AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101KA pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.
SurveysJan 17, 2018
NRF: Holiday Retail Sales Rose More Than 5%
The National Retail Federation’s final figures for the 2017 holiday season are in, and they’re even better than expected.
Holiday retail sales during November and December reached $691.9 billion, the NRF said; the 5.5 percent increase over the prior year was the largest since 2010.
Washington--The National Retail Federation’s final figures for the 2017 holiday season are in, and they’re even better than expected.
The retail trade association said November-December sales were up 5.5 percent unadjusted over the same two-month period in 2016 to $691.9 billion, as growing wages, stronger employment and higher confidence led consumers to spend more.
The results beat the NRF’s forecast of a 3.6 to 4 percent increase in sales.
It also marked the largest increase since the 5.2 percent year-over-year gain seen in 2010 after the recession, mirroring the findings of the MasterCard SpendingPulse report released at the end of December.
Of the $600 billion-plus in total sales, $138.4 billion came in the form of online and other non-store sales, an 11.5 percent increase over last year. That was within the NRF’s forecasted range of 11 to 15 percent, albeit at the low end.
The month of December was up 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from November and up 4.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year. Retail sales in November, as the NRF reported earlier, were up less than 1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis when compared with October, but were up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted.
According to the NRF, there were increases in every retail category except sporting goods.
Clothing and accessories sales were up 2.7 percent unadjusted year-over year, while electronics and appliance sales increased 6.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year, and sales of furniture and home furnishings rose 7.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
There were a number of factors contributing to the strong season, the NRF said, including unemployment’s 17-year low, an increase in income, strong consumer confidence and a rising stock market.
Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz noted the following: the season came after three of the strongest monthly year-over-year gains for retail sales since the fourth quarter of 2014; nominal disposable personal income was up a combined 3.5 percent year-over-year in October and November; and consumers were feeling better about using their credit cards, with outstanding balances up 6 percent year-over-year.
“The economy was in great shape going into the holiday season, and retailers had the right mix of inventory, pricing and staffing to help them connect with shoppers very efficiently,” he said.
“Strong employment and more money in consumers’ pockets, along with the news of tax cuts, clearly helped with the pace of shopping. The market conditions were right, retailers were doing what they know how to do, and it all worked.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
We think the willingness to spend and growing purchasing power seen during the holidays will be key drivers of the 2018 economy.”
More on Surveys
The Latest
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade SummitThe event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ CharmThe charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
