News
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Feb- 2014 -27 February
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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26 February
Mastered to launch online jewellery academy
Jewellery education provider, Mastered, is set to launch a new online-only jewellery master-course in partnership with Holts Academy, that will focus on building a metal jewellery business. The firm, which provides online creative education in jewellery and fashion, aims to give jewellers both creative skills and business acumen to make…
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25 February
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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20 February
Signet tightens grip on US market with $690m Zale purchase
The US owner of British jewellery chains H Samuel and Ernest Jones has inched closer to market domination with the acquisition of smaller American chain Zale for a reported $690m (£414m). In a statement, Signet said it had stumped up for a $21-per-share cash deal, which represented a 41 per…
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20 February
CARAT* hails record number of customers at Spring Fair
Wholesale jewellery brand CARAT* says it expects its growth this year to surpass that of 2013, thanks to a strong order book and a successful exhibition and Jewellery & Watch Birmingham. The firm said it had welcomed “record numbers new and existing customers” onto its stand during the five-day event,…
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19 February
RJC certifies IWC and Panerai
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that luxury watch manufacturers IWC Schaffhausen and Panerai have achieved certification by meeting the highest ethical, social and environmental standards established by the council’s Member Certification system. The RJC’s interim CEO, Catherine Sproule, said: “The successful verification assessment [for both manufacturers] was led by…
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18 February
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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17 February
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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14 February
Birmingham Jewellery Quarter reaches another milestone in quest for £2m investment
Birmingham’s largest business improvement district (BID) has this week been successful in the first round of seeking a potential award of £2 million Townscape Heritage Grant, to be invested in the Jewellery Quarter. The grant, which assists communities in the regeneration of conservation areas and is awarded by the Heritage Lottery…
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11 February
F Hinds ‘ahead of schedule’ with Bracknell store opening
Jewellers F Hinds has announced the ahead-of-schedule opening of its new store in Princess Square, Bracknell. The bright, modern and also environmentally friendly jewellery store has relocated to 1 – 2 Princess Square, Bracknell, Berkshire. Manager Nick Dobinson and all the staff who were at the company’s previous Bracknell store…
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