Policies & IssuesNov 27, 2024
G7 Announces Botswana as Second Verification ‘Node’ for Rough DiamondsBotswana joins Antwerp as a certification center for rough under the G7 ban on Russian diamonds.
MajorsMay 06, 2020
Fred Meyer Jewelers Shop-in-Shops to Close By Month’s End
The Kroger-owned retailer will close 71 stores located inside Kroger Marketplace locations.
The Kroger Co. will reportedly close 71 Fred Meyer Jewelers locations within its Kroger Marketplace stores.
Cincinnati—Fred Meyer Jewelers has temporarily closed all locations because of the coronavirus pandemic, but some will not reopen.
The Kroger Co. will permanently close 71 Fred Meyer Jewelers stores located within its Kroger Marketplace stores, according to a report by the Cincinnati Business Courier.
Fred Meyer Jewelers is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Kroger. It operates both Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers.
Kroger operated a total of 242 jewelry stores as of the fourth quarter 2019.
On its website, Kroger describes its fine jewelry portfolio as “a high-margin business with good cash flow.”
However, Kroger said in a statement that following an evaluation of the jeweler’s business performance, it decided to repurpose the space once occupied by Fred Meyer within its Marketplace stores to “meet the changing preferences of today’s customer.”
Fred Meyer Jewelers, which ranked as the 21st-largest jeweler in North America by sales volume and the second largest by store count in National Jeweler’s 2019 State of the Majors report, will continue to operate in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, as well as in select malls and online, said Kroger.
Grocery giant Kroger acquired Fred Meyer, a Portland, Oregon-based chain of big-box stores, in 1998, later opening Fred Meyer Jewelers in its Marketplace stores.
Kroger has 2,758 stores in 35 states and Washington, D.C. while Fred Meyer has 132 big-box stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
Neither Kroger nor Fred Meyer Jewelers responded to National Jeweler’s request for comment about the closures.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingNov 27, 2024
Gemfields Reports 'Disappointing' High-Quality Emerald Auction ResultsThe miner said its November sale, which earned $16.1 million, felt the effect of competitive pricing by a rival Zambian producer.
CollectionsNov 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Mignon Faget’s ‘Crescent Starry Night’ Tassel EarringsMignon Faget honors its hometown of New Orleans with a piece inspired by “The Crescent City.”
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
TechnologyNov 27, 2024
Nivoda Secures Additional Funding The London-based business-to-business diamond and gemstone marketplace just closed on a $51 million round of Series C funding.
Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingNov 26, 2024
De Beers Stays With ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ for 2024 Holiday Campaign“Forever Present” highlights gifting opportunities for natural diamonds, celebrating familial, friendship, and romantic relationships.
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron JewelsIt’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing CampaignsSuccessful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
SourcingNov 25, 2024
William Goldberg Celebrates 2 Major Milestones With New Book“The William Goldberg Way” was released in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary and 25 years of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.
IndependentsNov 25, 2024
Sophie Bille Brahe Opens First US StoreThe Danish brand has opened an appointment-only location on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Panel to Feature Fred SavageThe actor and watch enthusiast will be part of the show’s education lineup.
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2MThree Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund RequestsA federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ CollectionCynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San FranciscoThe new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
