Articles and News

Merrick, NY—A week before Christmas, luxury jewelers are feeling fairly merry about the season. According to the Centurion Holiday Sales Success Index, a weekly spot-check survey of prestige jewelers across the United States, 60% of respondents are experiencing sales growth over the 2012 holiday season, with more than one-fourth of respondents reporting sales gains of 10% or greater over last year’s figures. 20% of respondents said their increases are between 6% and 10%, and 13.3% are seeing more modest increases between 1% and 5%.

Another 13.3% of respondents report sales are even with last year—no gains, but no dips either.

Some jewelers—26.7% of respondents—are experiencing a tougher year this year, with customers clearly tightening their belts. “Very cautious shopping,” commented one respondent, while another said “Too much Pandora, not enough diamonds.”

Overall, 46% of respondents reported their average tickets are higher this year, and 30.7% report lower average tickets. Among higher ticket sales, respondents report diamonds, vintage pieces, and gold watches as the big sellers. Among lower tickets, it’s fashion jewelry and, as stated above, Pandora.

Respondents also report more sales via online channels and a lot more competitive shopping.

For the third week of the holiday season, more than one-fourth of respondents (26.7%, red slice) reported sales gains of more than 10% over holiday 2012. Another 20% reported gains between 6% and 10% (purple slice), and 13.3% had modest gains between 1% and 5% (blue slice). 13.3% (orange slice) are running even with last year, while 20% have experienced a significant drop (aqua slice) and 6.7% saw drops between 6% and 10% (brown slice).

Top image: lodging.uptake.com