US Jewelry Stores See Rise in Sales

RAPAPORT... Sales at specialist jewelry stores in the US increased 14%year on year to $2.49 billion in March, according to data from the nation'sCensus Bureau. The rise in revenue - which is not adjusted for seasonalfluctuation - comes despite a 2% drop in consumer confidence for themonth, according to the Conference Board, an economic data provider. Thatmeasure had hit an 18-year high in February. "Despite the modest retreat in confidence, index levelsremain historically high and suggest further strong growth in the months ahead,"said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board. For the three months ending March 31, jewelry-store salesincreased 12% year on year to $7.29 billion.