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Michael Hill Jeweller

Michael Hill International Ltd. is a specialty retailer of jewellery. As of June 2024, it operates 300 stores in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.[2] The company employs approximately 2,600 permanent employees.[3] Its headquarters are in Brisbane, Australia.

History

The company started in 1979, when Michael Hill and his wife, Christine, opened their first store in the New Zealand town of Whangārei. A unique retail jewellery formula that included dramatically different store designs, a product range devoted exclusively to jewellery and almost saturation levels of high impact advertising elevated the company to national prominence.[1]

The company expanded to 10 stores by 1987, the same year it listed on the NZX. Also in this year, Michael Hill Jeweller expanded into Australia, opening four stores.[4]

In 2000, Michael Hill Jeweller had 40 stores in New Zealand, including 12 in Auckland.[5]

In 2002, the company expanded into Canada, opening its first stores in Vancouver, British Columbia.[6] Michael Hill now has a presence in five Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.[1] In September 2008, the company entered the United States market by acquiring 17 stores in Illinois and Missouri from Whitehall Jewelers.[1] By mid-2013 over 60% of overall sales were from Australia, only 20% from New Zealand, with the rest from North America.[7]

Emma Hill, the daughter of Michael Hill, succeeded him as chairperson after the November 2015 annual general meeting.[8]

In April 2018, Michael Hill closed their nine remaining stores in the US.[9]

In April 2023, Michael Hill announced it would acquire Australian jewellery chain Bevilles and its 26 stores for A$45 million.[10]

Michael Hill watches

In late 2006, following a five-year trial,[11] the company launched its own brand of watches under the Michael Hill name, phasing out all but the Citizen brand of watches by the middle of 2007.[12] By mid-2008, only Michael Hill-brand watches were available in the company's stores.[13]

Timeline

  • 1979: Michael Hill opens his first store in Whangarei, New Zealand.[14]
  • 1981: Michael Hill began manufacturing his own jewellery in house.[14]
  • 2006: The Michael Hill Watch Collection was launched.[12]
  • 2009: The Michael Hill Charms Collection was launched.[15]
  • 2010: Michael Hill announced the closure of eight stores in the United States.[16]
  • The company announced it was in a $40m NZD dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.[17]
  • 2013: Michael Hill announced a new global brand, including bridal products and other jewellery which was more feminine.[18]
  • 2014: Sales in Australia were described as "lacklustre" due to Australian economic performance.[19] The company settled its dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.
  • 2015: The company opened a store in New York City in April 2015.[20] Australian sales improve after poor performance in that market during 2013–2014.[21] Sir Michael Hill moved to a new role of Founder/President, as his daughter Emma became Chairman.[22]

Gallery

External links

References

  1. Michael Hill International. Michael Hill International Annual Report 2009 2010, retrieved 5 May 2010^
  2. Celene Ignacio. Michael Hill expects higher sales in Australia, Canada Inside Retail Australia, 2024-07-19, retrieved 2024-07-20^
  3. Michael Hill Annual Report 2018^
  4. Michael Hill. HELLO – Michael Hill Jeweller Penguin Books, 1994^
  5. New Zealand Store Locations michaelhill.co.nz, Michael Hill Jewellers^
  6. Michael Hill. Toughen Up: What I've learned about surviving tough times Random House, 2009^
  7. Fairfax NZ Ltd. Michael Hill profit up 10 per cent 17 February 2006, retrieved 17 August 2013^
  8. Catherine Harris. Following in dad's footsteps The Press, 15 August 2015^
  9. No buyers for Michael Hill's failed US stores Newsroom, 2018-04-12, retrieved 2022-08-09^
  10. David Adams. Family-run Bevilles cashes out for $45 million as Michael Hill takes ownership of jewellery retailer SmartCompany, 2023-04-20, retrieved 2023-04-21^
  11. Martha McKenzie-Minifie. Diamonds are this jeweller's best friend The New Zealand Herald, 25 August 2006, retrieved 5 May 2010^
  12. John Drinnan. Jeweller counting on own watches The New Zealand Herald, 13 October 2006, retrieved 5 May 2010^
  13. Michael Hill buys into US 31 January 2009, retrieved 6 May 2010^
  14. Michael Hill International. Michael Hill Company History 2010, retrieved 5 May 2010^
  15. Michael Hill International. Michael Hill News 2010, retrieved 5 May 2010^
  16. NZPA. Michael Hill scales back US operation 2010, retrieved 8 June 2010^
  17. Michael Hill in trans-Tasman tax dispute retrieved 1 January 2016^
  18. Laura Walters. Michael Hill plans US bridal range Stuff.co.nz, 30 October 2013, retrieved 1 January 2016^
  19. Slag Aussie sales hit Michael Hill Stuff, 8 January 2015, retrieved 1 January 2016^
  20. Michael Hill opens New York store Stuff, 29 April 2015, retrieved 1 January 2016^
  21. Aussie market picks up for Michael Hill jewellery 13 October 2015, retrieved 1 January 2016^
  22. Michael Hill takes new founder president role within the jewellery chain The National Business Review, retrieved 1 January 2016^