Economy
The economy has a direct influence on the UK jewellery trade, affecting consumer spending, material costs, and business confidence across the sector. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, staying informed on economic trends is vital to planning and resilience. Jewellery Focus provides expert coverage of economic developments impacting the trade, including inflation, interest rates, consumer confidence, and supply chain challenges. Our reporting helps jewellery professionals understand the wider market forces shaping their business environment.
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Jul- 2025 -10 JulyInternational
Demand for gold across the UK increases 50% in the last 12 months
Demand for gold across the UK has increased 50% between July 2024 and June 2025, according to data from Gold Bank London. This latest insight direct from Gold Bank London takes into account the retailer’s sales from across the country, which includes both online and in-store transactions. Consumers continue to…
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Jun- 2025 -23 JuneTrade Organisations
NAJ joins Creative UK to champion jewellery industry
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has joined Creative UK in a bid to raise the profile of jewellery, silverware and allied trades within the creative industries. The move comes after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recognised the jewellery sector’s contribution to the UK creative economy last…
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13 JuneNews
Warm weather fails to boost footfall in May
Retail footfall across the UK declined by 1.7% compared with May 2024, spelling a sharp drop from the 7.2% rise recorded in April, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic Solutions. The downturn affected most retail locations, with High Streets down 2.5% year-on-year, and…
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5 JuneEconomy
Consumer confidence hasn’t recovered since Brexit vote, Barclays finds
Consumer confidence reached its highest point in the past 10 years in September 2016, at 48%, just after the Brexit referendum, according to Barclays’ “10 Years of Spend” report. Barclays has been tracking consumer confidence monthly since 2015 and also surveyed 2000 people in the UK for the report, which…
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Apr- 2025 -15 AprilRetailers
UK sales increase 1.1% in March thanks to good weather boost
UK Total retail sales increased by 1.1% year on year in March, against a growth of 3.5% in March 2024, with gardening and DIY sales being boosted by good weather. New data from the BRC and KPMG revealed that the increase was below the 3-month average growth of 1.6% and…
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Feb- 2025 -20 FebruaryEconomy
UK consumer confidence drops to new low in February
UK consumer confidence slipped to a new low of -37 in February, amid the worsening state of the economy. According to the latest BRC-Opinium Consumer Sentiment Monitor, the economy worsened for the fifth consecutive month, down from -34 in January. The BRC reported that even Gen Z, despite being the…
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4 FebruaryManufacturers
De Beers and Botswana secure rough diamond sales agreement
The Government of the Republic of Botswana (GRB) and De Beers Group have agreed a deal establishing a new sales agreement for Debswana’s rough diamond production. Alongside this, the deal has extended Debswana’s mining licences in the country beyond 2029. This development is in alignment with the heads of terms…
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Jan- 2025 -30 JanuaryEconomy
Value of diamonds has plummeted in past 2 years, warns 77 Diamonds
Both natural and lab grown diamonds have seen a significant reduction in value, according to online jeweller 77 Diamonds. Over the last two years, the value of a 1ct natural diamond, based on the cost price of round diamonds, has fallen by 34%, whilst a 2ct stone is now worth…
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Dec- 2024 -23 DecemberEconomy
BRC warns of ‘spending squeeze’ in January
The British Retail Consortium has warned of a January spending squeeze, as BRC-Opinium data between 10 and 13 December showed that people’s spending intentions dropped 6pts. It comes as public confidence in the state of the economy “took a nosedive”, falling 8pts to -27, creating a widening gap between expectations…
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Nov- 2024 -29 NovemberTrade Organisations
UKJSAC advises on government’s Industrial Strategy Consultation
The UK Jewellery, Silverware, and Allied Crafts (UKJSAC) Roundtable has shared its insights with the Department for Business and Trade as part of the government’s consultation on its Industrial Strategy Green Paper, unveiled in September. This submission highlighted the jewellery sector’s vital role in driving both economic growth and social…
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