Program aims to educate young consumers about mined stones’ positive qualities.
Wage gains and easing inflation spur 0.7% increase.
Spending will reach between $5.23 trillion and $5.28 trillion, federation forecasts.
Consumers will lay out $6.4 billion on the category, according to a survey.
Figure beat NRF’s original prediction by more than 18 million.
Nearly two-thirds of NRF survey participants said deals are too good to pass up.
Average outlay on gifts will be 5% above last year, NRF projects.
Spending rose only 0.7% compared with previous month.
Revenue up 0.6% year on year in August, says National Retail Federation (NRF).
Revenue up 0.7% from June amid summer promotions.
Retail revenue up 0.2% compared with May, Census Bureau reports.