Online sparkles for Rox despite snow

GROWTH in online sales helped Rox, the Scottish jeweller, enjoy a Christmas boost, though trading at its four shops were static despite investing £1 million in its flagship store.

Customers preferring to buy online boosted web sales by 25 per cent in the six weeks to 31 December, compared to the same period a year earlier.

Co-owner Kyron Keogh said the severe weather, which closed the chain's three Glasgow stores for several days in the run up to Christmas, had given retailers in general a difficult time.

But he said Rox's 50,000 investment to revamp the website had paid off, with many customers choosing the 'buy online, collect in-store' option.

"Our festive results clearly indicate the importance of online sales in today's changing retail environment, and the need for retailers to adopt multi-channel strategies in order to maximise profitability and sales," he said.