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- 2017 -9 JuneCurrent Affairs
Businesses must “remain resilient” despite political uncertainty
British entrepreneur Cat Paton has said British businesses should “remain resilient” following the hung parliament election result. Following a significant drop in the value of the sterling, Paton, managing director of British marketplace OnBuy, said the currency value may encourage a “renewed focus on trading” within the UK. The pound…
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7 JuneEconomy
Businesses unable to cope with interest increases, research shows
One in 25 businesses would be unable to pay off its debts if the interest rates were to increase, research from insolvency trade body R3 has shown. Some 79,000 (4%) UK companies said that a small increase would affect them financially, almost a quadrupling (20,000) of figures from previous research…
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May- 2017 -17 MayCurrent Affairs
CBI boss calls for ‘Brexit task force’
Britain’s business leaders have the “solutions” to help Britain get a good deal from Brexit, a businessman has said. Paul Drechsler, president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), called on the next government to set up a Business Brexit Taskforce in their first 50 days to help ensure business…
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11 MayCurrent Affairs
1.4m jobs at risk as SMEs close, says business sale marketplace
Over 1.4 million jobs in the UK are at risk as hundreds of thousands of small businesses close within the next five years, according to a survey by business sale marketplace Bizdaq. The survey showed that companies are closing at an “alarming rate”, with 363,000 small business owners planning to…
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4 MayEconomy
Global gold demand drops by 18%
The global gold demand in Q1 of 2017 has dropped by 18% when compared to last year, according to the World Gold Council’s latest Gold Demand Trends report. While inflows into exchange traded funds (ETFs) were solid, the demand couldn’t match 2016’s “exceptionally high” Q1. European-listed products were the most…
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Apr- 2017 -26 AprilCurrent Affairs
Loss of EU workers would be a ‘huge blow
Over half of small businesses with EU workers are worried about accessing people with the right skills, or growing their business post-Brexit, according to new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). FSB’s latest report, ‘A skilful exit: What small firms want from Brexit’, shows one fifth (21 percent)…
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4 AprilNews
Glitzbox launches UK’s first jewellery subscription service
Glitzbox, the first jewellery rental subscription service in the UK, is set to launch this April. The subscription box has been created by jewellery consultant Tamzin Ivy, who has worked with independent jewellery brands and notonthehighstreet.com. Glitzbox will allow subscribers to receive three selected pieces of jewellery which they can…
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Mar- 2017 -8 MarchEconomy
Budget 2017: Government unveils £300m business rate relief fund
The government has helped soften the blow of April’s business rate revaluation with a £300m relief fund for local councils. The announcement was made by chancellor Philip Hammond at today’s Spring Budget, in which he said business rates raise £25bn each year – all of which, by 2020, will be…
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Feb- 2017 -14 FebruaryE-Commerce
New government cyber security centre opens
A new cyber security centre has been officially opened by the Queen today, in a bid to protect companies and the government from cyber attacks. The government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will use the new London office as its “operational nerve centre” in a bid to stop the growing threat…
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Nov- 2016 -10 NovemberCurrent Affairs
Rapaport: Trump victory will improve economy
Trump’s election victory coupled with Republican control of Congress will set the stage for improved economic conditions that will support increased demand for diamonds and jewellery, according to the Rapaport Group. In a statement on the US election result, the firm said lower taxes, higher domestic employment and the end of…
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