Sales in American jewelry stores in August 2013 demonstrated an annual increase of 6.9% and reached $ 2.389 billion, reports Rapaport. The growth rate of sales is inferior to the July figures, when the growth in the year-on-year terms reached 9%. Meanwhile, the consumer price index for jewelry in August rose by 2.5% on a year-on-year basis, approaching a record level of 183 points. Sales in jewelry stores in the first 8 months of 2013 rose 9.2% in the year to $ 19.652 billion.
Lead Economist Sterne Agee Lindsey Piegza explains that during the first half of the year, consumers actively bought cars, saving on other goods, and In August, they increased spending on discretionary purchases and non-durable goods.
According to Sterne Agee, sales of furniture, electronics, sports goods, and personal care products showed good results.
The National Retail Federation of the United States (National Retail Federation, NRF) said that in September there was a growth in sales in most retail sectors.
"American consumers remain extraordinarily cautious and pay attention to value, but they continue to spend money. Only time will tell when "closing the government" and the problem associated with raising the debt ceiling will affect retailers and consumers, "