Retail Sales

UK sales increase 1.1% in March thanks to good weather boost

UK Total retail sales increased by 1.1% year on year in March, against a growth of 3.5% in March 2024, with gardening and DIY sales being boosted by good weather. New data from the BRC and KPMG revealed that the increase was below the 3-month average growth of 1.6% and…

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Richemont’s jewellery maisons boost Q3 sales

Richemont has reported a 10% increase in its Q3 sales to €6.2bn (£5.2bn), driven by its jewellery sales which saw a 14% rise to €4.5bn (£3.80bn), adding to 71% of group sales. The group’s four jewellery maisons, Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and Vhernier’s sales growth was fuelled by…

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Diamond market remains stable but cautious in 2025

The diamond market was stable in December, with holiday sales matching the industry’s modest expectations, according to Rapaport’s RapNet Diamond Index. However, the diamond trade entered 2025 with caution due to the sluggish consumer demand in the US and competition from the synthetics market. Rapaport reduced prices on the Rapaport…

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BRC warns of 2025 falling sales volume despite December sales growth

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned of possible falling sales volume in 2025 despite the modest increase in total retail sales experienced in December 2024. UK total retail sales in December 2024 increased by 3.2% year on year, against a growth of 1.9% in December 2023, according to new…

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H&T Pawnbrokers profit before tax jumps to £9.9m

H&T Group, the UK’s largest pawnbroker and a retailer of new and pre-owned jewellery and pre-owned watches, has reported a 12.5% increase in profit before tax to £9.9m in H1 2024. The group stated that the core pawnbroking business continues to be the foundation of group profits as it is…

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Diamond prices plummet in July

Diamond prices dropped sharply in July amid slow retail sales and an oversupply in India, according to Rapaport’s RapNet Diamond Index. The seasonal summer slowdown also had a negative effect on sales. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat goods, reflecting round, D to H, IF to VS2 diamonds, slid…

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Cold weather chills consumer spending in June

UK Total retail sales decreased by 0.2% year on year in June, against an increase of 4.9% in June 2023, as cold weather negatively affected spending particularly on “weather sensitive categories”. The latest figures from BRC’s and KPMG’s retail sales monitor revealed that food sales increased 1.1% year-on-year over the…

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UK sales slightly increase by 0.7% in May

UK total retail sales increased by 0.7% year on year in May, against a growth of 3.9% in May 2023. This was above the 3-month average growth of 0.3% and below the 12-month average growth of 2.0%. Food sales increased 3.6% year on year over the three months to May,…

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Richemont sales rise 3% to €20.6bn in FY 2024

Richemont has reported a 3% increase in group sales to €20.6bn (£17.6bn) in FY 2024, driven by jewellery Maisons and retail, representing 69% of group sales. However, the group’s operating profit dropped by 5% to €4.8bn (£4.11bn). Profit for the year from continuing operations, which incorporated net one-time unallocated charges…

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Retail sales slow as high cost of living enters third year

UK total retail sales increased by 1.2% year on year for the four weeks ended 27 January 2023, compared with a growth of 4.2% in January 2023, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). This was above the three-month average growth of 1.9% and below the 12-month average…

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