Signet Has Made Another Acquisition
The move is part of the retailer’s plan to grow its services segment into a $1 billion business.
On a call with National Jeweler Wednesday afternoon, Chief Financial, Strategy and Services Officer Joan Hilson said the company has acquired the assets of the Service Jewelry Repair National Repair Center, or SJR.
The price of the acquisition was not disclosed, though Signet confirmed it will retain SJR’s employees, who will become Signet employees and remain in their current location.
Located in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, SJR is a full-service jeweler, watch repair center, and retailer.
Formerly owned by now-closed Service Merchandise, the company opened its first location in Madison, Tennessee, in 2002.
According to its website, it expanded in 2003, opening a national repair center in Brentwood that currently services more than 4,000 stores across the country.
The acquisition, “unlocks new capabilities for us with the ability to perform our own in-house watch repairs as SJR is certified to work on all major watch brands,” noted Hilson.
She also said the jeweler has plans for the recently closed Blue Nile fulfillment center in Seattle, which it will transition into a central repair center that will service all Signet’s banners.
“The capabilities that SJR and the Blue Nile center bring will complement the capabilities of our existing team of 1,800 jewelers and further positions Signet as the most prominent service provider in the industry today,” said Hilson.
Signet has been bulking up its services segment in recent quarters.
Its services portfolio includes Rocksbox, the jewelry subscription business it acquired in 2021, as well as appraisals at select Kay Jewelers stores; a new insurance program at Jared, Kay and Zales; and the continued rollout of its Vault Rewards customer loyalty program.
The company wants to grow its services from a $500 million business into a $1.2 billion business, Hilson said Wednesday.
The acquisitions and new programs are “an example of our Inspiring Brilliance strategy in action as we continue to leverage the strength of our balance sheet to reinvest back into our business,” she said.
The locations of the service centers, one near the East and West coasts, will improve turnaround time while supporting the Jared Foundry locations, a custom jewelry design experience within select Jared locations.
Signet believes customization has the potential to become a $700 million business for it over time, said Hilson.
“It will also help us establish a B2B business, as well as a mail-in [repairs] business that will open up sizable growth,” she said.
“We’re excited about the advantages that it can bring for Signet’s growth strategy but also [it will] bring confidence to our customers that they’re building a relationship with a jeweler that can support not only new purchases but any repair and service needs that they have.”
Signet Jewelers sits atop National Jeweler’s $100 Million Supersellers and Top 50 Specialty Jewelers lists, with more than $7 billion in sales last year and more than 2,800 stores across North America.
The Latest
The announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Jewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
This little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
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.
Despite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
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.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
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.
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.
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.