Beginner’s Guide on Starting a Jewellery Business in the United Kingdom

Starting a jewellery business is a very lucrative industry, with cost per item considerably above mode options. While exquisite jewellery makes up more than all the others for sales, it also requires substantial start-up costs. Precious stones and metals are costly. It involves a considerable amount of analysis and planning.

Fine jewellery sales have grown slower than apparel and trendy jewellery, as customers favor low-priced but attractive items. Industry analysts remark that fashion and fine jewellery have blurred borders, with more entrepreneurs presenting inexpensive alternatives to first-rate creations. Some jewellery designers determine how much they want to cost and produce their items. However, the price of material expenses, working hours, and overall business expenditures is crucial.

The world market for jewellery is at $348 billion in 2018. The profit margins for jewellery are known to rise from approximately 25 to 75%, interlinked with the perceived gemstone’s worth. Through customer requests, the sellers may produce customized, unique jewellery and make even more money. It’s a saturated industry, but there are still opportunities to explore niches and bring old crafts into a new viewpoint.

Small jewellery companies do not generally generate enormous revenues. The UK Business: Activity, Size, and Location Study of KeyNote and the National Statistical Office states that more than a thousand UK companies have been into jewellery production. Among these, over 70 percent of both fine and fashion jewellery have a revenue of less than £250,000. The article features the guide to UK company registration, licensing and permits, and the jewellery industry in the UK.

 

What Is a Jewellery Business?

The jewellery business provides personal accessories, such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets, generally manufactured or created from precious metal or jewellery. It also has a range of potential alternatives on the market, from low-cost to luxury and couture. It has industrial rules, substantial rivalry, and cash flow questions, from collection design to brand development Jt. Jewellery goods tend to fall under one of the following product categories: fine, custom, suits, or handmade jewellery.

The materials, manufacturing methods, pricing points, and client profile of each category are respective. Fine jewellery utilizes precious and semi-precious metals and gemstones at higher prices. It is manufactured with exceptional craft and generally not mass-produced. They are particularly suitable for premium clients, marriages, and special events.

Fashion or costume jewellery is typically popular. It uses cheap or affordable metals and materials like beads, cords, plastic, and polyethylene jewels. It may be manufactured in quantity for the daily client at a reduced price. Other categories include everything else, from mid-range material jewels like textiles, metals, semi-precious stones, wood, and 3D printing. It might be collected, commissioned, or a specialized craft for an occasion, collector, or a gift-giving customer.

 

Business Registration Process

UK company registration needs to recognize corporate taxes, and business structure needs identification. As a self-employed person, self-assessment needs completion within three months of trade and a tax return assessment at year-end. The process proceeds via the website of HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC). National insurance contributions payment is also payable to the HMRC.

Customer protection is law inclusive such as the Trade Description Act (TDA) and the Sale of Goods Act (SGA). TDA guarantees that merchants cannot sell any falsified items or make misleading claims regarding a product. The SGA ensures that what you are selling is suitable and of good quality. Otherwise, exchange, credit note, or cash return is necessary.

Commercial transactions prohibit the selling in the UK of any unmarked metals. The Hallmarking Act of 1973 sets forth the bulk of modern UK metal testing and branding legislation. Metals inspection and stamping with a particular seal meet a minimum standard of purity. A test office situated in the United Kingdom facilitates this process.

REACH governs the use of specific metal and chemical kinds, such as nickel, cadmium, plum, and Chromium 6. It is a European Union legislation that safeguards human health and the environment from chemical use. The website of the World Jewelry Confederation covers gems, diamonds, pearls, and the tax and VAT laws on importation. Registration in the Intellectual Property Office safeguards products from counterfeiting and incurs liability for perpetrators.

 

License & Permits

Market Stall License

You will need a license from your local government, whether you are starting a shop or a stand. Consequences vary from one level to another, but you typically have to pay a modest charge. You may also be required to cover company prices, depending on the area and size. Before taking any further actions, ensure that you contact your local government.

Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) License

A public surveillance permit is crucial to carry out guarding duties using CCTV. It can monitor member actions in a public or private location or identify a particular individual. It is particularly beneficial for the jewellery industry with costly items. If you plan to utilize CCTV, you must acquire a license from Security Industry Authority (SIA).

If you provide the required documents and pay a fee, you may finish your SIA license application online or by post. The application for the license costs £190, which is not applicable for reimbursement. Licenses awarded lasts for three years. You can claim an excise duty of £49 for basic taxpayers if you pay your license fee. No tax or national insurance responsibilities are applicable when you are an employer paying a license fee.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Authorization

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must authorize companies and individuals to conduct regulated financial services operations and provide customers with credit. You must apply to FCA and fulfill the requirements of your company type. The approval cost you pay varies according to the complexity of your application. This license is vital for the jewellery company that sells installments; you can contact 3E Accounting for a financial guide.

 

How to Grow a Jewellery Business?

Create a Budget

Forecasting is essential to establish the correct pricing of your jewellery for the public. With your corporate plan, you should put out a firm budget. Give a detailed list of your starting costs, such as equipment and tools, marketing equipment, licenses, permits, and daily costs. Then examine how much money you have and how much further capital you need to start and run the business.

For several reasons, it is critical to separate your business and personal money. This separation helps to ensure that your money is secure from corporate legal problems and simplifies your tax reporting operations. Initial financing generally comes from personal savings, family loans, friends’ loans, or bank and Online lenders’ loans. Another method to try is crowdfunding, which is modest sums of money to your project by kind individuals.

Resonate a Brand Name

A brand name is the face and representation of the company; it should be reflective of the business. It should be simple to say, short in length, without numbers, and with easy orthography. It might take longer to brainstorm and select the right one to click but ensure that it’s distinctive from competitors. A corporate service provider can provide insights into appealing business names for your prospective business.

You may use your name as a brand name. Incorporate additional keywords with your name so that your target market knows what your brand is. Your brand name ties you to the company as well as the unfavorable and favorable evaluations. This method may develop client ties by placing you at the center of your business.

Good Customer Service

Customer service should transcend the quality of your items. Customers physically coming to your stores need to enjoy first-rate customer service. Quality customer service guarantees that your consumers feel appreciated and can approach you. In addition to product customization, happy and friendly individuals have a significant influence on improving sales.

The common characteristics of successful companies are their capacity to shift course quickly to meet market needs. Furthermore, adapting and keeping up with market trends means you are constantly trying to develop new techniques. Focusing on customer needs results in loyalty and retention.

Leverage Social Media

Set your target audience and marketing targets and what will make your potential customers exceptional. Selecting groupings of individuals by evaluating the destination audience directs your marketing efforts to critical segments. It’s not about seeing many people, but about attracting the appropriate public with the correct message. It builds a connection with a satisfied public who is likely to share their satisfaction resulting in customer base growth.

In a McKinsey poll, two-thirds of customers of jewellery companies begin their search online before they make an acquisition. One to two-thirds, on the other hand, utilize social media for general assistance and information. It implies that jewellers should use digital media to develop their business as a communication channel between them and their potential consumers. Small and medium-sized enterprises may make the most of digital media to increase themselves and reach a wider audience.

For more information on how to start a jewellery business in the United Kingdom, you can consult 3E Accounting for advice and guidance.