The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
Signet Is Done Outsourcing Its Credit Programs
It marks the end of a process that began in May 2017.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. has completed the outsourcing of its credit programs, a process the retailer started a little over a year ago.
Signet announced Monday that it sold 70 percent of its non-prime receivables to funds managed by CarVal Investors and the remaining 30 percent to funds managed by Castlelake L.P.
In addition, CarVal and Castlelake will purchase new non-prime receivables going forward at a discount and with the same percentage breakdown, 70 percent to CarVal and 30 percent to Castlelake.
Signet, which has had problems at the store level with the outsourcing of credit programs previously, said the sale of its non-prime receivables will not impact any customer or store-facing systems.
The jeweler began getting its credit programs off its books in May 2017 after speculation arose regarding both the retailer’s method of accounting for past-due accounts and the amount of risk it was assuming in its credit program. In February 2016, Bloomberg published a story quoting critics of the jewelry retailer titled “Is Signet a Sparkly Empire or a Finance Company?” (subscription required to read).
Signet started by selling $1 billion in prime credit accounts to Alliance Data System Corp.
It inked a seven-year deal with the company, which already was handling the credit programs for the stores under the Zale umbrella, to become its primary provider of credit funding and servicing for customers of Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and its regional brands.
In addition, the retailer signed a seven-year deal with Progressive Leasing, a subsidiary of lease-to-own retailer Aaron’s Inc., that allows customers who don’t quality for any sort of credit to do a lease-purchase on jewelry.
Signet, which is now under the leadership of Gina Drosos, is in the midst of executing a turnaround plan it calls the “Path to Brilliance.” It focuses on putting customers first, building a robust omnichannel structure and creating a culture that is more agile and efficient.
The Latest

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.


Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.























