ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
SurveysJan 17, 2018
NRF: Holiday Retail Sales Rose More Than 5%
The National Retail Federation’s final figures for the 2017 holiday season are in, and they’re even better than expected.
Holiday retail sales during November and December reached $691.9 billion, the NRF said; the 5.5 percent increase over the prior year was the largest since 2010.
Washington--The National Retail Federation’s final figures for the 2017 holiday season are in, and they’re even better than expected.
The retail trade association said November-December sales were up 5.5 percent unadjusted over the same two-month period in 2016 to $691.9 billion, as growing wages, stronger employment and higher confidence led consumers to spend more.
The results beat the NRF’s forecast of a 3.6 to 4 percent increase in sales.
It also marked the largest increase since the 5.2 percent year-over-year gain seen in 2010 after the recession, mirroring the findings of the MasterCard SpendingPulse report released at the end of December.
Of the $600 billion-plus in total sales, $138.4 billion came in the form of online and other non-store sales, an 11.5 percent increase over last year. That was within the NRF’s forecasted range of 11 to 15 percent, albeit at the low end.
The month of December was up 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from November and up 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Retail sales in November, as the NRF reported earlier, were up less than 1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis when compared with October, but were up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted.
According to the NRF, there were increases in every retail category except sporting goods.
Clothing and accessories sales were up 2.7 percent unadjusted year-over year, while electronics and appliance sales increased 6.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and sales of furniture and home furnishings rose 7.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
There were a number of factors contributing to the strong season, the NRF said, including unemployment’s 17-year low, an increase in income, strong consumer confidence and a rising stock market.
Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz noted the following: the season came after three of the strongest monthly year-over-year gains for retail sales since the fourth quarter of 2014; nominal disposable personal income was up a combined 3.5 percent year-over-year in October and November; and consumers were feeling better about using their credit cards, with outstanding balances up 6 percent year-over-year.
“The economy was in great shape going into the holiday season, and retailers had the right mix of inventory, pricing and staffing to help them connect with shoppers very efficiently,” he said.
“Strong employment and more money in consumers’ pockets, along with the news of tax cuts, clearly helped with the pace of shopping. The market conditions were right, retailers were doing what they know how to do, and it all worked.
We think the willingness to spend and growing purchasing power seen during the holidays will be key drivers of the 2018 economy.”
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
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.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
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.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
