In response to a precipitous fall in the demand for diamonds in recent months, Debswana — the mining company jointly owned by De Beers and the Botswanan government — has closed the Orapa and Damtshaa mines in northern Botswana. Half of the landlocked, southern African nation’s finances come from diamond trading. Radio France Internationale (English Language) Feb. 24, 2009
Two Diamond Mines in Botswana Temporarily Close on Falling Demand
Gemstones/Gemstone jewelry, International, Suppliers
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Feb 242009
De Beers’ Biggest Fear — The Enormous Supply of Diamonds in Public Hands
Gemstones/Gemstone jewelry, Suppliers
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Feb 242009
Forget about the predictions of South African industry analysts that the price of rough-cut diamonds could fall another 60%. What keeps De Beers executives up at night are the more than 500 million carats of gem diamonds in public hands (or on them and in safety-deposit and jewelry boses). That’s more than 50 times the number of gem diamonds produced by the diamond cartel in a year. “The moment a significant portion of the public begins selling diamonds from this prodigious inventory, the cartel would be unable to sustain the price of diamonds, or maintain the illusion that they are such a rare stone that their value is, as the ad slogan claims, ‘forever.’” International Herald Tribune Feb. 23, 2009
Dell to Launch New netbook PC — First on QVC, then on Dell.com
Consumer Electronics & PCs, DRTV Retailer, Suppliers
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Feb 202009
Computer maker Dell will begin accepting “pre-orders” for its new Inspiron Mini 10 netbook through QVC about a week before Dell starts taking advance orders on its own Web site. Here’s why according to a Dell spokesmann, “”Because netbooks are a new PC category, particularly with non-technical, mainstream consumers, a conversational, demonstration-centered experience like a QVC [TV] spotlight segment is an ideal venue to inform, engage, and excite.” Say it on, brother… Betanews Feb. 19, 2009
Feb 182009
ZaleMark Holding Company Inc. has announced that several of its jewelry brands will be sold on Gems TV. The two companies, in addiition, have agreed to “co-design and co-develop specific celebrity endorsed brands.” ZaleMark Holdings Press Release on MSNBC.com Feb. 17, 2009
Feb 052009
Swiss watch exports turned in another banner year in 2008, despite ending on a downcast note that is carrying over into this year, of course. “Watch exports increased 6.7 percent in value (export price) to 17 billion Swiss francs (almost $14.6 billion), the fifth year they’ve topped prior year results. In terms of units, however, total exports barely finished ahead of 2007, increasing just 0.8 percent to 26.2 million watches (a gain of only 210,000 units).” JCK Online Feb. 5, 2009
Feb 042009
Annie B’s Confections is recalling select dessert products sold on QVC‘s TV network and website in the second half of last year because they could be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported. Continue reading »
Michael Dell to Pitch on QVC Tonight During 7 p.m. ET Hour
Consumer Electronics & PCs, DRTV Retailer, Suppliers
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Dec 072008
The cheeky news item on the UK’s Inquirer website is available here. And confirmation comes from QVC’s program guide here. Dec. 6, 2008
Dec 022008
Bill and Carolyn Pollack of Relios Jewelry
Relios Jewelry Inc., the southwestern jewelry maker, which derives about 60 percent of its revenues from QVC, 28 percent from the Internet and around 5 percent from retail sales, is apparently looking to boost sales in that last category. In November, Relios opened its first retail store in its Albuquerque, NM, base of operations. The company has one other retail outlet, a gift store in a resort north of the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. Link article is a very informative overview of Relios’s 33-year history under the leadership of Bill Pollack, president & CEO, and his wife, Carolyn, its head designer. New Mexico Business Weekly Nov. 28, 2008
Gump’s San Francisco to Make QVC Premiere
DRTV Retailer, Suppliers
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Nov 262008
The famed San Francisco department store Gump’s will bring to QVC shoppers a collection of home decor, accessories and holiday gifts — including several items exclusive to the electronic retailer — during shows beginning this Thursday, November 27 at 1 PM (ET). QVC Press Release on MarketWatch.com Nov. 25, 2008
Luxury Watches and Jewelry Drive 4.5% YTD Revenue Growth for LVMH
Jewelry (fine), Suppliers, Watches
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Oct 092008
Watches and jewelry sales grew 11 percent to 656 million euros ($894.4 million) for the first nine months of 2008, year-over-year, the strongest category for luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. TAG Heuer and Hublot turned in particularly strong performances. JCK Online Oct. 9, 2008
