Features

The election is over – time for the Tories to deliver for small businesses

It now looks as though political stasis and all the damage that does to business will be lifted in 2020. Boris Johnson’s victory in the election is the Tories’ strongest since the Thatcher era, and gives him great scope to implement bold policies. At this juncture it’s worth taking a…

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Small business owners dip into personal wealth to survive? Of course they do

We are living through an era where there is much discussion about capitalism, taxes, executive pay and so on. Is Philip Green a monster for raiding the BHS coffers when they were his to raid? Is the pay of a city CEO morally acceptable when his lowest paid workers are…

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Innovative ways to bring people into your jewellery store

Running a jewellery business is no mean feat, not least because the advent of e-commerce means enticing customers into store is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge. Yet despite the popularity of online shopping, when it comes to the luxury jewellery sector a physical presence is still crucial, and valued.  According…

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What to do if you see someone breaking hallmarking law

A real frustration for jewellers who make sure they comply with hallmarking law is seeing instances of others flouting the law and apparently getting away with it, selling items without a valid UK hallmark.  The hallmark is a vital form of consumer protection because you can’t judge the composition of…

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The manufacturer files: Black Dragon Crafts

In a modestly-sized workshop on the side of a green hill in west Wales sits Black Dragon Crafts, a manufacturer which specialises in the creation of Celtic beads and jewellery. The whole operation is now run almost entirely by its founder, Annie Wealleans, who began crafting the historically inspired jewellery…

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15 Minutes with Scott Walter, Edinburgh Assay Office CEO

Tell me about your appointment as chairman of the Convention on the Control & Marking of Articles of Precious Metals? On 1 November I will take up the Chair of the Convention. The Convention is an international treaty between contracting states. It’s purpose is to create a mechanism for cross…

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Transforming your image to become a trusted brand

Given retail’s current climate, it goes without saying that the consumer is more empowered than ever. As of 2018, 87% of retail purchases are made online in the UK  and in an increasingly saturated market, customers are more likely to look around for the best products and prices to inform…

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Building a relationship with big brands

Some 71% of customers prefer to buy from familiar brands, according to Global Banking and Finance. So, stocking recognisable brands can be a fail-safe way to improve the credibility of your jewellery business, as well as draw consumers in to check out the rest of your stock. However, brands invest…

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My Store: Palenque Jewellery

Directors Susana and David Heard started Palenque Jewellery in a small  gallery-style shop on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in October 1992. The idea for Palenque can be traced back to the period when the pair first met in Chiapas Mexico, where Susana originates. At the same time as meeting his future…

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E-Commerce Handbook Case Study: Ruby & Oscar

Give me a brief description of your business Ruby & Oscar was established in 2018. We offer lab created and natural, semi precious stones set within a selection of silver and gold designs. Operating solely online, we are able to pass on excellent savings directly to our customers. What is…

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