Retailers

Signet Jewellers swings to loss in Q2

Signet Jewellers, the parent company of H.Samuel and Ernest Jones, swung to a loss of $81.7m (£62m) in its second quarter of trading, down from a loss of $36.1 (£27.4m) the year before.  Total sales also fell by 34.9% to $888m (£623m) in the quarter ended August 1, 2020. Meanwhile,…

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Retail vacancy rate reaches six-year high

Retail shop vacancies have reached a six-year high due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research from Springboard. The research found the UK vacancy rate rose to 10.8% in July up from 9.8% in January, which means it is now at the highest level since January…

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SMEs ‘plagued’ by late payments

UK freelancers and small business owners continue to be plagued by the problem of late payment, according to new research by cloud accounting software company Freeagent. Analysis of over two million invoices sent by FreeAgent customers between January 2019 and June 2020 has revealed the “startling impact” of late payment…

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Tag Heuer and Beaverbrooks partner for new opening

Tag Heuer has announced the opening of a new boutique in partnership with family jeweller Beaverbrooks. The new site will be located in the Intu Chapelfield shopping centre in the centre of Norwich. The 22.12 square meter site features a contemporary design that uses the “iconic red” shade that is…

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Retail jobs in sharpest fall since 2009

Retail employment fell at the fastest rate since February 2009 in the year to August, with an even sharper decline anticipated in the year to September, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. The survey – which featured 63 retailers among its 128 respondents – also showed a…

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Road closures are ‘accelerating the decline of the high street’, says Bira

Local authorities across the UK are “accelerating the decline of the high street” with “unnecessary” road closures, according to Bira. The group said it has been “inundated” with calls from concerned businesses that post-lockdown accessibility issues are “significantly impacting trade”. Bira said it is now working hard to help address…

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Pandora revenues slump in Q2 results           

Pandora has reported revenues of DKK 2.87bn (£348m) in its second-quarter of trading, down from DKK 4.69bn (£569m) during the same period last year. Gross profit also decreased from DKK 3.5bn (£424m) to DKK 2bn (£242m), and Pandora now expects organic growth to be down 20% in 2020. The full-year…

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Usdaw leader launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has today (19 August) launched a House of Commons petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The trade union said the petition has been launched in response to “continued growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and the doubling of such incidents…

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F.Hinds to open Luton store

F.Hinds has announced the opening of its 115th store in Luton, which is set to open its doors on 22 August. According to the family-run jewellers, the new site, located in The Mall shopping centre, is set to create seven new jobs through its opening.   The store will feature “sleek,…

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Nour By Jahan launches Jolie collection

Fine jewellery brand Nour By Jahan has launched its new Jolie collection. The Jolie collection is one of the five collections from the brand, that celebrates the individual character, shape and cut of each unique diamond.  The Jolie collection includes pendant, ring, earrings, bracelet and watch, set in custom-made 18k…

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