Since it listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008, Signet - which after its crisis as Ratners in the early 1990s has traditionally kept a low profile - has been a little overlooked in the UK.

Since it listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008, Signet - which after its crisis as Ratners in the early 1990s has traditionally kept a low profile - has been a little overlooked in the UK.

But the giant jeweller, which does two thirds of its business in the US, retains a listing in London and is actually the eighth biggest store group by capitalisation.

And there has been some bling in Signet’s share price this year - up by 25% in the last three months.

The retailer updates next Tuesday, when it releases third-quarter figures.

There is plenty going on at the business, which will up its marketing spend this Christmas in the latest stage of its campaign to win profitable market share.

At the time of the second-quarter update in August, Signet was making hay Stateside. The retailer characterised many rivals as “operationally or financially constrained” but its own like-for-likes in the US were up 5.9%.

In the UK, where Signet’s main chains are H Samuel and Ernest Jones, sales were down in total and like-for-like but group income before tax was up 49% to $57.3m (£35.5m).

In September Signet appointed Michael W Barnes chief executive. He takes over from incumbent Terry Burman at the end of January and joins from Fossil, where he has spent 25 years.

Barnes was one of Fossil’s first employees and was part of the team that floated the business in 1993. Signet highlighted his strategic and operational expertise when he was hired, and experience ranging from supply chain to diversification.

Like other retailers Signet faced difficulties during the recession and the trading climate remains stormy, but Burman has done a good job at Signet and the retailer looks well positioned to weather conditions well. Unlike some of its customers, Signet is not showy but its shares have sparkled.

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