High-end jewellers enjoy strong holiday season (January 29, 2008)

Although many retailers had a tough holiday season, many jewellers reported "significantly higher" festive sales compared to 2006 figures, according to an industry survey.

The 2007 holiday retail report from Jewelers' Circular Keystone (JCK), says that many others saw steady holiday sales after a record season in 2006.

Many of those who saw better sales cater to the high-end market, where the report says spending remained strong, with ultra high-end watches among the items in most demand.

Other popular items, the survey found, were earrings, coloured stone jewellery and pieces from David Yurman.

Online sales represented another bright spot for the industry this Christmas, the survey says.

Jeweller Dale Ferber told the survey that his firm's 30 per cent increase in holiday sales was largely due to web-based sales.

"Our online business just amazed me," he said.

Another online retailer, Canadian-based firm Blue Nile, reported a 24 per cent rise in revenue during the last quarter of 2007.

JCK is a trade publication for the jewellery industry with 135 years experience in the sector.

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