Store Closures
Store closures in the jewellery sector are a significant indicator of market shifts, economic pressures, and changing consumer behaviour across the UK. Whether driven by rising rents, declining footfall, strategic consolidation, or the rise of e‑commerce, shop closures impact supply chains, retail footprints, workforce dynamics, and brand reputation. Jewellery Focus delivers detailed, trade-focused coverage on this topic—analysing closure patterns by location, reasons behind them, impacts on stock redistribution and staff redeployment, and responses such as pop‑up models or digital pivots. Our reporting provides retailers, brand managers, landlords, and suppliers with insights needed to interpret market signals, adapt commercial strategies, and seize opportunities from evolving retail landscapes.
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Sep- 2020 -3 SeptemberRetailers
Retail vacancy rate reaches six-year high
Retail shop vacancies have reached a six-year high due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research from Springboard. The research found the UK vacancy rate rose to 10.8% in July up from 9.8% in January, which means it is now at the highest level since January…
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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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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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Jul- 2020 -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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Jun- 2020 -16 JuneE-Commerce
Covid-19 to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce in 2020
The surge in online shopping caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to add £5.3bn to UK e-commerce sales this year, to reach a total of £78.9bn. This is according to analysts at Edge Retail Insight, the global trend forecasting arm of retail insights firm Edge by Ascential, which have…
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3 JuneCoronavirus
Biggest decline in shop prices since 2006
May shop prices tumbled at the fastest rate of decline since 2006, falling by 2.4% against a 1.7% decrease in April. This was “largely” driven by a sharp fall in non-food prices, which fell “sharply” by 4.6% in the period, compared to a decline of 3.6% the month prior. This…
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May- 2020 -12 MayCoronavirus
Houlden announces support measures for members
The Houlden Group has revealed a wealth of measures it is using to support its members and supplier partners during the ongoing pandemic. It initially facilitated inter-group communications between jewellers through its website forum, interactive Zoom meetings and social media platforms like WhatsApp, using the insights gained to “develop a…
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Mar- 2020 -23 MarchRetailers
H.Samuel announces temporary store closures amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
High street jewellery store H. Samuel has announced the temporary closure of all its stores amid the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. The retailer announced all store closures will take effect from today (Monday 23 March) but its website will be “open as usual.” In a statement, the retailer…
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Nov- 2019 -1 NovemberEconomy
Treasury Committee urges MPs to reform ‘broken’ business rates
The government has been urged to fix the “broken” business rates system as it is continuing to affect high street retailers, a Treasury committee has said. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to property tax, which puts more pressure on high street retailers than…
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Jul- 2019 -5 JulyCrime
FSB calls for next PM to tackle £17bn business ‘crime crisis’
Small businesses are incurring costs of almost £17bn every year due to criminal activity, according to new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Reacting to the statistics, FSB national chairman Mike Cherry, has called for the next prime minister to increase police numbers to help tackle the problem.…
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