Alex and Ani
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| Industry | Jeweller and retailer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Carolyn Rafaelian |
| Headquarters | Cranston, Rhode Island, United States of America |
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Key people
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Carolyn Rafaelian (Acting CEO) |
| Website | alexandani |
Alex and Ani is an American retailer and producer of jewelry located in Cranston, Rhode Island.
The firm was founded in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian. The name comes from a combination of the first names of Rafaelian's two daughters. The company originally stated that they wanted to produce "bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit". The company first manufactured its jewelry in a factory that was founded by Rafaelian's father in 1966 and all materials are made in America. The first retail Alex and Ani store opened in Newport in 2009, and in addition to the stand-alone stores, the jewelry was sold through national departments stores . In 2010 Giovanni Feroce joined the company as CEO and drove the company's expansion, increasing the sales total for the year by more than 20 times its previous annual total. In 2015, Harlan Kent became the new president of the company. The company also expanded into Japan. In 2015 the firm launched its first mobile app, which was downloaded 80,000 times in its first three weeks. In addition to serving as a mobile sales platform, DigiDay wrote that, "Alex and Ani’s lifestyle content, like motivational quotes and articles that explore the meanings behind different bracelet charms, takes center stage in the app."
The Independent newspaper stated that a "signature design feature" of the company's products was a "patented sliding mechanism that replaces the traditional clasp, making each bracelet entirely adjustable" making it "one-size-fits-all". They are also "stackable", referring to the ability to attach them in a broad chain up the arm of the wearer, as well as expandable. The firm produces bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings. The company first came to national attention in 2004 when they produced a necklace featuring an apple for Gwyneth Paltrow following the birth of her daughter Apple, leading to a large number of orders of similar merchandise. The company has described its products as "eco-friendly". Much of the material used in the firm's designs is either recycled or from vintage articles.
In 2011 Alex and Ani appeared in the Inc. 500 List, and number 16 on their retail sector list. Between 2010 and 2012 the company increased its sales from $4.5 million to $80 million, with its labor force increase from just over 20 to more than 600. The company added new marketing components or expanded infrastructure in each quarter that year. It also increased its sales by over 300% between the two respective year's Christmas seasons. In 2012 thefirm opened its first European branded stores. That year JH Partners also acquired a large stake in the firm, adding it to its lifestyle companies portfolio. Towards the end of 2013 Alex and Ani was on pace to sell more than $200 million in merchandise that year.
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