Year: 2019

Lizzy James to launch in the UK

US jewellery brand Lizzy James will launch in the UK this summer. Michelle and Amy Joseph, who own the jewellers, will be launching the brand at Tendence Frankfurt, Pure, Top Drawer, Aix Index and Harrogate Fashion week. The brand was founded in San Diego, California, in 2011, and its collection…

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Banking red tape holding back UK retailers abroad

Almost three quarters (71%) of UK retailers would like their businesses to further expand internationally, however most (57%) believe overseas expansion is fraught with risk, according to new research conducted by buy now, pay later service Laybuy. The research, published today (6 June), surveyed over 200 UK retailers and revealed…

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Sixty-second interview: Shaun Bell MD at Joshua James Jewellery

Describe yourself in three words. Hardworking. Dedicated. Focused. How did you get to be where you are today? Hard work! You have to adapt to remain ahead of current trends, without losing the essence of what your brand is about. That involves knowing which brands you should be working with,…

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Diamond Producers Association releases online tools for retailers

The Diamond Producers Association (DPA) has launched an expanded offering of educational assets available to the jewellery trade at the international trade show JCK Las Vegas. The association’s new asset package includes a free social media asset library that will be expanded regularly to help retailers feed their digital channels…

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Raymond Weil releases new Freelancer collection

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has launched its new Freelancer collection. Handmade in Geneva with care, the two new 42mm models feature a half-moon opening date window – a centerpiece of the new design. First launched in 2007, the freelancer collection two latest models have been reinvented to highlight this…

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Retail sales in May see ‘biggest decline on record’

Sales decreased by 2.7% in May on a total basis, excluding Easter distortions, making it the “worst decline” since records began in January 1995, according to the latest BRC-KPMG sales monitor. However, the BRC said this was against an increase of 4.1% in May 2018, itself a four year record.…

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Disrupting physical: Who needs a store?

Only a few months ago, I was discussing the longevity of the high street with an e-commerce director at a luxury furniture retailer. Recalling the closing down sales in my local House of Fraser, I suggested it was just the beginning of an industry-wide revolution. His response surprised me. “It’s…

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McKellars Jewellers wins at Lanarkshire Business Awards

McKellars Jewellers has won at the Lanarkshire Business Awards, winning both Best Specialised Retailer for South Lanarkshire and Best Gift Shop in Lanarkshire. The jeweller said it was “lucky” to be nominated for both categories, and was then entered into the grand final of Scotlands Business Awards which was held…

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GIA adds country of origin reports for coloured diamonds

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has added natural coloured diamonds to its GIA Diamond Origin Report Service. The group said the “innovative” service, announced on March 28, scientifically matches faceted D-to-Z and now natural coloured diamonds to their original rough to confirm the gem’s country of origin. The GIA…

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Diamond trader banned for ‘falsifying’ sales invoices

Jan Maarten Asscher, director of Clarity Diamonds, has been banned from running limited companies for 11 years after falsifying high end jewellery sales invoices worth $1.75m (£1.38m), the Insolvency Service has said. His fellow director, Mark Timothy Walker (57), of Ware, has also been banned for nine years after he…

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