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.
SurveysJan 04, 2021
Online Jewelry Sales Up 46% This Holiday Season, Mastercard Says
It was a bright spot for the category, where overall retail sales were down 4 percent between Oct. 11-Dec. 24.
Though overall jewelry retail sales were down this holiday season, e-commerce sales boomed, rising 44.6 percent, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. Pictured here are diamond and platinum engagement rings from the Forevermark x Micaela collection.
New York—Online sales provided a bright spot this holiday season in many categories while overall retail sales saw mixed results, according to insights from Mastercard.
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales excluding automotive and gas were up 3 percent during the extended holiday period, from Oct. 11 to Dec. 24 (measured as such because consumers started shopping earlier this year).
Within that, online sales powered ahead 49 percent compared with 2019.
SpendingPulse measures overall retail spending trends across all payment types.
During the traditional holiday period—Nov. 1 to Dec. 24—retail sales were up by 2.4 percent and e-commerce was up 47.2 percent compared with 2019.
“American consumers turned the holiday season on its head, redefining ‘home for the holidays’ in a uniquely 2020 way. They shopped from home for the home, leading to record e-commerce growth,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated.
E-commerce sales comprised 19.7 percent of overall retail sales, the firm said, up from 13.4 percent last year.
When looking at overall spending during the expanded holiday season, home furniture and furnishings saw the strongest growth of any sector when compared with last year’s holiday season, up 16.2 percent; the category grew 31 percent online specifically.
Home improvement was also up, growing 14.1 percent with e-commerce sales up 79.7 percent.
Meanwhile, jewelry was down 4.3 percent but up 44.6 percent online.
Apparel saw a decline of about 19.1 percent year-over-year but was up 15.7 percent online, while electronics and appliances were up 6 percent overall.
Department stores saw overall sales decline 10.2 percent while online sales were up 3.3 percent, reinforcing the importance of omnichannel this year; buy online, pick up in store as well as features like contactless services were key for retailers this season.
Luxury goods, excluding jewelry, were down 21.1 percent overall.
Not surprisingly, given that retailers started their holiday advertising and promotions earlier this year, there were fewer last-minute shoppers this year than 2019.
This can be shown by the season’s biggest shopping days.
Though Black Friday shopping was down 16.1 percent, it was still the top spending day of the 2020 holiday season, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse.
At No. 2 was the day after Black Friday, known as Small Business Saturday, whereas in 2019 the No. 2 day was the Saturday before Christmas, or Super Saturday.
At No. 3 this year was Saturday,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Dec. 12, compared to last year’s No. 3—Dec. 23.
No. 4 this year was Dec. 11, followed by Nov. 30 and then Nov. 25.
No. 4 this year was Dec. 11, followed by Nov. 30 and then Nov. 25.
More on Surveys
The Latest
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.
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 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
