In the fourth quarter of the year 2008, Signet Jewelers saw its sales dip by 19 percent (or 13 percent at a constant exchange rate) and amounting to $1.1 billion. Its yearly sales also slipped by 9 percent and valued at $3.3 billion (or 6 percent at a constant exchange rate). For the tough times ahead, the company is looking at increasing its cash generation and keeping a close watch on its expenses. % % In the last quarter the same-store sales fell 15 percent. U.S., the hub of the ongoing tight global economy, saw store sales fall by 14 percent to $862 million. In the U.K., store sales fell 32 percent to $261 million. According to figures at constant exchange rate, sale in the U.K. fell by 9 percent. Same store sales in the U.S. declined 16 percent and by 9 percent in the U.K. %% In the entire year, Signet’s same-store sales were down by 8 percent. The sales in U.S. fell by 6 percent to $2.5 billion, by 16 percent in U.K amounting to $808 million. At a constant exchange rate, U.K. sales fell by 4 percent. Same store sales suffered a 10 fall in the U.S. and 3 percent in the U.K.