Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsNov 28, 2017
NRF: 174M Americans Shopped Over Thanksgiving Weekend
This exceeded the National Retail Federation’s expectations, as consumers took advantage of deals and good weather.
Washington--More than 174 million Americans shopped in stores and online between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation.
This beat the NRF’s initial estimate that 164 million people would shop over the weekend.
This year marked the first that the National Retail Federation included Cyber Monday data in its final review of the weekend, which, combined with a new methodology for gathering numbers, means that it cannot make comparisons to previous years.
Though the NRF did not release total sales numbers for the weekend, it said overall, it was a strong start to the holiday season for retailers.
In a conference call Tuesday, CEO Matthew Shay attributed retailers’ performance to a number of factors: positive consumer sentiment, the overall health of the macro economy, favorable weather across the country and an investment from retailers in both the in-store experience and technology.
Shay also added that for first time in several years, there were no disruptive external factors, like the so-called fiscal cliff, a government shutdown, elections or Brexit, looming over the weekend.
These positive results from the NRF mirror what many jewelers told National Jeweler Monday morning when asked how the start of the holiday shopping season went for them.
According to the NRF, among those who shopped over the weekend, 60 percent said they were mostly driven to shop by the sales. Forty eight percent said the deals they saw this weekend were better than those earlier in the season, which indicates that retailers were ready with the right inventory mixes at good prices, Shay said.
The average spend per person over the five-day period was $335.47.
The demographic that spent the most was the 25- to 34-year-old age group at $419.52. Interestingly, 50 percent of that age group was shopping at department stores, either in store or online.
Fifty eight million consumers shopped exclusively online, 51 million shopped exclusively in store and 65 million did both. The multichannel shopper spent $82, or 32 percent more, on average than the online-only shopper, and $49, or 17 percent more, on average than the in-store shopper.
Top shopping destinations included department stores (43 percent), online retailers (42 percent), electronic stores (32 percent), clothing and accessories stores (31 percent), and discount stores (31 percent).
Some of the most popular gifts purchased included clothing or accessories (58 percent), toys (38 percent), books and other media (31 percent), electronics
(30 percent) and gift cards (23 percent).
The most popular day for in-store shopping was Black Friday followed by Small Business Saturday. The top two days consumers shopped online were Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
Still, according to the NRF, 91 percent of shoppers still have more shopping to do and 90 percent of them expect promotions to be the same or better as the holiday season progresses.
“A big key (to meeting expectations) is going to be capturing the momentum that we’ve seen over the last few days, turning that consumer interest into actual sales,” Shay said. “To make that happen, I think we’ll see retailers focusing on their inventory management, pulling all the levers that they can in all areas so ensure they’ve got the right product in the right place, the merchandising mix, the pricing mix, the marketing.”
The most popular day for in-store shopping was Black Friday followed by Small Business Saturday. The top two days consumers shopped online were Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
RELATED CONTENT: The 10 Days Predicted to be the Busiest This Holiday SeasonLooking ahead, Shay said he expects a strong holiday season, between the success of this weekend and the four full weekends of shopping left.
Still, according to the NRF, 91 percent of shoppers still have more shopping to do and 90 percent of them expect promotions to be the same or better as the holiday season progresses.
“A big key (to meeting expectations) is going to be capturing the momentum that we’ve seen over the last few days, turning that consumer interest into actual sales,” Shay said. “To make that happen, I think we’ll see retailers focusing on their inventory management, pulling all the levers that they can in all areas so ensure they’ve got the right product in the right place, the merchandising mix, the pricing mix, the marketing.”
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
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.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
