Events & AwardsNov 02, 2021
Ben Bridge/Pandora Employee Wins Associate AwardMajorsJan 12, 2022
Ben Bridge Is Selling Its Pandora Franchise Stores Back to the Brand
Plus, a look at how Pandora fared in 2021.
Ben Bridge will return ownership of its 37 Pandora stores to Pandora to focus on its core business. (Image courtesy of Ben Bridge Jeweler's website)
Seattle—Ben Bridge Jeweler is returning ownership of its 37 Pandora stores to the Danish jewelry company, effectively cutting its store count in half as it looks to concentrate on its core business.
The stores will be returned to Pandora in early March, according to a press release about the change of ownership.
“The cornerstone of our business is building customers for life, and that is why we first fell in love with Pandora,” said Ben Bridge CEO Lisa Bridge.
“This has been an important and successful chapter in our history, and we know our team will be in excellent hands as a part of the broader Pandora organization. This pivot will give us greater focus and enable us to innovate and grow in new ways.”
The two companies first teamed up in the spring of 2010.
Today, Ben Bridge’s Pandora store network spans five states as well as British Columbia, Canada. The 110-year-old jeweler is Pandora’s largest franchisee in North America.
Ben Bridge said the sale of its franchise stores back to Pandora will give it time to create even more growth opportunities after marking 2021 as its “most successful” year yet.
It is the second time in recent months Ben Bridge has cut back its store count. Watches of Switzerland acquired Ben Bridge’s Mall of America store outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul, one of five stores the retailer scooped up in late 2021.
Ben Bridge will continue to stock Pandora jewelry in its own stores and on its website.
Pandora has bought back a number of franchise stores in the United States in recent years, including 18 stores across New England run by Laws Management in 2017 and 14 stores previously owned by Hannoush Jewelers in 2014.
Globally, the number of Pandora franchise stores has fallen 18 percent between fiscal 2020 and 2016, while the number of Pandora-owned stores has more than doubled, up 131 percent, in that same period.
In 2016, Pandora operated 2,138 concept stores, including 598 owned by Pandora and 976 owned by franchisees, and had 564 third-party distributors.
By Q4 of fiscal 2020, Pandora operated 2,690 concept stores, including 1,382 owned by Pandora and 797 owned by franchisees, and had 511 third-party distributors.
Related stories will be right here …
The stores will be returned to Pandora in early March, according to a press release about the change of ownership.
“The cornerstone of our business is building customers for life, and that is why we first fell in love with Pandora,” said Ben Bridge CEO Lisa Bridge.
“This has been an important and successful chapter in our history, and we know our team will be in excellent hands as a part of the broader Pandora organization. This pivot will give us greater focus and enable us to innovate and grow in new ways.”
The two companies first teamed up in the spring of 2010.
Today, Ben Bridge’s Pandora store network spans five states as well as British Columbia, Canada. The 110-year-old jeweler is Pandora’s largest franchisee in North America.
Ben Bridge said the sale of its franchise stores back to Pandora will give it time to create even more growth opportunities after marking 2021 as its “most successful” year yet.
It is the second time in recent months Ben Bridge has cut back its store count. Watches of Switzerland acquired Ben Bridge’s Mall of America store outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul, one of five stores the retailer scooped up in late 2021.
Ben Bridge will continue to stock Pandora jewelry in its own stores and on its website.
Pandora has bought back a number of franchise stores in the United States in recent years, including 18 stores across New England run by Laws Management in 2017 and 14 stores previously owned by Hannoush Jewelers in 2014.
Globally, the number of Pandora franchise stores has fallen 18 percent between fiscal 2020 and 2016, while the number of Pandora-owned stores has more than doubled, up 131 percent, in that same period.
In 2016, Pandora operated 2,138 concept stores, including 598 owned by Pandora and 976 owned by franchisees, and had 564 third-party distributors.
By Q4 of fiscal 2020, Pandora operated 2,690 concept stores, including 1,382 owned by Pandora and 797 owned by franchisees, and had 511 third-party distributors.
Prior to Ben Bridge’s announcement, Pandora reported its preliminary annual results, which exceed its fiscal guidance with fourth-quarter and full-year revenue hitting record levels.
Fourth-quarter revenue was up 14 percent year-over-year to 9 billion Danish kroner ($1.37 billion) compared with 7.89 billion kroner ($921.6 million) in the fourth quarter last year, and up 13 percent when compared with Q4 2019.
Full-year revenue was up 23 percent year-over-year to 23.4 billion Danish kroner ($3.57 billion) compared with 19.01 billion Danish kroner ($2.2 billion) in the previous year, and up 7 percent compared with 2019.
In the U.S., quarterly revenue was up 26 percent while full-year revenue was up 55 percent.
Prior to the release of its interim results, a memo from Pandora had predicted that “the unusual strong growth” in the U.S. may “ease off” in the fourth quarter, adding there was uncertainty around overall U.S. market development in 2022.
“Pandora is confident that whatever direction the overall U.S. market will go in 2022, we believe we have enough ammunition in the plans to perform better than the overall U.S. market, like we have done in 2021,” said the company.
Overall organic growth reached 23 percent, exceeding its guidance of 18 to 20 percent, while the EBIT margin was 25 percent, surpassing its 24 to 24.5 percent guidance.
A low single digit percentage of physical stores were temporarily closed during the fourth quarter due to COVID-19, said Pandora, noting that stores in several of its markets were hurt, particularly in China.
“The recent escalation of COVID-19 continues to drive some uncertainty with regards to financial performance in 2022,” said the company.
Pandora will release its official full-year results on Feb. 9.
More on Majors
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
