Covid-19: Beaverbrooks to shutter all 69 stores

UK jeweller Beaverbrooks has revealed plans to shutter all 69 of its stores by 5pm today (23 March) amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Managing director Anna Blackburn said this decision will “greatly affect” its hundreds of store colleagues, and added that supporting them is its “number one focus right now”. She…

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Covid-19: Government to pay 80% of salary to staff unable to work

Chancellor Sunak Rishi has said the government will pay 80% of wages for employees who aren’t able to work due to the coronavirus, up to £2,500 a month according to the BBC. The “unprecedented measure” comes as the government has unveiled more plans to protect jobs and businesses amid the…

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Waste not, want not: the designers driving ethical change

Last month marked a watershed moment as Rosh Mahtini became the first ever jeweller to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Mahtini received the esteemed award based on her commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, exemplified by her innovative jewellery brand, Alighieri.  As the first jewellery designer…

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Gold and silver down double digits in February hallmarking

The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in February 2020  decreased by 13.3% and 25.3% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 281,938 to 244,558 and silver items decreased from 344,104 to 257,212 during the month. Additionally, palladium decreased by 70.3%…

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Pandora closes stores across globe

Pandora has announced the temporary closure of many of its stores in order to “support the efforts” to limit the spread of Covid-19. In its latest statement, the group confirmed that it had temporarily closed all owned and operated stores in the United States, Italy, Germany, France and Spain. In…

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The Goldsmith’s Company announces contingency plans

The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office has said it will do its “utmost” to remain open amid the coronavirus outbreak.  At the present moment, the group said it envisages two contingencies that may result in its closure: a staff member contracting the virus or a nationwide lockdown.  It is now asking…

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Pandora withdraws financial guidance 

Jewellery group Pandora has announced the withdrawal of its financial guidance as it is “no longer meaningful” in light of the coronavirus escalation.  The group said that such mitigating actions came under “extraordinary and rapidly developing” circumstances, and that its financial guidance announced on 4 February excluded “any impact” from…

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NAJ asks for ‘urgent action’ amid Covid-19 crisis

The UK jewellery industry has urged the government to take “urgent action” as the coronavirus crisis unfolds. The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has today sent an open letter to PM Boris Johnson calling for “further clarity and support” on key issues that may affect the industry amid the outbreak. …

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BT’s boss catches it, markets rebounding, pain medication prices spike

Today I am going to rattle through a wider selection of stories than normal because the spread of the virus is hitting so many sectors hard, with key figures in the business community affected. The markets are recovering some of their losses this morning after having their worst selloff since…

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Hublot launches limited edition timepiece

Hublot has announced the launch of a new limited edition watch to celebrate the brand’s “special relationship” with the city of London. The Hublot Classic Fusion Special Edition ‘London’ is described as a “statement piece” which aims to “capture something of London’s fast-paced, high-achieving spirit”. It features a polished, satin-finished…

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