Retailers excluding 12 million disabled customers, says government

Thousands of high street businesses could be turning away the custom of one in five people, owing to the lack of accessibility for the disabled, according to new government figures.  Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that households with a disabled person have a combined…

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Gems TV to feature in ITV documentary

Gems TV and its founder are the subject of an new behind-the-scenes documentary to be aired on 2 September at 9pm on ITV. Founded by professional gem hunter Steve Bennett, Gems TV has become a large retail jewellery business in Britain. Sales are generated through its TV channel (Sky Channel 655, Freeview 43),…

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Tiffany & Co announces strong Q2 sales and profit growth

Tiffany & Co. today announced a 16% rise in profits for the second quarter of this year, chalking up $124m (£74.75m) in earnings after tax. The firm said the performance was due to a 7% increase in worldwide net sales (reaching $993m – £598.6m) and a higher gross margin. Management increased its…

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Endless announces partnership with Jennifer Lopez

Jewellery brand Endless has announced that it has entered a long-term partnership with Jennifer Lopez.  Under the partnership Endless will introduce a new line of bracelets and charms bearing the Jennifer Lopez trademark. The range will feature three colours of snakeskin wrap bracelets in gold, red and black with a…

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Guess designs voice-command watches

Guess Watches and Martian Watches, a Californian-based smartwatch developer, have announced a strategic partnership to develop interactive, voice-commanded wrist accessories.  Sequel chief operating officer David Yim, and Martian Watches president, Stan Kinsey, together outlined a vision of smart wearables. Sequel recently bought the distribution rights for Guess watches. A statement…

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Houlden Group and Watch Gallery to offer click-and-collect service

The Houlden Group has announced plans for the trial of a new click-and-collect initiative with The Watch Gallery in an bid to expand into the luxury watch market.  The initiative will see participating Houlden stores operating as collection points for Watch Gallery customers across the UK and Ireland. A statement…

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Theo Fennell set to judge Shine Showcase 2014

Theo Fennell has announced that he will be a member of the judging panel for the Shine Show 2014 at The Goldsmith’s centre in Clerkenwell, London.  The showcase, which is part of the London Design Festival, will celebrate the most exceptional craftsmanship in goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery design and will…

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Now comes the real test for Jason Holt’s apprenticeships vision

It was always an ambitious undertaking, trying to draw a single thread between dozens of craft skills and come up with a qualification that could effectively test the talents of everything from furniture makers to piano tuners (not to mention jewellery, of course). His task involved a huge amount of…

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Jason Holt leads new apprenticeship standard for craftsmanship industry

Craft employers, including Jason Holt, MD of gemstone specialist Holts London, have submitted a new apprenticeship standard for the craftsmanship industry. The new Craft Phase 2 Trailblazer will deliver the “quality skills employees need to achieve excellence in the workplace.” The new apprentice standard, led by Jason Holts, has been…

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Tateossian set to open flagship London store

Jewellery brand Tateossian is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary with the opening of a new men’s flagship store in London.  The new store will be located in Sloane Square, near London’s Kind road and the Saatchi gallery. A company statement said that the area was a “mecca for shopping,…

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