Osborne to reveal business rates review in Autumn Statement

According to reports from BBC News the Chancellor, George Osborne, is expected to reveal an overhaul of business rates to help high street retailers compete with internet retailers in his autumn statement.  The 400 year-old taxation system has long been under criticism from businesses and it has often been blamed…

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John Lewis banks Black Friday fashion sales

Black Friday helped to deliver the biggest ever week of sales for department store John Lewis with fashion posting its biggest ever sales for a single day’s trade.  The store delivered sales of £179.1m, up 21.8% on 2013 and up 56.8% week-on-week to deliver the biggest ever week for sales…

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Congo arms funding: jewellers urged to join the fight

Non-profit organisation The Enough Project has urged jewellery retailers to “develop transparent policies about their gold sourcing practices” to prevent funds going to armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The group has called for jewellers to commit to sourcing from only certified conflict-free gold refiners and to invest…

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H&T Pawnbrokers opens discount secondhand jewellery shop in Southampton

Discount secondhand jewellery retail store, Est1897, created by parent company H&T Pawnbrokers, has expanded into Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton.  H&T Pawnbrokers redeveloped 36 of its stores across the UK between June and September, changing their focus from traditional pawnbroking to secondhand discount jewellery. The decision to develop the concept…

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Gemfields partners with Mary Fisher to create ‘100 Good Deeds bracelet’

Gemfields, the coloured gemstone provider, yesterday announced the launch of its 100 Good Deeds Bracelet, scheduled to coincide with World AIDS day.  Designed in collaboration with activist and designer Mary Fisher, and promoted in an advertising campaign featuring Mila Kunis, the bracelet is handcrafted by women in Zambia and features…

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Police Watches launch TV campaign

Italian brand Police Watches has launched its biggest TV campaign to date, incorporating key retail dates ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’.  Airing in the run up to Christmas, the campaign will promote the brand’s key styles from its AW14 collection in what the company hopes will be in time for…

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Trollbeads officially opens first UK concept store

Trollbeads, the Danish charm bead jewellery brand, officially opened its first concept store in the UK, in Cambridge on November 20.  The official launch was celebrated at a VIP launch evening on November 19, attended by members of staff, invited guests (including Jewellery Focus) and representatives from Trollbeads UK and…

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One in six online shoppers duped by counterfeit goods

One in 28 consumers willingly search for fake goods online while one in six are tricked by the ‘quality’ of counterfeit websites, according to new research by software company MarkMonitor.  The study, which analysed data from more than 285,000 online shoppers in the United States and five European countries over…

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NPA launches UK wide trading standards scheme

Business Secretary Vince Cable MP has approved a new Primary Authority Coordinated Partnership between the National Pawnbroking Association (NPA) and Surrey County Council.  The partnership will give assurance to those across the UK who opt-in to the scheme that the policies and procedures in place in their premises cannot be…

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Genuine Gemstone Company launches new shopping apps

The Genuine Gemstone Company has launched a set of new apps for smart TVs and iOS and Android users. The launches follow the unveiling of the firm’s new international website in October, and are “a natural progression” as it “bids to become the biggest online jewellery retailer in the UK”, the firm said in…

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