SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
SurveysNov 11, 2016
Forecast: The 10 Busiest Shopping Days of the Year
ShopperTrak on when the most shoppers will be in stores, plus why retailers shouldn’t open on Thanksgiving Day.
Chicago--The fact that Christmas falls on a Sunday this year will impact in-store shopping patterns, reducing the importance of Christmas Eve while likely leading to more crowded stores on Dec. 23 and the day after Christmas.
That is according to ShopperTrak, the Chicago-based company that has devices in stores that monitor foot traffic in order to give retailers insight into consumer behavior. The company is owned by Tyco Retail Solutions, which is part of Johnson Controls, an international company that provides performance and security solutions to retailers of all sizes.
The firm just released its annual list of the days it anticipates will see the most shoppers in stores this holiday season, as well as the days that will see the least.
Here are the days ShopperTrak expects to be the busiest this year.
1. Friday, Nov. 25, aka Black Friday
2. Monday, Dec. 26
3. Friday, Dec. 23
4. Saturday, Dec. 17
5. Saturday, Dec. 10
6. Saturday, Nov. 26
7. Thursday, Dec. 22
8. Saturday, Dec. 3
9. Sunday, Dec. 18
10. Wednesday, Dec. 21
One day conspicuously absent from this list is Christmas Eve, which this year is technically “Super Saturday,” as it is the last Saturday before Christmas this year.
ShopperTrak said that Super Saturday traditionally is busier the closer that it comes to Christmas Day, unless it also happens to be Christmas Eve, which is the case this year.
Because of that, the company said it is not expecting Dec. 24 to be a particularly busy shopping day, though this might not be the case for jewelers, many of whom usually are busy up until closing time on Christmas Eve.
This shift elevates the importance of Dec. 26 (No. 2 on the list) and Dec. 23 (No. 3 on the list), both of which are usually busier when they fall on or extend a weekend. That is the case this year, as the day before Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas fall on a Friday and a Monday, respectively, book-ending the weekend.
ShopperTrak also shared the five days in November and December that it expects to be the slowest in terms of in-store foot traffic.
1. Tuesday, Nov. 29
2. Wednesday, Nov. 30
3. Monday, Nov. 28, aka “Cyber Monday,” a big day for online shopping
4. Tuesday, Dec. 6
5. Monday, Dec. 5
Given its two lists, ShopperTrak offered some tips for retailers.
--Know that annual activity patterns remain consistent. Optimize staffing and inventory on the days that’ll be the busiest.
--Don’t open on Thanksgiving Day.
ShopperTrak research shows that opening on this holiday only impacts the distribution of traffic, not the overall volume of traffic. It also negatively impacts staff morale, which is why a number of big retailers are remaining closed on Thanksgiving this year.
--Don’t overreact. There’s usually a reason for daily ebbs and flows in the amount of traffic in the store, like the weather. Outline a well-reasoned game plan ahead of the holiday season and stick with it.
--Don’t overreact. There’s usually a reason for daily ebbs and flows in the amount of traffic in the store, like the weather. Outline a well-reasoned game plan ahead of the holiday season and stick with it.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
