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 01, 2013
NRF: Slightly more people hit stores, spend less
The total number of unique shoppers over the holiday weekend--counting Black Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Thanksgiving Day--was up 1 percent year-over-year while the average spend per shopper fell 4 percent, National Retail Federation (NRF) data shows.
New York--The total number of unique shoppers over the holiday weekend--counting Black Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Thanksgiving Day--was up 1 percent year-over-year while the average spend per shopper fell 4 percent, National Retail Federation (NRF) data shows.
According to a poll conducted Friday and Saturday, more than 141 unique shoppers already had shopped or planned to shop by the end of the weekend, up from 139 million over the same time frame last year.
On average, shoppers spent $407.02 between Thursday and Sunday (planned), down from $423.55 in the same time frame last year.
The NRF data shows that 17 percent of consumers bought jewelry or precious metal accessories.
Clothing, purchased by 58 percent of consumers, was the most popular gift category, followed by consumer electronics or computer-related accessories (38 percent) and books/CDs/DVDs/videos/video games (36 percent).
In terms of where consumers shopped, the NRF poll indicates that the greatest percentage, 54 percent, browsed the aisles of department stores. The second most-shopped location was the Internet, visited by 42 percent of consumers.
A total of 13 percent of shoppers said they shopped at other specialty stores, the category that includes jewelry stores.
Pam Goodfellow, the consumer insights director for Prosper Insights & Analytics, the firm that conducted the survey for the NRF, said online shopping over Thanksgiving weekend continues to grow in popularity.
“With limited budgets this year, holiday shoppers will continue to make very thoughtful decisions about when and where they shop the remainder of the season, making sure to compare prices and keep up with retailers’ advertisements for special sales,” she said in an NRF news release.
The weekend after Thanksgiving marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving said to push retailers into the black (profitability) for the year, traditionally has been the day people attempt to work off that turkey and stuffing with a trip to the mall or local big-box strip center.
This year, however, more stores were open on Thanksgiving Day, and NRF data shows that consumers were taking advantage of the turkey-day deals: about 45 million shoppers went to the stores on Thanksgiving, up 29 percent from 35 million last year.
Despite the increased number of stores open for all or a portion of Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday remained the most heavily trafficked day, with more than 92 million people,
or 65 percent of all weekend shoppers, hitting the stores that day.
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.
