HAMILTON, BERMUDA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/12 -- Signet Jewelers Limited ("Signet") (NYSE: SIG) (LSE: SIG), the largest specialty retail jeweler in the US and UK, today reported sales and earnings growth for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 27, 2012 ("Q3 Fiscal 2013" or "third quarter of Fiscal 2013" and "year to date" respectively).

                                   Q3 Fiscal 2013
                                   ------------------------

-- Same store sales                up 1.4%

-- Operating income                $52.5 million, up 23.5%

-- Diluted earnings per share      $0.43, up 43.3%

Mike Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We delivered another quarter of record earnings per share due to strong execution of our strategies by our team. I would like to thank all at Signet who contributed to these results.

Turning to the fourth quarter, our thoughts are with all those impacted by Superstorm Sandy, and we wish everyone affected a return to normalcy as quickly as possible. The storm created some initial disruption and November thus far has been challenging. With the majority of sales ahead of us, we are well-prepared for the holiday season with exciting new merchandise, terrific marketing, and our talented well-trained sales associates ready to provide customers a great shopping experience.

With the goal of continuing to build profitable market share, we recently completed the acquisition of Ultra Stores, Inc., a leading jewelry retailer operating primarily in outlet malls. We again welcome the Ultra team to our retail family and look forward to executing our outlet strategy, which is to leverage the Kay brand with Ultra's outlet expertise. We have already begun the process whereby we will convert the majority of the stores to Kay Outlets, which we believe will drive increased productivity and further market share gains. We expect to complete this transition by mid Fiscal 2014."

Sales Highlights:
In the third quarter of Fiscal 2013, Signet's same store sales were up 1.4% compared to an increase of 10.6% in the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011 ("third quarter of Fiscal 2012"). Total sales were $716.2 million compared to $710.5 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, up $5.7 million or 0.8%. eCommerce sales were $19.6 million compared to $14.5 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, up 35.2%.

• In the US division, sales were $575.6 million compared to $563.0 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, up $12.6 million or 2.2%. Same store sales increased 1.2% compared to an increase of 13.9% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, driven primarily by Kay same store sales increase of 5.5%. Same store sales at Jared declined 4.1%, primarily due to a one-time watch event in Fiscal 2012 and discontinuation of the associated watch line. The loss of these sales reduced Jared same store sales by approximately 9.6% and total US same store sales by 3.5%. Across both Kay and Jared, same store sales were strong in the fashion jewelry and bridal categories, driven by branded and exclusive merchandise.
  
  
• In the UK division, sales were $140.6 million compared to $147.5 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, down $6.9 million or 4.7%. Same store sales increased 2.3% compared to a decrease of 0.5% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. The primary driver was a strong performance in prestige and fashion watches.

Q3 Fiscal
 2013
                         Change from previous year
           -----------------------------------------------------
             Same     Non  Total sales at   Exchange     Total      Total
             store   same     constant    translation  sales as     sales
             sales   store    exchange     Impact(2)   reported  (millions)
                    sales,
                    net(1)    rates(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kay           5.5%    1.8%          7.3%          --       7.3% $      337.2
Jared        (4.1)%   1.6%         (2.5)%         --      (2.5)%$      189.8
Regional
 brands      (5.0)%  (5.2)%       (10.2)%         --     (10.2)%$       48.6
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
US division   1.2%    1.0%          2.2%          --       2.2% $      575.6
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
H.Samuel      1.3%   (4.2)%        (2.9)%       (2.5)%    (5.4)%$       74.1
Ernest
 Jones(3)     3.6%   (5.1)%        (1.5)%       (2.4)%    (3.9)%$       66.5
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
UK division   2.3%   (4.5)%        (2.2)%       (2.5)%    (4.7)%$      140.6
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
Signet        1.4%   (0.1)%         1.3%        (0.5)%     0.8% $      716.2

1. Non same store sales includes all sales from stores not open for 12 months.
2. Non-GAAP measure.
3. Includes stores selling under the Leslie Davis nameplate.

Q3 Fiscal 2013 Selected Financial Highlights:

• In the third quarter of Fiscal 2013, gross margin was $235.4 million or 32.9% of sales, up 50 basis points compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
  
  
  • Gross margin dollars in the US increased $7.8 million compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, reflecting a gross margin rate increase of 70 basis points. This improvement is primarily a result of an increase in the gross merchandise margin rate of 90 basis points over that of the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, principally due to favorable changes in sales mix. The US net bad debt to US sales ratio was unchanged at 5.4% compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
    
    
  • Gross margin dollars in the UK decreased $2.3 million compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, reflecting a gross margin rate decline of 30 basis points. The decrease in rate was a result of a decline in gross merchandise margin of 130 basis points, caused primarily by customers' preferences for promotional merchandise. Partially offsetting the decline were favorable store occupancy expenses due to store closures and negotiated rent reductions.
    
