EDITOR’S LETTER
CONTRIBUTORS
High time for rates change
CONTRIBUTORS
FRANCOIS
CURIEL
Francois is the
chairman of
Europe and Asia at
Christie’s and has
been part of the
company for almost
50 years. During
that time he has
overseen the sales
of rare and precious
jewellery.
PAUL TANNER
Paul is a former
creative director for
Soho House and the
head of furniture for
M&S and now owns
his own watch brand
- Freedom to Exist
JANET FITCH
Janet is a veteran
JF columnist, and
has written for
both magazines
and newspapers
including the Sun
and the Daily Mail,
later owning her
own jewellery
shops
It is truly incredibly quite how long the retail
industry has been crying out for government
to act on the problem of business rates.
What is arguably more incredible is that in a
year that has claimed dozens of major retail
and high street scalps, only now does the
secretary of state for business, Greg Clark,
suggest that business rates could be changed.
Clark told a fringe event at the Conservative party conference that
a change in business rates would be “one way” of recognising the role
that high street retailers play, claiming the Treasury is conducting a
review. His personal view is apparently that the high street “makes a
big contribution to the community, and to villages, towns and cities”.
He also said he thinks “some recognition of that is required”. Quite.
It’s not a moment too soon for the government to be addressing
this. The British Retail Consortium says retailers will pay an
additional £2bn over the next three years compared with the last
three years, in a system that is hopelessly complex and unfair. In
England, the retail industry contributes approximately £7bn of rates
annually – nearly one quarter of all business rates receipts.
Clark’s comments are hot on the heels of an announcement made
by chancellor Philip Hammond in August that the introduction of a
tax on online businesses will be considered. Hammond said he wants
to ensure that taxation is fair between businesses doing business the
traditional way and those doing business online. Again, it has only
taken 20 years for legislators to spot the problem and pay lip service
to addressing it. In retail, there will be much bated breath.
I hope you enjoy the issue,
LEONARD ZELL
Leonard has
been training fine
jewellers for 25
years. His monthly
column gives
some top tips on
sales training and
improving your
bottom line.
ON THE
COVER
MICHAEL NORTHCOTT
Editor, Jewellery Focus
[email protected]
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November 2018
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk
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FREEDOM
TO EXIST
We talk with Freedom to Exist
co-founder Paul Tanner about
his minimalist watch brand
AUCTION JEWELLERY
Freedom to Exist Profile
Page 27
RETAIL ADVICE
We look at some notable sales of the past
and hear of the latest trends in the market
What a post-Brexit world could look
like for the UK high street
33
34
42
LEONARD ZELL TAKING STOCK YOUR VIEWS
Leonard Zell explains the
importance of proper gift wrapping A look at the latest product releases
and business services We sit down with the owner of
Zara Taylor Jewellery in London
November 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/newswire
JEWELLERY FOCUS
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