IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
SurveysJun 22, 2017
Report: Luxury Continues to Underperform in the US
Though sales of luxury goods are expected to grow globally, the U.S. market is grappling with ongoing political uncertainty and struggling department stores, Bain & Co. said.
Milan--The luxury market is expected to get back to growth this year as Chinese spending and consumer confidence in Europe return.
According to management consulting firm Bain & Co., the global personal luxury goods market is predicted to grow in the range of 2 to 4 percent (at constant exchange rates) in 2017, from $284 billion to $290 billion.
The company’s “Worldwide Luxury Monitor 2017 Spring Update” indicates that watches and jewelry are maintaining momentum and while watch sales are down right now, they will soon recover.
However, in the Americas, the study states, the U.S. luxury market “continues to underperform.” A strong dollar, ongoing political uncertainty and struggling department stores have combined to create uncertainty for the country this year, with the market expected to be between a 2 percent decline or flat in 2017.
Meanwhile, Latin America is supported by some local consumption and Canada is poised to slow down--luxury sales there are expected to range between flat and a 2 percent decline.
Europe is still recovering from a decline in tourism last year and is regaining confidence among local consumers, with Spain and the U.K. standing out as bright spots. Bain has forecasted growth of between 7 and 9 percent at constant exchange rates for the region.
Mainland China also is rebounding as its local consumers continue to show a preference for buying luxury goods, driving an expected 6 to 8 percent growth. Chinese tourists also will continue to account for a large portion of international luxury purchases.
While Japan remains a positive market for luxury brands, the environment for the rest of Asia is still difficult: Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore might be improving, but Taiwan and Southeast Asia are facing decreased tourism.
The rest of the world is expected to be flat or see only slight growth of 2 percent.
In its update on the luxury market, Bain also addressed a number of key topics that will drive the luxury market this year, including the following.
1. The U.S. market’s landscape. Even though it’s still the largest market for personal luxury goods, the combined effects of a slowdown in tourism, unsettled political climate and challenging outlook for department stores mean that brands have to have “an impeccable strategy and execution” to survive.
2. The digital and off-price winners. Digital continues to reshape the luxury industry, with Bain indicating it expects online sales to be the leading
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
channel with the highest growth in the coming years, followed by off-price stores.
3. Millennial shopping habits. The inclusion of this likely surprises no one, as the “millennial state of mind” requires that brands better cater to their needs because it is this generation that has increasing buying power. In fact, millennials and Gen Z--the generation that follows the millennials and the oldest of whom are about 22 right now--will represent 45 percent of the global personal luxury goods market by 2025.
3. Millennial shopping habits. The inclusion of this likely surprises no one, as the “millennial state of mind” requires that brands better cater to their needs because it is this generation that has increasing buying power. In fact, millennials and Gen Z--the generation that follows the millennials and the oldest of whom are about 22 right now--will represent 45 percent of the global personal luxury goods market by 2025.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
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.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
