Year: 2016

Retail sales slow in February

Retail sales slowed to a near standstill in February, as like-for-like sales grew by just 0.1% compared with the same month last year. That’s according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG Retail Sales Monitor which found on a total basis sales were up 1.1%, against a 1.7% rise…

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UK Fairtrade gold volume sales up 440% in 2015

Volume sales of Fairtrade gold increased by 440% in the UK in 2015, according to new figures from the Fairtrade Foundation. The foundation also said Fairtrade mining co-operatives in Latin America sold 170kg of Fairtrade gold to the global market, generating a ‘Fairtrade premium’ of $340,000 (£240,000) on top of…

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Gerard Butler signs with Festina

Watch brand Festina has announced it has signed Scottish actor Gerard Butler as its new brand ambassador. The Hollywood actor will be part of the brand’s new campaign, ‘Time to Live’, which will follow the actor during 24 hours in his life and will launch at Baselworld. Miguel Rodríguez, group…

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Five arrested: 90-mile police chase after jewellery store raid ends in dramatic crash

Five men whose failed smash-and-grab bid on a jewellery store in Taunton, Somerset, have been arrested after a 90-mile police chase ended in a car crash. The raid took place on Wednesday, 2 March, when a masked gang attempted to rob Michael Spiers Jewellers on North Street at 10:30am. It…

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UK shop prices fall for 34th consecutive month

Shop prices fell 2% year-on-year in February, the 34th consecutive decline following January’s 1.8% fall. That’s according to British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen’s monthly Shop Price Index, which found non-food deflation, which includes jewellery, remained at 3% for the third consecutive month. On a 12-month average basis, the index…

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De Beers says rough diamond demand ‘is improving’

Demand for rough diamonds continues to improve for De Beers as it announces an increase in sales for its second sales cycle of 2016. According to its preliminary report for the second sales cycle of the year, the company sold $610m (£435m) worth of rough diamonds, taking into account global…

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Polished diamond prices remain firm in February

The price of polished diamonds continued to rise in February continuing the uptrend since November, according to new figures. The latest RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) from the Rapaport Group said the market was supported by continued shortages, while trading slowed during the month as dealers in China and Hong Kong…

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London Diamond Bourse launches new IIDGR window service

The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) today launched a new window service which will enable members diamonds to be sent to the IIDGR Lab in Maidenhead for grading or screening. LDB chief operating officer Victoria McKay said: “Our partnership with IIDGR, part of the De Beers Group of Companies, continues to…

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Beaverbrooks named in Sunday Times ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’

Family-owned Beaverbrooks has been named in the Sunday Times ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ for the 13th consecutive year. The company has been recognised as the best mid-sized retailer to work for in the UK, ranking 16th in the 250 to 3,000 employee category – up three places from…

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Signet Jewelers announces strong fourth quarter

Signet Jewelers, one of the world’s largest  retailer of diamond jewellery, has reported a strong fourth quarter in its latest preliminary trading update. In the 13 weeks ending 30 January 2016, the company reported same store sales increased by 4.9% compared with the same period a year earlier with diluted…

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