Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
SurveysJul 17, 2020
June Retail Sales Up 8%, But COVID-19 Threat Looms Large
A rise in COVID-19 cases combined with rising unemployment numbers is a threat to economic recovery, said the National Retail Federation.
Retail sales were on the rise in June as store reopenings continued, but an increase in COVID-19 cases have led some to close again.
New York—U.S. retail sales were on the rise in June, but a climb in COVID-19 cases and unemployment numbers remain a threat to the sector.
Retail sales, including food sales, climbed 8 percent month-over-month in June to $524.3 billion, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce Thursday morning.
The results came in ahead of the 5 percent increase economists had expected.
In May, retail sales climbed 18 percent month-over-month following a 15 percent drop in April.
June sales were up 1.1 percent compared with June 2019, the first year-over-year gain since February, near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED CONTENT: Independent Jewelers See Sales Grow in June“The retail sales numbers from last month were very encouraging and reflect continued progress in the right direction,” said National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay in a press release.
The NRF also calculates monthly retail sales, narrowing in on core retail and excluding auto sales, gas stations, and restaurants.
Its calculations show June sales were up 5 percent seasonally adjusted from May and up 9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Looking at the commerce department’s data by category, clothing and accessories stores saw the strongest sales gains in June, up 105 percent month-over-month.
Shay said consumers are happy to be back out in their communities and have money to spend as a result of congressional relief packages, but noted retailers are remaining cautious about safety in light of the recent spikes in infection rates.
The rise of COVID-19 cases, especially in states in the South and West, has prompted businesses to pause reopenings or close again, sending unemployment numbers higher.
That uncertainty doesn’t bode well for an economic recovery.
Retail spending is driving an economic recovery, said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, but how long retail spending will improve is directly related to the spread of COVID-19 cases.
“All eyes are on the infections that are accelerating in many parts of the country and they pose a serious threat to recovery,” he said.
Florida, a hotspot for the virus in recent weeks, had more than 315,000 cases and 4,677 deaths as of July 16.
NRF co-signed a letter to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. governors earlier this month calling for a national mask standard in the hopes of slowing the spread of the virus.
“Recoveries do not proceed in a straight line and no two are alike,” Kleinhenz said. “The current economy is far from normal and
will require a lengthy period to absorb job losses and build up to where it was before.”
Though government aid for consumers and businesses has helped, Kleinhenz said additional relief will be needed.
A new coronavirus relief package may be in the works when Congress returns from its holiday recess July 20.
Though government aid for consumers and businesses has helped, Kleinhenz said additional relief will be needed.
A new coronavirus relief package may be in the works when Congress returns from its holiday recess July 20.
More on Surveys
The Latest
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
