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
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
