SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersPolicies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East Stores
Kering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
A look inside the Dubai Mall. Several retailers, including luxury titans Kering and Apple, have temporarily closed stores across in the Middle East following recent U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran.
New York—High-end stores in luxury shopping hubs in the Middle East are temporarily closing following the U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran over the weekend, which have ignited a major conflict in the region.
Hundreds of deaths have been reported throughout the Middle East, with nearly 800 deaths in Iran, including more than 175 children and staff at a girl’s school. There were 10 deaths reported in Israel.
Six U.S. service members have been killed.
The United States has temporarily closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Beirut due to drone attacks, urging Americans in the region—including Americans in Israel and the United Arab Emirates—to leave, though thousands of flights have been cancelled.
On Tuesday, the State Department issued a travel warning update that elevated the UAE to Level 3 (reconsider travel to). Israel also is at Level 3, while Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen are Level 5 (do not travel to).
Inevitably, the violence has impacted the economy, with several retailers choosing to temporarily suspend operations in the Middle East, a wealthy region that has attracted a growing number of luxury brands as well as auction houses in recent years.
Kering has temporarily closed its stores in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, and has suspended travel to the Middle East, as per Reuters.
Its brand portfolio includes jewelry brands Boucheron, Pomellato, and Qeelin, as well as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta.
Kering’s “Rest of the World” segment, which includes the Middle East region, accounted for 9 percent of its revenue in 2025, as per its recent financial report.
Dubai-based retail operator Chalhoub Group, which runs around 900 stores for brands like Versace, Sephora, and Jimmy Choo, temporarily closed its stores in Bahrain, according to Reuters.
Its stores in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan remained open as of press time.
Richemont, owner of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and LVMH, which owns Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, among others, did not respond to a request for comment regarding their operations in the Middle East, though both have a presence in the region.
For Richemont, the Middle East & Africa region accounts for 10 percent of its total revenue, with sales up 20 percent in its recent third quarter.
The growth was led by the UAE, said Richemont, as well as strong demand from locals and tourists.
Richemont-owned Cartier recently unveiled its new “En Équilibre” high jewelry exhibition in Dubai’s Keturah Park.
For LVMH, its “Other Markets” segment, which includes the Middle East, accounted for 14 percent of its revenue in 2025.
The Middle East is an important hub for the luxury market, with Bain & Co. highlighting the region as “luxury’s brightest performer” in its November 2025 luxury report.
The region’s luxury market was expected to see 4 to 6 percent growth last year, bolstered by tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and steady demand in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, the conflict comes at an especially inopportune time as millions observe Ramadan, an important holiday both for the religious community and the region’s retailers as consumers look to celebrate the season.
For U.S. consumers, the rising price of oil amid already existing inflation could stretch discretionary budgets even more thin.
Related stories will be right here …
Hundreds of deaths have been reported throughout the Middle East, with nearly 800 deaths in Iran, including more than 175 children and staff at a girl’s school. There were 10 deaths reported in Israel.
Six U.S. service members have been killed.
The United States has temporarily closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Beirut due to drone attacks, urging Americans in the region—including Americans in Israel and the United Arab Emirates—to leave, though thousands of flights have been cancelled.
On Tuesday, the State Department issued a travel warning update that elevated the UAE to Level 3 (reconsider travel to). Israel also is at Level 3, while Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen are Level 5 (do not travel to).
Inevitably, the violence has impacted the economy, with several retailers choosing to temporarily suspend operations in the Middle East, a wealthy region that has attracted a growing number of luxury brands as well as auction houses in recent years.
Kering has temporarily closed its stores in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, and has suspended travel to the Middle East, as per Reuters.
Its brand portfolio includes jewelry brands Boucheron, Pomellato, and Qeelin, as well as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta.
Kering’s “Rest of the World” segment, which includes the Middle East region, accounted for 9 percent of its revenue in 2025, as per its recent financial report.
Dubai-based retail operator Chalhoub Group, which runs around 900 stores for brands like Versace, Sephora, and Jimmy Choo, temporarily closed its stores in Bahrain, according to Reuters.
Its stores in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan remained open as of press time.
Richemont, owner of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, and LVMH, which owns Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, among others, did not respond to a request for comment regarding their operations in the Middle East, though both have a presence in the region.
For Richemont, the Middle East & Africa region accounts for 10 percent of its total revenue, with sales up 20 percent in its recent third quarter.
The growth was led by the UAE, said Richemont, as well as strong demand from locals and tourists.
Richemont-owned Cartier recently unveiled its new “En Équilibre” high jewelry exhibition in Dubai’s Keturah Park.
For LVMH, its “Other Markets” segment, which includes the Middle East, accounted for 14 percent of its revenue in 2025.
The Middle East is an important hub for the luxury market, with Bain & Co. highlighting the region as “luxury’s brightest performer” in its November 2025 luxury report.
The region’s luxury market was expected to see 4 to 6 percent growth last year, bolstered by tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and steady demand in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, the conflict comes at an especially inopportune time as millions observe Ramadan, an important holiday both for the religious community and the region’s retailers as consumers look to celebrate the season.
For U.S. consumers, the rising price of oil amid already existing inflation could stretch discretionary budgets even more thin.
As for other retailers, Amazon has closed its fulfillment center operations in Abu Dhabi, suspending deliveries across the region, as per a Business Insider report. Its employees in Saudi Arabia and Jordan were advised to remain indoors.
Three of its data centers in UAE were damaged as a result of a drone strike, reported Business Insider.
Apple has temporarily closed its stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as per a 9to5Mac report.
Notably, many of Dubai’s major shopping malls are still open.
Dubai-based real estate company Emaar Malls Management, the owner of several Dubai malls and other properties, sent a memo to tenants this past weekend, as reported by WWD.
The memo reportedly warned them not to close or reduce hours without official direction from the government or Emaar, or risk breaching their lease agreements.
Luxury stocks also took a hit, with LVMH and Kering seeing share prices dip.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
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.
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.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
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.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
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.
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.
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.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
