Jewelry Maker Pandora Bets on ‘Gen Z’ to Boost Sales

The Pandora logo is seen in jewelry shop in downtown Rome, Italy, August 7, 2018. (Reuters)
The Pandora logo is seen in jewelry shop in downtown Rome, Italy, August 7, 2018. (Reuters)
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Jewelry Maker Pandora Bets on ‘Gen Z’ to Boost Sales

The Pandora logo is seen in jewelry shop in downtown Rome, Italy, August 7, 2018. (Reuters)
The Pandora logo is seen in jewelry shop in downtown Rome, Italy, August 7, 2018. (Reuters)

Danish jewelry maker Pandora plans to produce edgy pieces to attract young shoppers and significantly boost sales in the United States and China to meet a revenue growth target of 6-8% over 2021-2023 it announced on Tuesday.

The world’s largest jewelry maker by production capacity said it was also targeting an operating profit margin of 25-27% in 2023 and boosted its ongoing share buyback, driving its shares up more than 4%.

Pandora has looked to refresh its image to appeal to the so-called “Gen Z” - people aged six to 25 whom Bank of America says represents some 2.5 billion people who make up 32% of the global population, followed by “Millenials” aged 25 to 40 at 22%.

"If you look at Generation Z and Millenials, by 2025 they are expected to constitute over 60% of the luxury consumption in the world so we need to sharpen our pens," CEO Alexander Lacik told Reuters.

The company generates 70% of its sales from its Moment platform based on silver bracelets with collectable charms but is hoping to build a new growth pillar with pieces catering to younger people.

It will soon launch more pieces in its Pandora Me collection, which has previously been promoted by English actor and model Millie Bobby Brown, and is both cheaper and has a more raw look than conventional pieces with for example safety brooches or chains.

Lacik took over the helm in 2019 after the previous CEO was ousted following several profit warnings and a lack of new innovative products.

A top priority for Lacik is to gain a foothold in China, the world’s largest jewelry market, where its brand penetration is still very low.

Pandora said it aims to triple revenue in China compared to 2019 levels and double sales in the United States.

To meet demand, it will invest 1 billion Danish crowns ($159 million) in expanding its manufacturing capacity by around 60%, or 80 million pieces of jewelry annually, by building a new factory in Vietnam and expanding its existing plants in Thailand



Famed Indian Designer Rohit Bal Dies

Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
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Famed Indian Designer Rohit Bal Dies

Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP
Indian designer Rohit Bal (center) gestures at his fashion show in Mumbai in 2019. Sujit Jaiswal / AFP

Rohit Bal, one of India's most acclaimed fashion designers, has died, his colleagues said Friday.
Media reports said he died at the age of 63 after a long illness.
"We mourn the passing of legendary designer Rohit Bal," the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) said in a statement on Instagram.
"Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bal's work redefined Indian fashion, and inspired generations."
According to his website, Bal graduated from St. Stephen's College in New Delhi with a degree in history.
He then worked in his family's export business for a few years before launching his label and designer line in 1990.
"From the village crafts and traditional methods of design that India is so rich in, to the transient phenomenon of the subcontinent's urban landscape, the designer brings them all to life."
FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi said on Instagram that the passing of Pal, popularly called Gudda, "will leave a void in the fashion design space forever."
"Everyone admired him for his attention to detail, how beautifully his lotus bloomed on modern shapes and his understanding of what modern women desired," Sethi said.