Covid-19
Covid-19 brought unprecedented challenges to the UK jewellery trade, reshaping retail, supply chains, and consumer behaviour. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, understanding the pandemic’s lasting impact is essential to building resilience and adapting strategies. Jewellery Focus offers in-depth coverage of Covid-19’s effects on the industry, including market analysis, recovery efforts, e-commerce growth, and insights into how businesses are navigating a post-pandemic landscape.
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Jul- 2020 -17 JulyTips
Going online – John Lewis closes down eight stores as Covid progresses
Following the havoc caused by COVID-19, the John Lewis Partnership has shocked the world with a difficult decision—permanently closing down eight stores, where 1,300 workers are now at risk of losing employment. “Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today’s announcement will come as very sad news to customers…
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16 JulyInternational
Diamond sales plummet at De Beers
Rough diamond sales at De Beers slumped by 96% to $56m (£44.6m) in the second quarter of the year, down from $1.3bn recorded the year prior. This was largely driven by lower volumes, which plunged by 97% to 300,000 carats in the prios, while prices also fell. It comes after…
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16 JulyCoronavirus
NAJ set to cut jobs
The NAJ has confirmed it is facing a “number” of redundancies following a widespread restructuring programme across several trade associations. The proposed plan was confirmed by the NAJ following the publication of a statement from the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) interim CEO, which was sent to all federation and…
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15 JulyCoronavirus
Swatch Group reports 46% drop in sales
Swatch Group has reported a 46% drop in sales in the first half of the year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although sales figures nearly halved, the group reported a 21.4% operating margin in its watches and jewellery segment for the month of January. Swatch Group, which owns brands such…
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13 JulyCoronavirus
Businesses must remain Covid-secure, warns HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that they must ensure they are Covid-secure as lockdown measures ease across the UK. According to the authority, inspectors will be “out and about”, spot-checking employers that they are complying with health and safety law. HSE defines “Covid-secure” as being “adaptable…
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13 JulyFeatures
Why D2C strategies hold the key to retail’s future
As UK retail stores reopen, questions remain about whether ‘normal’ service will be resumed. With many store closures since March, the pandemic has encouraged a deep introspection on how consumer expectations, purchasing patterns and priorities are speeding up a shift to online-first, direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail strategies. In April, the UK’s…
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10 JulyCoronavirus
Organisers of JGW reshuffle dates to November
Organisers of Jewellery and Gem World Hong Kong (JGW) have announced they are rescheduling the show for 9-3 November 2020 at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). Previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, JGW was originally set for September at two venues, 13-17 September at the AWE, where precious…
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9 JulyEvents
GNCCF moves online
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) has announced it will move to a digital platform this summer, with the launch of GNCCFonline, set to take place between 25 July and 31 July 2020. The online selling showcase will feature 160 designer-makers who had originally been selected to take part…
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8 JulyFeatures
How Amazon can help the jewellery industry to shine
With Covid-19 shutting down the high street, many jewellery businesses have turned to online retail to survive. Even as shops begin to open their doors, social distancing measures mean that footfall is unlikely to be on the level it was pre-pandemic. But since two thirds of consumers begin their online…
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7 JulyRetailers
Mappin and Webb opens refurbished boutique
Mappin and Webb announced it has opened the doors to a newly refurbished Cambridge boutique. The original boutique has been extended and will house a dedicated 36sqm Rolex area, making the total boutique 111sqm in size. The multi-brand section of the boutique will also offer a selection of timepieces and…
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