Tiffany’s Sales Shine in Second Quarter

RAPAPORT… Tiffany & Co. raised its outlook for the year,
after strong US and Asia sales yielded better-than-expected
results.

Revenue rose 12% to $1.08 billion year on year in the second
fiscal quarter ending July 31, while comparable-store sales — at branches open
for at least a year — climbed 8%, the jeweler said Tuesday. Profit jumped 26%
to $145 million.

The company now expects full-year sales to grow by high-single-digit
percentages, as opposed to its earlier projection of mid-single-digits. The
retailer also raised its guidance for net earnings to between $4.65 to $4.80
per share, from its previous range of $4.50 to $4.70. However, the jeweler
expects strategic investment spending to rise due to output for new marketing
campaigns and as renovations of its New York City flagship store get underway.

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

Sales in the US and Asia buoyed Tiffany’s results, with
increased spending by local consumers, as well as tourists, the company said.
Revenue for the Americas jumped 8% year on year to $475 million, and in Asia
Pacific rose 28% to $301 million for the three months ending July 31. Japan’s
results climbed 11% to $155 million for the quarter.

Tiffany has launched several marketing campaigns during the
period, running New York-themed ads featuring celebrities geared towards
attracting a millennial audience. It also launched the Paper Flowers collection,
the first by chief designer Reed Krakoff.

Tiffany share price rose nearly 7% following the results
before the market opened on Tuesday.