Tiffany’s Sales in the Americas Are Up 8% So Far This Year

New York—Tiffany & Co.’s turnaround plan seems to be working.

On Tuesday, the New York-based retailer reported better-than-expected second quarter and first half results, and raised its guidance for the full year.

In the Americas region (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Chile), total net sales rose 8 percent in both the first half and second quarter, with same-store sales rising 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively. (Percentage increases were the same on a constant-exchange-rate basis.)

Sales rose across most of the region, Tiffany said, with spending by local customers—not tourists—accounting for the increase.

Worldwide, net sales increased 12 percent (11 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) to $1.1 billion in the second quarter, with same-store sales rising 8 percent (7 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis).

Meanwhile, first-half total sales were up 13 percent (11 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis) to $2.1 billion and comps rose 9 percent (7 percent on a constant-exchange-rate basis).

Net earnings increased 26 percent year-over-year in the second quarter and 38 percent in the first half of the year.

Gross margin improved from 62.5 percent to 64 percent in the second quarter, and from 62.3 percent to 63.5 percent in the first half.

In the company news release announcing the results, CEO Alessandro Bogliolo teased the introduction of what he called an “innovative diamond ring concept,” Tiffany True, in North America in the second half of the year, along with a special focus on product personalization, high jewelry and a “whimsical holiday campaign.”

He also said: “While in the early stages of addressing our six key strategic priorities, we are pleased with initial customer reaction to our new communication, product and in-store initiatives. The launch of ‘Paper Flowers’ … is moving toward full global distribution, and we believe our evolved brand message is gaining momentum.”

The retailer backed the launch of Paper Flowers with a new marketing campaign, “Believe in Dreams,” which involved painting the town its signature robin’s egg blue, covering New York City icons like taxi cabs and subway stations in the cool tone.

Paper Flowers is the first new major collection since Tiffany Keys in 2009 and the first designed under Reed Krakoff.

It helped propel the company’s in-house jewelry lines to become the top performer of 2018 so far, with Tiffany Jewelry Collections outselling both engagement rings and designer lines from Paloma Picasso and Elsa Peretti.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2018, the retailer