H&T expands discount jewellery chain
H&T has expanded its new discount jewellery retail concept Discount Secondhand Jewellery.
The decision to develop the concept followed successful trials within existing H&T Pawnbrokers’ sites in the North East and Manchester.
Having redeveloped 39 stores across the UK in the second half of 2014, the most recent openings were in the Marlands shopping centre in Southampton and the Strand shopping centre in Bootle in the run-up to Christmas.
The stores sell vintage, reconditioned jewellery and watches that H&T says are almost as “good as new” but “well below” branded high street retail prices.
H&T chief executive John Nichols said: “Our research shows that there is a distinct gap in the market for quality, good value jewellery, there’s nothing like this on the high street today. The stores we have opened offer a completely new way for jewellery customers to shop, providing quality, exceptional value and outstanding service.”
He added: “Today’s shoppers are used to trading and buying previously-own goods on the internet, our stores offer something new in that the customer can see the products before they buy and can take them home today.”
According to Nichols, the move underlines the group’s ambitious retail growth plans. “With this move into retailing as a core of the stores’ business we’re planning for significant retail growth for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Established in London in 1897, the business had its roots in pawnbroking and jewellery retail and has subsequently expanded to over 190 stores across the country.
