Author: Ruchi Singla

Michael Hill International has confirmed the appointment of Jonathan Waecker as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 August 2025. The announcement follows a global executive search initiated after the passing of former CEO Daniel Bracken earlier this year. Waecker has held senior roles at The Walt Disney Company, Yahoo and The Warehouse Group, where he has served as Chief Customer and Sales Officer since 2017. His experience spans retail operations, digital strategy and organisational change. Strategic Fit With Business Priorities Rob Fyfe, Chair of the Michael Hill Board, said: “Following a rigorous global search process, the Board is delighted…

Michael Hill International has reported full-year sales in line with the prior year for the 52 weeks to 29 June 2025, with improved second-half trading helping offset a weaker first half. The update follows the passing of company founder Sir Michael Hill on 29 July, aged 86. Sales Performance Across Markets Group sales for the year totalled AUD 641.6 million, with comparable sales increasing 0.3% year on year. Same-store sales rose 2.4% in the second half, supported by growth in all regions during that period. For the full year, Canada was the best-performing market, achieving record sales of CAD 160.3…

The New Zealand Government has announced proposed amendments to the Trespass Act, aimed at strengthening protections for retailers and improving enforcement mechanisms. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee outlined a series of legislative changes intended to support businesses in dealing with repeat offenders and enhancing workplace safety. The Retail Crime Advisory Group, led by Sunny Kaushal, contributed to the development of the proposals. Key Changes to the Trespass Act The proposed amendments include a number of updates to the current legislation: According to the Ministers, these changes are aimed at addressing gaps in the current law…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has launched the Diamond Learning Centre, a new free digital platform designed to provide accessible education on diamonds for jewellery professionals and enthusiasts. The platform launched in April, aligning with the Natural Diamond Council’s broader seasonal marketing efforts. Accessible at diamondlearningcenter.org, the site aims to improve knowledge of the differences between natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, and simulants. The platform is mobile-compatible and designed for independent use. Content and Learning Structure The Diamond Learning Centre includes more than 25 short videos addressing frequently asked questions, as well as four self-paced educational modules covering: Users receive certificates…

Police in Auckland have confirmed that three recent jewellery store robberies across the region are connected, with two individuals now in custody and a third suspect being sought. The affected stores are Kayson’s Fashion Store in New Lynn, Krishna Jewellery Store in Papatoetoe, and Michael Hill at Mānawa Bay. The incidents occurred on 16 and 23 March and are being investigated as related aggravated robberies. Arrests and Warrant Issued A 13-year-old has been charged in connection with the robbery at Michael Hill Mānawa Bay. A 24-year-old man has been charged as a party to the robbery at Kayson’s. Police have…

Retail NZ has raised concerns over government proposals to extend citizens’ arrest powers, warning that such measures could increase the risk of violence in stores. The amendments to the Crimes Act 1961, announced by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, would allow retailers, security guards, and members of the public to detain alleged offenders and use restraints. The proposals are based on recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime (MAG), which was set up to address increasing incidents of retail crime. Retailers Express Safety Concerns Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young stated that most of the organisation’s members…

New Zealand-based jewellery brand Stolen Girlfriends Club will introduce its collection to the UK jewellery trade at the Retail Jeweller Festival, scheduled for 13-14 March 2025. Founded in 2005, the brand is stocked in retailers across New Zealand and Australia, including Walker & Hall, Silvermoon, and The Iconic. Jewellery Collections and Materials Stolen Girlfriends Club produces jewellery in 925 sterling silver, with some designs featuring 18k gold-plating (2.5 microns). The brand’s style incorporates elements of both traditional and contemporary jewellery design. The Love Claw collection, introduced in 2010, features prominently in the brand’s catalogue. The collection includes faceted gemstones such…

