Pandemic
The pandemic has had a lasting impact on the UK jewellery trade, reshaping consumer habits, supply chains, and retail strategies. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, understanding these changes is essential to adapting and building resilience. Jewellery Focus provides in-depth coverage of the pandemic’s effects on the industry, including market analysis, business recovery strategies, e-commerce growth, and insights into shifting demand patterns. Our reporting helps trade professionals navigate the ongoing challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic landscape.
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Sep- 2020 -21 SeptemberCoronavirus
Government launches £95m recovery fund for high street
A new £95m government-funded scheme will support 68 “historic” high streets in England to recover from “declining footfall” and the impact of the pandemic. The initiative, High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), will work with local authorities to convert disused buildings into new shops, workplaces and community spaces. HSHAZ will…
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18 SeptemberDesigners
LVMH set to block Tiffany’s court petition
LVMH has announced it plans to block a court petition launched by jewellery company Tiffany & Co, who is attempting to fast-track legal proceedings after LVMH exited a proposed $16bn (£12bn) merger. The Louis Vuitton owner had agreed to the merger last year, but pulled out last week due to…
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18 SeptemberCoronavirus
Mayor of London urges government to extend business rates holiday
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and London Councils have joined together to urge the Government to extend the business rates holiday and help protect thousands of jobs in London and across the country. Businesses in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors are currently benefiting from 100% relief…
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18 SeptemberUncategorized
LVMH set to block Tiffany’s court petition
LVMH has revealed plans to block a court petition launched by jewellery company Tiffany & Co, who is attempting to fast-track legal proceedings after LVMH exited a proposed $16bn (£12bn) merger. The Louis Vuitton owner had agreed to the merger last year, but pulled out last week due to ‘‘recent…
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18 SeptemberCoronavirus
UK retail sales rise for fourth consecutive month
August saw retail sales volumes increase by 0.8% when compared with July, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), this resulted in an increase of 4% when compared with February’s pre-pandemic level of sales. The value of retail…
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17 SeptemberCoronavirus
Government extends commercial eviction ban until end of year
The government has decided to extend its commercial property eviction ban until the end of 2020. Businesses have been shielded from eviction over the last six months through the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria, which was originally set to end on 1 October. Retail and hospitality trade associations, including…
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15 SeptemberRetailers
Unemployment rate rises to 4.1% in July
The rate of unemployment in the UK increased 0.2% to 4.1% in the two months to July 2020, according to the ONS. The UK economic inactivity rate was also estimated at a joint record low of 20.2%, 0.6 percentage points lower than the previous year and 0.3 percentage points lower…
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14 SeptemberCoronavirus
Covid-19 relief package saves family jewellers
Sinclairs, the family-run jewellers in Inverurie, has secured £125,000 from the Coronavirus Business Loan Scheme (CBLS) to support the firm as it navigates the financial impact of the pandemic. The business is headed by Ian and Debbie Sinclair, whose family has managed the jewellers for over 40 years. The financial…
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14 SeptemberCoronavirus
Insolvent companies cost taxpayers £250m
Insolvent companies that were unable to pay their debts in the first six months of 2020 have cost British taxpayers almost £250m, according to Altus Group. The software group found that the amount paid to former members of staff was up by £133.79m in the period against the prior year,…
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11 SeptemberFeatures
Edge of Ember: Forging a sustainable future
As we enter the age of the unknown following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, industries are finding themselves at a crossroads and looking for change. While consumers and creators begin to look beyond traditional norms, more and more brands have turned towards diamonds’ much younger cousin: the lab-grown variety. …
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