CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
SurveysJun 17, 2020
May Retail Sales Climb 18% as Businesses Reopen
Though monthly spending improved in May, retail sales were down 6 percent year-over-year.
U.S. retail sales were up 18 percent month-over-month in May, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
New York—U.S. retail sales improved in May compared with April as coronavirus restrictions eased and businesses began to reopen.
Retail sales, including food sales, climbed 18 percent month-over-month in May to $485.5 billion, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce Tuesday morning.
The results follow a 15 percent drop in April and an 8 percent drop in March, according to revised statistics.
The results surpassed analyst estimates of an 8 percent increase and marked the highest month-over-month jump in U.S. retail sales ever.
The May results are less rosy when compared year-over-year, as they are down 6 percent from May 2019.
In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box Tuesday morning, National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay said the sales report “is very encouraging news.”
“These sales numbers do not reflect the same strength we had going into the pandemic, but they certainly reflect the trajectory we need coming out of it,” he said.
Stimulus money and supplemental unemployment checks coupled with “pent-up demand” drove consumer spending, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in a press release.
He noted, however, that month-over-month comparisons between April and May need to be viewed in context because most nonessential businesses were shut down for all of April.
He said the results may be “questionable” as many retailers were closed and unable to respond to the monthly survey of sales data.
“Spending has improved considerably but it’s still far below where it was a year ago, and while the freefall in consumer confidence is over, unemployment remains high and confidence is still at recession levels,” he said.
Two important factors to monitor, he said, are the trajectory of unemployment and the direction of the virus.
Kleinhenz said a turnaround may be ahead in the third quarter, but a second wave of COVID-19 could spook consumers.
The NRF also calculates monthly retail sales, narrowing in on core retail and excluding auto sales, gas stations, and restaurants.
Its calculations show May sales were up 11 percent seasonally adjusted from April and up nearly 2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Looking at the commerce department’s data by category, clothing and accessories stores saw the strongest sales gains in May, up 188 percent month-over-month.
Furniture and sporting goods, and hobby, musical instrument and book stores followed, both up 90 percent.
The year-over-year gains from retailers that remained open, like grocery and drug stores, as well as online sales were offset by declines in other categories, said NRF.
Though increased foot traffic
shows consumers are returning to shop, Kleinhenz said expects “to remain on a roller coaster for a while” and said a full recovery is “still a long way off.”
At his semiannual monetary policy report before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell echoed a similar sentiment and added there was “significant uncertainty” surrounding the pace of economic recovery.
“Much of that economic uncertainty comes from uncertainty about the path of the disease and the effects of measures to contain it. Until the public is confident that the disease is contained, a full recovery is unlikely,” he said.
Powell pointed to small businesses as being especially at risk.
“If a small or medium-sized business becomes insolvent because the economy recovers too slowly, we lose more than just that business,” he said. “These businesses are the heart of our economy and often embody the work of generations.”
The Federal Reserve’s Main Street lending program kicked off Monday, which supports lending to small and mid-sized businesses.
Small to mid-sized businesses are defined as those with 15,000 employees or fewer or those with business revenues of $5 billion or less.
Powell said the Fed will do what it can to help the country’s recovery, but did not outline any specific policies.
At his semiannual monetary policy report before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell echoed a similar sentiment and added there was “significant uncertainty” surrounding the pace of economic recovery.
“Much of that economic uncertainty comes from uncertainty about the path of the disease and the effects of measures to contain it. Until the public is confident that the disease is contained, a full recovery is unlikely,” he said.
Powell pointed to small businesses as being especially at risk.
“If a small or medium-sized business becomes insolvent because the economy recovers too slowly, we lose more than just that business,” he said. “These businesses are the heart of our economy and often embody the work of generations.”
The Federal Reserve’s Main Street lending program kicked off Monday, which supports lending to small and mid-sized businesses.
Small to mid-sized businesses are defined as those with 15,000 employees or fewer or those with business revenues of $5 billion or less.
Powell said the Fed will do what it can to help the country’s recovery, but did not outline any specific policies.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
