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RAPAPORT... U.S. jewelry store sales increased 2 percent year on year to $2.3 billion in June, representing the weakest performance so far in 2013. U.S. consumer inflation for jewelry in June was fairly mild, increasing just 1 percent compared with June 2012. Following strong sales increases in November and December, jewelry store sales surged 15 percent in January, improved 4 percent in February and then resumed high-single- or double-digit increases in March, April and May.
Jewelry store sales for the first six months of 2013 have risen 9.1 percent year on year to $14.952 billion. 
Advanced monthly sales estimates for department stores in July continued to show weaker consumer spending by contracting 3.9 percent year on year to $13.083 billion.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) observed that sales gains for retailers were mixed in July, but driven primarily by back-to-school sales for clothing and sporting goods. July's retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, rose 5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
“Consumers continue to grind forward in July, marking 13 consecutive months of retail sales gains,” said NRF's president, Matthew Shay. “However consumers alone can’t be expected to shoulder the burden of the economy. Fiscal and monetary policy uncertainties combined with stagnant economic and employment conditions continue to breed a volatile market with extreme swings in consumer spending. The economy can’t seem to maintain any amount of momentum. We just can’t seem to pull ourselves up.”
NRF's chief economist, Jack Kleinhenz, added, “Spending has stalled and the economy is stuck in neutral. Even with modest employment gains and steady consumer confidence, Americans remain in a cautiously-positive spending pattern. While clothing and sporting goods retailers saw modest gains with early back-to-school shopping, home-based retailers saw marked decreases, possibly indicating the end of the year-long housing boom. This month’s retail sales report will make any decision on tapering that much harder for policymakers in D.C.”
The NRF reported that sales rose 9.8 percent year on year for building material and garden equipment and supplies, increased 5.3 percent for clothing and clothing accessories stores and improved just 0.8 percent for electronics and appliance stores. General merchandise stores’ sales increased 1.3 percent and nonstore retailers’ sales surged 11.3 percent.
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