FinancialsNov 08, 2023
Watches of Switzerland’s Jewelry Sales Sink in Q2FinancialsNov 09, 2023
Pandora’s US Sales Bounce Back in Q3
Sales increased 5 percent after a down quarter as the brand saw in-store traffic pick up.
Cat enthusiast and former model and Vogue Creative Director At-Large Grace Coddington is among the faces of Pandora’s “Diamonds for All” campaign, launched earlier this year to promote its new lab-grown diamond jewelry. The jewelry brand said investments in marketing helped propel sales in the third quarter.
Copenhagen, Denmark—Pandora recorded solid third-quarter results despite the overall decline in jewelry sales, with the brand reporting an uptick in traffic it attributes to the money it’s sunk into marketing.
It also noted an “unexpected” increase in demand from tourists, including domestic tourists, a pattern it said may not repeat in Q3 2024.
Globally, Pandora’s sales grew 11 percent year-over-year (9 percent on a like-for-like basis) to 5.57 billion Danish kroner ($799.6 million) in the third quarter, the company reported Wednesday.
Gross margin hit an all-time high of 79 percent, due to Pandora’s decision to raise prices beginning in late 2022, as well as cost efficiencies and channel mix.
Operating profit (EBIT) fell 6 percent from DKK 978 million ($140.4 million) to DKK 920 million ($132.1 million) due to rising costs, but the drop was less than analysts expected, prompting the jewelry company to raise its annual guidance once again.
Pandora now forecasts sales to grow between 5 percent and 6 percent, up from previous guidance of 2-5 percent.
“We are very pleased with our results this quarter,” said President and CEO Alexander Lacik.
“Our investments in the brand are attracting more consumers into our stores. We have delivered strong broad-based growth whilst our all-time high gross margin underpins our unique earnings model. We … continue to see very exciting opportunities ahead for Pandora, as we embark on the next chapter of our growth strategy.”
Pandora is in the middle of a turnaround plan, dubbed “Phoenix.”
At Capital Markets Day in London in October, the company started the next chapter of the plan, investing in global campaigns and fashion events in order make consumers see Pandora as a full jewelry brand, not just a company that makes charm bracelets.
Related stories will be right here …
It also noted an “unexpected” increase in demand from tourists, including domestic tourists, a pattern it said may not repeat in Q3 2024.
Globally, Pandora’s sales grew 11 percent year-over-year (9 percent on a like-for-like basis) to 5.57 billion Danish kroner ($799.6 million) in the third quarter, the company reported Wednesday.
Gross margin hit an all-time high of 79 percent, due to Pandora’s decision to raise prices beginning in late 2022, as well as cost efficiencies and channel mix.
Operating profit (EBIT) fell 6 percent from DKK 978 million ($140.4 million) to DKK 920 million ($132.1 million) due to rising costs, but the drop was less than analysts expected, prompting the jewelry company to raise its annual guidance once again.
Pandora now forecasts sales to grow between 5 percent and 6 percent, up from previous guidance of 2-5 percent.
“We are very pleased with our results this quarter,” said President and CEO Alexander Lacik.
“Our investments in the brand are attracting more consumers into our stores. We have delivered strong broad-based growth whilst our all-time high gross margin underpins our unique earnings model. We … continue to see very exciting opportunities ahead for Pandora, as we embark on the next chapter of our growth strategy.”
Pandora is in the middle of a turnaround plan, dubbed “Phoenix.”
At Capital Markets Day in London in October, the company started the next chapter of the plan, investing in global campaigns and fashion events in order make consumers see Pandora as a full jewelry brand, not just a company that makes charm bracelets.
In the United States, Pandora’s largest market, like-for-like sales were up 5 percent, rebounding from a 4 percent slide in Q2 and a 7 percent decline in Q1.
The company said its marketing initiatives in the U.S. drove more people into its stores in the third quarter and conversion rates were “healthy.”
Wholesale sales also improved, though a gap still remains between the performance of wholesale points of sale and company-owned and -operated locations.
The company mentioned specifically the events it held during New York Fashion Week in late August to introduce the additions it has made to the “Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds” line (formerly called “Diamonds by Pandora”).
Overall, however, Pandora said the new lab-grown diamond jewelry contributed only incrementally to the company’s Q3 sales growth in the U.S., acknowledging it is still early days for the expanded range.
Pandora now sells lab-grown diamonds in four places: the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It said it plans to expand the line into Mexico and Brazil this month.