    
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were $222.6 million, or 31.1% of sales, up 20 basis points. The increase was primarily due to acquisition-related costs of $2.5 million and administrative cost increases to support strategic initiatives. This was partially offset by a $3.9 million favorable settlement from the De Beers anti-trust litigation.
  
  
• Other operating income, net was $39.7 million or 5.5% of sales compared to $32.2 million or 4.5% of sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. This increase primarily reflected interest income earned from higher outstanding receivable balances and a change in the mix of finance programs selected by customers.
  
  
• Operating income was $52.5 million or 7.3% of sales compared to $42.5 million or 6.0% of sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. The result is primarily due to the following:
  
  
  • In the US division, operating income was $67.9 million or 11.8% of sales compared to $56.4 million or 10.0% of sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
    
    
  • In the UK division, the operating loss was $5.5 million or (3.9)% of sales compared to an operating loss of $5.0 million or (3.4)% of sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
    
    
  • Unallocated costs were $9.9 million compared to $8.9 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
    
    
• Income tax expenses were $16.7 million compared to $16.0 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. The expected effective tax rate for Fiscal 2013 is 35.4%.
  
  
• Net income was $34.9 million or 4.9% of sales compared to $26.1 million or 3.7% of sales in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
  
  
• Diluted earnings per share increased $0.13 or 43.3% to $0.43 compared to $0.30 in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. The weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding was 80.9 million compared to 87.1 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.
  
  

Balance Sheet and Other Highlights at October 27, 2012:

• Cash and cash equivalents were $166.0 million compared to $349.6 million as of October 29, 2011, with the major reason for the change being the execution of the share repurchase program during the first half of Fiscal 2013 and the payment of dividends.
  
  
• No shares were repurchased in the third quarter of Fiscal 2013. In the 39 weeks ended October 27, 2012, Signet repurchased 6.4 million shares at an average cost of $44.70, which represents 7.4% of the shares outstanding at the start of Fiscal 2013. In the prior year comparable periods, no share repurchases were executed. As of October 27, 2012, $50.1 million remained authorized for repurchase under the program which expires in January 2014.
  
  
• Net accounts receivable were $998.2 million, up 12.0% compared to $891.2 million as of October 29, 2011. This was driven by higher credit sales due to an increase in the credit participation rate, which year to date, was 59.0% compared to 57.2% as of October 29, 2011. The year to date credit participation rate has historically been at its highest level at the end of the third quarter due to a higher penetration of bridal business, which historically is lower in the fourth quarter. The annual credit participation rate was 56.1% for Fiscal 2012. The credit approval rate year to date was 52.3%, down 210 basis points compared to last year.
  
  
• Net inventories were $1,508.5 million, up 6.7%, compared to $1,414.0 million as of October 29, 2011. Inventory levels for the third quarter reflect the normal seasonal build. As compared with last year, the inventory level reflects primarily the impact of higher commodity costs and strategic investments. These increases were partially offset by management actions to improve inventory turn.
  
  
• Signet operated 1,857 stores (US division: 941 Kay stores, 186 Jared stores and 210 regional brand stores; UK division: 326 H.Samuel stores and 194 Ernest Jones stores) versus 1,860 stores (US division: 920 Kay stores, 181 Jared stores and 223 regional brand stores; UK division: 338 H.Samuel stores and 198 Ernest Jones stores) a year ago. 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.
  
  
• As of October 29, 2012, Signet acquired Ultra Stores, Inc. ("Ultra") from Crystal Financial LLC and its other stockholders for $58.4 million in cash which includes a working capital adjustment of approximately $1.4 million. Signet did not assume any debt with the acquisition. Ultra is a leading jewelry retailer with sales in its most recent fiscal year of approximately $140 million, and operates 107 stores primarily in outlet centers and through 33 licensed jewelry departments.
  
  

Fiscal 2013 Guidance:

Guidance is provided to assist in understanding the complexities of fourth quarter Fiscal 2013:

• Current expectations for fourth quarter same store sales are low single-digit on a 53-week basis and low-to-mid single-digits on a 52-week basis. Earnings per share, including the 53rd week and sales of Ultra, are projected at $1.95 to $2.10, depending on the level of sales achieved.
  
  
• The 53rd week is expected to increase total sales by $48 million to $52 million. However, this will have a negative impact on the same store sales calculation for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year, as the sales in the comparable calendar week were $89.3 million, which included a promotional event ahead of Valentine's Day. This additional week is expected to result in an operating loss of $2 million - $4 million, or $0.02 to $0.03 diluted earnings per share, reflecting advertising expenses that remain in Fiscal 2013 and the calendar shift that impacts sales.
  
