Forevermark’s retail footprint in 2014 up 20%

Forevermark announced its performance results for the year 2014. It marked the 12 months as a period of impressive growth with its retail store count increasing 20 percent (from 2013) to 1,542 stores across 34 markets. The 2014 results were driven predominantly by demand in the U.S. and the growing middle class in India and China who are increasingly choosing diamond jewellery for important occasions such as engagements and weddings.

Stephen Lussier, Forevermark CEO, commented “With Forevermark achieving sales at a retail value of around $750million a year, our retail partners and consumers are really embracing the brand.” He continued, “Consumer preference for branded diamonds and diamond jewellery is set to continue to increase in 2015. As Forevermark’s distinctive brand proposition addresses confidence issues on quality and integrity, and provides the assurances that today’s consumers are demanding from their high value purchases, we are well positioned to succeed as a leading force in the category.”

Forevermark’s licensee program expanded the brand further to Botswana and Turkey. Forevermark enetred into exclusive partnership with Zen Diamond in May last year, marking its Turkish launch, and is now available in 42 of their stores, with more openings planned in 2015. Middle East partner, Damas opened a new store in Saudi Arabia selling Forevermark.

At the Forevermark Diamond Institute, in 2014, grading and inscriptions increased by a significant 67 percent and 47 percent, respectively, year on year, and a milestone achieved when the one millionth diamond was inscribed with the Forevermark unique inscription number and icon. In the last quarter, a new inscription and grading facility in Surat, India began operations ahead of schedule. With 100 newly trained staff, it is expected to have the same capacity as the Antwerp facility by the end of 2017.

Forevermark also unveiled a new marketing campaign in 2014. It has been positively received in the U.S., India and licensee markets to date, and will launch in Greater China this spring. To support the growth of digital in a consumer’s journey to purchase, Forevermark re-launched its brand website in the latter part of the year, and since then there have been over 1.5 million page views.

Forevermark also continues to grace the red carpet with international stars at some of the world’s most high profile events.

Stephen Lussier added, “We have set ourselves ambitious targets for 2015 and continue our plans to expand further in existing and new markets. We look forward to working with our partners around the world to maximise what is a real opportunity for Forevermark in the year ahead.”