U.S. Jewelry Sales Post Weak Rise in March

Sales of fine jewelry and fine watches rose by a paltry 1.6 percent in the U.S. market in March 2017, when compared to the same month a year ago, as the graph below illustrates.

Sales were an estimated $5.5 billion, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Commerce Department. The March increase was only half that recorded in March 2016. Indeed, the March increase is the smallest since January 2016.

Outlook Optimistic for 2017 Jewelry Sales

While chain jewelers have been reporting generally soft sales for the most recent fiscal quarter ended January 2017, independent jewelers have generally been reporting stronger sales gains.

Our preliminary forecast for jewelry sales gains in the U.S. market for 2017 is a gain in the four percent range, year-over-year. 

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