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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Sep- 2014 -9 SeptemberEconomy
BRC: August retail sales growth ‘best since January’
Retail sales in August grew 1.3% compared with August 2013 on a like-for-like basis, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). In the best performance since January, the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed total sales were up 2.7%, with growth largely driven by sales of clothing and footwear, which reported…
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4 SeptemberEconomy
Economic recovery solid, but growth ‘will even out’: CBI
The UK economic recovery is on solid ground but growth will even out in the second half of 2014 and into next year, the CBI said in its latest economic forecast. The UK’s leading business group forecasts 3.0% growth in 2014 and 2.7% in 2015, unchanged from May. Between the…
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Aug- 2014 -4 AugustUncategorized
CMJ sales break £100m barrier for the first time
The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) has reported sales of just under £113m, breaking through the £100m mark for the first time in its history. Unveiling the results at the group’s annual general meeting in Birmingham, director Andrew Hirshman said group sales rose from £88.1m in 2012/13 to just shy…
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4 AugustEvents
IJL announces major partnership with UKTI
International Jewellery London has announced a key partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) for this year’s show, in order to help the UK brands’ global marketing. UKTI’s role is to assist UK-based companies succeed within the global economy through their network of specialists around the world. UKTI will provide…
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Jul- 2014 -29 JulyEditor's Blog
The luxury goods market is buoyant – it’s time to stop blaming the economy
When luxury goods giant LVMH announces that handbags and belts at £1000+ a piece are doing better than watches and jewellery, you have to ask what is going on. The West, in its entirety, has become obsessed with the notion that economic weakness is to blame for poor sales in…
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11 JulyOpinion
COMMENT: Rising hallmarking figures are great news but the party may be short-lived
By Scott Thompson, founder and CEO of Carat* There is growing evidence that many parts of the UK are coming out of the great recession. I am pleased that many of my colleagues and friends in the jewellery industry are sounding more upbeat. However there is a risk that the…
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Jun- 2014 -27 JuneDesigners
So Jewellery re-brands, gears up for international expansion
So Jewellery has rebranded to become ‘So Jewellery London’ to highlight the British heritage of the company as it gears up for international expansion. The firm said: “British brands continue to increase in popularity and have a strong appeal, both at home and abroad. With the UK economy showing signs…
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13 JuneNews
BRC: Retail sales growth slows in May
Retail sales growth slowed down in the month of May, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor said UK retail sales for May were up 0.5% on a like-for-like basis from May 2013, when they had increased 1.8% on the preceding…
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3 JuneEconomy
Economic growth reaches ‘record high’, says CBI
Economic growth reached a record high in May, posting the highest reading since data began in 2003, according to the latest CBI growth indicator. The survey of 726 respondents across the manufacturing, retail and service sectors registered record high growth in business activity, with a balance of +35%, up from…
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3 JuneEconomy
Cash use down by 14% over the last five years, says BRC
By Helen Dickinson, director general of the British Retail Consortium Customers are using less cash than ever as retailers make it easier and more convenient to shop and pay. New data reveals that a growing proportion of smaller payments previously made in cash are now being made in other ways.…
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