This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Black Friday to reign as busiest shopping day
Four of the 10 busiest shopping days of the year will happen between Dec. 20 and 24, although Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is expected to remain the single busiest shopping day this holiday season, ShopperTrak said Tuesday.
Chicago--Four of the 10 busiest shopping days of the year will happen between Dec. 20 and 24, although Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is expected to remain the single busiest shopping day this holiday season, ShopperTrak said Tuesday.
This is the 10th year in a row that Black Friday is expected to be No. 1 in terms of sales and foot traffic for the holiday season.
“Super Saturday,” the final Saturday before Christmas that falls on Dec. 21 this year, will be the second-strongest shopping day of the season, followed by Dec. 22 and Dec. 20, ShopperTrak predicts.
“Some shopping days, like Black Friday and Super Saturday, are always busy. But calendar changes affect each holiday season differently. Because Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, it will create its own mid-week momentum without compromising the typically high weekend shopper activity,” said ShopperTrak founder Bill Martin.
The holiday shopping season is shortened this year as there are only four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, down from five last year.
ShopperTrak is predicting consumers will make fewer store visits in November and December--specifically 1 percent fewer than in 2012--but isn’t expecting the trend to translate into a decline in spending; rather, the company is forecasting a 2 percent rise in national retail sales compared to the same months last year.
The predicted 10 busiest days of the 2013 holiday shopping season are contained in the chart below, beginning with the busiest day.
Sales rank
Date
1
Friday, Nov. 29 (Black Friday)
2
Saturday, Dec. 21 (Super Saturday)
3
Sunday, Dec. 22
4
Friday, Dec. 20
5
Saturday, Dec. 14
6
Monday, Dec. 23
7
Thursday, Dec. 26 (day after Christmas)
8
Saturday, Nov. 30
9
Saturday, Dec. 7
10
Saturday, Dec. 28
Source: ShopperTrak
Last year’s 10 busiest shopping days accounted for more than one-third (36 percent) of sales of general merchandise, furniture and other products (GAFO) for the period of Black Friday (Nov. 23, 2012) through Jan. 5, 2013.
This year, ShopperTrak said stores will see slightly more traffic than last year on Black Saturday (Nov. 30), the day after Black Friday. In addition, the company says six out of the 10 busiest shopping days will be either a Saturday or Sunday.
“The four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas are pivotal for retailers. Though shoppers may wait until the weekends to hit the stores, they
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.