Gem-A appoints Vivien Johnston as new ethics manager

The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has appointed luxury ethical retailer and chair of the Jewellery Ethics Committee (JECUK), Vivien Johnston, as its new ethics and CSR manager.  The news follows the latest, ethics-focused World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) congress in Moscow with Gem-A taking the lead on corporate social…

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UK retailers set to celebrate Trollbeads Day

Danish charm bead jewellery brand Trollbeads has announced the first of an annual global celebration named ‘Trollbeads Day’.  The celebration will take place on Friday, August 1, 2014 and will involve retailers from across the UK. A statement from Trollbeads said: “A celebration of Trollbeads stories from fans all over…

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Retail sales rebound solidly in July, says CBI

Retail sales volumes grew solidly in the year to July, rebounding from a disappointing performance a month earlier, according to the latest Monthly Distributive Trades Survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Retailers expect sales volumes to grow at an even stronger pace next month and stocks in relation…

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18 months is a swift turnaround to conjoin the two associations

Amongst the more sceptical jewellers out there, for a decade the subject of the trade associations merging has drawn sarcasm and mirth in equal measure. But in a candid interview with newly elected NAG chairman, Andrew Hinds, I discovered how closely the two bodies appear to be co-operating. One of the aims…

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The merging trade bodies: a conversation with Andrew Hinds

A conversation with newly-appointed NAG chairman Andrew Hinds, about the future of the British Jewellers’ Association and the National Association of Goldsmiths. Interview by Michael Northcott. Now that you are chairman, what is the outlook for the amalgamation of the two bodies? Over the course of the remainder of this…

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Tiffany CEO Michael Kowalski to retire in 2015

Tiffany & Co announced yesterday that its long-standing CEO, Michael Kowalski, will retire from the company at the end of March 2015, to be replaced by current president Frederic Cumenal. Kowalski, 62, joined Tiffany in 1983 and has been a member of the company’s board of directors since 1995. He became CEO…

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10 Top Tips for Jewellery Retailers to Increase Online Revenue 

By Al Keck, the managing director of online retail specialists, Toinfinity. 1)      Analyse your data – Know your numbers, online marketing is accountable to return on investment (ROI). Make sure your online channel is delivering a positive contribution to the business. 2)      Know your customer base – Who are they, where do they shop and…

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Miranda Kerr named Swarovski ‘campaign muse’ for A/W 2014

Miranda Kerr has been announced as the face and ‘muse’ of the Swarovski A/W 2014/15 campaign. Nathalie Colin, Swarovski’s Creative director, said: “Miranda was an obvious choice for Swarovski. She represents a very contemporary idea of women, which illustrates the brand perfectly” Mirandar Kerr said of her appointment: “I love the…

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Tea Green launches debut pop-up market in Glasgow

Over 20 independent artists and designers from Scotland are to exhibit original work at Tea Green’s debut art, design and contemporary craft market in Glasgow. The pop-up event launched by Tea Green Pop-Up Events will boast an eclectic mix of creativity from painters to jewellery makers and textile designers. Taking…

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Ben Hawkins wins debut Catherine Jones competition

Jewellery retailer Catherine Jones of Cambridge has unveiled Ben Hawkins as the winner of the brand’s debut award, The Golden Jubilee Competition.  Ben Hawkins, a student at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, picked up the prize beating nine of his fellow classmates. The competition, which was launched in 2013 to celebrate the…

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