Jewelstreet to host interactive jewellery pop-up shop in July

Jewelstreet, the online marketplace for independent jewellery, is hosting a unique one-week pop-up shop at Westgate Oxford from Monday July 22 to Sunday July 28, 2019. The event will feature handcrafted rings, necklaces, earrings and more from 28 of the world’s leading independent designers, including Alison Fern Jewellery, Allumer and…

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Online retail sales bounce back in June

Online retail sales rose by 8.5% year-on-year, the strongest growth this year, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index. Sales bounced back after a slump in May, which saw online sales suffer their worst growth on record at +1.9%. Clothing recorded the highest growth so far this year…

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David M Robinson announces inaugural Jewellery Design Awards

Jewellers David M Robinson has announced the launch of its inaugural DMR Jewellery Design Awards, in celebration of its 50th anniversary. In order to enter, schools are invited to design a necklace inspired by the theme of ‘family’, and the competition will be split across two categories, awarding a prize…

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Watches of Switzerland sees profits surge 181% in FY results

Watches of Switzerland has reported a 181% rise in profits before tax to £20.1m, in its first set of results after the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange. For the year ending 28 April 2019, the group also revealed its revenues surged by 22.5% to £773.5m during the period, and…

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Hallmarking figures slump 4.7% in June

Hallmarking figures fell across all major categories in June 2019, compared with the same period the previous year, with overall volumes decreasing by 4.7% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 289,377 in June 2018 to 263,881 in 2019, down…

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Around 16% of UK shops lie empty according to FOI

Corporate restructuring advisor Duff and Phelps has revealed that close to 16% of all UK retail and shop outlets remain empty, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made to local councils. Its research found that over 50,000 units in 418 councils remain closed, an average of 121 empty…

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Graff diamond earrings to feature in Cheffins auction

A pair of emerald and diamond earrings made by London jewellers, Graff, is to feature at Cheffins’ Jewellery, Silver and Watches Sale on Thursday 1 August. Described as “a pair of asymmetric double clusters featuring 12.5cts of diamonds and 5cts of emeralds”, the earrings have been given an estimated price…

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Retail footfall ‘slumps’ in June

Footfall declined by 2.9% in June, attributed to the “exceptional and ongoing disruptive political and economic period”, according to retail intelligence firm Springboard. On a three-month basis, footfall decreased by 2.4%, and the six and 12–month averages were found to be -1.3% and -1.7% respectively. High street footfall also declined…

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Why the in-store shopping experience is irreplaceable

There’s no denying that the shopping experience has truly transformed over time. However, it’s also important to appreciate that the in-store shopping experience is irreplaceable to any online alternatives. A change in shopping habits More of us know what we want when we walk into a shop. In fact, 98%…

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Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council appoints new chairman

The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council (GC&DC) has appointed Peter Crump, the MD of UK jewellery design and manufacturing company Vipa Designs, as its new chairman for the next two years. Taking over from retiring chairman Andy Putland, Crump said he is “excited” to commence his new role and put…

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