H. Samuel
Encyclopedia
H. Samuel is a mass-market jewellery chain, operating in the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland
. It is the number one middle mass-market jewellery store in the United Kingdom. There are 375 stores as at 23rd Feb 2008. An increasing number of the chain's stores trade in a new format known internally as 'Millennium format' stores. These are typified by removing the arcade-style window displays and having low-level display case
s up to the lease line in mall stores and having large ceiling to floor windows in High Street stores. This means the customer can not window shop and must enter the store to see what is on sale.
The chain is part of the Signet Group
who also own the Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis high-street jewellery stores in the UK. Signet Group, listed on the London and New York stock exchanges also owns Sterling, the largest speciality jewellery retailer in the United States of America, which operates the number one Kay brand, Jared the Galleria Of Jewelry and a further ten regional brands.
H.Samuel stores typically stock a range of jewellery
, watches and collectible/gift ranges. They exclusively carry the "Forever Diamonds" collection, which showcases 73-facet brilliant diamonds that show more brilliance and sparkle versus ordinary round brilliant cuts. The stores are usually to be found within shopping centres, or on High Streets. H. Samuel shops can be found in many towns, whilst some larger towns and cities have multiple stores operating within them, often spread out.
In 2005 the chain launched its first e-commerce site.
Some H. Samuel stores were formerly branches of Ratner's Jewellers
, which were re-branded following that brand's spectacular fall from grace in 1992.
's clock-making and silversmith business in Liverpool
. Harriet moved the business to Manchester
's Market Street and ran the mail order side. Her son developed the retail area.
The first H. Samuel retail store opened in Preston in 1890, closely followed by branches in Rochdale
and throughout Lancashire
. To accommodate the growing business, the company moved to large headquarters in Birmingham in 1912.
After the war, Harriet's grandsons Gilbert and Robert took over as Chairman and Vice Chairman. In 1948, the company was successfully floated on the Stock Exchange.
Gilbert was awarded a CBE for political and public services, became a Queen's Sheriff for the City of London and was elected Master of the Clockmakers Company. Meanwhile, the number of H.Samuel stores rose to over two hundred nationwide.
After the brothers' deaths in the late 1970s, Robert's son took over as Chairman. In 1984 he led an acquisition of the James Walker Group, which doubled the company's presence in the UK.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is the number one middle mass-market jewellery store in the United Kingdom. There are 375 stores as at 23rd Feb 2008. An increasing number of the chain's stores trade in a new format known internally as 'Millennium format' stores. These are typified by removing the arcade-style window displays and having low-level display case
Display case
A display case is a cabinet with one or often more transparent glass sides and/or top, used to display objects for viewing, for example in an exhibition, museum, house, in retail, or a restaurant. Often labels are included with the displayed objects, providing information...
s up to the lease line in mall stores and having large ceiling to floor windows in High Street stores. This means the customer can not window shop and must enter the store to see what is on sale.
The chain is part of the Signet Group
Signet Group
Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest specialty retail jeweller. The Bermuda-domiciled, British headquartered company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. The group focuses on the middle mass jewelry segment and has number one positions in both the...
who also own the Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis high-street jewellery stores in the UK. Signet Group, listed on the London and New York stock exchanges also owns Sterling, the largest speciality jewellery retailer in the United States of America, which operates the number one Kay brand, Jared the Galleria Of Jewelry and a further ten regional brands.
H.Samuel stores typically stock a range of jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
, watches and collectible/gift ranges. They exclusively carry the "Forever Diamonds" collection, which showcases 73-facet brilliant diamonds that show more brilliance and sparkle versus ordinary round brilliant cuts. The stores are usually to be found within shopping centres, or on High Streets. H. Samuel shops can be found in many towns, whilst some larger towns and cities have multiple stores operating within them, often spread out.
In 2005 the chain launched its first e-commerce site.
Some H. Samuel stores were formerly branches of Ratner's Jewellers
Gerald Ratner
Gerald Irving Ratner , is a British businessman. He was formerly chief executive of the major British jewellery company Ratners Group...
, which were re-branded following that brand's spectacular fall from grace in 1992.
History
The H.Samuel story began in 1862 when Harriet Samuel (née Wolfe) took over her father-in-law Moses SamuelMoses Samuel
Moses Samuel was a clockmaker, translator of Hebrew works and writer.-Life:His parents were Emanuel Menachem Samuel and Hanna Hinde; his father moved from Kempen in Posen in Silesia to London. Moses with his mother moved to Liverpool around 1805. He went into business, not with any great success,...
's clock-making and silversmith business in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. Harriet moved the business to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
's Market Street and ran the mail order side. Her son developed the retail area.
The first H. Samuel retail store opened in Preston in 1890, closely followed by branches in Rochdale
Rochdale
Rochdale is a large market town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the foothills of the Pennines on the River Roch, north-northwest of Oldham, and north-northeast of the city of Manchester. Rochdale is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan...
and throughout Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. To accommodate the growing business, the company moved to large headquarters in Birmingham in 1912.
After the war, Harriet's grandsons Gilbert and Robert took over as Chairman and Vice Chairman. In 1948, the company was successfully floated on the Stock Exchange.
Gilbert was awarded a CBE for political and public services, became a Queen's Sheriff for the City of London and was elected Master of the Clockmakers Company. Meanwhile, the number of H.Samuel stores rose to over two hundred nationwide.
After the brothers' deaths in the late 1970s, Robert's son took over as Chairman. In 1984 he led an acquisition of the James Walker Group, which doubled the company's presence in the UK.