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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Aug- 2020 -21 AugustFeatures
The enjoyment of in-store shopping is a culture we must not forget
Before the pandemic hit, we were already inching closer to the death of the High Street. But with lockdown restrictions and now, new COVID containment measures in place, its demise seems that much more daunting. “Consumer sentiments have well and truly changed,” warns Robert Lockyer, CEO and founder of Delta…
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20 AugustE-Commerce
Two-thirds of consumers look for ethical features in online purchases
Some 64% of UK and Irish consumers are now “actively looking” for ethical or sustainable features when making a purchase, according to new research by PFS and LiveArea. A further 76% of consumers felt that online retailers and brands have an “obligation” to protect, conserve and benefit” the environment, reflecting…
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20 AugustDesigners
Diamonds capture luxury market share, says De Beers
Diamonds have an increased potential to “capture the luxury market share”, according to the third instalment of De Beers’ Diamond Insight Flash Report series. The series of reports aims to look at the consumer perspective on diamonds, and how it continues to evolve following the pandemic. The latest report includes…
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19 AugustRetailers
Pandora revenues slump in Q2 results
Pandora has reported revenues of DKK 2.87bn (£348m) in its second-quarter of trading, down from DKK 4.69bn (£569m) during the same period last year. Gross profit also decreased from DKK 3.5bn (£424m) to DKK 2bn (£242m), and Pandora now expects organic growth to be down 20% in 2020. The full-year…
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19 AugustRetailers
Usdaw leader launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has today (19 August) launched a House of Commons petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The trade union said the petition has been launched in response to “continued growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and the doubling of such incidents…
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18 AugustEvents
IEG to host first international jewellery fair since lockdown
The Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has introduced a new omnichannel event called Voice, in a bid to push the international jewellery industry to start up again amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. An acronym for Vicenzaoro International Community Event, VOICE is formed of three parts: a summit (in real life and…
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14 AugustAdvice
E-Commerce reputation should be top of your agenda
E-Commerce has been a fiercely competitive space for many years now, with retailers fighting for market share through unique user experiences, an omnichannel offering and broad partner integrations, to name a few. But since the Covid-19 pandemic hit and with increasing online spending, businesses need to focus more heavily on…
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13 AugustCoronavirus
Watches of Switzerland returns to growth
Watches of Switzerland has reported that full-year revenue rose by 5.9% to £819.3m in the period ended 26 April, 2020. Before lockdown, the group reported “strong” trading during the 46 weeks to 15 March, with group revenue soaring by 15.8%. Revenue was up by 9.4% across UK operations, and its…
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12 AugustCurrent Affairs
UK in recession following 20% GDP slump
The UK economy has entered into a technical recession following a “record” fall in gross domestic product (GDP) during the second quarter of the year. According to the Office for National Statistics, GDP slumped by 20.4% between April and June 2020, compared with the 2.2% drop seen during Q1 2020…
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11 AugustCoronavirus
Retail sales rise for second month in a row
Total sales increased by 3.2% in July, against an increase of 0.5% in July 2019, marking the second consecutive month of growth since the start of the pandemic. According to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, UK retail sales increased by 4.3% in the month against the year prior, following…
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