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RAPAPORT... U.S. jewelry store sales rose 4.2 percent year on year in September to $2.258 billion, with the pace of growth weaker when compared to the increase of 6.9 percent in August. As reported earlier on Rapaport News, overall jewelry and watch sales in the U.S. for September rose 5.3 percent. Better still, the consumer price index for jewelry in September was essentially flat, or up just 0.2 percent year on year. Jewelry store sales for the first nine months of 2013 rose 8.8 percent to $21.933 billion. The highest monthly total for jewelry store sales so far this year was in May at $3 billion.  Meanwhile, advanced estimates for department store sales slipped 3.4 percent year on year in October to $13.503 billion and so far in 2013, department store sales have fallen 5.1 percent to $132.54 billion. Estimates for total U.S. retail and food services sales in October rose 3.9 percent year on year to $428.1 billion. Retail trade sales increased 3.9 percent and nonstore retailer sales jumped 8.2 percent compared with October 2012. The National Retail Federation (NRF) suggested that October's retail data signaled a good Christmas season ahead. “Consumer spending is growing as we head into the holiday shopping season and the timing couldn’t be better,” said NRF's president, Matthew Shay. “Consumers seem to have found some sense of confidence, driven, in part, by lower gas prices. While positive gains were seen in most retail categories, retailers will continue to rely on heavy promotions to drive traffic and sales this Christmas season.” NRF's chief economist, Jack Kleinhenz, added, “Various retail segments contributed to this month’s growth showing that there is an ongoing pent-up demand by consumers. Confidence and sales should continue to improve. As the holiday season draws closer and closer, NRF remains confident in a good Christmas shopping and sales season, which will be in line with our forecast.” The NRF concluded that the strongest retail categories in October were building material and garden equipment, clothing and accessories, electronics and appliances, furniture and home furnishings, health and personal care items and sporting goods, hobby, book and music. The NRF forecasts a 3.9 percent increase in Christmas season sales compared with 2012.
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