Signet Q2 Fiscal 2014 Results

SIGNET REPORTS SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

SAME STORE SALES INCREASE 3.6%, DILUTED EPS $0.84

KAY SAME STORE SALES UP 5.8%

HAMILTON, Bermuda, August 29, 2013 - Signet Jewelers Ltd ("Signet") (NYSE and LSE: SIG), the largest specialty retail jeweler in the US and the UK, today announced its results for the 13 weeks ("second quarter Fiscal 2014") and the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2013.

Mike Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We delivered solid second quarter results as expected, driven by same store sales increases of 3.6% overall and 4.9% in the US led by Kay up 5.8% and Jared up 5.5%. Our earnings per share of $0.84 were at the high-end of our guidance; excluding Ultra our earnings per share were $0.90. All results were, as previously explained, impacted by the Mother's Day calendar shift. I would like to thank all Signet associates for their contributions to these results.

We continue to believe we are poised to drive profitable market share with exciting programs in place to achieve this result over the balance of the year. We will focus on our competitive strengths led by our talented sales teams, supported by an exciting merchandise selection, increased advertising impressions that captivate consumers and the strength of our eCommerce initiatives. These combined efforts have us well-positioned for the all-important holiday season and to meet our objectives for the year."

2014 Guidance:

For the third quarter, the Company expects:

· Same store sales to increase in the low-single-digit range.

· As a result, diluted earnings per share ("EPS") are expected to be in the range of $0.37 to $0.43, based on an estimated 80.5 million weighted average common shares outstanding.

· In the second quarter we completed key actions for the integration of Ultra as planned. In the third quarter we expect Ultra dilution to range from $0.00 to $0.02.

For the full Fiscal 2014 year, the Company anticipates:

· Approximately 80.4 million to 80.8 million weighted average common shares outstanding.

· Capital expenditures in the range of $180 million to $195 million, which includes costs related to: (i) the opening of 75 to 85 new Kay and Jared stores (ii) store remodels (iii) digital and information technology infrastructure, and (iv) outlet channel capital spending.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Sales Highlights:

Total sales were $880.2 million, up $26.3 million or 3.1% compared to $853.9 million in the 13 weeks ended July 28, 2012 ("second quarter Fiscal 2013" or "prior year second quarter"). Same store sales increased 3.6% compared to an increase of 7.1% in the second quarter Fiscal 2013. eCommerce sales were $31.2 million compared to $24.2 million in the second quarter Fiscal 2013, up $7.0 million or 28.9%.

· In the US division, total sales were $741.1 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $701.9 million), up $39.2 million or 5.6%. Same store sales increased 4.9% compared to an increase of 8.2% in the second quarter Fiscal 2013. Sales increases were driven by particular strength in bridal, colored diamonds and watches. Kay and Jared experienced increases in both transaction counts and average transaction value. eCommerce sales in the US were $25.3 million compared to $18.6 million in second quarter Fiscal 2013, up $6.7 million or 36.0%.

· In the UK division, total sales were $139.1 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $152.0 million), down $12.9 million or 8.5%. Same store sales decreased 2.4% compared to an increase of 2.1% in the second quarter Fiscal 2013. The total sales decline was primarily due to a same store sales decrease of $3.4 million, the impact of closed stores of $5.6 million and currency fluctuation of $3.9 million. In Ernest Jones, the number of transactions increased driven primarily by strength in branded bridal and watches, excluding Rolex, and the average transaction value was lower, primarily due to the impact from Rolex being offered in fewer stores. In H.Samuel, the number of transactions declined, primarily due to store closures and lower traffic. This resulted in lower sales across many merchandise categories, partly offset by strength in branded bridal products. Sales in both businesses were impacted by lower bead transactions. eCommerce sales in the UK were $5.9 million compared to $5.6 million in second quarter Fiscal 2013, up $0.3 million or 5.4%.

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1. Based only on stores operated for 12 months.

2. The 53rd week in Fiscal 2013 has resulted in a shift in Fiscal 2014, as the fiscal year began a week later than the previous fiscal year. As such, same store sales are being calculated by aligning the weeks of the quarter to the same weeks in the prior year. Total reported sales continue to be calculated based on the reported fiscal periods, with the difference being reported within non-same store sales. Total sales in the US in the second quarter Fiscal 2013 included $32.2 million due to the shift of the Mother's Day promotion.

3. Includes all sales from stores not open or owned for 12 months, as well as results from all store locations acquired in the Ultra acquisition.

4. Non-GAAP measure.

5. Includes results for all store locations acquired in the Ultra acquisition. The change from previous year is calculated as a percentage of total US sales.

6. Includes stores selling under the Leslie Davis nameplate.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Selected Financial Highlights:

Gross margin was $309.7 million or 35.2% of sales compared to $311.2 million or 36.4% of sales in the second quarter Fiscal 2013. The inclusion of the results for Ultra increased gross margin dollars by $5.7 million; however, it reduced the consolidated gross margin rate by 50 basis points and the US gross margin rate by 70 basis points. The Ultra gross margin is lower than the core US business due to lower Ultra store productivity and the impact of the Ultra integration.

