The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
Holiday shoppers getting a head start
Specifically, it’s the 25 to 44 year olds who are making the largest dents in their shopping lists, possibly using this time to make self-purchases.
Washington--When it comes to celebrating the holidays, more than half of those who do so already have begun shopping, a recent survey shows.
According to the National Retail Federation’s Consumer Holiday Spending Survey, 57 percent of consumers had started their shopping by early November, up from 54 percent last year and also the highest percentage seen since 2008.
When broken out by age group, the survey showed that it’s the 25 to 44 year olds who have gotten out of the gates early. Specifically, 65 percent of 25 to 34 year olds and 62 percent of 35 to 44 year olds have started their holiday shopping.
In addition, nearly 58 percent of women have gotten a jump on their holiday lists, compared with 55 percent of men.
“Thanksgiving weekend shopping has evolved tremendously over the past few years and can no longer be seen as the ‘start’ of the holiday season,” said NRF President Matthew Shay. “There’s a real sea change happening in retail when it comes to the how, when, where and why of holiday shopping.
“Consumers today are looking for great prices and value-add promotions earlier than ever before, and retailers have answered these demands in several different ways already this holiday season.”
Apparel and clothing are the most popular types of gifts people are buying this season, at 60 percent. That’s followed by books, CDs, DVDs and video games, which includes online streaming and purchases made on sites such as Amazon and iTunes (46 percent), toys (41 percent), food or candy (30 percent) and jewelry (22 percent).
The number of shoppers buying gift cards is down this year, from 60 to 56 percent.
The survey also asked consumers how they planned to find their holiday gifts. Online searches and social media proved to be the preferred channel, with 47 percent choosing that method, followed by advertising circulars (35 percent), TV ads (31 percent) and catalogs (30 percent).
Of the social media shoppers, 13 percent said they’d use Facebook and 9 percent will turn to Pinterest.
“While there are many ‘Type A’ holiday shoppers who love to get an early start on their wish lists, it’s also likely some of the early shopping we’ve seen has been in the form of ‘self-gifting,’ and there’s no question millennials love treating themselves to something when the price is right,” said Pam Goodfellow of Prosper Insights and
The survey found millennials are much more positive when it comes to retailers’ promotions this year: 59 percent of 18 to 24 year olds and 55 percent of 25 to 30 year olds agree deals have either been “excellent” or “good.”
The NRF’s 2015 Holiday Consumer Spending Survey polled 7,172 consumers and was conducted from Nov. 3 to 10.
The Latest

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.


In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.