  
• The acquisition of Ultra is expected to add $40 million to $45 million to Signet's Fiscal 2013 fourth quarter sales and to have minimal impact to the period's earnings including acquisition-related costs. The estimated unfavorable impact to the fourth quarter Fiscal 2013 earnings per share is $0.01 to $0.02. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to earnings by the fourth quarter of Signet's Fiscal 2014, including acquisition and integration costs.
  
  
• Capital spending for Fiscal 2013 is anticipated to be $155 million to $160 million reflecting current estimates of project timing. Signet anticipates 48 new US-based stores for the year.
  
  
• At the end of the fourth quarter, including the effect of the Ultra Stores, Inc. acquisition, Signet expects to have in operation 1,952 stores (US division: 770 Kay mall stores, 181 Kay off mall stores, 190 Jared stores, 197 regional brand stores and 107 Ultra stores; UK division: 317 H.Samuel stores and 190 Ernest Jones stores). Including 0.16 million net selling square footage in Ultra locations, total net selling square footage at the end of the fourth quarter is expected to be 3.13 million, excluding 33 licensed jewelry departments. This represents a 7.9% increase for Signet, a 10.5% increase in the US division, and a 3.4% decrease in the UK division compared to the prior year end.
  
  

Conference Call
There will be a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. EST (1:30 p.m. GMT) and a simultaneous audio webcast and slide presentation available at www.signetjewelers.com. The slides are available to be downloaded from the website ahead of the conference call. To help ensure the conference call begins in a timely manner, all participants should dial in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The call details are:

US dial-in:              +1 (646) 254 3367        Access code: 9993324
European dial-in:        +44 (0)20 7136 2051      Access code: 9993324

A replay of the conference call and a transcript of the call will be posted on Signet's website as soon as is practical after the call has ended.

Key Investor Relations Events

Holiday Sales Release
The Holiday Sales Release is expected to be announced at 7:00 a.m. EST (12:00 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. There will be a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST (1:30 p.m. GMT) and a simultaneous audio webcast available at www.signetjewelers.com

ICR XChange Conference
Signet will be taking part in the 15th Annual ICR XChange Conference on January 16-17, 2013 at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Present will be Mike Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, Ron Ristau, Chief Financial Officer, and James Grant, VP Investor Relations.

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 "expected," "believe," 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, 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, changes in assumptions used in making accounting estimates relating to items such as extended service plans and pensions, and risks relating to Signet being a Bermuda corporation.

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 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2012. 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.

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited)
($ millions, except per share amounts)

                                  13 weeks ended          39 weeks ended
                             October 27, October 29, October 27, October 29,
                                 2012        2011        2012        2011

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                             716.2       710.5     2,470.1     2,395.4
Cost of sales                    (480.8)     (480.6)   (1,569.8)   (1,521.0)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gross margin                      235.4       229.9       900.3       874.4
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses         (222.6)     (219.6)     (727.4)     (707.9)
Other operating income, net        39.7        32.2       119.9        97.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating income                   52.5        42.5       292.8       263.5
Interest expense, net              (0.9)       (0.4)       (2.5)       (3.8)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes         51.6        42.1       290.3       259.7
Income taxes                      (16.7)      (16.0)     (102.2)      (91.9)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                         34.9        26.1       188.1       167.8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share: basic    $     0.43  $     0.30  $     2.27  $     1.94
diluted                      $     0.43  $     0.30  $     2.26  $     1.93

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weighted average common
 shares outstanding: basic         80.5        86.3        82.9        86.2
diluted                            80.9        87.1        83.4        87.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dividends declared per share $     0.12  $     0.10  $     0.36  $     0.10

----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
($ millions)

                                        October 27, January 28,  October 29,
                                            2012        2012        2011

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                  166.0       486.8        349.6
  Accounts receivable, net                   998.2     1,088.2        891.2
  Other receivables                           44.6        44.3         27.5
  Other current assets                        59.7        92.0         97.7
  Deferred tax assets                          1.6         0.9          0.4
  Inventories                              1,508.5     1,304.1      1,414.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total current assets                       2,778.6     3,016.3      2,780.4

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-current assets:
  Property and equipment, net of
   accumulated depreciation of $715.3
   million, $681.0 million and $678.0
   million)                                  416.0       383.4        385.8
  Other assets                                71.5        71.7         63.1
  Deferred tax assets                        113.5       108.5        102.2
  Retirement benefit asset                    41.5        31.5         32.6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total assets                               3,421.1     3,611.4      3,364.1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Shareholders' equity

