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



Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
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Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo

The Saudi Fashion Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French-based Kering, one of the world’s most influential luxury fashion conglomerates, to engage in discussions that support the development and implementation of initiatives that align with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals for the fashion sector.

The signing ceremony, held in Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak and Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering Marie-Claire Daveu.

The MoU marks the beginning of a strategic alliance aimed at exploring collaborative efforts in several key areas of common interest. The two organizations will work together to establish Kering Generation Awards, which recognize and celebrate leading sustainable fashion businesses, including establishing award criteria, participant selection processes, and award recipient development.

Moreover, the collaboration features a Regional Sustainability Index, providing fashion enterprises with a roadmap to enhance sustainable practices.
The initiative also entails publishing joint reports on achievements, conducting awareness sessions, and aligning with key events in Saudi’s annual fashion calendar.

Leveraging Kering’s industry expertise, the two parties will focus on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection and aim to identify pioneering approaches to sustainable materials that can serve as industry standards.

This partnership underscores the Saudi Fashion Commission’s commitment to advancing sustainability across the fashion value chain. As a leader in sustainable luxury fashion, Kering brings a wealth of experience in managing eco-conscious initiatives, reinforcing the MoU’s potential to drive meaningful change in the region’s fashion landscape.

“We are delighted to partner with Kering, whose commitment to sustainability aligns with our mission to foster a forward-thinking, eco-conscious fashion ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Together, we aim to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the region,” said Cakmak.

As for Daveu, she said that the MoU presents a remarkable opportunity for the company to support the growth of sustainable fashion practices in Saudi Arabia.

“We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry,” she added.

The MoU will be effective immediately for an initial term of one year, with an option for automatic renewal upon mutual agreement.
This partnership reflects the shared vision of the Saudi Fashion Commission and Kering to lead the region’s move toward a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.