Firms could save time and money by using The Business Arbitration Scheme ran by the CIArb rather than taking disputes to court
Retailers told to prepare for tightening of purse trends
UK retailers enjoyed a surge in sales in April thanks to a late Easter, but there could be tougher times ahead, a new survey has found. The British Retail Consortium and KPMG said sales rose 5.6% on a like-for-like basis from April 2016, when they had decreased 0.9% from the preceding year. On a total…
Men in retail sector paid £4,500 more a year than women
Men in the retail and wholesale sector are paid an average of £4,523 more a year than women, new research claims. According to figures released today by the Chartered Management Institute and XpertHR, the deficit exposes the 14% gender pay gap that exists in the UK retail and wholesale sector today. Its data also revealed…
Jewellery shops tipped to trounce online rivals on Valentine’s Day
Traditional jewellery retailers could be set to profit at the expense of their online counterparts as customers buy last-minute Valentine’s Day jewellery in store due to the occasion falling on a weekend. Research from Barclaycard suggests that more than a third (36%) of shoppers plan to leave their Valentine’s purchases to February 14, meaning impulse…
Retailers will ‘need to act fast’ to ride out year of disruption
Retailers are at a crossroad this year as 2016 heralds a last hurrah for consumer spending and disruptive forces continue to accelerate and impact on organisations globally, according to Ernst & Young. Furthermore, a ‘margin vice’ of deflation, discounting, and the upcoming new national living wage, continues to bite with over 50% of retail investors…
Consumers plan lifestyle upgrades and big buys for 2016
Consumers are starting 2016 with a spring in their step, with new research from Barclaycard revealing continued confidence in their own financial health. The latest research, which takes an in-depth look at the country’s spending patterns and confidence levels, found that 71% feel optimistic about their household finances when thinking ahead to the next three…
FEATURE: Eden Rachminov on fancy colour diamonds
Formally established in 2014, the Fancy Color Research Foundation aims to bring transparency to the coloured diamond trade with its fancy color diamond index —a first-of-its-kind tracker designed to monitor changes in pink, yellow and blue fancy diamonds. Here, Eden Rachminov, one of the founders of the foundation, explains his motives and aims to Professional…
Solitaire engagement rings reign in Vashi survey
Vashi.com research predicts top three engagement ring choices in 2015. A new survey by diamond jewellery e-tailer Vashi.com reveals that women getting married in 2015 are likely to favour a simple, yet sophisticated solitaire over any other engagement ring style. The research suggests actress Keira Knightley’s modest platinum band with a round-cut solitaire diamond is…
GIA to build pearl testing centre in Bahrain
Facility to lead dedicated research in historical pearling nation. The Gemological Institure of America (GIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) to establish a leading natural pearl testing and research centre. The three organisations signed the memorandum to develop the…
Consumer research helps Pandora to create Essence
New slender bracelets celebrate the values held by modern women. Pandora has today unveiled its new Essence collection, created using feedback from thousands of its customers. The collection features slender silver bracelets and 24 charms made using precious metals and carved gemstones, with engraved words such as ‘balance’, ‘courage’ and ‘faith’ to represent the values…
