Independent Jewellery Sales Rose in September
Retailers in Australia and New Zealand reported a 4 per cent increase in revenue as purchase volume grew.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Jewelry
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Independent jewellery retailers across Australia and New Zealand saw sales climb 4 per cent year-on-year during September. This growth follows a broader trend, with sales for the month finishing 18 per cent higher than 2024 levels.
Why it matters
Higher unit volumes successfully offset a decline in the average transaction value, allowing total revenue to grow despite lower individual spending. This suggests that while shoppers are spending less per visit, they are purchasing items more frequently.
The average retail sale value dropped 11 per cent year-on-year to $289. Meanwhile, unit sales volume increased by 6 per cent, with precious metal pieces without gemstones rising 11 per cent while diamond sales fell 12 per cent.
The details
While overall revenue grew, consumer preference shifted away from high-value items like diamonds and colour gemstones, which fell by 12 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively. Silver and alternative metal jewellery also saw a 5 per cent decline in sales.
Timeline
September 2026 sales increased by 4 per cent.
April 2026 sales rose by 5 per cent.
June 2026 sales increased by 8 per cent.
March and February 2026 sales increased by 7 per cent.
January 2026 sales improved by 12 per cent.
Culture Shift
The transition away from diamond-heavy jewellery towards simple precious metals reflects a broader shift in consumer spending habits during current economic conditions. This pattern follows a trend established in the retail jewellery sector market analysis for Australia and New Zealand.
Shoppers may find more affordable, non-gemstone jewellery options becoming increasingly available as retailers adjust inventory to meet current purchasing preferences. Buyers looking for lower-priced precious metal pieces may benefit from the current volume-driven market strategy.
The takeaway
Consumers are currently favoring frequent, lower-cost acquisitions over expensive luxury gemstone pieces. Shoppers can optimize their budgets by focusing on plain precious metal items which are currently seeing higher retail availability and demand.
Further reading
Explore more market trends in the Jewelry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jewellermagazine.
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