New Host Meg Watters Prewitt Joins Jewelry Television

We got to eyeball Jewelry Television’s new host, Meg Watters Prewitt, on Sunday night.

Prewitt, a pretty young blonde, was teamed with JTV veteran Sharon Scott, who repeatedly introduced the newbie.

We couldn’t find Prewitt on JTV’s website as a host, but we located her Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/meg.w.prewitt

One of her past gigs was as a spokesmodel for Toyota of Bristol and for Ben Finch Photography.

We wish her luck, but and hope she survives the revolving door that this home shopping network has become.

HGTV’s Stud Finder Nicole Curtis Premieres On Evine Live Aug. 28

Evine Live has started promoted the fact that HGTV and DIY star Nicole Curtis is coming to the home shopping network, announcing that her debut will be on Aug. 28.

http://www.evine.com/l/nicole-curtis?stop_mobi=yes&ecid=fb_Home_20150809

Straight outa Detroit Nicole Curtis

Here is the dope from Evine Live’s website:

Born and raised in Detroit, Nicole hails from a long line of do-it-yourselfers. With a remodeling style all her own, she is passionate about reusing salvaged and custom-made materials to ensure each remodel maintains the integrity of the home’s unique architecture.

Her exclusive new line of home improvement essentials includes everything from stud finders and hand-held tools to paint sprayers and easy-to-install decorative wallpaper. Turn every “to-do” into “TAH-DAH” with Nicole Curtis Home.

We recently reported on Evine Live’s fall lineup, which included the news that Curtis was on the roster.

Evine Live Fall Premieres Include Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild

We’ve never seen Curtis’s show “Rehab Addict,” probably because we can barely change a light bulb in our place, let alone try anything more complicated.

But we would be interested in buying a stud finder.

JCK Reports On Why QVC, HSN Jewelry Revenue Is Down

A key trade magazine for the jewelry industry, JCK, did a story last week about the declining sales of jewelry on home shopping channels.

The article, with the headline “Home Shopping Networks No Longer That Interested in Jewelry,” talks about how baubles and gems — which once made up a huge portion of HSN and QVC sales — are not just a small fraction of revenue.

http://www.jckonline.com/blogs/cutting-remarks/2015/08/07/home-shopping-networks-no-longer-that-interested-in-jewelry?utm_source=JCK+eNewsletters&utm_campaign=2da3b386af-2015_08_07_Fashion_Friday&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56301e74d4-2da3b386af-334047749

The story points out that when the two home shopping networks debuted, jewelry made up about 50 percent of their sales. Now, jewelry accounts for only 9.5 percent of HSN sales and 12 percent of QVC sales, according to JCK.

Why the decline? Well, we know jewelry sales were hit hard overall during the Great Recession. Next, when jewelry revenue started to decline home shopping nets gave the category lousy time slots, JCK claims, which also hurt sales and continued the downward spiral.

We don’t know if we agree with the “bad-time-slots” argument, by the way.

JCK also notes that there was new competition from all-jewelry-all-the-time networks such as Jewelry Television and Rocks TV (which we have never heard of).

The trade magazine also claims that more of QVC and HSN sales are being generated online, not a very good forum to promote jewelry.

JCK says that millennials are more interested in buying tech items, like smartphones and Apple watches, than jewelry, which is hurting sales.

And finally, the magazine claims that home shopping networks have been hard-pressed to replace jewelry lines that were once very lucrative, such as QVC’s Diamonique collection.

Someone posted a comment on the JCK story that we also thought made sense: That the once-skyrocketing price of precious metals such as gold really socked jewelry sales.

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JTV Debuts Own ‘Rock Star’ Reality TV Show Friday

Bragging that it will be the first home shopping network to air a reality show, Jewelry Television said it will be bringing “JTV Rock Star Designer” to its viewers.

The program is part of the network’s national search for talented jewelry designers, one of whom will win a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to design and sell a jewelry collection on the national jewelry and gemstone shopping network.

The reality series will debut on today, Friday, at 7:30 p.m., leading into the network’s most-watched segment, “Girlfriend Friday.” There will also be an encore presentation every Wednesday at 2 a.m. beginning Aug. 12.

In March JTV issued a call for entries and received applications from designers around the country.

