Michael Hill Jeweller
A jewellery retailer founded in New Zealand that expanded across Australia, Canada and the United States before withdrawing from the US market.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Michael Hill Jeweller is a specialty jewellery retailer established in 1979 by Michael Hill and his wife, Christine, in Whangārei, New Zealand. The business developed around a focused jewellery-store concept, distinctive retail environments and extensive advertising, helping it move beyond its original local market and become a sizeable trans-Tasman chain. Its merchandise has included diamond jewellery, gold and silver pieces, bridal jewellery, fashion jewellery, charms and watches sold under the Michael Hill name. The company expanded rapidly during the 1980s. It had reached ten stores by 1987, the year it listed on the New Zealand Exchange, and entered Australia with four stores. By 2000, the chain had forty New Zealand locations, including twelve in Auckland. Australia subsequently became its most important market, accounting for more than 60 percent of overall sales by the middle of 2013, while New Zealand represented about one-fifth and North America supplied the balance at that time. Michael Hill entered Canada in 2002 through stores in Vancouver, British Columbia. It later developed a presence in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The company also entered the United States in September 2008 by acquiring seventeen stores in Illinois and Missouri from Whitehall Jewelers. The American operation was reduced over time: eight stores were earmarked for closure in 2010, and the remaining nine US stores were closed in April 2018. The withdrawal reflected the company’s effort to concentrate on markets where its store network and brand proposition were more established. Product development has included vertically oriented and private-label initiatives. The business began manufacturing jewellery in-house in 1981. After a five-year trial, it introduced the Michael Hill Watch Collection in late 2006 and progressively replaced most non-Michael Hill watch brands, with Citizen being the principal exception during the transition. By mid-2008, Michael Hill-branded watches were the main watch offering in its stores. A Michael Hill Charms Collection followed in 2009, while a broader global brand program announced in 2013 placed greater emphasis on bridal products and a more feminine jewellery presentation. Leadership has remained closely associated with the Hill family. Michael Hill moved into a Founder/President role in 2015, and his daughter Emma Hill became chairperson after the November 2015 annual general meeting. The chain has continued operating in Australia, New Zealand and Canada; the referenced June 2024 description reported approximately 300 stores and around 2,600 permanent employees. In April 2023, Michael Hill announced an agreement to acquire Australian jewellery retailer Bevilles and its 26 stores for A$45 million, a move intended to broaden its Australian retail footprint and brand portfolio.
History
Michael Hill Jeweller began in 1979 when Michael Hill and his wife, Christine, opened a jewellery store in Whangārei, New Zealand. The company differentiated itself through a dedicated jewellery format, distinctive store design and sustained advertising. This approach supported expansion to ten stores by 1987. That year, the company listed on the New Zealand Exchange and entered Australia with four stores. The New Zealand network continued to grow during the 1990s. By 2000, Michael Hill operated forty stores in the country, twelve of them in Auckland. The business also developed manufacturing capabilities, beginning in-house jewellery production in 1981. Australia became the company’s largest market over time, and by mid-2013 it generated more than 60 percent of total sales there, compared with approximately 20 percent from New Zealand and the remainder from North America. International expansion continued in Canada in 2002, beginning in Vancouver. The company later operated in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. In September 2008, it entered the United States by purchasing seventeen Whitehall Jewelers stores in Illinois and Missouri. The US business was subsequently reduced, with eight closures announced in 2010 and the last nine stores shut in April 2018. The brand broadened its merchandise portfolio through proprietary ranges. Following a five-year trial, it introduced Michael Hill watches in late 2006. The company phased out most other watch brands, apart from Citizen during the transition, and by mid-2008 its stores primarily carried Michael Hill-branded watches. The Michael Hill Charms Collection was introduced in 2009. In 2013, management announced a global brand direction incorporating bridal products and a more feminine jewellery proposition. Leadership transitioned within the founding family in 2015. Michael Hill moved to a Founder/President position, while his daughter Emma Hill became chairperson following the November annual general meeting. The company later concentrated its operations on Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The referenced June 2024 account described approximately 300 stores and around 2,600 permanent employees. In 2023, Michael Hill announced the planned acquisition of Bevilles, an Australian jewellery chain with 26 stores, for A$45 million.
