CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
SurveysDec 03, 2013
In-store traffic down 4 percent over the weekend
ShopperTrak, a firm that has devices installed in stores to count the number of people coming in, said retail foot traffic declined 4 percent year-over-year this past weekend, a drop-off attributable to the Internet.
Chicago--ShopperTrak, a firm that has devices installed in stores to count the number of people coming in, said retail foot traffic declined 4 percent year-over-year this past weekend, a drop-off attributable to the Internet.
Shoppers made an estimated 1.8 billion store visits over the entire “Black” weekend, which encompasses Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday.
ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said the data provided by his agency is based on the counting machines they have installed in hundreds of retail stores across the U.S. that is then extrapolated to provide a big-picture view of retail. It does not represent unique visitors, meaning that the same person can be counted multiple times.
Though foot traffic fell, the data ShopperTrak received from its retail partners showed that sales increased 1 percent year-over-year to $22.2 billion spent across the four-day span, compared with $22 billion last year.
The ability to shop and buy online was probably the key driver for the reduced foot traffic in stores, Martin said in an interview with National Jeweler Tuesday, though he notes that even when consumers do buy something in a store, they most likely have researched it online first.
Retailers need to be alert to this fact.
“When the shopper finally chooses a store to go to, they are pretty far down the decision path. So, when they get there, they are ready to buy,” Martin said. “They are not just browsing around anymore.”
He said retailers need to be cordial to every customer who comes through the doors this holiday season.
Region-wise, the Northeast recorded the greatest decline in foot traffic at 10 percent, followed by the Midwest at 5 percent and the South at 2 percent. After a sharp decline last year, foot traffic in the West was flat over the weekend, according to ShopperTrak.
Martin said fewer shoppers were out in the Northeast because it is a region still impacted by Superstorm Sandy, which made landfall a little more than a year ago, and the looming debt-ceiling debate. (For ShopperTrak, the Northeast includes the Washington, D.C. area.) “I think there’s a lot going on in that area that has people worried,” he said.
The ShopperTrak data, made public on Tuesday, comes on the heels of the release of comparable data from the National Retail Federation. According to the NRF, which calculates the number of shoppers differently than ShopperTrak, slightly more people
actually hit the stores over the weekend but, on average, spent less.
The NRF data supports ShopperTrak’s assertion that online shopping was a major part of weekend sales. After department stores, more consumers said they shopped online than anywhere else.
Following the holiday weekend, Martin said ShopperTrak is standing by its prediction that the holiday season will bring a 10 percent decline in foot traffic while sales will increase 2 percent.
He said overall, consumers are pacing themselves, having begun shopping not just over this past holiday weekend but throughout the month of November, as retailers started offering deals even earlier this year.
Martin said he expects consumers now will take a short break before returning to the stores just before Christmas.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
