FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
SurveysFeb 06, 2016
More to shop for ‘smart’ jewelry this holiday season
From watches to activity trackers, the number of consumers who own something “smart” for their wrist could increase as much as 4 percent this holiday season, the NPD Group said.
Port Washington, N.Y.--From wearable devices to activity trackers, the number of consumers who own something “smart” for their wrist could increase as much as 4 percent this holiday season, according to recent data from the NPD Group.
The marketing consulting company said that when it comes to smartwatches, consumers at first were stalled by price tags and continued uncertainty about the functionality of the products. However, the release of the Apple Watch last April “has made majors ripples within the smartwatch sector.”
“(Apple Watch) is much more of a mainstream product than other generation one smartwatches,” said Weston Henderek, director of wearables and connected intelligence at NPD Group. He added that even Apple Watch may not reach its full potential until the launch of a second-generation version that could offer integrated cellular connectivity.
Integrated cellular connectivity refers to a smartwatch that will not be reliant on syncing with a smartphone to connect with a cellular network. The current version of the Apple Watch does not have its own cellular connectivity, explains David Riley of NPD Group. The device can connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth and then use the cellular connectivity of the phone but, without the phone, it has no ability to connect to a cellular network.
“Independent cellular connectivity is one of the key differentiators that will accelerate smartwatch growth even further in the coming year,” Henderek said.
Other types of smart devices--activity trackers and digital fitness devices--already have seen significant growth that will continue into the holiday shopping season, the NPD Group said. The retail sales of these items increased 120 percent in the first eight months of the year, from $343.5 million to $754.8 million.
“That level of growth is expected to extend through the end of the year, making activity trackers some of the hottest tech gifts this holiday,” said Ben Arnold, executive director and industry analyst of consumer electronics at NPD Group. “Awareness of these products has grown tremendously over the past year, and there are a diverse number of products on the market offering a variety of features and price points.”
He added that manufactures continue to partner with designers to increase the appeal of the products.
RELATED CONTENT: Hermes brings high fashion to Apple Watch
“There is a product for every type of consumer, from the most active athlete to the mom who
just wants to remember when to pick up her kids from soccer practice, on the market,” Arnold said.
NPD Group said in November 2013, awareness of activity trackers was just more than 30 percent in the U.S. market, with younger consumers being the most knowledgeable. Now, in 2015, the situation has changed--close to 82 percent of the market knows about activity tracking devices.
“The wearables industry has come to a crossroads in the past six months, as the quality, depth and price points of activity trackers and smartwatches have expanded at a rapid rate,” Henderek said. “The two sectors are much more segmented now, with the activity tracker category in particular having a wide variety of price ranges, depending on features, quality and design.”
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
