BRC: Retail sales growth hits six-year low

UK retail sales have decreased 1% on a like-for-like basis, a report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed.  The latest BRC – KPMG Retail Sales Monitor – covering the five weeks from 26 February to 1 April – found total retail sales fell by 0.2% in March, compounded…

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Thief jailed after threatening retail staff with pitch fork

A thief who threatened staff and stole from two Essex stores, including a jewellery retailer, has been jailed. Connor Sexton targeted two shops in Halstead in March within three days. On 7 March he asked to view a ring in John Winter Drake Jeweller, but when the owner brought out a tray…

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Goldsmiths’ Fair 2017 announces exhibitors

The Goldsmiths’ Company has revealed the 126 exhibitors that will be taking part in the 35th edition of Goldsmiths’ Fair later this year. The fair will include 92 jewellers and 34 silversmiths, as well as 10 graduates who will be making their debut at the event. The designer-makers will be…

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Chopard announces collaboration with Rihanna

Luxury Swiss jewellery brand Chopard has announced a collaboration with singer Rihanna for two upcoming collections. The ‘Rihanna Loves Chopard’ collection will debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in May and will be available for sale in June. The nine-piece fine jewellery collection will be inspired by the singer’s…

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Retail footfall expected to grow 5.4% over Easter weekend

Retail footfall in the UK is set to increase 5.4% over the Easter weekend, according to retail expert Springboard. The prediction comes after March retail footfall results showed there was a year-on-year increase of 1.2%. This increase broke the six-month consecutive decline. The projected increase was said to be a…

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Ivanka Trump, and why reputation is king

Can you imagine if your own father had so many critics, and ignited such visceral disdain, that merely bearing his name could become toxic to your own business? Such must be the questions that first daughter Ivanka Trump is grappling with in these, the first few months of her father…

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Family-owned jewellers in Cambridgeshire to close down

A third generation jewellery retailer in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, is to close down after a drop in footfall left the owner with no choice. Julian Freeman, owner of high street jeweller A Freeman, has now launched a closing down sale with the store set to close its doors for the final…

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Bank closures cause concern for SMEs

Following the closing of more Lloyds Banking Group’s branches, The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern about what this would mean for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB, said it is “very worrying” to see more local bank branches being shut down, leaving…

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UK retailers fail to lift sales despite higher footfall

 Despite positive footfall levels in March, sales for UK retailers failed to grow. According to accountancy firm BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST), UK retailers have failed to grow sales for the fourth month in a row, with like-for-like sales flat (0%) in March despite warmer weather and Mother’s day…

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Simon Rainer given freedom of The Goldsmiths’ Company

Simon Rainer, former CEO of the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA), has been given the freedom of The Goldsmiths’ Company. Rainer was awarded with the title at a ceremony in Goldsmiths’ Hall on 5 April. Afterwards, he was escorted by wardens to the Guildhall, where he was invited to apply for…

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