FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
SurveysDec 26, 2013
Jewelry among top performers this holiday season
Despite a shorter shopping period and severe weather, early numbers indicate that holiday sales increased year-over-year, with jewelry cited as one of the season’s best-selling categories.
New York--Despite a shorter shopping period and severe weather, early numbers indicate that holiday sales increased year-over-year, with jewelry cited as one of the season’s best-selling categories.
According to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse report released Thursday, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 sales rose more than 2 percent as compared with the prior-year period. SpendingPulse tracks customer spending on apparel, electronics, jewelry, luxury, and home furniture and furnishings during the holiday season.
This year’s report showed that of all the categories monitored during the season, jewelry was the best performing as well as one of the few that improved on its performance from 2012.
Total apparel also saw modest growth, while luxury and electronics were flat.
“The holiday shopping results are in line with expectations, but several factors impacted retail sales this year,” Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president, market insights for MasterCard Advisors, said in a statement. “Having six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as bad weather in some parts of the country for the final two weekends of the season clearly had an effect on sales. Yet holiday sales were a clear improvement over last year’s weaker numbers. One clear bright spot is that many consumers who were stuck indoors turned to online shopping to check items off their list and that helped drive e-commerce growth.”
Online spending was a big driver for retail sales growth this year, as it has been for the past several years.
According to SpendingPulse, e-commerce sales showed low double-digit year-over-year growth for the season. And the most recent numbers from Reston, Va.-based digital analytics firm comScore indicate that U.S. retail e-commerce spending from desktop computers for the holiday season through Dec. 22 hit $42.8 billion, a 10 percent increase over a year ago.
While the holiday season ended up--and jewelers reported a strong last weekend before Christmas--this was not the case for all retailers.
According to ShopperTrak, in-store sales between Dec. 16 and 22 were down by 3 percent from the same week last year despite heavy promotions and markdowns.
Brick-and-mortar shopper traffic also fell, decreasing by 21 percent compared with the same period last year.
The promise of a “Super” Saturday fell short for many retailers of general merchandise, apparel, furniture and other products, as Dec. 21 saw a decline in both traffic and sales. According to ShopperTrak, Dec. 21 retail sales were
down nearly 1 percent while foot traffic decreased nearly 18 percent compared with the same day last year.
“Consumers have really gravitated toward ‘virtual’ window shopping, meaning that they are doing a lot of their research online beforehand. They have 24-hour access to all information now,” ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said in an interview with National Jeweler.
Martin noted that early promotions from stores in November and earlier opportunities for consumers to get the most value for their money has been pushing sales and traffic down in December, as the shopping season increasingly gets spread over more days.
The data release comes on the heels of ShopperTrak reporting that both sales and traffic were down for the week prior, from Dec. 9 to 15, as well as for the week of Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.
However, the firm is still predicting that retail sales will rise 2.4 percent in November and December as compared with last year, despite the recent numbers.
“We think that the strength of November will keep that on track, as well as the redemption of gift cards still to come, which will likely be used on Dec. 26 and the weekend after Christmas,” Martin said.
“Consumers have really gravitated toward ‘virtual’ window shopping, meaning that they are doing a lot of their research online beforehand. They have 24-hour access to all information now,” ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin said in an interview with National Jeweler.
Martin noted that early promotions from stores in November and earlier opportunities for consumers to get the most value for their money has been pushing sales and traffic down in December, as the shopping season increasingly gets spread over more days.
The data release comes on the heels of ShopperTrak reporting that both sales and traffic were down for the week prior, from Dec. 9 to 15, as well as for the week of Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.
However, the firm is still predicting that retail sales will rise 2.4 percent in November and December as compared with last year, despite the recent numbers.
“We think that the strength of November will keep that on track, as well as the redemption of gift cards still to come, which will likely be used on Dec. 26 and the weekend after Christmas,” Martin said.
More on Surveys
The Latest
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