Retailers in New Zealand remain cautiously optimistic about their survival prospects in 2025, despite weaker-than-expected sales over the Christmas trading period, according to the latest Retail Radar survey from Retail NZ. Retail Confidence on the Rise The quarterly survey, which tracks retailer sentiment and business performance, found that 70% of respondents were confident or very confident that their business would survive the next year. This represents an increase from 65% in the previous quarter (July-September 2024), continuing an upward trend in business confidence. Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young noted that factors such as stable inflation at 2.2% over the…

Michael Hill International has reported its financial results for the first half of FY24, highlighting a decline in sales in the New Zealand market. The jewellery retailer cited local economic pressures, adverse weather events, and increased criminal activity as key factors contributing to the performance downturn. New Zealand Market Performance Sales in New Zealand dropped by 10.3% year-on-year to NZD 65.4 million in the first half, making it the weakest-performing market in the Group. Several factors weighed heavily on operations, including significant flooding in early 2023, a recession, and a surge in “ram raid” burglaries that resulted in financial losses…

Jewellery retailer Austen & Blake has opened its latest showroom in Christchurch, New Zealand, located in the Guthrey Centre. This marks the company’s first showroom on the South Island and its third in New Zealand overall, with the retailer now operating 13 stores across NZ and Australia.

A Michael Hill jewellery store in Auckland’s Westfield St Lukes shopping centre was the target of a robbery on 7 January, prompting a swift police response and the activation of fog cannons. Three individuals have been arrested, while two others remain at large. The incident is part of an ongoing trend of retail crime affecting jewellers in New Zealand. Sequence of Events The robbery occurred in the afternoon when two individuals entered the Michael Hill store, smashing display counters with tools. Witnesses reported that the group had stolen clothing from a nearby Stirling Sports store to cover their faces beforehand.…

Gurdeep Singh, the owner of Pooja Jewellers in Auckland’s Papatoetoe, continues to express concerns about safety months after a violent robbery in June that left him hospitalised. Singh and his family have taken significant steps to improve security, but he remains cautious about potential threats in the wider community. The Incident The robbery occurred when a group of men entered the jewellery store, attempting to seize trays of jewellery. Singh intervened but was struck multiple times in the head with a hammer. The attackers fled the scene after Singh’s son chased them out of the store with a sword. Five…

Retail NZ’s Q3 2024 Retail Radar report highlights a marked increase in retailer confidence, with 65% of respondents expressing confidence or strong confidence in their business’s survival over the next year. This reflects an improvement from 58% in the previous quarter and 57% during the same period in 2023. Retailers show cautious optimism for Q4, with 57% expecting to meet or exceed sales targets, up from 32% in the previous survey. Despite this, 70% of respondents indicated that Q3 targets were not met, reflecti ongoing challenges in the sector. Economic Climate Boosts Optimism Rising confidence aligns with economic shifts, including…

A recent facial recognition technology trial conducted by Foodstuffs North Island across 25 New World and PAK’nSAVE stores has indicated a reduction in retail crime. The six-month trial, which ended earlier this month, recorded a decrease in harmful incidents and an 8% drop in crime over the last quarter. Retail NZ, which has supported the trial, believes this technology could have broader applications for other retail sectors, including jewellers. Key Findings from the Trial During the trial, the facial recognition system generated 1,747 alerts, with only one case of misidentification. This level of accuracy is significant for jewellery stores, where…

The Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25%, bringing it to 5.25%. This marks the first reduction after eight consecutive meetings where the rate remained unchanged. The move comes as unemployment rises and inflation shows signs of decline, leading economists to expect an easing of monetary policy. Impact on Retailers Retail NZ has released a statement acknowledging the decision and its potential to ease financial pressures for retailers. According to Retail NZ’s latest Retail Radar Survey, 71% of members did not meet their sales targets in the last quarter, while 42% expressed concerns about their ability…

