Financials

Pandora’s Q1 Revenue Falls, but Online Sales Strong

FinancialsMay 05, 2020

Pandora’s Q1 Revenue Falls, but Online Sales Strong

The Danish jeweler temporarily closed 90 percent of its stores in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

20200505_Pandora_store.jpg
Pandora posted a double-digit revenue drop in the first quarter as the coronavirus pandemic kept many of its stores shuttered and customers at home.

Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora had a rough first quarter posting double-digit drops in revenue and like-for-like sales as the coronavirus pandemic kept many of its storefronts closed.

The jeweler temporarily closed 90 percent of its stores, though its production in Thailand has remained largely unaffected.

The company noted it would guarantee base pay for all store staff affected by the temporary closures until June 1 while the executive management and board of directors will take a temporary salary cut of 20 percent.

Quarterly like-for-like sales dipped 11 percent year-over-year, though Pandora said like-for-like was positive in most of its key markets prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

Like-for-like represents true comparable sales from stores that have been open for at least a year, excluding currency fluctuations.

First-quarter revenue totaled 4.17 billion Danish kroner ($606.5 million), down 14 percent compared with 4.80 billion kroner ($698.4 million) in the first quarter last year.

The company “is now preparing for the recovery after the pandemic, and our strong performance in January and February makes us confident in the underlying brand momentum,” said CEO Alexander Lacik in a press release.

By region, revenue in the Americas totaled 1.4 billion Danish kroner ($197.3 million), down 7 percent year-over-year.

In the U.S. specifically, revenue totaled 935 million Danish kroner ($135.9 million), down 7 percent year-over-year.

Sales in Asia-Pacific saw the highest percentage drop, down 45 percent year-over-year to 614 million Danish kroner ($89.3 million).

In a February interview with Reuters following Pandora’s fourth-quarter results, Lacik said the company had experienced an “unprecedented” drop in business in China.

“As I sit here and watch the Chinese business, it is in a standstill mode, I mean there’s pennies being sold,” said Lacik.

Even as stores began to reopen, Lacik said customer traffic was minimal.

In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, sales dipped 2 percent to 2.2 billion Danish kroner ($319.8 million).

By sales channel, Pandora-owned retail stores, including the online store, brought in 2.62 billion Danish kroner ($381.3 million), a 15 percent decrease year-over-year.

With stores temporarily closed, online sales totaled 621 million Danish kroner ($90.3 million), posting organic growth of 29 percent year-over-year and growing by triple-digits in April.

“The online business is firing on all cylinders and this is a resilient channel that we can continue to push very hard,” said Lacik in an earnings call Tuesday morning.

Wholesale revenue totaled 1.33 billion Danish kroner ($193.1 million), down 13 percent year-over-year.

Sales were down double-digits across product categories with sales of

charms, which account for 51 percent of first-quarter revenue, dropping 13 percent year-over-year.

Bracelet sales fell 11 percent while ring sales were down 14 percent.

Necklace and pendant sales, a segment that has seen growth over the last few quarters, were down 18 percent while earrings sales took the hardest hit, down 20 percent year-over-year.

There were 2,746 Pandora concept stores as of the end of the first quarter, 24 fewer than the previous first quarter.

The jeweler scrapped its original forecast for the quarter as the coronavirus situation escalated, a factor that was not taken into account when issuing guidance.

Looking ahead, Pandora said its strong cash flow and cost-cutting measures have put it in a good position to withstand “a sustained period with very weak demand.”

In March, Pandora announced a multipronged strategic reorganization, the next step in its turnaround plan.

The plan included cutting 180 jobs, less than 1 percent of its workforce, and closing some regional offices.

The jeweler outlined plans to bolster its retail skills, invest more in tech and data analytics, and separate its legacy products, like its charms, and its newer offerings into two separate global business units.

The company also recently hired former H&M executive Martino Pessino as its new chief commercial officer.

Pandora has raised additional committed funding of 3 billion kroner ($436.1 million) in a deal with banks and will sell 8 million in treasury shares in an accelerated bookbuilding, meaning a short-term, controlled sale to quickly raise funds.

The company said if stores were to open gradually throughout the second quarter and return to a near-normal state in the fourth quarter, it would not need the additional funds.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

CBG Curated Designer Project Logo
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas Show

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

JCK Talks panel on stage
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas Schedule

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

Walters Faith
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is Coming

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

PG-05-SHOT-2-LUCIDA.033 1.png
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in Vegas

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith, partner at The Retail Smiths
ColumnistsMay 25, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show Buying

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Shot of attendees at a JA New York jewelry trade show
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York Show

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

Leigh Maxwell Bauble Earrings
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ Collection

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

1872x1052-NextGem-2026-National-Jeweler-Advertorial.jpg
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry Retailers

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Stuller 2026-2027 packaging and display catalog
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

My Next Question, Episode 5: Amanda Gizzi, Michelle Graff, Frank Everett
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in Perspective

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Springer’s Jewelers new flagship rendering
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury Shoppers

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

Nina Pugliese
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

WFDB International Summit
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDB

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

Jewelry scam flyer and police officer handing flyer to elderly man
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting Seniors

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

New Adornment & Theory jewelry store in West Town, Chicago
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

Couture Show Logo
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Morgan P. Richardson
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEO

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

Audemars Piguet x Swatch white Royal Pop watch
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused Pandemonium

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

Chris Ploof Modern Electrum Collection Milgrain Rows and Diamonds Ring
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal Modern

With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.

Ellen and Michael Fruchtman
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency

Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.

Peter Smith and National Jeweler contributor
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales Truths

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.

Edahn Golan, Tenoris co-founder and National Jeweler contributor
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine Jewelry

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.

Foundrae Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into Joy

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

Inchiquin emerald
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ Emerald

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

JCK Industry Fund Logo
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients

This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.

John Wayne Signet Ring
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s Ring

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.

MJSA Education Foundation and Jewelers of America
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJS

The discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.

×

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