Jewelry price inflation continues to moderate
Only time will tell if Wall Street speculation that inflation is real and here to stay is correct. But we do know this: In the jewelry industry, inflation has been cooling since mid 2008, both at the...
Couture 2009 to intro new VIP retail jewelers
New York--The Couture 2009 Show will open next Thursday, returning once again to the Wynn Las Vegas for six days of buying opportunities, plus a series of America's Best Jewelers workshops.
The Eight-Figure Independents: Luxury on hold
The "new normal" for America's Eight-Figure Independent retail jewelers means casting a critical eye on expenses, inventory, vendors and, in some cases, learning to do without.
The emerging minority majority
As new demographic estimates become available, I make it a practice to review the similarities and differences between the new numbers and last year's estimates. This time around, the significance...
HD Group chooses SGS for Hot Diamonds distribution
Seattle--The HD Group, a U.K.-based jewelry design and distribution company, has named Simon Golub and Sons (SGS) as the North American distributor for Hot Diamonds USA, the popular line of sterling...
U.S. sales looking up for Sterling
Hamilton, Bermuda--First-quarter same-store sales slid less than 3 percent for mega-retailer Sterling Jewelers Inc., a marked improvement for a chain that, like so many others, has struggled with...
Tough time for watch sales
New York--Watch sales are suffering at the hands of the economic slump like the rest of the luxury market, but more modestly priced and classic timepieces are poised to hold their own better than...
Tanishq searching for investor for U.S. stores
Chicago--Tanishq, the Indian jewelry chain that entered the U.S. market last August and has garnered praise for its unique store design, now is looking for an investing partner for its two U.S....
Survey: Wealthy now skipping jewels, private jets
New York--A new study shows that the richest Americans, unnerved by the state of the economy, are cutting back on spending money on luxury items, including jewelry, because they are worried about...
Economy propels silver price, demand in '08
Impacted by the current recession and overall state of the global economy, the silver market has moved into extremely unusual territory over the last year, according to The CPM Group's Silver Yearbook...
Survey: Walmart gains consumer share in downturn
Breckenridge, Colo.--With American consumers reluctant to pry open their wallets for retail spending, a greater percentage plan to spend more at longtime discount giant Walmart than at Target, a new...
Swiss watch sales continue to slide
Zurich--Swiss watch exports tumbled again in March, and the decline was particularly pronounced in the U.S. market, figures released by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH show.
Even in tough economy, bridal still booming
Even in today's tough economy, couples are still buying diamond engagement rings. So how can jewelers take advantage of the recession-proof bridal business? Customers fall for innovation, jewelers...
Gold-buyback company partners with FedEx
Sharon, Mass.--Cash for Gold USA, another company that offers consumers the chance to mail in unwanted gold jewelry for money, has entered into a partnership with FedEx in an effort to improve...
PGI-USA offers insight into male bridal consumer
New York--Communicating platinum's intrinsic value and inherent characteristics can make the difference in whether or not men purchase platinum bridal jewelry, according to the latest research from...
Tough holiday leads to cutbacks, worse for chains
New York--A disappointing 2008 holiday season left the country's major retailers scrambling to cut costs in 2009, with numerous chains--including Macy's and Target--sending American workers to...
America's Best Jewelers survey now open
New York--Retail jewelers interested in participating in the second annual America's Best Jewelers (ABJ) survey can now do so online, National Jeweler has announced.
EGL USA discovers tool to identify HPHT-treated diamonds
New York--EGL USA has discovered the first visual observational criteria for identifying high-pressure, high-temperature treated (HPHT) diamonds, the lab announced recently.
Internet drives demand for counterfeit watches
Basel--The United States is experiencing increased Internet demand for counterfeit watches, according to a report released here by IC-Agency, a digital luxury marketing company.
America's Best Jewelers announces Couture Show program
New York--America's Best Jewelers, National Jeweler's retailer business-improvement and social networking program, has unveiled its educational conference schedule for the 2009 Couture Show in Las...