Like-for-like sales in the category grew 84 percent year-over-year in the third quarter, though Pandora notes that was against a comparatively low base.
Lab-grown diamonds still only accounted for 2 percent of the company’s total quarterly revenue.
Pandora opened 27 concept stores and 16 shop-in-shops in the third quarter. The company said it remains on track to open a net 75-125 concept stores and 50-100 other points of sale this year.
Pandora is converting a growing number of concept stores to its new store model, called Evoke 2.0.
The new layout and look is intended to emphasize the concept of Pandora as a full jewelry brand by showing all the company’s collections in an “intuitive and engaging” way.
Year-to-date, the company said it has opened 22 Evoke 2.0 stores and is on track to open more than 40 globally this year, including the refurbishment of existing stores.
Pandora also noted that through the first nine months of 2023, it has bought a total of 46 concept stores from franchisees in order to convert them into Pandora-owned retail locations.
Thirty-two of these stores were in the United States, with the remaining 14 in Colombia.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsAug 26, 2024
Longtime Industry Sales Trainer Lenny Zell Dies at 97Said to be the first to write a jewelry sales manual for the industry, Zell is remembered for his zest for life.
WatchesAug 26, 2024
IWC Is Sending Its Watches to SpaceThe company outfitted the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew with watches that will later be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude’s.
AuctionsAug 23, 2024
Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
CollectionsAug 23, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gumuchian’s Colorful ‘Spectrum’ NecklaceAnita Gumuchian created the 18-karat yellow gold necklace using 189 carats of colored gemstones she spent the last 40 years collecting.
Weekly QuizAug 23, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 22, 2024
2,492-Carat Diamond Recovered From Botswana Diamond MineThe giant gem came from Karowe, the same mine that yielded the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond.
TrendsAug 22, 2024
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a TwistThe three-stone ring was designed by Shahla Karimi Jewelry and represents Cuoco, her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their child.
Brought to you by
Watch: Forging the Next Generation of Skilled Bench Jewelers at GIASupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsAug 22, 2024
Greenwich St. Jewelers Collabs with TikTok Jewelry Content CreatorThe Manhattan jewelry store has partnered with Xarissa B. of Jewel Boxing on a necklace capsule collection.
TechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, ReelsActing as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shimmy and ShakeFrom fringe and tassels to pieces that give the illusion they are in motion, jewelry with movement is trending.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Mixed-Media Jewelry Artist Jan Yager Dies at 72The designer and maker found community around her Philadelphia studio and creative inspiration on the sidewalks below it.
ColumnistsAug 20, 2024
Google Ads Payment Policy Change: What It Means For YouThe change to accepted payment methods for Google Ads might seem like an irritation but actually is an opportunity, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirThe industry consultant’s new book focuses on what she learned as an athlete recovering from a broken back.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2024
The Ethical Gem Fair Is Going to CaliforniaThe fair will take place on the West Coast for the first time, hosted by Altana Fine Jewelry in Oakland, California.
MajorsAug 20, 2024
Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.
Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsSubmissions in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence will be accepted through this Friday, Aug. 23.
AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
IndependentsAug 19, 2024
Kentucky Jeweler Closing After 89 YearsClements Jewelers in Madisonville cited competition from larger retailers and online sellers as the driving factor.
SourcingAug 19, 2024
A&C Gem Trading Corp. Relocates, Opens Wholesale ShowroomThe gemstone company is moving to the Ross Metal Exchange in New York City’s Diamond District.
CrimeAug 16, 2024
Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on DisplayMost of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
IndependentsAug 16, 2024
Louis Anthony Jewelers Announces First Resort StoreThe Pittsburgh jeweler has opened a store in the nearby Nemacolin resort.
CollectionsAug 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jonne Amaya’s ‘Cat Claw’ NecklaceWith a 40-carat cabochon emerald, this necklace is as powerful and elegant as a cat.
Events & AwardsAug 16, 2024
IJO Names Jewel-Craft as VIP Vendor of the YearThe Erlanger, Kentucky-based company was recognized for its reliability when it comes to repairs and fast turnaround times.
SourcingAug 15, 2024
Greenland Ruby Is Up For SaleUnable to pay its debts, the ruby and sapphire miner is looking to restructure and become a “competitive and attractive” company.
TrendsAug 15, 2024
Paola De Luca to Debut Trendbook 2026+ at VicenzaoroThe trend forecaster’s latest guide has intel on upcoming trends in the jewelry market.
