EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
SurveysOct 22, 2013
Firm maintains holiday retail sales forecast
While fewer consumers shopped during the 16-day federal government shutdown, analytics firm ShopperTrak said its forecast for retail sales and foot traffic for the all-important months of November and December remains the same.
Chicago--While fewer consumers shopped during the 16-day federal government shutdown, analytics firm ShopperTrak said its forecast for retail sales and foot traffic for the all-important months of November and December remains the same.
ShopperTrak, which has devices in place that measure foot traffic and customer patterns at major shopping centers, found that total retail store foot traffic decreased by 8 percent during the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 as compared with the prior-year period. During the following week, Oct. 6 to 12, it declined by 7 percent as compared to 2012.
The company also found, not surprisingly, that the effects of the shutdown were even more apparent in the Washington area, where ShopperTrak saw an 11 percent decline in year-over-year shopper traffic in the week of Oct. 6 to 12.
“Consumers were already deflated prior to this due to the economy, and when you concentrate them in an area like Washington D.C., where so many were without pay during that period, it becomes even more compounded,” ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin told National Jeweler.
But as part of the agreement that the government reached last Wednesday to put an end to the shutdown, federal employees that were furloughed will receive back pay in their next paychecks, which Martin anticipates will results in a slight resurgence in visits to stores over the next seven to 10 days.
“Those that were out of the shopping cycle will get double pay and will be putting money back into the shopping cycle, which we anticipate will create some pent-up demand,” Martin said. “Our stores will be prepared, and they’re increasing the staffing to match the inflated traffic and improve conversion rates.”
Even now that the shutdown is over, some retailers are concerned about its lingering effect on consumer confidence and what that will mean for holiday shopping.
Martin said ShopperTrak isn’t changing its September forecast for both foot traffic and sales in the months of November and December.
ShopperTrak predicts that foot traffic will decline by 1.4 percent during the two months as compared to the same period in 2012, as consumers remain wary and continue an approach to shopping that includes extensive research online before going to stores.
“We expect to see flat to soft traffic throughout the rest of the year,” Martin said. “It’ll probably take some time for retailers to recover from the effects that
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the shutdown had on sales and store traffic.”
This year’s calendar also only has 25 days between Black Friday and Christmas, the fewest number possible, and one less weekend, giving consumers less time in stores.
Martin also notes that overall holiday spending still is expected to increase by 2.4 percent this year, which would mark the fourth year in a row that the figure has climbed.
More than 750 retail brands across the world use ShopperTrak services in more than 60,000 locations across 90 countries and territories.
This year’s calendar also only has 25 days between Black Friday and Christmas, the fewest number possible, and one less weekend, giving consumers less time in stores.
Martin also notes that overall holiday spending still is expected to increase by 2.4 percent this year, which would mark the fourth year in a row that the figure has climbed.
More than 750 retail brands across the world use ShopperTrak services in more than 60,000 locations across 90 countries and territories.
More on Surveys
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
