Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
Early Report Indicates the Season Finished Strong
A survey from MasterCard shows that a last-minute surge in spending by consumers helped retail sales finish 8 percent up over last year.
New York--Shoppers waited until the final days before Christmas to finish their shopping, made a significant amount of their purchases online and continued to spend on experiences, such as dining and travel.
That’s what early data, released Dec. 28 by MasterCard, shows about the 2015 holiday season.
According to MasterCard SpendingPulse, U.S. retail sales (excluding gas and auto) were up nearly 8 percent year-over-year between Black Friday and Christmas Eve. SpendingPulse is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network and survey-based estimates of how much people spent using other payments forms, such as cash and check.
Online sales experienced a solid double-digit gain, climbing 20 percent over last year, according to SpendingPulse.
A lot of that money, however, seemingly was spent on one site--Amazon. The e-commerce giant reported that it saw a record-breaking holiday season, shipping 200 million more items through its Prime subscription service between Nov. 1 and Dec. 19 than it did during the same period last year.
RELATED CONTENT: What Sold in Jewelry Stores the Week of Christmas
The SpendingPulse survey cited women’s apparel and, interestingly enough, furniture as two of the categories that showed strong sales growth over the holiday season. The survey also noted that lower gas prices helped to boost retail sales.
What didn’t do well this holiday season, however, was luxury.
High-end watch and jewelry sales were hurt by a stronger dollar, which discouraged spending by foreign tourists.
And, as Bloomberg reporter Shannon Pettypiece noted in an interview, many wealthy individuals still are hesitant to put “that flashiness” on display in the post-recession world, and instead are spending their money on experiences, such as dining and travel.
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.