(IDEX Online News) – The good news is that specialty jewelers in the United States posted a very strong sales gain for the month in July – up 8.0%.

 

The full analysis of the jewelry sales data is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members here.

 

However, July is the second lowest month of the year, after January, for jewelry sales, typically representing just 6.6% of total annual jewelry sales. 

 

Consequently, the numbers for the month are too small to be particularly meaningful or to provide a reliable signpost for where sales are headed.

 

For jewelry and watch retailers, overall, in July, there were modest sales rises – up 4.2 percent on the year to $5.58 billion, based on preliminary US government figures.

 

 

Looking at the January-July period of this year, jewelry store sales have increased by close to 5% to more than $17.5 billion.

 

 

 Total Jewelry Sales +8.0%

Jewelry sales alone, excluding watches, increased by 8.0 percent on the year in July to $2.37 billion, based on US Department of Commerce data.

 

Fine Watch Sales +5.1%

Fine watch sales rose by 5.1 percent in July to just under $670 million.

 

Outlook

The latest data appear to show that the retail jewelry environment remains firm if not spectacular.

 

Overall, however, the summer months are, as usual, relatively quiet. Retailers and jewelry analysts will be waiting for the fall and early winter months for signs of increasing consumer appetite for jewelry as the Christmas sales season kicks in.

 

The full analysis of the jewelry sales data is available to IDEX Online Research subscribers and IDEX Online members. Click here for more information on how to subscribe or become a member.