Black Friday footfall down as shoppers turn to online

E-commerce stole the show over the Black Friday weekend as retail footfall fell unexpectedly across the UK, according to retail footfall analyst firm Springboard. Footfall across retail destinations in the UK for the weekend as a whole was down 9.6% compared with the same period last year, as shoppers increasingly…

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Petra recovers 23-carat pink diamond

Petra Diamonds has announced the recovery of a 23.16-carat pink diamond from its Williamson mine in Tanzania. The pink diamond is described as having “exceptional colour and clarity” and is an example of the high-quality pink diamonds for which Williamson is known. Petra said it is its “most significant” recovery…

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Watches of Switzerland hit by Black Friday smash-and-grab

Some £80,000 worth of watches have been stolen in a smash-and-grab raid at the Watches of Switzerland store in London’s Knightsbridge. The incident, which took place at 9:30am on Friday, 27 November, saw two raiders riding one motorcycle break into the luxury watch store on Brompton Road, smashing the front…

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IJL opens annual KickStart programme for entries

International Jewellery London (IJL) has announced that its annual KickStart mentoring programme is opens for entries. The initiative, which welcomes entries from young jewellers and emerging talents, will see 10 winning designers offered the chance to exhibit their products in a designated area at IJL 2016 for free. Supported by…

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Kate Winslet opens Longines first UK store

Swiss watchmaker longines has opened its first UK store with brand ambassador and oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet in attendance. The company, which opened the 124 meter square boutique at London’s Oxford Street on Tuesday, 24 November, also presented its ‘Longines Symphonette’ collection. The store features a ground floor area which…

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Record auction sales boost jewellery investment performance

Record auction sales and strong demand for coloured diamonds and pearls have helped boost the investment performance of jewellery, according to estate agent Knight Frank. Launched at an event held at the Mayfair headquarters of auction house Bonhams, the latest edition of the firm’s Luxury Investment Index (KFLII) focused on…

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BRC welcomes extension of business rates review

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed the extension of the business rates review announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement today.  A major overhaul of the business rates system was announced earlier this year, with uniform rates set to be abolished. Local councils will, by 2020, be able to…

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Signet Jewelers sales up 3.3% in Q3

Jewellery retail giant Signet Jewelers has reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales in its third quarter financial results.  The group – parent company of H Samuel and Ernest Jones – reported that total sales were also up 3.3% for the 13 weeks ending 31 October, 2015, to $1.216bn (£805m)…

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Ernest Jones to open at London Designer Outlet

Ernest Jones, the diamond jewellery and watch retailer, is set to open a new store at London’s only outlet centre, London Designer Outlet (LDO). The retailer – owned by the Signet Jewelers group and was established in 1949 – will unveil its 1,786 sq ft outlet store at LDO in…

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Houlden launches ‘Jewellers of Excellence’

The Houlden Group has announced the launch of a new consortium for elite independent jewellers. ‘Jewellers of Excellence’ is the first such organisation to offer consumers the finest selection of jewellery, diamonds, and an internationally renowned collection of high-quality watches. The Houlden Group said that the consortium represents the “ultimate…

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