CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
MajorsJan 12, 2018
Head of Pandora Americas to Step Down Next Month
Scott Burger served in the role for almost six years and had been with the jewelry brand for 10.
Copenhagen--Pandora A/S announced Thursday that Scott Burger, who has headed the Americas market for five and a half years, will step down next month.
The company said it already has begun looking for his replacement and expects to name a president for Pandora Americas, which has its headquarters in Baltimore, in the second quarter.
In the meantime, Pandora CEO Anders Colding Friis will oversee the region.
Burger was named president of Pandora Americas--which encompasses the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America--in August 2012. Prior to that, he spent a year as the company’s chief financial officer and about four years as its chief operating officer.
During his early years with Pandora, the brand enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with independent jewelers in the United States; the jewelers relied on the inexpensive bead brand to help get them through the recession and Pandora, in turn, saw huge growth in the market.
In the last few years, however, Pandora’s plans have changed. The company has pulled its merchandise from thousands of U.S. independents in favor of opening company-owned and -operated concept stores or shop-in-shops in order to have more control over its brand, leaving many independents feeling like they were treated unfairly.
Over the past few quarters, the company has seen U.S. sales slip, dinged in part by the decline in mall traffic and by other affordable jewelry brands being “increasingly promotional,” it said.
Meanwhile, the news about Burger’s departure came as a small paragraph at the end of a larger company announcement about the resignation of Pandora Chief Financial Officer Peter Vekslund, who will leave the company after about four years as CFO.
Board member Anders Boyer, 47, will resign from the board at the company’s annual general meeting in March and take over as CFO later this year.
Boyer currently is the CFO of Hempel A/S, a manufacturer of coatings. Vekslund will remain with Pandora until Boyer can assume the position, which is expected to be no later than Aug. 1.
Pandora is scheduled to release its annual report on Feb. 6.
Ahead of that, the company reported preliminary results for 2017 in a separate announcement also made Thursday.
Pandora said global sales totaled 22.8 billion DKK ($3.71 billion), a 12 percent year-over-year increase but below
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
where the bead brand forecasted to be for the year.
CEO Friis said it was a “challenging” year for Pandora due to in part to the “difficult” retail climate in the U.S.
The company opened a net of 308 concept stores over the course of the year, slightly above its initial guidance of 300.
CEO Friis said it was a “challenging” year for Pandora due to in part to the “difficult” retail climate in the U.S.
The company opened a net of 308 concept stores over the course of the year, slightly above its initial guidance of 300.
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
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.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
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.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
