Jewelry

PORTLAND, Ore. — Fred Meyer's jewelry retail subsidiaries, Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers, which make up the third-largest fine jewelry retailer in the United States, have announced the launch of the Fredmeyerjewelers.com and Littmanjewelers.com mobile websites, optimized for mobile devices including iPhone and Android smartphones.

Washington, D.C. -- Consumers are set to put out all the stops this Valentine’s Day, with the average person shelling out $126.03, up 8.5% over last year, according to NRF’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGinsight. Total spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion.

Portland, Ore. -- Fred Meyer Jewelers, the nation’s third-largest fine jewelry retailer, announced the launch of mobile websites for its namesake and Littman Jewelers brand. The sites are optimized for mobile devices including iPhone and Android smartphones.

Fred Meyer Jewelers has partnered with Moovweb to create the mobile enabled websites. The mobile websites serve as a complement to the regular sites with functional ecommerce capability.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Town Center at Boca Raton, in Boca Raton, Fla., will celebrate the expansion and relocation of Forever 21 to its soon-to-be-completed Cafes at Boca. The 19,000-sq.-ft. upgraded store will offer upgrades and added offerings.

“With the relocation of our store at Town Center at Boca Raton, we are able to accommodate more brands and new concepts,” said Larry Meyer, Forever 21 executive VP.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing private label credit card services to Reeds Jewelers.

New York City -- Apple stores around the world are pulling in an annual average of $4,709 sales per square foot, CNN Money reported.

While a handful of super-high-end luxury retailers with limited floor space in New York City and foreign capitols may do better, Apple’s numbers make it by far the most valuable chain in the United States. Apple’s closest chain competitor is Tiffany & Co., which garners an average of $2,974 per square foot, according to the report.


 

Springfield, N.J. -- Luxury watch maker Tag Heuer opened its second North American flagship boutique, an 800-sq.-ft. space in Aventura Mall, Aventura, Fla.

The store is designed as a "lifestyle lounge" and is adorned with Tag Heuer accessories that range from vintage stainless steel cufflinks to the brand's technologically advanced eyewear and communication devices.

New York City -- David Yurman on Wednesday announced that Glen T. Senk will join the fine-jewelry company as CEO, effective Feb. 27. Senk, who on Tuesday announced he was stepping down as CEO of Urban Outfitters, will take an ownership stake in the privately owned company.

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. reported Tuesday that sales growth weakened in the United States and Europe during the holiday season, although other regions experienced significant gains.

The company cut its yearly earnings guidance. 

Dallas -- Zale Corp. reported Tuesday that same-store sales for the holiday selling season of November and December 2011 rose 5.9%, compared with an 8.5% gain in the same period last year.

Within the two-month period, same-store store sales increased 10.1% in November and 4.2% in December.

Revenues for the two-month period were $564 million, compared with $533 million in the same period last year, an increase of 5.8%.