21,000 retail jobs lost or threatened so far this year

Over 21,000 jobs have been axed or put at risk in the first three months of the year as retailers struggle to break even. A Press Association analysis revealed that 21,413 staff members have already been made redundant or had their role threatened, with the majority being from large high-street…

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A quarter of SME retailers expect to see Easter sales increase

A quarter of SME retailers expect to see an increase in sales activity over the Easter bank holiday weekend, according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. The study found that 69% of SME retailers feel they are fully prepared for the Easter bank holiday weekend opportunity in terms of…

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‘Beast from the East’ chills retail sales

Year-on-year sales volumes declined for the first time since October 2017, according to CBI’s latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. Additionally, sales for the time of year were significantly below normal, and by the greatest extent since April 2013. The volume of orders placed with suppliers, meanwhile, was broadly unchanged. Sales volumes…

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Weston Beamor names Ed Hole new business manager

Weston Beamor has announced that its current head of CAD Design and 3D Printing, Ed Hole has been promoted to the role of business manager for the bespoke precious metals casting, 3D printing and production division. Hole has worked at Weston Beamor for more than 14 years, joining the team…

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Carat London opens first regional store in Oxford

Jewellery brand Carat London has opened its first regional store in Oxford. The standalone store – the fifth in Carat’s UK portfolio – is situated in the new Westgate Centre shopping centre. The brand will open its sixth store in the new Westfield development this autumn. Carat London has created…

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Wakefields leaves CMJ to join Houlden group

Following 28 years as a member of The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), Wakefields Jewellers has announced it is leave the CMJ and join the Houlden buying group. Dominic and Melanie Wakefield, managing directors of the jewellers said they felt the “networking and support” that Wakefields has had throughout its…

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Surprise 12% jump in gold hallmarking in February

The number of gold jewellery articles hallmarked in February this year was up by 12% compared with the 2017, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The high-value category saw numbers increase from 280,283 to 313,532, an increase of over 33,000 articles, providing a boon for the jewellery…

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Citizen announces partnership with Disney World

Citizen watches and The Walt Disney Company have announced Citizen will be the official timepiece of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort, California. As part of a long-term promotional alliance, the Citizen logo will be displayed on the Main Street USA clocks in Magic Kingdom…

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Over 80% of national retailers snub new Instagram tech

A new selling feature on photo-sharing social media app, Instagram, has been ignored by more than 80% of retailers in its first week, according to Cybertill. Instagram rolled out a new ‘Shopping’ feature to business accounts in the United Kingdom, as well as Germany France, Italy Brazil, Canada, Spain and…

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Giftware Association named headline sponsor for Annual Sponsors’ Dinner 2018

The Benevolent Society has announced that The Giftware Association (GA) will be the headline sponsor for its Annual Sponsors’ Dinner 2018. The GA represents companies from across the gift and home industry such as manufacturers, designers, wholesalers, importers, exporters and retailers (independents, multiples and online). It offers them support to…

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