Each aspiring designer was required to submit examples of their jewelry designs and a biographical video describing why he/she should be JTV’s first “Rock Star Designer.”

The public voted on its favorite entries, narrowing the field to 10 semi-finalists.

A team of JTV executives, jewelry buyers and marketing professionals reviewed the work of the Top 10 and narrowed the field to five finalists who traveled to JTV’s corporate headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., and competed head-to-head in jewelry design competitions.

There’s information on the five finalists on the Rock Star site.

They are:
* Tamara Cimalore – Wilmington, Del.
* Alicia Herzbrun – Maryville, Tenn.
* Ashley Hoffman – Myrtle Beach, S.C.
* Kelly Miller – Saint Louis, Mo.
* Deborah Wilson Taylor – Austin, Texas

“JTV Rock Star Designer” emcee Kristie Carson will present contestants with a series of challenges devised to test creativity, jewelry and gemstone knowledge, design skills, business acumen and ability to work under pressure. One contestant will be eliminated after each challenge until a winner is announced Sept. 25.

‘We are dipping our toe into the branded-entertainment arena to entertain our current viewers as well as attract new audiences,” said Jill Johnson, vice president of marketing at JTV. “This is a full-scale television production with original sets, wardrobe, crew and nationally recognized celebrity judges. We hope to make this an annual competition.”

With the surging popularity in crowd-sourced design, JTV is getting a first-hand look at what emerging jewelry designers are creating and how that merchandise may drive trends and consumer purchasing decisions.

“As one of the country’s largest retailers of fine jewelry and gemstones, this is a new way for us to be at the forefront of identifying refreshing new design talent and jewelry trends,” said Johnson.

For more information on “JTV Rock Star Designer,” and the contestants, visit JTV.com/rockstar.

HSN Net Sales Increase 3 Percent, To $572.3 Million, In 2Q

HSN’s net sales increased 3 percent, to $572.3 million in the second quarter, with strong growth in apparel, accessories and electronics offset by decreases in jewelry (Oh no!) and home, the shopping network reported Thursday.

The No. 2 home shopping channel hit Wall Street’s projections for earning per share, but not the forecasts for net revenue, according to the Associated Press.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2015/08/06/hsn-meets-2q-earnings-expectations-misses-revenue-forecasts/

That compares to the 4 percent jump, to $1.4 billion, in the second quarter that QVC posted on Wednesday.

HSN’s digital sales were up 11 percent with penetration increasing 310 basis points to 40.3 percent. The return rate improved 70 basis points to 18 percent primarily due to changes in product mix. Units shipped increased 2 percent and average price point increased 1 percent.

Gross profit increased 7 percent to $209.3 million. Gross margin increased 130 basis points to 36.6 percent primarily due to favorable vendor settlements and lower inventory-related costs including inbound freight and duties.

HSN recorded $3 million for certain costs associated with the planned closure of one of its distribution centers as part of its supply-chain optimization initiative.

Excluding non-cash charges and the costs associated with the planned closure of the distribution center, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 70 basis points to 24.7 percent primarily due to increases in bad debt expense and employee-related costs.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 9 percent to $68.2 million. Operating income increased 3 percent to $53.5 million.

The consolidated results for HSN Inc., which includes the HSN network and the Cornerstone unit, were that net sales rose 4 percent over the prior year to $885.6 million.

“Our ongoing focus on content-driven commerce continues to position us well for long-term growth,” HSN Inc. CEO Mindy Grossman said in a canned statement. “HSNi’s results in the quarter reflected strong top and bottom line performance, particularly on our digital and mobile platforms. We continue to advance our strategies to remain a leader in boundaryless retail.”

Famed Fashion Designer And Ex-HSN Vendor Arnold Scaasi Dies At 85

One-time HSN vendor Arnold Scaasi, a storied fashion designer whose dresses were worn by actresses and First Ladies, died at age 85 On Tuesday.

Scaasi was born Arnold Isaacs, but he reversed the letters of his last name early in his career. He did a line of costume jewelry for HSN several years ago that was truly gorgeous, and was so inexpensive it was unbelievable.

But we blogged about him because whenever he appeared on the home shopping network he was incredibly rude to the hosts, very haughty.

