Jewelers Are Optimistic for Q4
Interviews with jewelry retailers reveals a clear sense of optimism for fourth quarter sales.
One-on-one interviews with jewelry retailers across the United States, part of recent research released by De Beers, reveals a clear sense of optimism for fourth quarter sales.
Although jewelers remain cautious how potential new outbreaks and winding down economic stimulus will impact consumer confidence, those that have reopened following lockdown experienced pent-up demand from consumers driven by strong engagement ring sales, jewelry gifts being upgraded as an alternative to travel, and a stronger season than normal for graduation gifting.
De Beersā research found that as consumers in the U.S. reassess their purchasing behavior in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, gifts that are meaningful and retain their value will be the priority as people emerge from lockdown, finds research released by the De Beers Group in June.
esearch demonstrated that the lockdown made many consumers feel grateful for things they used to take for granted, such as spending time with family, and that this would influence their future purchasing and gifting behavior. Ninety percent said that choosing gifts that hold their value over time would be an important consideration this holiday season, and more people chose diamonds as the top choice for a gift of this nature from a list of luxury items.
While consumers felt safest shopping for jewelry online; they distinguished local independent jewelers as the best source for knowledge and product quality, as well as being considered the safest of all the physical outlets for jewelry shopping.
āRetailers that are able to provide a safe and welcoming in-store environment for consumers in what is a strange and unsettling time will be best placed to benefit in the weeks and months ahead,ā said Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group in a statement. āIt is heartening to hear initial reports of positive demand for diamond jewelry as consumers emerge from lockdown and the industry starts preparing for the important end of year sales season.ā
Despite the pandemic, and the consequent growth in online diamond jewelry sales, consumers still prefer to shop in-store where they can receive expert advice and personal attention. This was the case even with digital-savvy Millennial and Gen-Z consumers, as 59 percent prefer the in-store experience.
Diamonds
While consumer confidence and spending has been significantly impacted in the U.S., De Beersā research finds that diamonds will have a unique role to play in peopleās lives in a post-lockdown world as they seek to celebrate their most meaningful relationships.
Another key trend identified by NDC is mix-and-match diamond earrings. The report hails it an easy way to curate personal style, as women can wear classic diamond studs with a diamond drop or geometric-shaped earrings. The report finds jewelry designers are increasingly selling single earrings for this purpose, calling it an affordable way to create a style upgrade.
Silver
With gold prices shy of $2,000-an-ounce silver is enjoying attention for its affordability, as well as its fashion status and anti-microbial position in these COVID times. A recent consumer survey, sponsored by the Silver Promotion Service (SPS) and conducted by MVI Marketing, finds a high level of pent-up demand for jewelry, and intent to buy silver jewelry during and post COVID-19.
āWhat we know is that jewelry is an emotional purchase that has always been the perfect gift to mark special occasions, express oneās love, and celebrate personal achievements and self-rewards,ā reports SPS, underscoring how silver jewelry provides wide options in design and price points and delivers great turn and ROI.
The study finds a high likelihood of self-purchase of silver jewelry for a variety of occasions, including ājust becauseā, self-love, and birthday. Half of the more than 500 respondents missed gift-giving events such as birthdays, Motherās Day, and graduations for which they had planned on buying jewelry. As the country opens up, 64 percent say theyāre planning to buy jewelry, with 45 percent contemplating that as their ājust becauseā self-purchase.
Recent trends reports from SPS cite three jewelry classics attracting much of the attention: diamond stud and similar looks, hoops and bangles in silver. Silver set with diamonds, color stones or pearls has become a mainstay. Other lustrous gems like mother-of-pearl, abalone pearl, and updated classic mother-of-pearl doublets in organic shapes shimmer in silver.
Color Gems
Color stones play a key role in our āabove the keyboard dressingā and digitally dominated lifestyles, Jane Collins and Ana Correa, footwear and accessories senior and associate editors, respectively, for the trends forecasting firm WGSN, shared color and gem trends in a recent Couture-hosted webinar.
Correa advocates investing in stones with transformative qualities, unique cuts, or reflective surfaces that create otherworldly aesthetics. Think opal, mother of pearl, and abalone pearl. Birthstones, she underscores, remain the perfect draw for personalization, with these traditional gems among the most meaningful.Multi-color settings continue to be popular, as consumers embrace jewelry that not only enhances their mood, but also pops on screen. Collins cites ombrƩ and colorful tassels with vibrant, translucent stones on trend.
