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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Jun- 2019 -28 JuneRetailers
UK consumer confidence slips in June
Market research company GfKโs long-running Consumer Confidence Index has showed that confidence among consumers in the UK has decreased by three points to -13 in June. The measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months decreased month to -32 during the month, four points…
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13 JuneAnalysis
The potential of the US and Canada for jewellery retailers and brands
There are glittering prizes in reach for UK jewellery brands and retailers that tap into the growing demand from younger shoppers worldwide to purchase luxury jewellery online. The opportunities are coming into clear focus as consumers, particularly those belonging to Gen Z (those born after 1995), become increasingly receptive to…
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May- 2019 -24 MayRetailers
Retail investment intentions lowest in survey history, says CBI
Retail Investment intentions for the year ahead have weakened to the lowest balance in survey history, at -65%, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Itโs a sharp drop from February 2019 (-33%), and comes as retail sales in the year to May fell at the fastest pace since…
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13 MayRetailers
Swarovski launches new design initiative with Central Saint Martins
Swarovski has launched its inaugural Conscious Design programme in collaboration with Central Saint Martins, UAL. Swarovskiโs Conscious Design initiative is focused on how the company can โinspire others to spark positive change in the worldโ by motivating the next generation of designers to create their products and collections responsibly, and…
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9 MayAnalysis
How jewellers can utilise their independent status
As an independent jewellery retailer or brand, you are in a unique position to highlight your status as a smaller business, and capitalise on this. According to The Federation of Small Businesses, 52% of all private sector turnover comes from small businesses. This is but one statistic indicative of the…
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Apr- 2019 -10 AprilRetailers
Business confidence โcrashesโ to lowest point since 2012
Business optimism has โcrashedโ to its lowest level since September 2012, according to a new report from accountants and business advisors BDO. BDOโs Optimism Index, which shows how businesses expect output to develop in the next three to six months, plummeted to 96.10 in March from 99.79 in February. According…
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1 AprilRetailers
BRC calls to end business rates hike
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said action is needed to โprotect shops and jobsโ as business rates for retailers are set to rise by ยฃ200m for 2019/20. In a submission made to the Treasury Select Committee today (1 April), the BRC has set out a framework to โfix the…
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Jan- 2019 -24 JanuaryFeatures
Tsavorite: The fight to save a legacy
In 2009 Campbell Bridges, a world-renowned gemstone expert and geologist, was murdered. It shocked and horrified the jewellery and gemstone industry – not just because it represented the death of one of the sector’s most famed personalities, but also because of the heartless manner of his assassination. Bridges, as many…
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17 JanuaryVoice On The Highstreet
Voice on the High Street: Zelley Jewellery
Name: Alistair Zelley, Zelley Jewellers Website: www.zelleyjewellers.co.uk Year established: 1886 Number of staff: 7 Location: Norwich How was Zelley Jewellers founded? My great grandfather Fredrick John Zelley started out as a sole trader during the 1890s in Bishopโs Stortford and registered the first FJ Zelley Jewellers in 1910. My grandfather…
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Dec- 2018 -18 DecemberFeatures
Retailers: Step it up with training
Itโs time to step it up or you may find yourself stepping aside. ย To say that we are in a serious situation is an understatement. Most jewellery firms, both in retail and more broadly, are doing about half of what they potentially could and should be doing. I say this…
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