TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
MajorsMar 03, 2016
Global luxury market surpasses trillion-dollar mark
A Bain & Company report shows that the global luxury industry has surpassed $1 trillion in retail sales value this year, with the category that includes jewelry and watches seeing slight but positive real growth.
Milan, Italy--The global luxury industry has surpassed $1 trillion in retail sales value this year, with the category that includes jewelry and watches seeing slight but positive real growth.
According to Bain & Company’s Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Monitor report released last week, the $1.120 trillion spent in luxury markets around the globe is a 5 percent year-over-year increase at constant exchange rates.
Spending in the personal luxury goods category--the category that includes jewelry and watches—has reached $253 billion, a 13 percent increase overall but only a 1 to 2 percent improvement at constant exchange rates.
In the report, Bain & Company identified three macro-economic events that hampered growth potential for the global luxury industry this year: the strength of the U.S. dollar, dissuading tourists from visiting the United States and driving Americans to buy their goods in Europe; the Chinese stock crisis impacting consumer confidence in the U.S.; and oil’s price drop reducing the wealth of most exposed economies and its key luxury consumers.
Around the world
In 2015, the strength of the U.S. dollar has continued to weaken luxury consumption in the Americas.
Department stores have suffered because of a slowdown in spending by both tourists and locals and played on promotions to bring in consumers. The off-price channel has become a top performer, with organized trips driving tourists to premium outlet centers and local shoppers looking for bargains while buying online, the report stated.
Canada also has witnessed improved luxury goods sales, as there has been decreased competition from the U.S. due to the strength of the dollar.
When it comes to cities, the report showed that the top luxury goods market in the world are New York, followed by Tokyo, Beijing, Milan, and Paris.
E-commerce
Online also has turned out to be a winner in 2015, as European and American retailers continued to actively respond to customer requests for an omnichannel experience.
Social e-commerce also has begun to pick up steam, the report said, with “buy” buttons transforming the role of social networks from pure referral to a retailer’s website to direct shopping on social platforms.
RELATED CONTENT: More social networks enter e-commerce
Mobile commerce also is becoming a central touchpoint and growing channel, with wearables potentially becoming the “new frontier of mobile,” Bain & Company said.
Off-price shopping
The U.S., Europe and Japan have been trending as the most-penetrated geographies when
it comes to off-price shopping in 2015, meaning that’s where most outlet stores have opened.
RELATED CONTENT: Macy’s gets into the off-price business
The report said luxury brands currently are reconsidering their strategic approach to the off-price channel, with some reducing markdowns in regular stores and instead shuttling slow-moving merchandise to outlet stores.
Jewelry and watches
Bain & Company said hard luxury accessories, which includes jewelry and watches, have had a trend of “polarized performance” in the past two years.
Global watch sales in 2015 have dropped by 6 percent year-over-year at constant exchange rates, impacted by the slowdown of the Asian economies, a trend occurring since 2013 that also has led to the worst Swiss export figures since 2009.
Global jewelry sales, meanwhile, have risen 6 percent at constant exchange rates, with the report stating that this category is evermore perceived as a safe investment in an uncertain economic and financial environment.
Though growing at a “slower” pace, luxury branded jewelry continues to outperform the overall luxury market, as jewelry remains among the top preferred investments thanks to the intrinsic value of the raw materials. What’s more, Bain & Company said global demand for diamonds still is growing, just at a more modest pace.
Additional takeaways from the report include:
--The personal luxury goods market still is a western one, but is being driven by masses of “borderless” consumers, consumers who travel everywhere and spend anywhere;
--Consumers from mature markets are more demanding and detached;
--Retail and mono-brand stores still are the favorite formats in which to invest;
--E-commerce is starting to become disruptive, yet brands still are struggling with it; and
--Growing value awareness and blurred pricing strategies are questioning the luxury value proposition.
“For the last several years, we’ve referenced ‘luxury’s new normal’ with a deceleration of the personal luxury goods market,” said Claudio D’Arpizio, a Bain & Company partner in Milan and lead author of the study. “Now, we are starting to feel the impact of that slowdown. The challenge for luxury brands in this environment is how to successfully navigate through hard-to-predict volatility.”
The complete Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Monitor report can be found here.
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
