MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsNov 09, 2012
The storms have passed
Thursday (Nov. 8) was the first day back in the office for most of the National Jeweler team following Superstorm Sandy, and we are doing our best to try to get back into the groove.
It is difficult though, with so many people here still so out of sync. Many are homeless and in need of basic supplies while others who have a home remain without power amid temperatures that have been dropping into the 20s and 30s at night. Our publisher, Whitney Sielaff, is among those who, at least as of Friday, remained without power at his home in a rural area of western New Jersey.As those in the Northeast work to piece their lives back together, time marches on. The election is over and, as hard as it is to believe, Thanksgiving is only about two weeks from now, which means the holiday shopping season is basically here.
So, what impact will the two major “storms,” Hurricane Sandy and the U.S. presidential election, have on the upcoming holiday season? Though there is much speculation, the answer that seems to rings clearest is: probably not too much.
Prior to the election, Unity Marketing President Pam Danziger issued a press release stating that Republican challenger Mitt Romney would be better for business if elected because wealthy consumers feel that he is on their side. Conversely, they feel the Obama administration “is coming straight for them” with increased taxes, regulations and health-care costs.
Interestingly, the day before the election, Danziger’s marketing firm issued a press release stating that wealthy consumers are feeling better about the economy and more confident about their futures, and actually spent significantly more money in the third quarter than they did in the second quarter.
So, I felt it my patriotic duty to circle back to Danziger and ask her what she expected for the fourth quarter, with the understanding of course that this third-quarter enthusiasm enveloped the country’s richest citizens before Obama won re-election on Nov. 6. (Though, one could argue, anyone that had the good sense to listen to The New York Times numbers guru Nate Silver knew Obama was going to win well beforehand.)
What Danziger said basically is that she doesn’t have any fourth-quarter predictions, that it is “anybody’s guess.” She said was “very surprised” by the positive perspective expressed in the third-quarter survey.
Danziger also noted that apparently many “business people and pundits” agree that a Romney presidency would have been better for business as the stock market took a nosedive on Nov. 7, a point that has been made elsewhere.
Danziger’s
perspective on Romney vs. Obama was interesting to me, especially since most of the jewelers I spoke with in the run-up to the election said that while business might stall before the big day, it returns to normal afterward no matter who wins. People will get back to shopping regardless if their candidate won or lost; they just like to know the outcome.
And in his holiday forecast, longtime industry analyst Ken Gassman predicted some “lingering negative impact, especially as the losers,” (Romney and the Republicans, in this case) he wrote, “lick their wounds.”
But he expects that retail sales will return to normal about four to six weeks after the election, meaning some time in early December.
As for Sandy’s impact on the holiday season, Gassman said his guess right now is that jewelry sales in the aggregate U.S. won’t be affected that much, just as they didn’t decline as much as expected following 9/11.
He still doing some Silver-like number-crunching to determine what Sandy might mean for retailers in the Northeast, though, so it’s definitely something we’ll be revisiting here in the coming weeks.
And in his holiday forecast, longtime industry analyst Ken Gassman predicted some “lingering negative impact, especially as the losers,” (Romney and the Republicans, in this case) he wrote, “lick their wounds.”
But he expects that retail sales will return to normal about four to six weeks after the election, meaning some time in early December.
As for Sandy’s impact on the holiday season, Gassman said his guess right now is that jewelry sales in the aggregate U.S. won’t be affected that much, just as they didn’t decline as much as expected following 9/11.
He still doing some Silver-like number-crunching to determine what Sandy might mean for retailers in the Northeast, though, so it’s definitely something we’ll be revisiting here in the coming weeks.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
