Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
FinancialsOct 31, 2013
Blue Nile: Half of holiday traffic will be mobile
The CEO of Blue Nile, which just recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digital sales growth, said the company expects more than 50 percent of site traffic to come from mobile devices in the fourth quarter.
Seattle--The CEO of Blue Nile, which just recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digital sales growth, said the company expects more than 50 percent of site traffic to come from mobile devices in the fourth quarter.
Speaking during the company’s third quarter earnings call held Thursday, Harvey Kanter said mobile devices accounted for more than 40 percent of site traffic in the third quarter. The company anticipates that number only to increase in the coming quarter.
Throughout the year, Blue Nile has been launching dynamically adapting web pages. This means that, instead of building an entirely separate mobile site, its pages adjust to screen of the device on which it is being viewed.
"The shopping experience needs to conform to the way they expect to interact with us on any one of those devices,” he said.
Kanter said the key elements of the migration to responsive will be completed by the fourth quarter.
“This is a critical milestone to providing customers the experience they expect in an increasingly mobile-first world. Adaptive web pages are the future of e-commerce,” he said.
He added that Blue Nile is among the first retailers--not just jewelers--to offer this type of robust mobile experience to customers.
The Seattle-based online retailer’s net sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 29 were up 10 percent, from $89.8 million to $98.9 million.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was flat at 19 percent. Net income climbed from $1.7 million to $2.9 million.
In the United States, sales of non-engagement ring jewelry posted the biggest gain, rising 10 percent from $21.8 million to $23.9 million. Kanter said the company added Monique Lhullier diamond fashion jewelry in the third quarter, an expansion to its previously launched line of Lhullier-branded engagement rings.
Sales of engagement rings rose 7 percent from $54.1 million to $57.9 million.
International sales were up 23 percent from $13.9 million to $17.1 million. Kanter said the company’s growth was most notable in China.
Blue Nile projects net sales to range between $146 million and $161 million in the fourth quarter, up from $136.1 million in the fourth quarter 2012, and between $450 million and $465 million for the fiscal year, up from $400 million last year. The company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year ends Dec. 29.
More on Financials
The Latest
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
JBT Elects New ChairmanBrian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
