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.

Aug- 2020 -

11 August

Coronavirus

Heather Sandlin

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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7 August

Events

Heather Sandlin

BAJ reveals winners of NHS competition

The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced the winners of its Pins of Praise design competition, which was launched in support of NHS staff and volunteers as the pandemic unfolded. The competition was open to both BAJ students and the general public, and challenged participants to use CAD skills…
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6 August

Coronavirus

Heather Sandlin

July footfall bolstered by hospitality reopening

Footfall in retail destinations across the UK was down by 39.4% in July, according to the latest figures from Springboard. Nonetheless, this marked an improvement of nearly a fifth from June, with the month ending with the best result recorded since February. Footfall was reportedly boosted by the reopening of…
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3 August

Designers

Heather Sandlin

Chippenham jeweller launches jewellery kit

Tamara Eggleston, a Chippenham-based jeweller, has announced the launch of a home jewellery making kit in a bid to boost business after lockdown saw her workshop close. In addition, Eggleston has launched the initiative after many of the shops she sold through also had to close following the pandemic. Eggeleston,…
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3 August

Auctions

Heather Sandlin

Sotheby’s sales fall despite online boost

Sotheby’s has welcomed a year of “resilience”, despite year-to-date sales only reaching $2.5bn (£1.92bn), down from $3.3bn (£2.53bn) the year prior. In place of half-year results, the auction house released results from 1 January to 31 July in order to accommodate rescheduled spring sales. Despite the overall decline in sales,…
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Jul- 2020 -

31 July

Tips

Heather Sandlin

How local jewellers are proving their resilience amidst Covid-19

As COVID-19 continues to affect people across the world, retail stores and shops remain shutdown and businesses continue to go bankrupt. For independent jewellery designers who are also faced with the same challenges, they have no choice but to look for other ways to earn revenue just like everyone else.…
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30 July

International

Heather Sandlin

De Beers jobs at risk following poor sales

De Beers has announced that total revenue plummeted 54% to $1.2bn (£920m) in its half-year results, with rough diamond sales falling to $1bn (£767m), down from the $2.3bn (£1.76bn) reported the year prior. In light of the damaged performance, CEO Bruce Cleaver told Reuters that the group would “likely” proceed…
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30 July

Retailers

Jasdip Sensi

New grants to be made available for small businesses

Grants totalling £20m are to be made available to small businesses, the government announced today (July 30). Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from the new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Small and medium sized businesses will have…
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29 July

Events

Heather Sandlin

JGW organisers praise GemGenève ‘solidarity’

Jewellery and Gem World Hong Kong (JGW) organisers have praised Gemexpo SA’s decision to move GemGenève’s fair dates to 1 November – 4 November, in a bid to ensure the two industry events do not overlap. Informa Markets Jewellery said the rescheduling would allow both events to maximise business opportunities…
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29 July

Coronavirus

Heather Sandlin

Ch. Dahlinger expands mask collection

Ch. Dahlinger has announced new measures of support for customers with the expansion of its protective, disposable masks collection. The move comes as the boxes and jewellery stands specialist said the development of the pandemic was “still not predictable”, but noted that its latest offering can assist jewellers and goldsmiths…
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