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<\/a><\/a>The number of people shopping in-store and online for the recent Thanksgiving Weekend was 186.4 million, down from a robust 189.6 million in 2019. Online-only shoppers increased by 44% for the weekend, to a total of 95.7 million, it stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the first 10 months of 2020, retail sales (excluding gas, auto and food services) increased by 6.4% from the year earlier, according to the National Retail Federation\u2019s analysis of US Census Bureau data. It predicts that 2020 could become one of the best years in the overall retail sector in the past 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splurging at luxury chains like Neiman Marcus Group Inc. and Saks Fifth Avenue to Macy\u2019s Inc. and Signet Jewelers Ltd. is one trend that retailers note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to jewellery, a recent New York Times<\/em> report suggested diamonds and the sale of engagement rings has helped fuel US sales. The paper quoted Israel-based diamond analyst Edahn Golan who said that retail jewellery sales grew by $1 billion in the period June to August compared to 2019. Sales had previously plummeted by $3.8 billion in March and April when shops closed, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get a feel for the Thanksgiving period, Solitaire International<\/em> spoke with a number of independent retailers and majors such as the Pandora Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael Karaman, owner of the Ohio-based diamond dealers, James Free Jewelers, reported that over the Thanksgiving weekend, loose diamonds (2.50 carats and up) Rolex, Patek Philippe, diamond studs, and branded products, including Roberto Coin, Yurman, Mikimoto, and Gucci, sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re really keeping our eye on what is selling in our market and we have a very strong web presence. Sales are up this year,\u201d he told Solitaire<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for Indian jewellery he said: \u201cWe do buy loose diamonds directly from India. This category is doing exceptionally well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in 1926, London Jewelers has six stores on the East Coast, including Manhattan and The Hamptons. Scott Saunders, Senior VP-Business Development told Solitaire<\/em>: \u201cWe saw sales across the board in watches and jewellery. Brand sales such as Rolex, Van Cleef and Arpels and Cartier led the way for Thanksgiving. Overall, business was very strong and quite similar to last year,\u201d he added. \u201cSales have been good since the reopening in June, and we are very pleased with the support of our clients and community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for Indian jewellery, he added: \u201cWe do have products from a few Indian suppliers and that has always been an important part of our private label collections. Trends veer towards heritage brands and then on the fun\/fashion side, we are seeing the trend in layering of multiple necklaces with charms and baubles dangling from them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lux Bond & Green is a small family-owned and operated retail jeweller in Connecticut and Masachussetes with six store locations. In its fifth generation, it is the oldest continuously operating family jeweller in New England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Green, President and CEO, told Solitaire<\/em> that over the Thanksgiving weekend, \u201cTraffic was better than expected, but it\u2019s never really a great weekend for us as it\u2019s a mall, and an electronic and family weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added: \u201cThe weather was good, and we had a lot of shoppers for themselves and not a lot of holiday shopping. The watch and diamond business continues to thrive during these times, and we made several engagement ring and diamond stud earring sales. Units were 2% ahead and business and about 10% ahead of 2019. The months that we have been open the entire month have all shown growth year-over-year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indian jewellery is part of the line-up: \u201cWe have been selling jewellery made in India since the 1980s. It is part of our overall merchandising, but we don\u2019t designate what is made in other countries except the USA, Italy and Germany,\u201d he said. As for trends, he added: \u201cThe only trends are that the diamond basic business has been strong and fashion more challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Melissa Geiser of Stanley Korshak in Dallas, \u201cWe have been selling casual diamond earrings and diamond chains with pendants – easy-to-wear casual pieces. November was a tough month during the election and was down compared to last year, but sales overall this year (year to date) were better than expected. After the initial drop in March and April, sales started to increase and track flat to last year. We are ahead for the moment in December, but need to finish these last two-plus weeks strong to maintain the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI sell several Indian brands and they are doing okay. One less expensive collection that has a lot of colour is having a great season,\u201d Geiser said. As for trends, she noted, \u201cSmaller earrings that are \u201cmask friendly\u201d are doing well. Important diamond earrings that are worn \u201ccasual\u201d, diamond riviera necklace worn in a layered look with several pendants. Pendants, pendants and more pendants, plus coloured enamel has been strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a>