Economy

March retail sales jump 4.2%, says ONS

Overage retail sales across the UK rose by 4.2 per cent in March compared with the same period in 2013, and by a more modest 0.1 per cent compared with February 2014, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Highlights from ONS report: In March…

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Q1 hallmarking figures rise 23%, gold jewellery on the up-and-up

The number of articles hallmarked across the four UK assay offices rose by 23 per cent in the first three months of 2014 compared with the same period the previous year, according to the latest figures. In a statement, the Birmingham Assay Office revealed that the best performers were 9ct…

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BRC welcomes European Parliament vote on card payment fees

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed a vote by MEPs for an overhaul of the European payments market, which could include introducing a cap on bank fees charged to retailers for card payments. It is thought that the caps could be set at 0.2 per cent and 0.3 per…

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Hallmarking figures for 9ct gold rise more than 33%

Figures released today by the Birmingham Assay Office show that the number of 9ct gold items hallmarked across all four UK assay offices rose more than 33% in February, compared with the same period the previous year. After 9ct gold, the next best performing category was sterling silver, which is…

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Three-month retail sales growth ‘in line’ at 2.8%, says BRC

The three-month average growth in retail sales to the end of February was 2.8 per cent, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). These figures mean the three-month period was in line with the 12-month trend, which now sits at 2.7 per cent growth. However, on…

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H&T pawnbrokers’ 2013 full year profits dip 60%

The UK’s largest pawnbroking group, H&T, has revealed that pre-tax profits slumped a hefty 60 per cent to £6.7m, for the full year to 31 December 2013.  Total sales for the full year were £49.9m, down by 19.9 per cent compared with the previous year’s £62.3m. The figures come as…

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Argento goes for growth with £1m investment in seven new stores

Belfast-based jewellery chain Argento has announced a £1m investment plan that will include seven new shop openings in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. The new premises are part of the company’s strategy to increase its representation in high-footfall locations, and will mean 50 new jobs are created…

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China the world’s largest gold market in 2013, global demand strong

Consumers around the world bought gold in record amounts in 2013, led by demand in China and India, with China becoming the world’s biggest gold market, according to the latest World Gold Council Gold Demand Trends report. In Western markets consumer demand also remained strong with the US, in particular,…

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Inhorgenta attendance matches previous year with 30,000 visitors

Major trade show Inhorgenta Munich has confirmed that almost 30,000 visitors from 80 countries were in attendance for this year’s show, which represents “the same level as the previous year”. In a statement, the organisers said that around one third of the visitors came from abroad. Among the countries most…

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Scotland’s Trade Fair visitor numbers up by 15%

The organisers of Scotland’s Trade Fair have announced the show enjoyed a rise in visitor numbers of nearly 15 per cent, and with high quality buyers in attendance, exhibitors reported a healthy number of enquiries. Over the three-day period in January, 4000 buyers attended the show, up almost 500 from…

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