ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
SurveysOct 01, 2014
1 in 4 affluents to buy jewelry this holiday season
Twenty-seven percent of wealthy shoppers said they plan to buy jewelry this holiday season, with most indicating that they would spend the same amount or more on gifts this year, a recent study shows.
New York--Twenty-seven percent of wealthy shoppers said they plan to buy jewelry this holiday season, with most indicating that they would spend the same amount or more on gifts this year, a recent study shows.
In Shullman Research Center’s latest “Insights Into Luxury, Affluence and Wealth” report, the firm looks at the way that consumers are planning to shop for the 2014 holiday season, with a particular focus on affluent American shoppers, those with a household income of more than $75,000.
While 21 percent of all U.S. adults who plan on Christmas shopping expect to buy jewelry, the percentage increases when looking at the top 41 percent of households.
A total of 27 percent of those who earn more than $75,000 likely will buy jewelry in 2014. When looking at consumers who earn more than $250,000, that number increases to 29 percent, and to 38 percent when looking at income levels above $500,000.
At all levels of income, the top gift was gift cards, with nearly half of U.S. adults indicating that they plan on giving gift cards this year. For households with an income greater than $75,000, this is followed by toys, books, personal electronics, and then video games and related equipment, among others.
A majority of consumers in all income segments said that the amount they plan on spending this year is either about the same as or more than what they spent last year.
According to Shullman, 17 percent who will buy for the holidays already have begun shopping. Another 23 percent intend to begin shopping before Thanksgiving, 18 percent expect to start and finish their shopping during Thanksgiving week, and 17 percent plan on shopping during the first two weeks of December.
The remaining 7 percent said that they won’t begin holiday shopping until the middle of December.
Millennials are notable in this part of the study for being late starters, with more than half saying that they will start shopping sometime around Thanksgiving, which means that luxury marketers still have time to reach these consumers before they make their final shopping decisions, Shullman said.
The research also shows that online-only retailers will be popular among affluent consumers, with 74 percent of those with household incomes of $500,000 or more indicating that they would do some shopping at pure-play Internet retailers.
Mainstream department stores and specialty stores also attract a healthy share
of consumers with an income greater than $250,000.
When it comes to using digital devices for holiday shopping, affluent consumers particularly are enthusiastic about this shopping method.
However, Shullman pointed out that while approximately nine out of 10 of these shoppers will go online to do some purchasing, that doesn’t mean they don’t have an omnichannel shopping strategy; they’ll still go to brick-and-mortar stores.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
