From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
Signet COO Resigns From the Company
Bryan Morgan stepped down from the retailer June 2 due to “violations of company policy unrelated to financial matters.”

Akron, Ohio--Signet Jewelers Ltd. COO Bryan Morgan has resigned from the company, it announced Monday.
In a form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the retailer said he was stepping down due to “violations of company policy unrelated to financial matters.”
Morgan had been in the position since earlier this year, when he was promoted from position of executive vice president of supply chain management and repair.
He has been with Signet since July 2015, according to his LinkedIn page, and prior to that held various roles with Sterling Jewelers starting in July 2007.
While Morgan was let go for “violations of company policy,” the retailer also has seen a number of retirements in its upper ranks this year.
Morgan’s promotion into the COO role came at the same time as a major senior management restructuring at the company.
Ed Hrabak, then the company’s COO, announced he was retiring in late January after more than 30 years with Signet. At the same time, Tryna Kochanek, Signet’s executive vice president of North American store operations, also announced her retirement after more than three decades with the retailer.
It announced at the time that as Hrabek and Kochanek exit, it was creating two new positions--president and chief customer officer and chief retail insights and strategy officer. The retailer also said then that it was adapting to changes in retail and looking to build an “organization of the future” that focuses on improving the customer experience in stores and the digital experience online.
Then in May, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer Stuart Lee, who has been with Signet for 21 years, and Clark McEwen, the senior vice president of Signet Direct Diamond Sourcing, announced they are retiring as well.
Signet provided no timeline for their exit or information on when, or if, their positions will be filled.
The retailer reported at the end of May that same-store sales were down nearly 12 percent in the first quarter due to a slowdown in jewelry spending in an already challenging retail environment and an 11 percent decrease in total sales year-over-year.
The Latest

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The 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.


Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

Sponsored by RapNet

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
























