Grace & Co to open sixth store in Grantham

Leicestershire-based jewellers Grace & Co is set to open a brand new store in autumn this year, bringing its number of stores to a total of six.  Opening its doors in late September, the new store will feature a range of jewellery brands from Thomas Sabo, Swarovski, and Vivienne Westwood.…

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Economic recovery solid, but growth ‘will even out’: CBI

The UK economic recovery is on solid ground but growth will even out in the second half of 2014 and into next year, the CBI said in its latest economic forecast. The UK’s leading business group forecasts 3.0% growth in 2014 and 2.7% in 2015, unchanged from May. Between the…

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Demand for Fairtrade gold increases

Cred Jewellery, a Fairtrade gold supplier, has received its largest shipment yet as demand soars in the UK.  The shipment, including bullion bars of unrefined 9kg of gold and 11kg of silver, comes from the Sotrami mine in Peru. It is the biggest shipment of Fairtrade metals ever received in…

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Charity auction at IJL raises over £3,000 for Breast Cancer Care

A charity auction at International Jewellery London (IJL) has raised more than £3,000 for Breast Cancer Care.  Hosted on the opening night of the show, at the late-night shopping evening, the auction featured 12 lots from designers and brands, including Ingenious Jewellery, Deakin & Francis, Marcia Lanyon and Sarah Ho.…

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Smiles at a trade show? Must be something in the water

Genuinely upbeat. That is how I would describe the atmosphere at International Jewellery London, which finishes its first re-launched iteration at London’s Olympia today.  It was clear to see that business was being done – whenever I dropped by any of the stands to ask how people’s show had been…

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Retail optimism level at its highest since 2002, says CBI

Retailers are at their most optimistic since 2002, with 51% of respondents reporting an increase in sales volumes, according to new research by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).  According to CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey, retail sales grew strongly in the year to August with the pace of…

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IJL registrations up 15% up for new Olympia show

Major jewellery trade show International Jewellery London (IJL) has recorded a 15% rise in visitor registrations for its 2014 event, compared to last year. In a sign that the jewellery industry is continuing to show signs of gaining buoyancy, the event, which this year moved from Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre…

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Businesses back Fairtrade foundation’s bridal campaign

Retailers, jewellers, designers, goldsmiths and casting houses have signed up to take part in the Fairtrade Foundation’s bridal campaign ‘I Do’ next spring 2015.  Encouraging British couples to choose Fairtrade gold when they get married, it is hoped the campaign will drive traffic to an online hub where they can…

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Gem-A set to launch new CSR course

The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) is set to launch a brand new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) course for the “jewellery professional.”  The course has been developed in conjunction with Branded Trust and CIBJO’s educational charity, the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF). The course aims to provide the…

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Signet Jewelers report 17.1% UK sales increase in second quarter

Signet Jewelers, the parent company of Ernest Jones and H.Samuel, has reported a total increase of 17.1% in UK sales in its second quarter financial results.  Same-store sales increased by 4.4% in the same period, while total sales reached $162.9m (£98.2m) in the UK. Online sales in the UK increased…

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