Sterling Careers - Our History

The Sterling story goes back nearly one hundred years to a single jewelry store in Lorain, Ohio. We're proud of our history of excellence while being committed to future growth and success.

1910	Henry Shaw opens first store in Lorain, Ohio.
1912	Henry Shaw opens a store with his brother-in-law, George Isroff, in Youngstown, Ohio. When the store opens, the headquarters move to Akron, Ohio.
1919	Shaw's Jewelers opens in Akron, Ohio.
1937	The company, called Shaw-Rogers, splits into two businesses, one with the same name and the other taking the name LeRoy's Jewelry Co. In the years following, Shaw-Rogers becomes the Westhall Co. and LeRoy's becomes Sterling Merchandise Co.
1986	In April, the company becomes publicly traded on NASDAQ. Also, a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Canton, Ohio marks the opening of our 100th store.
1987	Signet Group plc purchases the company creating the largest jewelry retailer in the world. Sterling acquires Westhall Co., which has 82 stores, including Shaw's Jewelers, Belden Jewelers, and Rogers Jewelers.
1988	Sterling acquires the 56 stores of Osterman's Inc.
1989	A new headquarters opens in Akron, Ohio. Sterling acquires Ringmaker's and Allen's 15 stores and Weisfield's Inc. with 90 stores.
1990	Sterling acquires Kay Jewelers, Inc. (506 stores), which doubles our size.
1993	Sterling opens the first Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, a jewelry superstore.
1995	Terry Burman joins Sterling as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
1998	For the first time in history, Sterling's sales exceed one billion dollars.
2000	Sterling completes acquisition of Marks & Morgan Jewelers (137 stores).
2004	Signet's American Depositary Shares (ADSs) listed exclusively on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "SIG." Kay Jewelers becomes the largest specialty retail jewelry brand in the US.
2005	For the first time in history, Sterling's sales exceed two billion dollars. The 100th Jared The Galleria of Jewelry store opens.
2006	Mark Light is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling and is appointed to the Board of Signet as President and an Executive Director. Terry Burman continues as Chairman of Sterling and Signet Group CEO.
2008	Signet Group plc moves its primary stock listing from the London Stock Exchange to the New York Stock exchange and its domicile from London to Bermuda. As a result, the name of our parent company changes from Signet Group plc to Signet Jewelers Ltd.