Majors

Piercing Pagoda Has a New Name

MajorsAug 04, 2021

Piercing Pagoda Has a New Name

Plus, Signet took the final step in the process of fully outsourcing its credit offerings.

20210804_Banter.jpg
Piercing Pagoda, the Signet-owned kiosk brand, will now be called Banter by Piercing Pagoda, a nod to the personal relationship between the chain’s employees and its customers, Signet said.
Dallas— After 50 years Piercing Pagoda is undergoing a makeover as it looks to attract even more Gen Z and millennial customers.

The Signet Jewelers-owned chain of kiosk stores will now be called Banter by Piercing Pagoda.

The new name is a nod to the personal relationships between the retailer’s employees and its new and long-standing customers, said Signet.

The name change has already happened at around 100 of Piercing Pagoda’s more than 500 U.S. locations.

It’s being tested in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and other cities, and will gradually roll out to the full fleet.

“Our new Banter by Piercing Pagoda name is full of energy, invoking the excitement of playful conversation, like the adrenaline of a new piercing or piece of jewelry,” said Kecia Caffie, president of Banter by Piercing Pagoda, in a press release about the rebranding.

“Our customers are fiercely individual, creative people who inspire us to reject labels and celebrate our unique identities each day.” 

 Related stories will be right here … 

The change comes as part of the jewelry giant’s “Inspiring Brilliance” growth strategy, which aims to bolster its omnichannel presence and technologic capabilities and evolve its product offerings.

The brand, marked by a gold script capital letter “B” logo, will stock gender-neutral chains, charms, necklaces, and earrings.

Long known for its ear piercing services, the brand branched out to nose and facial piercings to meet rising consumer demand during the pandemic, while, it said, still following health and COVID-related safety protocols.

“Banter by Piercing Pagoda combines stylish designs and approachable service at affordable price points with tech-enabled stores and warm, modern service,” said Signet.

Of Signet’s nine jewelry brands, Piercing Pagoda has consistently been a top performer.

The brand had its strongest quarter ever in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and, in fiscal 2021, saw its sixth consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth amid stable merchandise margins, said Signet.

This year, more than 135 Piercing Pagoda locations are on track to post $1 million in sales.

Signet plans to open as many as 100 additional locations in fiscal 2022 in regional malls.

Some of these new locations will be traditional stores instead of kiosks, complete with a piercing lounge and, in select locations, smart mirrors for virtual jewelry try-ons.

The brand caters to “tech-savvy Gen Z and millennial customers,” said Signet, and will be improving upon its mobile experience.

In fiscal 2021, Piercing Pagoda saw 140 percent year-over-year e-commerce growth, with mobile playing a big role in that.

Enhanced virtual capabilities, including sales and search, and an updated website are part of the digital overhaul.

In addition to its new name, Banter by Piercing Pagoda is introducing a new marketing campaign featuring “bold, diverse models who epitomize self-expression and pride—a hallmark of the brand.”

The campaign launched Monday in select locations.

Also this week, Signet Jewelers announced it has renegotiated its $1.5 billion asset-based lending facility, extending it by nearly two years to July 2026 for greater financial flexibility.

Signet also entered into new, long-term receivable purchase agreements, which improved the terms of the agreement and removed the consumer credit risk from its balance sheet.

The new agreements mark the final step in Signet fully outsourcing its credit offerings. 

Genesis remains its long-term third-party credit servicer and it also provides other payment options, including via Affirm and Progressive Leasing.

“These actions, as well as S&P’s recent upgrade of Signet’s issuer credit rating resulting from our enhanced financial profile, demonstrate the progress we are making with our Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy,” said Chief Financial and Strategy Officer Joan Hilson in a press release.

The Latest

Michelle Yeoh Mikimoto
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel at GIA Taiwan campus
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in Taiwan

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

Michael Angelo
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales Representative

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Pandora and Foundrae medallion jewelry
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion Designs

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
John Jacob Astor IV's Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Battin & Co. pencil case
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to Auction

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

Stock image of a Shell gas station
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in March

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

Zach Bear and the Window Necklace Children’s Book from Zachary’s Jewelers
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s Book

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

Accredited Gemologists Association Logo
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant Applications

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri Puzzle Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ Collection

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

Ashley Longshore in Buddha Mama jewelry
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in Dallas

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

Natural Diamond Council world diamond day
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Jillian Wolk, the new CEO of Tracr
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Tom Moses examining the “Motswedi” diamond
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Oscar Heyman Spring Catalog Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace and Platinum Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Bracelet
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring Catalog

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Diavik Diamond Mine winter aerial shot
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from Diavik

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

Tanishq Westborough Massachusetts store
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England Location

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 Stores

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

Jimmy West celebrating 40 years with Leading Jewelers Guild
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

Itä Yari Whirl Ring Tesoro
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the Story

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th Anniversary

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

Peter Smith Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

Lionheart Cassandane Collection Campaign
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Instappraise NAJA
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New Scholarship

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

CASE Awards Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE Awards

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy