MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
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.
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
