CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
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
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
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.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