An attempted robbery at Sona Sansaar, a family-owned jewellery store in Mount Roskill, was foiled this afternoon when assailants were unable to breach the store’s reinforced glass and security measures. The incident, which involved a security guard being assaulted, underscores ongoing security challenges for NZ jewellers. Details of the Incident A group of four to five armed offenders targeted the jewellery store on Stoddard Road shortly after 4 p.m., as reported by a police spokeswoman. The attackers, wielding weapons but not firearms, assaulted the store’s security guard with a hammer. Fortunately, the staff inside the store quickly activated a security…

Michael Hill International Limited (ASX/NZX: MHJ) has released its financial results for the 52-week period ending 30 June 2024. The company faced challenging retail conditions influenced by broader economic factors, particularly affecting the fine jewellery sector. Despite these hurdles, Michael Hill reported positive sales momentum across all markets in the latter part of the fiscal year. New Zealand Market Performance In New Zealand, segment revenue declined by 11.8% compared to the previous year, with a 12% decrease in the second half of the fiscal year. The number of stores in New Zealand decreased from 46 to 44 by the end…

An Auckland jewellery store, Onehunga Jewellers, was the site of a violent robbery as the business was in the process of closing down due to previous criminal activities.  The store was attacked by two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, who used hammers to smash display cabinets, leaving glass shards scattered across the store. The store owner, who chose to remain anonymous, reported being severely shaken by the event, which occurred amidst a closing-down sale prompted by multiple prior attacks, including a car crashing through the store window. Details of the Robbery The robbery led to a significant amount of jewellery…

Pooja Jewellers in Papatoetoe, Auckland, has reopened after a violent robbery in June left its owner, Gurdeep Singh, hospitalised. During the robbery, Singh was struck in the head with a hammer by a group of offenders while his family sought refuge at the back of the store. Singh’s son intervened, chasing the perpetrators away with a sword. Following the attack, Singh has been recovering both physically and emotionally. Owner’s Recovery and Reflections Singh has shared his ongoing struggles in the aftermath of the incident. “Physically, I’m much better – feeling good,” Singh noted. Despite physical improvements, he continues to experience…

Retail NZ has expressed its approval of the newly established Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime. This initiative aims to expand upon ongoing efforts to address the increasing rates of retail crime in New Zealand. Retail Crime Statistics Retail crime has become a significant issue, with over 92% of retailers in New Zealand affected. According to a Retail NZ Crime Report published in October 2023, the annual cost of retail crime to its members exceeds $2.6 billion. Woolworths New Zealand recently reported a 9% increase in acts of violence and aggression in its stores over the past year,…

Police have made additional arrests in connection to the violent robbery at Pooja Jewellers on Kolmar Road in Auckland, which occurred on 23 June. The latest apprehensions include a 16-year-old male, bringing the total number of arrests to five. Details of the Arrests Detective Inspector Karen Bright confirmed that four search warrants were executed across Mt Roskill, Mt Albert, and Papatoetoe. “The investigation team located two persons of interest to the inquiry at separate addresses and they were taken into custody,” Bright stated. The 16-year-old male, found in Mt Roskill, faces charges of aggravated robbery and will appear in the…

Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young has welcomed the recent announcements by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith on planned changes to the criminal justice system aimed at addressing retail crime. However, she expressed concerns that the measures may not be sufficient to fully address the issue. Government Response to Retail Crime Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced tougher sentencing for serious retail crime, including a new aggravating factor for offences against sole charge workers and those whose home and business are interconnected. This change is intended to provide better protection for vulnerable retail workers. Retail Industry Concerns Carolyn Young highlighted that…

A jewellery store owner in Papatoetoe, Auckland, suffered severe injuries during a robbery at Pooja Jewellers on Kolmar Road around 5:45 pm on Sunday evening. According to Sunny Kaushal, chair of the Dairy and Business Owners Group, the store owner was struck in the head three times with a hammer and also sustained a knife wound to the forehead. The injured owner is currently in hospital, has received stitches, and is awaiting further medical scans but is thankfully out of danger. Details of the Attack Five armed offenders reportedly broke into the store. Kaushal mentioned that other individuals present in…

