The Q2 2026 stats are out. This quarter’s jewelry industry statistics include changes in listings, business discontinuances, credit ratings, claims and new business activity across the U.S. and Canada. Let’s take a quick look at some highlights.
For a broader look at 2026, see our blog post on Q1 jewelry industry trends and statistics.
Total listings* continue their long, slow burn of declining businesses. The good news? A dip of a little over 2% YOY is certainly not a crash of any kind. The wholesale sector lost the fewest businesses (-25), while the manufacturing sector experienced a more sizable decline (-52). North American retail jewelers now sit at 17,549 stores (-271 YOY). Canada’s declines very closely mirror those in the United States but reflect better in the manufacturing sector and worse in retail.
In comparing listings for 2026 YTD to the same time last year, listed retailers fell by 271. This can be attributed to the 193 retailers who were taken out of business since January 1, 2026, as well as 78 companies removed from the Red Book for other reasons. Those include moving to a residence, changing to seasonal or part-time operations, or being removed due to limited information.
*A note on listing totals
In evaluating how we have been representing our numbers, we are no longer going to be restating the listings from the previous year. Our hope is for clarity in our reporting, and we feel this is the way to provide that.
Business discontinuances are also mixed. Ceased operations and consolidations (sale/merger) are significantly down YOY in every category. The strength of the retail market is keeping the doors open: 156 retail jewelers ceased operations this year vs 256 last year YTD. As for sales or mergers, just 27 have been completed this year vs 50 last year, both significant declines speaking to how well most retailers are doing. That said, retail bankruptcies have doubled YOY, with 10 retailers this year vs 5 last year. Across all three sectors, including wholesale and manufacturing, bankruptcies increased to 15 this year vs 7 last year through the same time period.
The sizable increase in ratings reflects a one-time adjustment to JBT’s data-counting methodology, which increased the number of businesses with a pay score by more than 65%.
Claims are up YOY, as are the average values per claim. YTD, the number of claims placed with JBT increased 19.6%, from 214 to 256, while the average claim amount increased 172.1%, from $8,830 to $24,023. Supplier members are urged to run JBT credit reports to help mitigate their risk regarding bankruptcies and growing claim activity.
New businesses showed mixed results. Fewer retailers and manufacturers began operations YOY but wholesale showed a 20.8% increase in new operations.
New businesses by region show one highlight: the South Central region (+9). It grew 30% YOY, driven by retail and wholesale. The areas of the U.S. with declining growth YOY were the North Central (-12), Southeast (-9) and Northeast regions (-7).
JBT Members get our full Vital Statistics Report plus weekly tracking of credit changes, closures, new businesses and bankruptcies. More information means better decisions, and better information helps you know who you are working with and what is happening in the jewelry industry.