Though its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Hurricanes, Sluggish Retail Hurt Pandora in the Americas
In the third quarter, Pandora’s U.S. sales declined 2 percent in Danish krone and they are down 3 percent so far this year.
Copenhagen, Denmark--The retail environment in the United States remains challenging, particularly for physical stores, Pandora said in reporting its third quarter 2017 results Wednesday.
In the quarter ended Sept. 30, the Danish bead brand’s U.S. sales totaled $174.2 million, compared with $177.8 million in Q3 2016, a decline of 2 percent in Danish krone (DKK) but an increase of 4 percent in local currency.
Pandora said any growth in sales was driven primarily by the opening of new stores, including the franchise stores it acquired during the quarter.
For the first nine months of the year, revenue was down 3 percent in the U.S. in both DKK and the dollar.
The company described the retail environment in the United States as “challenging,” with its online store seeing sales growth but physical stores continuing to struggle, and noted that “affordable” jewelry brands are being “increasingly promotional.”
It also noted that it lost about $7.8 million due to the hurricanes that hit the United States and Puerto Rico in Q3 and expects that loss to grow to about $23.4 million for the year.
In recent years, Pandora has pulled its product out of jewelry stores--including hundreds of independents in the U.S.--while also buying back concept stores once controlled by franchisees and opening more company-owned stores in order to, it has said, have better control over the brand.
This year in the U.S., Pandora purchased 50 concept stores from franchisees between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30.
Globally, Pandora’s revenue was up 13 percent year-over-year in the third quarter to $809 million.
Gross margin slipped from 75.1 percent to 74.2 percent.
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $306 million, with an EBITDA margin of 37.8 percent, down from an EBITDA margin of 39.9 percent last year.
Pandora said the drop was mainly due to unfavorable currency fluctuations and higher marketing expenses.
The Asia-Pacific region is becoming an increasingly important market for Pandora. The company’s third quarter results show that in the first nine months of 2017, the Americas accounted for 32 percent of global revenue, down from 36 percent in the same period last year, while Asia Pacific was at 23 percent, up from 19 percent last year.
“The results in the third quarter were in line with our expectations, with the underlying development showing positives as well as negatives,” CEO Anders Colding Friis said. “Most of our major growth markets--Germany, Italy, Australia and China--continued to show strong performance
The Latest
Despite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.