FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury WatchesDuring its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.
MajorsDec 29, 2017
Holiday Retail Sales See Biggest Increase Since 2011
Strong consumer confidence and more online and late-season shopping helped them grow by 5 percent this year, according to the MasterCard SpendingPulse report.
Purchase, N.Y.--Holiday retail sales saw their largest increase since 2011 this year, according to MasterCard, due to strong consumer confidence and more online and late-season shopping.
The company’s SpendingPulse report showed that holiday sales were up almost 5 percent this year, setting a new record for dollars spent. (MasterCard did not release the final dollar amount.)
The report details holiday shopping from November 1 through December 24 and covers retail sales across all payment types, including cash and check.
It also showed that online shopping saw massive growth of 18 percent when compared with 2016, boosted by plenty of late-season shopping.
Other key findings of the Mastercard SpendingPulse report include the following.
--Many shoppers were focused on home-related purchases. Electronics and appliances increased by nearly 8 percent, the category’s strongest growth in the past decade. Home furniture and furnishings, meanwhile, grew 5 percent, as did home improvement.
--Specialty apparel and department stores, both of which usually see the bulk of sales happening in store, saw moderate gains, which is “particularly impressive given recent store closings,” MasterCard said.
--Heavy promotions early in the season by retailers paid off, with the first three weeks of November seeing significant growth.
--Shoppers also were spending late into the holiday season, with Dec. 23 falling only after Black Friday in terms of single-day spending. This was a boon to certain categories, including jewelry. Jewelry grew 5.9 percent, largely driven by last-minute sales.
“Evolving consumer preferences continue to play out in the aisles and online sites of retailers across the U.S.,” said Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president of Market Insights, Mastercard. “Overall, this year was a big win for retail. The strong U.S. economy was a contributing factor, but we also have to recognize that retailers who tried new strategies to engage holiday shoppers were the beneficiaries of this sales increase.”
Though the National Retail Federation has not yet released its final holiday sales numbers--it will do so in mid-January--CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement to National Jeweler:
“This holiday season’s big winners--in addition to consumers--were retailers of all shapes and sizes across all segments. From online and luxury retailers to department and discount stores, from Main Street to mega stores and everything in between, traffic and sales were generally up. In October, NRF forecasted holiday retail sales to increase between 3.6 and 4 percent for a total of $678.75
billion to $682 billion. When we issue our final holiday retail sales numbers in early January, we anticipate meeting or exceeding the higher end of that forecast.”
ShopperTrak, which monitors foot traffic in retail stores, has also released some figures for the holiday season.
According to the firm, in-store retail traffic on Super Saturday (Dec. 23) increased 20 percent compared with last year’s Super Saturday, supporting its belief that the importance of the day increases based on its proximity to Christmas Day.
As there was a full weekend before Christmas Day this year, with both Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 providing shopping opportunities, retail traffic increased more than 145 percent during the overall weekend when compared with last year.
Additionally, Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 saw a 3 percent increase in traffic when compared to last year’s Super Saturday Weekend.
However, the work week (Dec. 18 through Dec. 22) significantly underperformed when compared with the work week leading into Christmas Day last year, showing a 13 percent decrease in shopper traffic.
Looking ahead, one of the 10 busiest shopping days still remains: Saturday, Dec. 30.
To capitalize on shopper demand, retailers will need to make sure their store is stocked with all the right product assortments and price points, ShopperTrak said.
ShopperTrak, which monitors foot traffic in retail stores, has also released some figures for the holiday season.
According to the firm, in-store retail traffic on Super Saturday (Dec. 23) increased 20 percent compared with last year’s Super Saturday, supporting its belief that the importance of the day increases based on its proximity to Christmas Day.
As there was a full weekend before Christmas Day this year, with both Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 providing shopping opportunities, retail traffic increased more than 145 percent during the overall weekend when compared with last year.
Additionally, Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 saw a 3 percent increase in traffic when compared to last year’s Super Saturday Weekend.
However, the work week (Dec. 18 through Dec. 22) significantly underperformed when compared with the work week leading into Christmas Day last year, showing a 13 percent decrease in shopper traffic.
Looking ahead, one of the 10 busiest shopping days still remains: Saturday, Dec. 30.
To capitalize on shopper demand, retailers will need to make sure their store is stocked with all the right product assortments and price points, ShopperTrak said.
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsNov 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rosior’s Pumpkin RingRosior’s high jewelry cocktail ring with orange sapphires and green diamonds is the perfect Thanksgiving accessory.
IndependentsNov 26, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Colorful Holiday CampaignThe “Embrace Your True Colors” campaign features jewels with a vibrant color palette and poetry by Grammy-nominated artist Aja Monet.
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.
Events & AwardsNov 26, 2025
Grandview Klein Presents 4 Scholarships in NamibiaThe company gave awards to four students at the Namibia University of Science & Technology, including one who is a Grandview Klein employee.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik DiesShe is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.
SourcingNov 25, 2025
Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in JohannesburgIt joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
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.
TrendsNov 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Polka DotsThe polka dot pattern transcends time and has re-emerged as a trend in jewelry through round-shaped gemstones.
CrimeNov 25, 2025
Former Arizona AG Official Charged With Trafficking Stolen JewelryVanessa Hickman, 49, allegedly sold a diamond bracelet that was mistakenly sent to her home.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest HonorGIA’s former president and CEO was presented with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media EtiquetteSocial media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal GenèveIn 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' SequelThe second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.
IndependentsNov 24, 2025
J.R. Dunn Jewelers Names New PresidentSecond-generation jeweler Sean Dunn has taken on the role.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