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
  Loans and overdrafts                          --          --         33.6
  Accounts payable                           216.2       182.6        195.1
  Accrued expenses and other current
   liabilities                               266.5       308.4        261.7
  Deferred revenue                           149.1       154.1        135.5
  Deferred tax liabilities                   138.1       135.0        108.3
  Income taxes payable                        16.7        77.9         30.0

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total current liabilities                    786.6       858.0        764.2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-current liabilities:
  Other liabilities                          107.5       100.3         97.4
  Deferred revenue                           376.9       374.0        354.3

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total liabilities                          1,271.0     1,332.3      1,215.9

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders' equity:
Common shares of $0.18 par value:
 authorized 500 million shares, 81.0
 million shares outstanding (January
 28, 2012: 86.9 million shares
 outstanding; October 29, 2011: 86.9
 million shares outstanding)                  15.7        15.6         15.6
Additional paid-in capital                   235.1       230.9        217.2
Other reserves                               235.2       235.2        235.2
Treasury shares at cost: 6.2 million
 shares (January 28, 2012: 0.3 million
 shares; October 29, 2011: 0.0 million
 shares)                                    (276.8)      (12.7)          --
Retained earnings                          2,108.6     1,969.3      1,821.4
Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (167.7)     (159.2)      (141.2)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total shareholders' equity                 2,150.1     2,279.1      2,148.2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total liabilities and shareholders'
 equity                                    3,421.1     3,611.4      3,364.1

----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
($ millions)

                            13 weeks ended             39 weeks ended
                      October 27,   October 29,   October 27,   October 29,
                          2012         2011          2012          2011

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Cash flows from
 operating activities
Net income                   34.9          26.1         188.1         167.8
Adjustments to
 reconcile net income
 to cash (used
 in)/provided by
 operating
 activities:
  Depreciation and
   amortization of
   property and
   equipment                 23.7          22.3          70.4          67.3
  Pension                    (2.5)         (2.7)         (7.9)         (8.3)
  Share-based
   compensation               4.3           5.3          11.4          12.3
  Deferred taxation          18.8           4.6           6.0           2.2
  Facility amendment
   fees amortization
   and charges                0.1           0.1           0.3           1.7
  Other non-cash
   movements                 (0.3)         (0.5)         (1.7)         (1.0)
  Loss on disposal of
   property and
   equipment                   --           0.1            --           0.1
Changes in operating
 assets and
 liabilities:
  Decrease in
   accounts
   receivable                34.2          15.4          90.3          44.7
  (Increase)/decrease
   in other
   receivables and
   other assets              (3.4)          2.5          (0.3)          8.6
  Decrease/(increase)
   in other current
   assets                    13.7          (5.0)         20.9           3.4
  Increase in
   inventories             (190.6)       (205.0)       (207.8)       (211.5)
  Increase in
   accounts payable          79.1          49.4          32.6          60.2
  Increase/(decrease)
   in accrued
   expenses and other
   liabilities               13.5          28.1         (39.5)        (17.7)
  Decrease in
   deferred revenue          (1.2)         (5.4)         (2.1)         (9.4)
  Decrease in income
   taxes payable            (40.1)        (14.5)        (61.0)         (8.4)
  Effect of exchange
   rate changes on
   currency swaps            (0.8)          0.7           0.5           1.6

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Net cash (used
 in)/provided by
 operating activities       (16.6)        (78.5)        100.2         113.6

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Investing activities
Purchase of property
 and equipment              (46.1)        (34.7)       (100.9)        (73.0)

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Net cash used in
 investing activities       (46.1)        (34.7)       (100.9)        (73.0)

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Financing activities
Dividends                    (9.6)           --         (28.6)           --
Proceeds from
 exercise of share
 options                      2.6           1.2           8.0           5.6
Repurchase of common
 shares                        --            --        (287.2)           --
Net settlement of
 equity based awards         (0.3)           --         (11.1)           --
Credit facility fees
 paid                          --          (0.1)           --          (1.7)
Proceeds from short-
 term borrowings               --          20.7            --           2.4

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Net cash (used
 in)/provided by
 financing activities        (7.3)         21.8        (318.9)          6.3

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Effect of exchange
 rate changes on cash
 and cash equivalents        (1.5)          0.8          (1.2)          0.6

Cash and cash
 equivalents at
 beginning of period        237.5         440.2         486.8         302.1
(Decrease)/increase
 in cash and cash
 equivalents                (70.0)        (91.4)       (319.6)         46.9

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

Cash and cash
 equivalents at end
 of period                  166.0         349.6         166.0         349.6

---------------------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------