PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SurveysDec 15, 2017
NRF Says Nov. Retail Sales Up 6% Year-Over-Year
It’s an “impressive” start to the holiday season.
Online and other non-store sales rose 10.5 percent year-over-year in the month of November, second only to the gains recorded by building materials and garden supply stores, the National Retail Federation said Thursday.
Washington--The National Retail Federation said Thursday the same thing jewelers have been reporting for the past month: it has been a good holiday season so far.
Retail sales in November were up less than 1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis when compared with October, but are up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted.
Online sales are up nearly 11 percent year-over-year. (These sales figures exclude automobiles, gas and restaurants.)
In a news release, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz called it “an impressive start to the holiday season, perhaps the best in a few years,” and said he expects the momentum to carry into next year.
“Today’s report is indicative of a strong consumer who is confident about the current and future state of the economy,” he said. “The improved willingness to spend and the purchasing power of consumers will continue to be an economic driver of growth into 2018.”
The NRF’s findings mirror the reports coming out of the jewelry industry so far this season.
Retailers interviewed by National Jeweler immediately after Black Friday weekend said their holiday season had gotten off to a solid start. (National Jeweler will do its second round of holiday check-in calls Monday.)
InStore reported Tuesday that sales have remained strong, noting that “2017 remains on course to be the best holiday season in a while,” and Centurion noted the same in the second week of its “Holiday Sales Success Index.”
Looking at the NRF’s data on a category-by-category basis, building materials and garden supply stores posted the greatest year-over-year gains in November at 11 percent, followed by online and other non-store sales (10.5 percent), and furniture and home furnishings stores (9 percent).
Clothing and accessories stores recorded a 5 percent year-over-year increase.
The NRF said the November results indicate that sales are on track to meet its expectations for the holiday season.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
