known for its upscale shopping venues, Simon’s portfolio includes Copley Place in Boston and The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, as well as shopping centers across Europe and Asia.
Taubman owns, manages or leases 26 shopping centers in the United States and Asia, including the Beverly Center in Los Angeles and The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey, as well as shopping centers in Xi’an, China and Hanam, South Korea.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.