We guess that’s because he had made such a name for himself designing clothes for folks such Barbra Streisand, Barbara Bush, Joan Rivers, Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor.

The New York Times obit on Scaasi had an anecdote about how the designer lost Jacqueline Kennedy as a customer when he wanted her to pay wholesale for his designs for her, rather than comping her the items for the publicity he would get. Jackie turned to Oleg Casini instead.

New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams had a great story about Scaasi.

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/04/barry-crimmins-documentary-tackles-troubled-past/?_ga=1.185106665.1387340377.1408419542

“To judge the Miss Universe pageant, I once brought him to Puerto Rico,” Adams wrote. “Tragedy struck. Fellow judge Lynn Redgrave’s luggage went lost. Scaasi grabbed the hotel housekeeper’s yellow bedsheet. Draped, wrapped, tucked, and it became a Grecian goddess gown. I added my own coral brooch, earrings, necklace and out to the cameras and half a million viewers paraded Lynn. Like a queen.”

Melissa McCarthy To Premiere Fashion Collection On HSN Aug. 13

We thought we had reported this, but couldn’t find the blog. In any event, comic actress Melissa McCarthy is the latest celeb to come to the home shopping world.

The pieces are already online, and we kind of liked them, especially the choice of jeans and pants. The line offers Missy to Plus sizes.

http://www.hsn.com/shop/melissa-mccarthy/13424

Melissa McCarthy’s HSN line is the cat’s meow

One of our reader’s tipped us off the Vogue’s interview with McCarthy about her collection, where she waxes on about how she grew to love jeans and describes her new clothing line.

http://www.vogue.com/13289469/melissa-mccarthy-debut-fashion-line/

Here’s HSN’s press release:

HSN to Premiere Melissa McCarthy’s First Fashion Collection “Melissa McCarthy Seven7” on August 13

McCarthy to Make Her HSN Debut as Part of The Fashion Edit, HSN’s Fall Fashion Series

HSN is the Exclusive National Retailer Carrying Missy Sizes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovative live content retailer HSN announced today that Melissa McCarthy will debut her first-ever fashion line “Melissa McCarthy Seven7” during a special live appearance on August 13th from 1-3 pm and 9-11 pm, during HSN’s popular fashion program, ‘The List with Colleen Lopez’.

The collection is available for purchase today during a special sneak preview on HSN.com. As part of the retailer’s democratic sizing initiative, HSN will carry both plus and missy sizes of the line and will be the only national retailer carrying missy sizes, aside from McCarthy’s own website that launches in late August.

Melissa’s first fashion line combines her enthusiasm for fashion with her understanding of fit and style at every size, to create a comprehensive collection that balances style with thoughtful fit features. Melissa, who went to school for design before getting into acting, is fulfilling her dream with the launch of Seven7.

The line, which was carefully supervised by Melissa, from the original sketches to the design of each print, consists of 26 styles in the August Collection. With an assortment of denim, sweaters, tees, woven blouses and ponte bottoms, the line is brought together with vibrant colors, unique prints and modern silhouettes. All denim in the collection features special technology that provides four key fit features: a slimming panel; back lifting darts; forward seam details; and a contoured waistband.

“HSN is thrilled to be the launch partner for Melissa’s debut into the world of fashion,” said Bill Brand, President of HSN. “When we first met Melissa, we were immediately impressed with her passion for design and the clear point of view she had for her line. She will create a unique and engaging shopping experience that our customers are going to love.”

QVC’s Second-Quarter Revenue Increases 4 Percent, To $1.4 billion

QVC’s second-quarter revenue was up 4 percent, to $1.4 billion, from the year-ago period with operating income rising 11 percent, the home shopping network’s parent, Liberty Interactive Corp., reported Wednesday.

Units sold increased 4 percent, average selling price per unit increased 3 percent to $58.51 and returns as a percentage of gross product revenue were virtually flat.

http://ir.libertyinteractive.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=925878

The U.S. home shopping network experienced growth in all categories except electronics, according to Liberty.

E-commerce revenue increased 11 percent to $655 million and grew to 47 percent from 43 percent of total U.S. revenue.

The revenue from QVC’s international networks took a hit in the quarter, down 11 percent to $592 million.

QVC’s consolidated revenue, which includes its domestic network and its global channels, dipped 1 percent to $2 billion.

