BOSTON, Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearts On Fire®, The World's Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®, today announced its top honors for its independent retail partners – the 2016 Retailer of the Year winners. This year, the brand announced a new criteria and set of awards for these prestigious recognitions, which now consists of five specific categories - Bridal, Strongest Increased Retail Sales, Brand Advocate, Rookie of the Year, and, the top honor of Global Hearts On Fire Retailer of the Year.

With more than 750 locations in 32 countries, Hearts On Fire retailers are a rapidly growing, passionate group of partners. However, unlike past years, where awards were given based on region, the 2016 honors were given to retail partners who best aligned themselves with Hearts On Fire's specific business goals. All of these teams are recognized for dedication to growing their Hearts On Fire business, providing an unforgettable brand experience, maximizing marketing initiatives and in store environments, and most importantly, an immersion into the Hearts On Fire culture of exceptional training and brand values designed to drive sell through at the counter. The winners for this year are as follows:

• Global Retailer of the Year-  James & Sons with locations in Chicago and Orland Park, IL and Schereville, IN
• Rookie of the Year - The Diamond Galleria - Evansville, IN
• Bridal Retailer of the Year - Wedding Ring Shop, Honolulu, HI
• Increased Sell-Through Retailer of the Year - Koser Jewelers – Mount Joy, PA
• Brand Advocate Retailer of the Year - MG Joyeros – Panama City, Panama

"2016 was a year of laser focus for Hearts On Fire, as we took huge strides in building the brand and continuing to strengthen our independent retail partnerships. Our primary objective and the foundation of our programs was to drive sell through success at retail and support our partners to achieve a ROI above industry standards," said Caryl Capeci, President of Hearts On Fire. "As a result, our brand is stronger than ever, and we are positioned for huge momentum as we head into the New Year. We sincerely thank our partners worldwide, and hope that they are all as excited as we are to see what comes next during this exciting time."

Receiving this year's top honor is Global Retailer of the Year, Chicago based James & Sons – led by owners Jim and John Sunderland – exceeded their high business goals and took a deep commitment to everything that the Hearts On Fire brand had to offer in 2016. With increased inventory, exceptional brand training for staff, a creative marketing plan and robust trunk shows, plus the installation of new HOF brand boutiques in all of their store environments, the James & Sons team truly exemplified what a best-in-class retail partner should be and has set a new standard of partnership for the future.

A consistent top performer in the retail channel, The Wedding Ring Shop in Hawaii was recognized in 2016 as the Bridal Retailer of the Year. This beautiful and unique jeweler, led by owner Michael Han, demonstrates incomparable passion for the Hearts On Fire brand, a deep knowledge of the Diamond Engagement and Wedding Band business, and one of the best sales teams in the entire industry.

Taking home Rookie of the Year Honors for 2016 was HOF newcomer The Diamond Galleria in Evansville, Indiana – owned by Tyna and Bert Wheat. With dynamic marketing plans, a team of passionate brand advocates and beautiful in store branded HOF environments, the Diamond Galleria team quickly proved that they were dedicated to making the Hearts On Fire brand excel in their store, after only twelve months.

The recognition of Increased Sell-Through Retailer of the Year in 2016 goes to Koser Jewelers of Pennsylvania – owned by Randy Wolgemuth.  HOF put a particular emphasis on helping drive sell through performance for retailers in 2016 and the Koser team enjoyed the benefits of following the guidelines for best practice. Consistent execution and enormous passion for the brand led this Pennsylvania Jeweler to exceptionally new heights of retail sales success.

Finally, Hearts On Fire was thrilled to recognize the Brand Advocate Retailer of the Year as MG Joyeros in Panama City – owned by Rajesh and Rina Mohinani. MG Joyeros has built their Heart On Fire business through exceptional marketing, best-in-class customer service, and some of the most beautiful HOF branded environments in the entire network.

Hearts On Fire has also now announced the 2017 dates for its renowned Hearts On Fire University (HOFU), which will take place at The Wynn Las Vegas from October 8 – October 11, 2017.

About Hearts On Fire
Hearts On Fire®, The World's Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®, is a leading global designer of luxury branded diamonds and diamond jewelry, and one of the most widely recognized and bestselling luxury diamond jewelry brands in the world. Founded in 1996, and acquired by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group in 2014, Hearts On Fire introduced the first-ever branded diamond and instantly changed the jewelry industry forever.  The global brand continues to be recognized for its superior craftsmanship and exclusive cut – the single most important factor in a diamond's value – resulting in diamonds of extraordinary beauty and brilliance. Today, Hearts On Fire offers a robust variety of designer bridal and fashion diamond jewelry collections that integrate the brand's timeless expression with today's top fashion trends, and their products are distinguished by an unparalleled sparkle. Hearts On Fire offers distribution through a rapidly growing global retail partner network of more than 750 locations in 32 countries, including 150 points on sale in Hong Kong and Greater China, 17 HOF brand stores around the world, heartsonfire.com and authorized HOF retailer websites. For more information, please visit www.heartsonfire.com.

CONTACT:  Angie Kielt, akielt@heartsonfire.com

SOURCE Hearts On Fire

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