Government launches new Bounce Back loans

Thousands of small firms and sole traders will be eligible for 100% government-backed Bounce Back Loans to help them make it through the coronavirus outbreak. From today (4 May), small business owners can apply to accredited lenders by filling out a simple online form, with only seven questions. The government…

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Bira releases ‘life after lockdown’ strategy

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has released its 10-point “life after lockdown” strategy, calling on the government to consider lifting restrictions on smaller retailers first. In an open letter, CEO Andrew Goodacre’s survival plan encourages retailers to consider sustainable retail, customer focused experiences and multi-channel sales to survive post…

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Social Media Marketing for Jewelry and how User Experience influences ROI

Social media marketing and user experience are strongly connected since user experience will always influence the performance and effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Before starting any social media marketing campaigns for jewelry, I suggest investing in your user experience and also have a well-designed jewelry eCommerce website. Research done by…

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Pandemic ‘adversely impacting’ designers, says GC and DC

The ongoing pandemic is “adversely” impacting designer-makers across the UK, according to a recent survey carried out by The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council (GC and DC). In response to the survey, the council is now set to announce a series of new initiatives to “support, connect and inspire isolated…

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Vicenzaoro and Oroarezzo shows to go ahead as Italy eases lockdown

The Italian Exhibition Group is set to now hold two of its annual jewellery fairs after the Italian government has signified an ease to the nationwide lockdown.  Vicenzaoro September 2020 will now be held as planned between 5 September and 9 September at the Vicenza Expo Centre. It is one…

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Hatton and Spencer launches new video consultation service

Jewellery packing specialists Hatton and Spencer are to offer a new consultation service, provided over a video conferencing software. The new digital service is available to both new and existing customers as part of the packaging company’s aims to reduce coronavirus disruption, reinvent and improve upon its operations and services…

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Covid-19 – Funding options and survival tips to keep the jewellery industry afloat

No business has been immune from the effects of the Covid-19, but the jewellery sector has in some ways been particularly vulnerable to the economic challenges posed by the virus. While firms in many sectors have been able to adapt to the circumstances by shifting to new and unfamiliar delivery…

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Revaluation of business rates postponed following pressure from Bira

A government plan to bring forward the next revaluation of business rates to April 1, 2021, has been shelved following pressure from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Bira joined other heads of the retail sector in demanding that Chancellor Rishi Sunak withdraw ‘disastrous’ legislation, which was due to be…

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Are we beginning to re-open anyway?

The PM says he will soon announce the reopening plan after weeks of compulsory lockdown for the UKs public and its businesses. Boris Johnson is under pressure to come up with the blueprint for restarting the economy as the list of suffering firms grows larger and more and more redundancies…

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Fellows appraises £75,000 of goods on virtual valuation day

Fellows announced that over £75,000 of goods were appraised at the auctioneer’s first ever virtual valuation day. Over 50 people joined six valuers from across the world at the virtual event on 28 April, where over £75,000 worth of watches, jewellery and designer handbags were appraised throughout the day.  Using…

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