Jewelry price inflation continues to moderate
Only time will tell if Wall Street speculation that inflation is real and here to stay is correct. But we do know this: In the jewelry industry, inflation has been cooling since mid 2008, both at the...
Slow turn in economy not changing shopping habits
Washington, D.C.--Consumers need more proof the economy is slowly turning around as April retail sales show people continuing to cut back on discretionary spending, according to the National Retail...
Easter give slight boost to April sales
New York--Overall U.S. chain store sales increased 0.7 percent last month, due primarily to a shift in the Easter holiday from March to April this year, according to the latest study from the...
As economy impacts online retail, companies shift marketing focus
The economy is forcing online retailers to change their marketing tactics in order to acquire and retain customers, according to findings from "The State of Retailing Online 2009," the 12th annual...
Doris Panos files for Chapter 11
Central Islip, N.Y.--Award-winning jewelry manufacturer Doris Panos Designs has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, joining a growing line of jewelry manufacturers and retailers forced into...
Bulgari forecasts first quarterly loss since 1999
Rome--Bulgari SpA is expecting a first-quarter loss for 2009, a decline that, if proven true, would make it the first such quarterly loss for the company since 1999, a spokesman for the brand has...
Ultra Stores files Chapter 11
New York--Ultra Stores Inc., which operates Ultra Diamonds and the fine-jewelry departments in several off-price department stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday.
MJSA: Support legislation to ease lead-content law
Republican Rep. Joe Barton of Texas has introduced legislation to the House of Representatives that will significantly ease the strict mandates of a new law restricting lead content in children's...
Tiffany moderating, but not stopping, growth in '09
New York--Iconic jeweler Tiffany and Co. plans to open 13 stores this year despite bleary economic conditions, its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows.
Obama unveils plan to help small businesses
Washington--Under fire for the bailout of big banks and Wall Street institutions, President Barack Obama unveiled a plan on Monday that will make it easier for small-business owners to borrow money,...
JA: Economic recovery act will benefit jewelers
New York--Jewelers of America (JA) says the economic stimulus act contains several measures that will benefit jewelers, including small business provisions that will benefit the industry, and tax...
Sales down 18 percent for Zale
Dallas--Revenues fell 17.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 for jewelry chain Zale Corp., with the retailer slashing staff and closing stores in the face of the global economic crisis.
Fortunoff confirms it may file for Chapter 11
New York--Fortunoff Fine Jewelry and Silverware LLC is "considering" filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, company spokeswoman Arlene Putterman confirmed to National Jeweler on Wednesday.
DPS: Continue to stress enduring value of diamonds
New York--Emotion and enduring value are two messages retail jewelers need to stress to sell diamonds amid a difficult economy.
Saks announces cost-reduction plan
New York--In response to the deteriorating economic environment, Saks Inc. today announced a series of expense, capital spending and inventory receipt reductions to better position the company for the...
A fresh resume gives you an edge in tight economy
Layoffs, cutbacks and restructurings can happen to even the best employees, with little or no warning, especially in a bad economy. If this happens to you, the last thing you will want to do is create...
Shane Co. files for Chapter 11
Denver--Centennial, Colo.-based jewelry chain Shane Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this week, becoming the latest industry member to experience financial woes amid the economic...
MJSA elects new chairman, directors
Providence, R.I.--Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) welcomed a new chairman and elected several new members to its board of directors at its 105th annual meeting on Dec. 8.
Lenox files for Chapter 11
Eden Prairie, Minn.--Tabletop, giftware and collectibles company Lenox Group Inc. has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with the ultimate goal of selling the business.
TV shopping networks tuning in to Internet
New York--While jewelry continues to be a key category for TV shopping retailers, online rather than on-air sales are the engine that has been revving up revenues in recent years.