SurveysJun 15, 2021
NRF Raises 2021 Retail Sales ForecastSurveysAug 18, 2021
Jewelry Sales Soared in July, Says Mastercard
July also marked the return of the in-store shopper, according to the SpendingPulse survey.
An 18-karat rose gold “Flora” ring featuring pink sapphires, emerald, and white and champagne diamonds from Vendorafa’s “Giardino” collection. Jewelry sales were up 83 percent year-over-year in July, as per a recent Mastercard SpendingPulse survey.
Purchase, N.Y.—Jewelry sales were strong in July as shoppers returned to browsing in stores with more cash in hand, according to a recent Mastercard SpendingPulse survey.
Sales in the category were up 83 percent year-over-year in July and up 54 percent when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The survey measures overall U.S. retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check.
Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, were up 11 percent year-over-year in July and up 10 percent compared with July 2019, according to Mastercard.
Online sales rose 6 percent year-over-year and are up 78 percent compared with July 2019.
“While e-commerce continues to play an increasingly significant role for retail, nothing replaces the in-store experience,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Inc., in a press release about the survey.
“July numbers reflect a return to the store. Consumers are shopping, spending, and splurging across channels.”
As per the survey, in-store sales accounted for 82 percent of total retail sales, excluding auto sales, in July.
In-store sales were up 16 percent year-over-year in July, and exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The survey noted positive spikes over the weekends.
Related stories will be right here …
Sales in the category were up 83 percent year-over-year in July and up 54 percent when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The survey measures overall U.S. retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check.
Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, were up 11 percent year-over-year in July and up 10 percent compared with July 2019, according to Mastercard.
Online sales rose 6 percent year-over-year and are up 78 percent compared with July 2019.
“While e-commerce continues to play an increasingly significant role for retail, nothing replaces the in-store experience,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chairman of Saks Inc., in a press release about the survey.
“July numbers reflect a return to the store. Consumers are shopping, spending, and splurging across channels.”
As per the survey, in-store sales accounted for 82 percent of total retail sales, excluding auto sales, in July.
In-store sales were up 16 percent year-over-year in July, and exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The survey noted positive spikes over the weekends.
Shoppers had more cash in hand to spend, due in part to pent-up savings and the Child Tax Credit, which arrived just in time for back-to-school season.
Part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the tax credit meant most families will receive automatic monthly payments of $250-$300 per child. The program began July 15, marking the first of six monthly payments.
The back-to-school season was a boon to the apparel sector, with sales up 80 percent year-over-year, and to department stores, with sales up 45 percent year-over-year.
The uptick was concentrated in the days immediately following the first payment on July 15, said Mastercard.
Though new home sales have fallen to an 18-month low, as per U.S. Census Bureau data, consumers are still sprucing up their spaces.
The furniture and furnishing sector was up 3 percent year-over-year and up 27 percent compared with 2019.
Consumers headed back to restaurants as well, with sales up 61 percent year-over-year and 30 percent compared with 2019.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
