Britain’s Shop Vacancy Rate remains at 13.3% in November

Britain’s shop vacancy rate has remained at 13.3% in November, according to The Local Data Company.  Analysis of vacancy rates by occupation type shows that Shop vacancy in November is 13.3% (0.0%), Leisure vacancy was 7.8% (0.0%), and All (Retail & Leisure) vacancy rate was 11.8% (0.0%). Matthew Hopkinson, director…

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Catherine Jones of Cambridge launches new US watch brand in UK

Jewellery retailer Catherine Jones of Cambridge has launched the ‘Animal Watch’ by new US watch brand 3thirty3, and is only one of two stores worldwide to stock the watch.  The watch, which features a leather strap, stainless steel case and water resistance, will raise money for the International Anti-Poaching Foundation…

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Benevolent Society Ball raises £30,000 for charity

The 79th British Jewellery & Giftware Federation Benevolent Society Ball has raised some £30,000 for the charity, the Benevolent Society.  The Benevolent Society Ball, which took place on December 4 at The St John’s Hotel, Solihull, attracted over 370 guests from the jewellery trade, The Giftware Association and other member…

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Black Friday helps online sales hit new record

Online sales of non-food products grew by 12% in November compared to a year earlier, according to the BRC-KPMG Online Retail Sales Monitor.  In November online sales represented 21% of total non-food sales in the monitor, against 19.6% in November 2013. This is the highest penetration rate since the monitor…

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UK to become largest luxury goods market in Europe by 2018

Luxury Goods retailing in Europe is forecast to reach $150bn (£96bn) by 2018, with the UK set to overtake France and Italy to become to become the leading luxury shopping market by 2018.  This is according to forecasts from retail research agency Conlumino, which says that jewellery and watches is…

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Domino set to launch new wedding ring collection at Spring Fair

Domino has announced that it will use its stand at Jewellery and Watch Birmingham to launch its new wedding ring collection.  The collection will include a selection of bi-colour bands available in platinum as well as 18ct white, yellow and rose gold, and is entirely British-made. The company has also…

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Shore Projects partners with Marine Conservation Society

New British watch brand Shore Projects has announced a partnership with the Marine Conservation Society.  Shore Projects, which is inspired by the British seaside, will donate £1 from each watch sold to help the conservation charity increase levels of protection for aquatic wildlife and habitats, including improving the condition of…

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Tag Heuer regains RJC certification

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that watch brand Tag Heuer has achieved re-certification by meeting the ethical, social and environmental standards, established by the RJC.  Ashish Deo, RJC’s CEO, said: “RJC congratulates Tag Heuer on achieving Re-Certification. Tag Heuer were first certified in 2011. After a Member has…

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Hallmarking set to top 10m items for first time in three years

The total number of hallmarked items is set to top 10 million for the first time since 2011, the latest data from the four UK assay offices suggests. Overall hallmarking figures, collated by the Assay Office Birmingham, dropped by 7.8% in November compared with the same period last year, mainly…

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Chisholm Hunter opens fourth store in 2014

Jeweller Chisholm Hunter has opened its second Edinburgh store, located in the city’s Gyle Shopping Centre.  The opening marks the retailer’s fourth new store opening of 2014, including its Bromley store which opened in October and two other stores located in Kingston-upon-Thames and Glasgow. The shop has created 10 new…

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