JB Insights
VICENZAORO JANUARY 2025 confirms its success as leading international business and networking platform
The show saw 1,300 brands, increase in international attendance and buyers from 145 countries
Vicenzaoro January 2025, the event of reference for the global jewellery industry and the starting point of the sector’s global calendar. The edition not only confirmed last year’s exceptional numbers, it also touched the international dimension record: in fact, foreign visitation – greater than that of Italians – reached the extraordinary participation number of 145 countries from all over the world , with Turkey, the United States, Germany, Spain and Greece in the lead and interesting increases in countries such as North Korea and Australia.

“We have won the internationality challenge,” commented Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian ExhibitionGroup, in regard to Vicenzaoro January 2025. “Several years ago, we decided to develop our leading products abroad. A successful strategy that has decisively increased foreign visitation at our most important events in Italy.”



Matteo Farsura, head of IEG’s gold and jewellery division, underlined: “With 1,300 brands and the involvement of the entire jewellery supply chain, from technologies to haute joaillerie, Vicenzaoro confirms its position as a global platform of reference, favouring dialogue among the different segments to meet the needs of the various markets.
US retailers were out in force at the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) event staged in the Vicenza show. In attendance were buyers from leading companies, such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Off 5th, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Diane Glynn Jewelry, and Manfredi Jewels.







“Vicenzaoro was a fruitful experience where I filled some orders and discovered unique, well-crafted jewelry,” Lisa Vinicur of Pennsylvania-based Diane Glynn Jewelry told Rapaport News. “I specifically sought important pieces like bangles, earrings, necklaces, and rings that are only available in Vicenza, and I’m pleased to say I found them.”
“Although the venue had construction happening, [the organizers] increased the signage to make the show easy to navigate,” said Nina Bruno of Macy’s, based in New York. “We are always shopping for new inspiration in chains. We were pleased to see fresh manipulations in chains and innovative diamond cutting.”








Laura Barringer, Seattle-based senior buyer at Ben Bridge Jeweler, said the brand refilled all of its core selections and resourced and created a new collection it hoped to launch this spring. Managing partner of New York-based Manfredi Jewels Bianca Chiappelloni explained that part of the show’s draw is the ability to access Italian companies in one place. “It’s been beneficial for us to visit with so many of our Italian brands, in most cases seeing a much more complete and fuller showcase of their offerings than we see at some of the shows in the US,” she said
Vicenzaoro was held in conjunction with T.Gold, which showcased the excellence of the sector’s technologies (a T.Gold that, thanks to the Expo Centre’s expansion, will be staged inside the Vicenzaoro areas as of the second half of 2026), and VO Vintage, the fine vintage watch show, and the collaboration with Vicenza Municipality at VIOFF, the experiential off-show event that involved guests from all over the world.








A “rhythm” of business and innovation that never stopsbut continues for twelve months a year in a unicum of Italian Exhibition Group appointments and jewellery & fashion projects all over the world. IEG’s agenda will see OROAREZZO in May, SIJE in Singapore in July, Vicenzaoro September at the end of the summer (and the return of VO’Clock Privé) preceded by the new Vicenza Symposium, the Valenza Jem Forum in October, JGTD Dubai in November, and the Italian Jewellery Summit in Arezzo in December.
JB Insights
US Holiday Sales Will See 5.5% Growth For 2026 : Mastercard Economics Institute
This Resilience Reflects A Robust Labor Market, Rising Household Wealth, and Broad-Based Consumer Demand Across Income Cohorts. Overall, The 2026 Holiday Season Showcases An Adaptable U.S. Consumer Using Digital and AI Tools To Maximize Value While Continuing To Drive Broader Economic Momentum.
The Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) forecasts a strong 2026 U.S. holiday shopping season (November 1–December 24), projecting retail sales excluding gas and autos to grow 5.5% year-over-year (YoY). This resilience reflects a robust labor market, rising household wealth, and broad-based consumer demand across income cohorts.
Key Drivers and Growth Channels
- Channel Performance: E-commerce continues to lead with an expected 11% YoY growth, but in-store sales are set to grow 3.6%—their strongest pace since 2022. This highlights the critical role of omnichannel strategies.
- Inflation Dynamics: Inflation accounts for 2.8 percentage points of the total 5.5% growth. Unlike last year’s tariff pressures, current price increases are driven by elevated energy/diesel costs and the massive AI infrastructure buildout.
- Calendar Shifts: A late Thanksgiving compresses the shopping window, pushing retailers toward early promotions. Additionally, Cyber Monday falling in November will shift significant online volume into the month.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
AI is reshaping both prices and consumer behavior:
- Tech Inflation: High demand for memory chips and data infrastructure components has driven a 12.2% YoY increase in prices for info-processing equipment. Consequently, the consumer electronics category is projected to post outsized nominal sales growth (+10.7% YoY).
- AI Power Users: Consumers with paid AI subscriptions demonstrate distinct “optimization” habits. Data shows these users plan early, shop across a wider variety of boutique and specialty merchants, and aggressively target promotions during Thanksgiving weekend before transitioning to experience and hospitality spending in December.
Last-Minute Shopping Behavior
The final rush to Christmas offers key operational insights for retailers:
- In-Person and Malls: The final week before Christmas sees heavy physical store foot traffic, especially in enclosed shopping malls where consumers can complete multi-category purchases. Climate also plays a role: warmer-state residents (e.g., Florida, Nevada) are far more likely to make last-minute in-store runs than those in colder states.
- Transaction Value Trends: Average order values for children’s items peak near Black Friday, while premium categories—such as jewelry, cosmetics, luxury handbags, and department stores—see transaction values climb steadily from December 15, peaking on Christmas Eve as procrastinating shoppers pay a premium for convenience.
AI tools lower search costs for consumers, making price transparency higher than ever. Retailers must capture early November demand through targeted promotions before comparison tools push shoppers toward alternative or boutique brands.
Last-minute shoppers are price-inelastic and seeking speed. Malls and physical stores should maximize inventory for high-margin, rush-gift items (jewelry, cosmetics, designer goods, gift cards) in the final 10 days, leveraging store availability over promotional discounting.
Overall, the 2026 holiday season showcases an adaptable U.S. consumer using digital and AI tools to maximize value while continuing to drive broader economic momentum.
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