- 2023
Bevilles acquisition announced
[1]Michael Hill announces a proposed A$45 million acquisition of Bevilles and its 26 stores.
- 2018
US market exit
[1]The company closes its nine remaining US stores.
- 2015
Founding-family leadership transition
[1]Michael Hill moves to a Founder/President role and Emma Hill becomes chairperson.
- 2009
Michael Hill Charms Collection launches
[1]The company adds a branded charms collection to its jewellery assortment.
- 2008
United States entry
[1]Michael Hill acquires seventeen Whitehall Jewelers stores in Illinois and Missouri.
- 2006
Michael Hill Watch Collection launches
[1]The company launches its own watch range after a multi-year trial.
- 2002
Canadian expansion
[1]The retailer opens its first Canadian stores in Vancouver.
- 1987
Listing and Australian expansion
[1]After reaching ten stores, the company lists on the New Zealand Exchange and opens four Australian stores.
- 1981
In-house jewellery manufacturing begins
[1]The company begins manufacturing some jewellery internally.
- 1979
First Michael Hill store opens in Whangārei
[1]Michael and Christine Hill establish the first store in Whangārei, New Zealand.
Products and positioning
A branded, vertically oriented jewellery retailer positioned around accessible premium jewellery, bridal products, in-house and private-label ranges, dedicated stores and strong promotional marketing.
Bridal jewellery
Diamond and bridal jewellery
A core part of the retailer’s assortment, including engagement rings, wedding bands and other diamond-led bridal pieces. The company’s 2013 global brand direction specifically placed greater emphasis on bridal products.
Fine jewellery
Gold and silver jewellery
The chain sells jewellery made from gold and silver across ring, necklace, bracelet and earring categories. These products form the main body of its everyday and occasion-led jewellery offering.
Watches · 2006
Michael Hill Watch Collection
The proprietary watch range followed a five-year trial and launched in late 2006. Michael Hill progressively removed most other watch brands from its stores, leaving Citizen as an exception during the transition; by mid-2008, Michael Hill watches were the principal watch offering.
Charms · 2009
Michael Hill Charms Collection
Introduced in 2009, the charms collection extended the brand into modular and collectible jewellery, complementing the chain’s broader assortment of branded and fashion-oriented pieces.
Brand decisions
2023
Announce Bevilles acquisitionM&ABackground
Michael Hill pursued further scale in the Australian jewellery market.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire Bevilles and its 26 stores for A$45 million.
announced acquisition value. A$45 million (2023 announcement)
2018
Exit the United StatesStrategyBackground
The company had reduced its US presence after earlier store closures.
Action taken
Michael Hill closed its nine remaining US stores.
Aftermath
The operating footprint was concentrated in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
2008
Acquire Whitehall Jewelers storesM&ABackground
Michael Hill sought to establish a direct retail presence in the United States.
Action taken
The company acquired seventeen Whitehall Jewelers stores in Illinois and Missouri.
Aftermath
The US network was later reduced and ultimately closed in 2018.
Recent events
- 2023
Michael Hill announces acquisition of Bevilles[1]
M&A
Michael Hill announced a proposed A$45 million acquisition of Australian jewellery chain Bevilles and its 26 stores.
- 2018
Michael Hill closes its remaining US stores[1]
Other
The retailer exited the United States by closing its nine remaining stores there.
- 2010
Michael Hill reduces its US store network[1]
Other
The company announced the closure of eight US stores as it reassessed its North American operations.
- 2008
Michael Hill acquires Whitehall Jewelers stores in the United States[1]
M&A
The company entered the US market by acquiring seventeen stores in Illinois and Missouri from Whitehall Jewelers.
- 2002
Michael Hill enters the Canadian market[1]
Other
The retailer opened its first Canadian stores in Vancouver and subsequently expanded into several Canadian provinces.
Sources4 sources
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