News

Chopard announces collaboration with Rihanna

Luxury Swiss jewellery brand Chopard has announced a collaboration with singer Rihanna for two upcoming collections. The ‘Rihanna Loves Chopard’ collection will debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in May and will be available for sale in June. The nine-piece fine jewellery collection will be inspired by the singer’s…

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Retail footfall expected to grow 5.4% over Easter weekend

Retail footfall in the UK is set to increase 5.4% over the Easter weekend, according to retail expert Springboard. The prediction comes after March retail footfall results showed there was a year-on-year increase of 1.2%. This increase broke the six-month consecutive decline. The projected increase was said to be a…

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Family-owned jewellers in Cambridgeshire to close down

A third generation jewellery retailer in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, is to close down after a drop in footfall left the owner with no choice. Julian Freeman, owner of high street jeweller A Freeman, has now launched a closing down sale with the store set to close its doors for the final…

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Bank closures cause concern for SMEs

Following the closing of more Lloyds Banking Group’s branches, The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern about what this would mean for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  Mike Cherry, national chairman of the FSB, said it is “very worrying” to see more local bank branches being shut down, leaving…

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UK retailers fail to lift sales despite higher footfall

 Despite positive footfall levels in March, sales for UK retailers failed to grow. According to accountancy firm BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST), UK retailers have failed to grow sales for the fourth month in a row, with like-for-like sales flat (0%) in March despite warmer weather and Mother’s day…

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Simon Rainer given freedom of The Goldsmiths’ Company

Simon Rainer, former CEO of the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA), has been given the freedom of The Goldsmiths’ Company. Rainer was awarded with the title at a ceremony in Goldsmiths’ Hall on 5 April. Afterwards, he was escorted by wardens to the Guildhall, where he was invited to apply for…

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Gender pay gap reporting comes into effect

Thousands of companies will publish their gender pay gap figures for the first time today under a new legal requirement.  Companies in the UK with 250 or more employees will be required to publish their gender pay gaps figures by April 2018, which the government said will help to “break…

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GIA creates free gem guide for artisanal miners

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has produced a gem guide which they will give to artisanal miners free of charge. Working in association with NGO Pact and women’s mining communities in Tanzania, the guide offers basic gemmological and market knowledge in gem-producing areas. It has been launched as a…

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Independent jeweller closes after 23 years in business

AD Moth Jewellers in High Wycombe has closed down after 23 years in business, following the retirement of its owner. Tony Moth, 79, who has worked in the jewellery industry for 62 years, ran the jewellers which was located in the town’s centre. Moth told the Bucks Free Press that…

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£30,000 of jewellery stolen from Newbury pawnbrokers

 Police are appealing for information following a burglary at a pawnbrokers in Newbury. Approximately £30,000 of jewellery was taken from the Gold Buying Shop, alongside cash and bankcards. Thames Valley Police said offenders forced open the back door of the shop. Numerous boxed jewellery items including diamond rings, men’s signet rings,…

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