“We delivered a terrific quarter with strong and balanced results across markets, platforms, product categories and customer segments,” QVC President and CEO Mike George said in a canned statement.

“We generated local currency revenue growth and adjusted OIBDA improvement in every one of our consolidated markets,” he said.

“Our e-commerce growth accelerated significantly and we continued to extend our mobile penetration. We produced strong margin expansion despite investing in new shipping and handling policies in the U.S. and start-up expenses associated with the launch of QVC France,” George said.

“Our overall customer base and our new customer additions increased at some of the strongest rates in years,” he said. “Our strong quarter reflects our disciplined execution of strategies aimed at extending our leading global video and e-commerce position.”

Despite the business’ investment in new shipping and handling policies, adjusted OIBDA increased 7 percent to $349 million and adjusted OIBDA margin increased 78 basis points to 24.8 percent. These gains were primarily due to improved product margins, higher credit card income and lower bad debt and marketing expenses, which were partially offset by lower shipping and handling revenue.

Hilary Joy Jewelry Collection Returns To HSN

We haven’t seen jewelry designer Hilary Diaz’s pieces on HSN recently, but that’s about to change.

Diaz, whose collection is called Hilary Joy, will be launching her newest line on the home shopping network next Tuesday. That will be on the “Be Jeweled with Bill and Connie” show at 6 p.m.

Hilary Joy moonstone bracelet

http://www.hsn.com/shop/hilary-joy/7217

Diaz is also selling her wares, the Hilary Joy couture collection, on QVC in Japan, China and Europe.

Zoisite hoop earrings

One of her favorite stones to work with is ruby zoisite.

The Yankees Are Coming: QVC Invades France

QVC is taking over the world!

We’ve lost count of how many home shopping channels it has across the globe, and it debuted its French channel on this weekend.

It’s late, we’ve got to roll into bed, but here’s the press release issued Monday.

QVC OFFERS FRENCH CUSTOMERS A NEW SHOPPING ‘RENDEZ-VOUS’ WITH QVC FRANCE

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (August 3, 2015) — QVC, the world’s leading video and ecommerce retailer, today announced its official entry into France, with the launch of live television programming and ecommerce. QVC France, which launched online at QVC.fr with 46 brands in June, began its video programming distribution on August 1, and plans to offer nearly 300 international and French brands by the end of 2015.

“In recent years, France’s digital infrastructure and ecommerce offerings have evolved considerably, making it a prime market for QVC’s continued global expansion,” said Mike George, President and CEO of QVC, Inc. “For almost 30 years, QVC has invited customers to find items they love through the joy of discovery, entertainment and community. Today, shopping with QVC is as simple as turning on your TV, grabbing your smartphone or tablet, or browsing the web, which will appeal to French shoppers looking for a unique, fun and engaging experience.”
French Shoppers Can Say ‘Bienvenue” to Favorite QVC Brands

QVC France customers can shop a variety of high-quality local brands they know and love, as well as new-to -the-market brands from QVC’s global portfolio — all brought to life through storytelling by inventors, entrepreneurs, designers and QVC France program hosts. At this time, product categories include beauty, jewelry, apparel, home and accessories. Some popular QVC brands to be offered on QVC France include Elemis, Skechers, Diamonique® and bareMinerals®. QVC France customers will also enjoy QVC’s best find of the day, Today’s Special Value, the first of which was bareMinerals.

So Many Ways to Discover QVC’s ‘Savoir-faire’

Like QVC’s other markets, QVC France will offer shoppers an immersive digital shopping experience with integration across ecommerce, TV, mobile and social platforms. QVC.fr is viewable on web, smartphone and tablet, enabled with responsive design, for optimal engagement across devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android Smartphones and Android Tablets — giving French shoppers the freedom to discover something to love even on the go. QVC France programming is expected to reach 12 million homes in August and 18 million homes by the end of this year.

“QVC has long recognized the great potential to expanding European operations and having a retail and ecommerce presence in France,” said Steve Hofmann, President of International for QVC. “We are pleased to enter this dynamic market and believe with our global business structure, commitment to innovation, and high level of customer service, we have the right formula to succeed in the French market.”

For more information on QVC France, please visit http://www.QVC.fr.