News
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May- 2020 -12 May
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has extended the Government’s furlough scheme until the end of October. Announcing the decision in the house of commons today (12 May) Sunak revealed that “no changes whatsoever” will be made to the current scheme until the end of July. However he noted that…
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12 May
Houlden announces support measures for members
The Houlden Group has revealed a wealth of measures it is using to support its members and supplier partners during the ongoing pandemic. It initially facilitated inter-group communications between jewellers through its website forum, interactive Zoom meetings and social media platforms like WhatsApp, using the insights gained to “develop a…
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12 May
Safety first is the only way lockdown measures can be eased, says Usdaw
Trade union Usdaw has responded to the prime minister’s statement by urging a safety first approach to easing lockdown measures. The union cautions non-food retailers not to open until they can guarantee staff and customer safety and urges them to adopt the joint advice agreed with the British Retail Consortium…
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12 May
Reopening independent stores must be part of first phase of exit plan, says Bira
Independent retail businesses can offer a safe shopping environment and will help keep people within their local communities’, says the head of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Andrew Goodacre is calling for small independent shops to reopen during the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions outlined in government documents.…
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11 May
Benevolent Society sends hampers to beneficiaries
The Benevolent Society has announced that it has identified up to 50 beneficiaries to be the recipients of a hamper filled with edible goods. In a newly-released statement, the society said: “With all of the talk of Worldwide pandemic, economic disaster, job losses, the NHS being overwhelmed, it is important…
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11 May
De Beers Group launches e-commerce platform
De Beers Group’s auctions department has announced the introduction of a new scheme that will give registered buyers 24/7 access to diamond purchases. The newly-launched ‘Buy platform’ will allow buyers to make an “immediate, direct and straightforward purchase” from a range of rough diamonds with a further purchase option in…
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11 May
British Academy of Jewellery collaborates with Parlement Lycéen Européen
The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced the continuation of its partnership with Parlement Lycéen Européen (PLE), a network of jewellery schools across Europe. In light of the ongoing partnership, the association will participate in the PLE’s annual jewellery design competition, whereby students from twelve European jewellery schools compete…
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11 May
Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West and Wales…
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7 May
Rotary Watches reopens distribution centre
Rotary Watches announced that it has reopened its distribution centre for a three-week period in order to service its retail partners and online orders. The centre has been open since the week commencing 4 May, and its continued operations will be reviewed at the end of the three-week period in…
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7 May
Birmingham Assay Office reopens gem lab amid Covid-19 pandemic
The Birmingham Assay Office has re-opened its gem lab and is now fully operational three days a week amid the Covid-19 crisis. Like many other businesses, the Birmingham Assay Office temporarily closed its doors on Tuesday 24 March for three weeks as stipulated by the government, but last month hallmarking…
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