Signet Confident Despite 5% Drop in Q4 Sales
March 22, 23
(IDEX Online) - Signet, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, reported a 5.2 per cent drop in sales for Q4 2022 (three months to 28 January) down $145.1m to $2.7bn.
It blamed the devastating storm Elliott during the peak Christmas selling period in the US before, as well as labor strikes, the impact of the weakened British pound, the volatility created by the war in Ukraine, inflationary shocks and economic turmoil.
But CEO Virginia Drosos said she remained confident for this year and next, citing the company's differentiated portfolio, its ability to deliver "an annual double-digit non-GAAP EBIT margin" and a healthy balance sheet that allowed it to invest in the business.
"As we turn to FY24, we are confident in the sustainable competitive advantages we've built and our ability to leverage our enhanced infrastructure and scale to grow ahead of the jewelry industry," she said.
Signet, which announced the acquisition of Blue Nile for $360m last August, operates 2,800 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, JamesAllen.com, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H.Samuel and Ernest Jones.