Holiday Sales Hit Record High, Says NRF
Core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.

Core retail sales during the holiday season rose 4 percent year-over-year to a record $994.1 billion, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with $955.6 billion in 2023.
NRF had expected 2024 winter holiday spending to grow between 2.5 and 3.5 percent year-over-year, reaching between $979.5 billion and $989 billion.
“Consumers came out to spend this holiday season and clearly underscored the solid growth in the US economy,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.
“The spending pace was back to pre-pandemic growth and indicates a good start for the year ahead.”
Though the shorter holiday season led to more online shopping, he said, there was a return to in-store shopping and a focus on buying gifts early.
“The 2024 figures were driven in part by lower inflation compared with 2023, particularly for goods. Even though consumers are still relatively healthy and there was a notable increase in spending, they remain budget conscious,” said Kleinhenz.
NRF bases its calculations of retail sales on Census Bureau data but excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants to focus on core retail.
Its holiday total, which is not adjusted for inflation, includes online and other non-store sales.
NRF defines the holiday season as Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
Online and other non-store sales were up 9 percent to $296.7 billion, in line with its forecast of 8 to 9 percent growth to between $295.1 billion and $297.9 billion.
For the full year, core retail sales grew 4 percent to a record $5.28 trillion, reaching the high end of NRF’s forecast for 2024 annual sales to grow between 2.5 and 3.5 percent to between $5.23 trillion and $5.28 trillion.
Core retail sales, unadjusted, were up 4 percent year-over-year in both November and December.
The late timing of Thanksgiving shifted sales on Thanksgiving Sunday and Cyber Monday from November into December, said NRF, which affected results for both months.
Holiday sales saw year-over-year gains in seven of nine retail categories, led by online sales, furniture stores, and electronics and appliances stores.
As for seasonal hiring, the NRF estimated retailers hired 438,000 seasonal workers during November and December, in line with the 400,000 to 500,000 NRF had expected, citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Latest

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.


The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.