Goldsmiths enjoys sparkling sales rise

Goldsmiths, the jewellery specialist, has had a strong first half and is optimistic about Christmas prospects.

Chairman and chief executive Jurek Piasecki said like-for-like sales for the 165 stores in the six months since February 1 increased 5.9 per cent.

He was confident of a good second half, despite the possibility of a high street slowdown: 'There is no obsolescence in our products. If I was a retailer of fur coats I might be a little bit worried.'

He added that the 2 per cent like-for-like figures for the second half of last year represented a soft comparison. Goldsmiths increased sales in the year to February 1 by 4.3 per cent to£149.4 million.

Last week, Signet posted UK like-for-like sales growth of 4.5 per cent for the six months to August 2 and overall sales grew 4.8 per cent to£192 million.