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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Jul- 2020 -27 JulyDesigners
Swarovski to cut 1,600 HQ roles
Swarovski plans to cut around 1,600 roles at its Austrian headquarters in a bid to restructure its business, Reuters has reported. Amid difficult market conditions and pandemic-related losses, around 1,000 jobs are set to be axed this autumn, with a further 600 to be cut by 2022. Around 4,600 employees…
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24 JulyCoronavirus
Retail sales boosted in June
The volume of retail sales rose by 13.9% in June against May figures, as non-food and fuel stores continued their recovery in the wake of the pandemic. According to the latest figures from the ONS, the two monthly increases of retail sales in May and June have brought total sales…
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22 JulyEvents
London Design Academy launches post-pandemic forums
The London Design Academy will launch this week, alongside the first in a series of online global forums, entitled ‘East and West Dialogue: One World One Dream’. The upcoming forums will focus on how education can provide a “better bridge between the jewellery sector and industry in the post pandemic…
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21 JulyCoronavirus
The importance of bringing the luxury in-store experience online
The jewellery sector as we know and love it has changed beyond recognition. Part of the beauty of shopping for jewellery is being able to touch and try on items before you purchase. The COVID-19 pandemic however has meant this is no longer a possibility, forcing the jewellery sectors hand…
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17 JulyTips
Going online – John Lewis closes down eight stores as Covid progresses
Following the havoc caused by COVID-19, the John Lewis Partnership has shocked the world with a difficult decision—permanently closing down eight stores, where 1,300 workers are now at risk of losing employment. “Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today’s announcement will come as very sad news to customers…
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16 JulyInternational
Diamond sales plummet at De Beers
Rough diamond sales at De Beers slumped by 96% to $56m (£44.6m) in the second quarter of the year, down from $1.3bn recorded the year prior. This was largely driven by lower volumes, which plunged by 97% to 300,000 carats in the prios, while prices also fell. It comes after…
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16 JulyCoronavirus
NAJ set to cut jobs
The NAJ has confirmed it is facing a “number” of redundancies following a widespread restructuring programme across several trade associations. The proposed plan was confirmed by the NAJ following the publication of a statement from the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) interim CEO, which was sent to all federation and…
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15 JulyEvents
Inhorgenta cements plans to go ahead in open letter
Inhorgenta Munich, a jewellery and watch trade show that attracts international visitors, has published an open letter in support of its event that is set to take place in February 2021. The letter was signed by 35 members from the watch, jewellery and gemstone communities across the world. The annual…
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15 JulyCoronavirus
Swatch Group reports 46% drop in sales
Swatch Group has reported a 46% drop in sales in the first half of the year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although sales figures nearly halved, the group reported a 21.4% operating margin in its watches and jewellery segment for the month of January. Swatch Group, which owns brands such…
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13 JulyFeatures
Why D2C strategies hold the key to retail’s future
As UK retail stores reopen, questions remain about whether ‘normal’ service will be resumed. With many store closures since March, the pandemic has encouraged a deep introspection on how consumer expectations, purchasing patterns and priorities are speeding up a shift to online-first, direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail strategies. In April, the UK’s…
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