Timex reports “triple-digit growth” after launch of UK website

Timex has reported “triple-digit growth” in the UK after it launched its first UK transactional website late last year.  The brand said that bestsellers have been from fashion product categories, including the Originals and Weekender collections. The Timex IQ collection has also enjoyed online sales growth. Aysha Hasan, marketing manager…

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Jewellery store owner chases off axe-wielding raiders with baseball bat

CCTV footage has captured the moment a jewellery store owner chased away two axe-wielding raiders after a smash-and-grab moped raid.  The raid, which took place at the family-owned L.Guess jewellers in Whitton High Street, Twickenham at 10:45 on Monday, saw the raiders smash counter displays with an axe before making…

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Endless signs 140 doors in Australia meetings roadshow

Fast-growing charm bracelet brand Endless Jewelry has signed with 140 new stockists in the Australian market during the first week of a roadshow meeting hundreds of jewellers. Following a successful week of meetings with more than 250 jewelers in the main markets of Australia, Endless Jewelry is now set to officially open in its 20th…

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Deakin & Francis links with 7 new retailers at Spring Fair

Cufflinks manufacturer Deakin & Francis has reported opening seven new trade accounts and securing additional orders from nine current retailers at Jewellery & Watch Birmingham. The brand revealed a new bespoke exhibition stand at the NEC show, with Simon Rainer, chairman of the BJA officially cutting the ribbon on Monday 2nd February. Henry Deakin…

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Online retailers suffering Black Friday ‘hangover’

Online sales have seen a year-on-year increase in January but are still suffering from a Black Friday ‘hangover’.  This is according to the latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, which found sales were up 7% in January compare to the same time last year, below the index’s…

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Bomberg to target UK market with announcement of first stockist

Bomberg, the Swiss watch brand, has announced its first UK stockist as it gears up plans to target the UK market.  Bomberg watches, which are currently sold in over 15 countries, will be stocked in fashion retailer Wolf and Badger on Dover Street, London from Friday, February 20. Giancarlo Mantuano,…

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Edinburgh Assay Office launches new pay-as-you-go service

The Edinburgh Assay Office (EAO) is hoping to “unlock international markets” for online jewellery retailer’s with a new pay-as-you-go hallmarking and fulfilment service for online retailers.  The new service will combine hallmarking and fulfilment with final mile delivery, opening up UK and EU markets for companies importing precious metal jewellery…

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De Beers profits shine with 36% increase

The De Beers Group of Companies, itself a subsidiary of mining firm Anglo American, has reported a 36% increase in operating profits for 2014, rising to $1.4bn (around £910m) compared with the previous year. Anglo American said in a statement that the increase was due primarily to “solid demand” across key…

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Minister backs pawnbrokers in the fight against crime

The minister for crime prevention, Lynne Featherstone, has backed the work of members of the National Pawnbrokers Associations (NPA) in ensuring crime is tackled across local communities.  The public support came after a series of steps by the NPA – following discussions with the Home Office – to tackle crime…

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BJA and NAG draft questionnaire for diamond graders

Members of the British Jewellers Association (BJA) and National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) met last week to discuss the apparent anomalies between diamond grades attributed to stones by different diamond grading organisations.  It was agreed that a questionnaire should be drawn up by the two associations which will be sent…

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