Study: Online holiday sales drop 3 percent
Reston, Va.--Online spending for the 2008 holiday season decreased 3 percent to $25.5 billion, compared with $26.3 billion for the corresponding shopping days last year, according to the latest...
Recent online spending strong, but down for season
The most recent week of the holiday season saw several strong online spending days, but for the season in total, online sales are down 1 percent compared with last year, according to the latest...
NRF: 41 million yet to shop for holidays
Washington--The average person had completed 47.1 percent of their holiday shopping by the second week of December, which is about 10 percent less than the 52.6 percent average completed by this time...
NRF: Late Black Friday darkens November sales
Washington--Though shoppers came out in full force on Black Friday weekend, the National Retail Federation (NRF) says Thanksgiving's later date this year is one factor that contributed to a drop in...
Blue Nile ratchets up financing program
Seattle—For jewelers, the competition from online retailers during the holiday season is sure to heat up again this year.
Survey: Luxury, jewelry sales, not very jolly
Purchase, N.Y.--Luxury sales, especially sales of jewelry, slowed dramatically this holiday season, a survey from MasterCard Advisors shows.
Study: Online holiday sales show relative strength
Reston, Va.--Online sales for the first 51 days of the 2008 November-December holiday season are down 1 percent to $24.71 billion, compared with $24.96 billion for the same period last year, according...
Study: Love's on a budget this Valentine's Day
Los Angeles--Valentine's Day spending is expected to drop 4.8 percent to $28.6 billion this year compared with 2008, as lovers choose candy and cards rather than bouquets and bling, according to the...
Snow stalls jewelry sales, but men still buying
New York--The economic slowdown and severe snowstorms packed a one-two punch for jewelers this weekend, with many reporting slow sales despite new sales tactics, while others celebrated the last-minut...
Study: Online sales up 7 percent
Reston, Va.--Online sales increased 7 percent to $4.45 billion for the week following Cyber Monday (Dec. 1-7), compared with the same period last year, according to ComScore.
GIA Lab offers Holiday Express Service
Carlsbad, Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that the GIA Laboratory will again offer its Holiday Express Service during the holiday season, from Dec. 1-19.
Retailers banking on strong 'Cyber Monday'
Washington--More than 80 percent of online retailers have planned special promotions for "Cyber Monday" in an effort to attract more buyers in this sluggish economy, a new survey finds.
Last minute boosts lackluster jewelry sales
New York--Last-minute sales of lower-priced pieces last week helped a few jewelers break even for the year, but many who spoke with National Jeweler on Monday reported a drop in holiday sales and much...
A holiday to-do list for jewelry salespeople
Doug Fleener, National Jeweler "Your Store" columnist and author of The Profitable Retailer, offers 10 actions you can take to have an enjoyable and successful holiday season:
Create a successful holiday with POP
You don't have to be an expert to see that the 2008 holiday shopping season could be the most challenging in years. But that doesn't mean your store won't be a success. Here are some tips to make your...
NRF: Consumers cautious on Mother's Day spending
Washington--Americans will spend an average of $123.89 on Mother's Day gifts this year, down slightly from last year's $138.63, with the majority purchasing flowers, according to the latest research...
Regional report on Mother's Day: How were sales?
How were jewelry sales this Mother's Day and what items were consumers buying? National Jeweler asked retailers around the country to weigh in for our Regional Report.
NRF forecasts dip in Valentine's Day sales
Washington--With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, the latest research from the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows that there will be a little less love for jewelers this year.
Study: Online spending tops $840M on Cyber Monday
Reston, Va.--E-commerce spending jumped 15 percent to $846 million on Cyber Monday, the second heaviest online spending day on record, according to the latest research from ComScore.
America's Best Jewelers swap marketing ideas at JA
New York--Discussing everything from their successes with direct-mail gift certificates to sales events that hit home, jewelers had a chance to share best-practice ideas with their peers at the...