FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
SurveysOct 14, 2016
NPD Group: Holiday Spending to Rise 3%
The firm joins a number of other companies predicting a happy holiday season for retailers in 2016.
The NPD Group’s holiday survey predicts growth among all consumer categories. “The lack of stand-out, must-have products this holiday season is benefiting the categories that are delivering on basic consumer wants, but marketers need to find new ways to engage and excite holiday shoppers to drive significant growth,” said NPD Chief Industry Analyst Marshal Cohen.
Port Washington, N.Y.--Global information company The NPD Group has joined a number of other firms in predicting that it will be a happy holiday season for retailers this year.
According to the company’s 2016 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey, consumers plan to spend an average of $636 on holiday-related items, a 3 percent increase compared with what they planned last year.
The survey was conducted in September and polled 3,499 individuals ages 18 and older.
When their holiday spending plans were broken down more precisely, 14 percent of consumers indicated they plan on spending more than they did during the 2015 holiday season, and 17 percent say they’ll spend less. These numbers are basically the same as last year’s results, the NPD Group said.
Consumers also appear to be less concerned about the economy ahead of the holidays.
When the survey asked how the state of the economy will influence their holiday purchases this year, 12 percent said it will have a “significant impact,” which is a decrease from recent years’ results--14 percent said the same thing in 2015, while 19 percent said it in 2014.
“All signs point to a holiday retail season that will outperform last year’s,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at The NPD Group. “The unvarying holiday spending intentions expressed by consumers are a sign that even this year’s intense election cycle has done little to dampen consumer confidence going into the holiday season, which we forecast to grow moderately.”
The NPD Group’s prediction is in line with that of the National Retail Federation, which said it expects U.S. retail sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurants) to increase nearly 4 percent year-over-year to $655.8 billion.
Deloitte also forecasts growth in the 4 percent range for November through January, while PricewaterhouseCoopers anticipates a sales increase that’s more than double that.
What and When They’ll Buy
Not surprisingly, the survey indicated that retailers that offer e-commerce stand to gain the most from the holiday season as consumers plan to do even more of their shopping online.
Still, growth is expected across the market, from online-only to specialty retailers, national chains, toy stores and more.
Growth also is expected across all product categories when it comes
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
to what consumers plan to buy as gifts, but leading the pack is clothing and accessories at 66 percent of shoppers. Entertainment followed at 47 percent, toys at 41 percent, and tech and electronics at 37 percent.
“Consumers are ready to spend this holiday season. However, more than ever before, how much they spend will be determined by their own perception of the products and promotions they are presented with, rather than the simple fact that the products and promotions are there,” Cohen said.
Two out of 10 shoppers already have started tackling their holiday gift lists, The NPD Group said, noting that how early, or how late, shoppers get started on their lists can be an indicator of how much they will spend throughout the season.
Earlier shopping generally correlates to spending more, though that doesn’t mean it is the cause of spending more, The NPD Group pointed out, as those with longer lists often feel the need to get started earlier.
Twenty-seven percent of “heavy spenders” (those who plan to spend $750 or more) have already started shopping. This dips to 24 percent among mid-level spenders (between $300 and $749) and 17 percent among low-level spenders (less than $300).
“Consumers are ready to spend this holiday season. However, more than ever before, how much they spend will be determined by their own perception of the products and promotions they are presented with, rather than the simple fact that the products and promotions are there,” Cohen said.
Two out of 10 shoppers already have started tackling their holiday gift lists, The NPD Group said, noting that how early, or how late, shoppers get started on their lists can be an indicator of how much they will spend throughout the season.
Earlier shopping generally correlates to spending more, though that doesn’t mean it is the cause of spending more, The NPD Group pointed out, as those with longer lists often feel the need to get started earlier.
Twenty-seven percent of “heavy spenders” (those who plan to spend $750 or more) have already started shopping. This dips to 24 percent among mid-level spenders (between $300 and $749) and 17 percent among low-level spenders (less than $300).
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
