Business

Argento in £350,000 Manchester investment as jeweller still sparkles after 20 years

Pictured in the early years of jewellery retailing phenomenon Argento is the chain's founder Pete Boyle (left) with his brother Mel
Pictured in the early years of jewellery retailing phenomenon Argento is the chain's founder Pete Boyle (left) with his brother Mel Pictured in the early years of jewellery retailing phenomenon Argento is the chain's founder Pete Boyle (left) with his brother Mel

BELFAST jewellery retailer Argento has marked its 20th birthday by confirming a £350,000 investment in a new store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre, which will open in time for Christmas.

It will increase the chain's stores footprint in Britain and Ireland to 52 and bring its payroll to around 650.

One of the UK’s busiest shopping hubs, the Trafford Centre has an annual footfall of 31 million customers and will provide Argento with unprecedented brand exposure and in-store sales potential.

Argento founder and chief executive Pete Boyle says the new store announcement tops off the 20th year milestone in impressive style.

Speaking of his pride that what began as a nugget of an idea in 1997, when he was a market trader, has become a global gem, Boyle said: “We truly have a lot to celebrate.

"Not only have we been trading for 20 years, but we are seeing record growth and progression. Success is down to continual investment in the quality, beauty and variety of our products and also in our retail and distribution systems to maximise market reach and optimise customer accessibility.

“To that end, a major focus in recent years has been our online business and, in 2016/2017, we are seeing real dividends with export revenues doubling to make this a core growth area for the business.

"Alongside this, we are very committed to enhancing our on-the-ground presence and, in 2015-16 alone, invested £2.5 million in five new stores and eight refurbished or relocated stores.

“Opening an all-new flagship store at the Trafford Centre in November is undoubtedly an exciting and strategic move for us, and we are looking forward to bringing the Argento concept and products to the millions of customers who visit the centre every year.”

He added: “I'm incredibly proud of where we are in our 20th year. We are brand leader in our home market and currently expanding our global operation focusing on Hong Kong.

"I want to thank our 640-strong team for the part they have played in Argento’s success story and our customers all over the world for loving what we do.”

Argento Contemporary Jewellery (www.argento.co.uk) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Denvir Holdings Ltd. Its online operation extends into 90 countries, with China, Hong Kong and Japan among its biggest markets.

It stocks some of the most popular jewellery brands in the world, including the perennially popular Pandora, Olivia Burton and Nomination ranges.