From a Small Shop in Texas to Global Chain: The Zale Corporation

Established in 1924 in Wichita Falls, Texas as a small jewelry store, the Zale Corporation established an innovative credit plan that has since allowed the small shop to grow into a massive international retail chain: They invited their shoppers to pay “a penny down and a dollar a week,” making their jewelry affordable for the average working American.

Over the course of five generations, Zale expanded until it became the largest fine jeweler in retail shopping malls across North America, selling diamond fashion jewelry, gold, cultured pearls and an extensive wedding jewelry selection. According to its website, Zale stores sell more diamond jewelry than any other jeweler in North America.

Zale operates approximately 1,680 retail locations throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale’s brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon’s Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda.

In February 2014, Signet Jewelers Ltd. purchased Zale Corporation for a total of $1.46 billion.