· Gross margin dollars in the US increased by $1.3 million compared to second quarter Fiscal 2013, reflecting higher sales offset by a gross margin decrease of 180 basis points. The lower gross margin was primarily attributed to the following components: gross merchandise margin decreased by 50 basis points, which was attributed to Ultra; and store occupancy and operating costs deleveraged by 70 basis points, of which 40 basis points was due to Ultra and the remaining 30 basis point change was a result of the impact of the increase in new store openings. The US net bad debt ratio increased to 4.9% of sales compared to 4.5% of sales in prior year second quarter. The increase in the ratio was primarily due to the growth in the outstanding receivable balance. In addition, the US division experienced a slight decline in collection efficiency and a change in the credit mix.

· In the UK, gross margin dollars decreased $2.8 million, primarily reflecting the impact of decreased sales and currency fluctuation offset by a gross margin rate increase of 40 basis points. Currency translation costs were $1.1 million of the decrease in gross margin. The gross margin rate increase was primarily driven by sales mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SGA") were $250.5 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $240.3 million), up $10.2 million or 4.2%. As a percentage of sales, SGA increased by 40 basis points to 28.5%. The inclusion of the results for Ultra increased SGA by $13.5 million and increased the consolidated SGA rate by 70 basis points. Ultra SGA is expected to decline as the final steps of the integration are completed. SGA spending was well-controlled and leverage was realized primarily on expenses in the US. SGA expense in the UK declined by $2.9 million, reflecting the impact of cost reductions and currency fluctuations.

Other operating income, net was $46.3 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $40.0 million), up $6.3 million or 15.8%. This increase was primarily due to higher interest income earned from higher outstanding receivable balances.

Operating income was $105.5 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $110.9 million), down $5.4 million or 4.9%. Operating margin declined 100 basis points to 12.0%.

· The US division's operating income including Ultra was $111.5 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $117.3 million), down $5.8 million or 4.9%. Operating margin for the US division including Ultra was 15.0% (second quarter Fiscal 2013: 16.7%), down 170 basis points. Excluding Ultra, the US division's operating income was $119.3 or 16.8% of sales, up 10 basis points.

· The UK division's operating loss was $0.8 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $0.3 million loss), an increase of $0.5 million. Operating margin for the UK division decreased by 40 basis points to (0.6)% (second quarter Fiscal 2013: (0.2)%).

Income tax expense was $37.1 million (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $39.5 million), an effective tax rate of 35.5% (second quarter Fiscal 2013: 35.8%). The decrease in the second quarter tax rate was primarily due to a reduction in foreign tax rates and lower disallowable expenses.

Net income was $67.4 million, or $0.84 per diluted share (second quarter Fiscal 2013: $0.85), down $0.01 or 1.2%. Excluding Ultra, EPS increased $0.05 to $0.90, up 5.9%. The weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding was 80.7 million compared to 83.0 million in the second quarter Fiscal 2013.

Balance Sheet and Other Highlights at August 3, 2013:

Cash and cash equivalents were $212.9 million compared to $237.5 million as of July 28, 2012 due to higher earnings offset principally by share repurchases and the Ultra acquisition.

Signet repurchased 374,613 shares in the second quarter Fiscal 2014 at an average cost of $66.74 per share. As of August 3, 2013, there was $325.0 million remaining under Signet's 2013 share repurchase authorization program.

Net accounts receivable were $1,152.1 million, up 11.6% compared to $1,032.2 million as of July 28, 2012. The credit participation rate was 57.1% in the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2013 ("year to date Fiscal 2014") compared to 57.5% in the 26 weeks ended July 28, 2012 ("year to date Fiscal 2013"). Excluding the sales from Ultra, the credit participation rate was 58.9% compared to 57.5% in year to date Fiscal 2013, driven primarily by higher bridal and branded sales.

Net inventories were $1,417.7 million, up 8.0% compared to $1,312.8 million as of July 28, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the Ultra acquisition of $41.7 million and rough diamond purchases of $32.3 million. Excluding these items, inventory increased by 2.4%.

1. Includes 65 stores that have been converted from Ultra store locations to Kay outlets. Excludes Ultra licensed jewelry departments.

Further information on Signet is available at www.signetjewelers.com. See also www.kay.com, www.jared.com, www.hsamuel.co.uk and www.ernestjones.co.uk.

Conference Call:

A conference call is scheduled today at 8:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. BST and 5:30 a.m. PT) and a simultaneous audio webcast and slide presentation are available at www.signetjewelers.com. The slides are available to be downloaded from the website ahead of the conference call. The call details are:

A replay and transcript of the call will be posted on Signet's website as soon as they are available and will be accessible for one year.

Contacts:

Key Investor Relations Events:

September 10 Goldman Sachs Consumer Conference, New York

September 11 CL King Conference, New York

October 8 Investor Day, New York

This release contains statements which are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, based upon management's beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this release and include statements regarding, among other things, Signet's results of operation, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which Signet operates. The use of the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to general economic conditions, risks relating to Signet being a Bermuda corporation, the merchandising, pricing and inventory policies followed by Signet, the reputation of Signet and its brands, the level of competition in the jewelry sector, the cost and availability of diamonds, gold and other precious metals, regulations relating to consumer credit, seasonality of Signet's business, financial market risks, deterioration in consumers' financial condition, exchange rate fluctuations, changes in consumer attitudes regarding jewelry, management of social, ethical and environmental risks, security breaches and other disruptions to Signet's information technology infrastructure and databases, inadequacy in and disruptions to internal controls and systems, and changes in assumptions used in making accounting estimates relating to items such as extended service plans and pensions.

For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially, see the "Risk Factors" section of Signet's Fiscal 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2013. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Signet undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Consolidated Income Statements

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

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