Five individuals have been apprehended in relation to April’s high-profile armed robbery at a Michael Hill Jewellers store located in the NorthWest Shopping Centre, West Auckland.  Details of the Incident According to Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie, the robbers were armed with hammers, an axe, and a machete. The group, clad entirely in black, swiftly executed their plan, using the tools to break into multiple glass cabinets and escape with the jewellery. Witnesses reported that the robbers used a grey Subaru SUV to flee the scene. The vehicle was later found abandoned nearby, which provided crucial leads for the police…

Partridge Jewellers in Queenstown has recently moved to a new premises at 18 Rees Street, offering an enhanced selection of luxury jewellery and Swiss watches. This move is part of the retailer’s ongoing efforts to broaden its product range and improve customer experience. Expanded Product Offering The new store location boasts an extended range of luxury brands, now including OMEGA, Cartier, Breitling, Chopard, and Longines alongside existing offerings of Rolex, Tudor, and TAG Heuer. Additionally, the store has introduced jewellery from renowned houses such as Fabergé, Pasquale Bruni, and Vhernier, marking a significant expansion of its luxury product range. Design…

Michael Hill International (MHI) has revealed significant operational challenges in New Zealand, citing serious crime and macroeconomic pressures as key factors.  In its latest earnings update for the 45-week period ending May 12, MHI highlighted the adverse impact on consumer behaviour and discretionary spending. Crime and Economic Pressures New Zealand was identified emerged as the most challenging market for MHI, with rising serious retail crime events, including ram raids, severely affecting store operations. The repeated offending has led to the closure of several stores, notably the Takapuna branch. MHI also reported a decline in consumer credit approval rates in NZ,…

In a significant consumer rights case that has captured widespread attention, Rogelio Villarreal, a 27-year-old doctor from Tamaulipas, Mexico, successfully purchased a pair of rose-gold, diamond-studded earrings valued at over $23,000 for just $23 due to a pricing error on Cartier’s website.  This unusual transaction has spotlighted the enforcement of consumer protection laws in Mexico and their implications for international luxury retailers. Incident Details The earrings, typically priced at 237,000 Mexican pesos, were mistakenly listed for 237 pesos.. Villarreal, intrigued by the drastic price difference while browsing through a social media advertisement, proceeded with the purchase. Upon realisation of the…

A jewellery store in Newmarket, Auckland, has been robbed twice within two weeks, prompting concerns about security in the retail jewellery sector. The most recent incident occurred last night when four individuals wearing masks broke into the store and stole various items around 7:30 PM. This incident followed a similar attack on April 12, where the store was also targeted. Details of the Incidents Police reports indicate that the assailants last night entered the store on Broadway, took merchandise quickly, and then left the scene in a vehicle. This vehicle was later found abandoned on Mauranui Avenue, not far from…

On April 18th, a Michael Hill jewellery store located within the Dress Smart Onehunga shopping complex was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery. The incident was reported to the police at approximately 2:25 PM, involving four individuals dressed in black and white. Incident Overview Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage indicate that the suspects, dressed in black and white, were seen carrying bags and running through the mall, prompting store employees nearby to quickly close their shutters. Further footage captured shoppers exiting the mall in haste as two of the suspects escaped to a pre-arranged vehicle at the entrance. A police…

Lemuel Lyes, a UK-based Kiwi expatriate and novice metal detectorist, recently uncovered what is believed to be a 3000-year-old ring during a metal-detecting event in Cornwall. The discovery was made on February 18, after Lyes had spent several hours searching the area. This artefact has attracted the attention of UK authorities, who are now in the process of determining its legal status as ‘treasure’. Process and Legal Considerations The future of the ancient ring is currently being assessed through an official process conducted by the UK’s legal system. According to a spokesperson from the United Kingdom Department of Digital, Culture,…