Reports are coming in from the National Jeweler that last minute sales of diamond jewelry and lower priced items were better than what retailers hoped for, even as compared to 2008. Consumers had a hard time spending more than $5,000 for an item, but were easily swayed if the item was below $3,000.
Stores in the Northeast said that they were very busy two days before Christmas, and even stayed open late on Christmas Eve to accommodate shoppers.
These last couple of days worth of sales can make or break an entire year. Diamond jewelry did particularly well; bangles, earrings, pendants and tennis bracelets were hot tickets.
Men scrambling to buy diamond engagement rings (perhaps to pop the question over New Year's) made up a large percentage of these buyers, and were more likely to spend more than they wanted to as the pressure was on. Holiday sales and incentives also helped sway people to go ahead and buy something they may have been wavering about.
At certain boutiques, one in Erie, PA for example, reported that high priced items really moved in the days leading to Christmas, including a number of $20,000 plus diamond jewelry pieces. This store also did well selling anniversary bands, engagement rings and colored gemstone jewelry. Consumer stayed away from platinum as this is a super high priced metal and also seemed deterred by pearls.
In the Southeast, stores reported the same trend as well as watches. Consumers wanted the best deal possible, so anything like watches sales and discounted watches went over well. As diamonds are always in, in can be assumed that jewelry watches were popular as well.
It's smart for shop owners, as well as online retailers, to keep the post-Christmas sales going, as people are still shopping even after spending money on holiday gifts. In fact, this may even be the best time when someone might buy something for themselves.
Men's and women's watches can be sold at a discount, making the buyer happy, while the retailer still makes money. And who knows brands like TAG Heuer may willingly discount some watches to balance out the negative shadow that the Tiger Woods scandal has cast upon its watches? Pieces like Cartier watches will always do well, but this doesn't mean that you have to pay full price for them. Always look for the sale and feel free to negotiate the price!
At a store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the Monday morning after Christmas, just a few hours after opening, already three Rolexes had been sold. In the West, sales of fashionable jewelry pieces and watches did well. And gift ideas were helpful to shoppers too; the wife choosing what she wants and the husband coming in later to buy it.
When it comes to Amazon, not typically known for watch sales, it's interesting to note that the top watch that sold more than any other for the entire year of 2009 was the Casio men's sea analog illuminator dual LED dive watch, which sold for only $50. The Citizen Men's Eco-Drive chronograph canvas watch also topped customers' wish lists.
End of Year Sales Looking Good - Top Watch Sold by Amazon
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