Signet Jewelers Reports 5% Holiday Sales Increase, Same-store Sales Up 4.9%

Signet Jewelers Ltd. said it had total holiday sales of $1.94 billion for the eight weeks ending Dec. 26, up 5% from $1.85 billion last year. Same-store sales increased 4.9% for the period, driven by mall-based stores, outlets, and Ernest Jones stores in the U.K., the company said in a statement. Digital sales were $139.7 million, up 10.9% from $126 million last year. The company narrowed its fourth-quarter earnings per share guidance to between $3.44 and $3.50 from between $3.30 and $3.50. Signet also narrowed its same-store sales guidance to between 4.6% and 5% from between 3.5% and 5%. Signet shares are down 2.7% for the past 12 months while the the S&P is down 1.8%.