Latest news with #HSamuel
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ex-jewellery tycoon Gerald Ratner plotting bid to buy back old firm despite calling its products 'total c**p'
Gerald Ratner is plotting a dramatic comeback at the jewellery business he quit after calling one of its products 'total c**p'. Mr Ratner, 75, is in talks to buy back the H Samuel and Ernest Jones brands he ran till he stepped down three decades ago after his much-publicised putdown. The brands have flagged under American owner Signet, opening a door for a remarkable return for Mr Ratner to the top of the industry after one of the most notorious faux pas in corporate history. He built his family business Ratner Group into an empire of bling in the 1980s. At its peak, Ratners was the UK's largest jewellery chain with 2,500 stores, including 1,000 in the US, and a turnover of nearly £200 million a year. But Mr Ratner's humour became his undoing in April 1991 when he told a conference of the Institute of Directors at the Albert Hall that a product was 'total c**p'. 'We do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all for £4.95,' he said, gearing up for his punchline. 'People say, "How can you sell this for such a low price?". I say, "Because it's total crap". 'An M&S prawn sandwich would last longer than most of the earrings the company sold,' he added. Mr Ratner later apologised, saying newspapers misinterpreted his speech. But the fallout led to a plunge in sales and £500 million being wiped off the value of the business almost overnight. Mr Ratner said he slid into depression and was unable to get out of bed for years. The episode achieved legendary status among businesspeople, with 'doing a Ratner' referring to executive gaffes. He recovered after taking up cycling and returned to the business world in 1996 when he started a health club which he sold for £4million in 2001. He also built a career on the after-dinner speaking circuit, charging up to £6,000 a gig. Mr Ratner, backed by investors including British banks, wants to be chairman if a deal succeeds. A price for the business has yet to be agreed and there is no guarantee a deal will be done, sources added. Signet, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, had a 6.5 per cent drop in revenue for the year to February, while profit slumped to $111million from $622 million the previous year. It did not respond to requests for comment.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Debenhams reduce £720 watch to £86 so 'beautiful' it gets shoppers 'several compliments'
Debenhams have slashed a huge 88% off the crystal watch and it's so popular that some colours are already selling out Significant sales on high ticket items such as luxury watches could see shoppers saving hundreds of pounds if they know where to look. The Debenhams watch sale is a smart place to start, with incredible reductions on a number of time pieces, including from top-rated brand STÜHRLING Original. Shoppers can save an impressive £633.75 off the StarSea Ladies' Quartz Fashion Diver Watch with Stainless Steel Link Bracelet in a deal that reduces it from £720 down to £86.25 - a saving of 88%. It's such a popular offer that two colours have already sold out, but a chic black and stylish blue are still available to snap up. Now priced at less than £87, the watch makes an ideal gift for someone special, or a savvy time to invest in an accessory that should last a lifetime. Those that have never ordered from Debenhams before may be reassured by a customer who described the watch as 'beautiful' going to to say: "Well packaged, reasonable delivery time, as described." The StarSea Quartz watch features a sleek 39mm case and a coin edge bezel atop a crystal-studded dial. It makes quite the statement, but is designed for both elegance and functionality, being water resistant up to 10 ATM and complemented with a link bracelet band. Reminiscent of a starry night sky, it's an unusual watch that shoppers say has garnered them 'several compliments on it already'. For a cheaper option, the H Samuel sale is well worth a browse. The Sekonda Ladies' Grey Chronograph Dial Two Tone Bracelet Watch has been reduced from £79.99 to £40. It boasts rose gold and silver detailing, as well as a face adorned with sparkling crystals that sets it apart from the rest. Amazon also have a number of designer watches on sale from London based brand Radley. The Women's Gold Plated Alpine Genuine Leather Strap Quartz Analogue Watch is 33% off, down to £39.99. Nabbing the StarSea watch as a treat for themselves, one person wrote: "Fell in love with this watch online. Treated myself as a gift to me for my approaching 'BIG' birthday. So pleased when it arrived - it really is lovely. Comfortable to wear." The striking green band and dainty gold detailing gives it a sophisticated finish. Another said: "Really pleased with watch works well looks good and good price arrived quickly as well." But, this wasn't the case for someone else, and they found the delivery and appearance of the watch disappointing, writing: "Took over a month to arrive finally received the item after sending a couple of emails to customer service. The item is not as vibrant as it looks in the picture. The blue face is rather dull in reality." Focusing on practicality, a pleased shopper shared: "A beautiful heavy watch very high quality and keeps time excellently." Shoppers can pick up the StarSea Ladies' Quartz Fashion Diver Watch for £86.25 on the Debenhams website.
