One of the UK and Ireland’s leading fashion jewellers, Argento sources products from around the globe and combining unique artisan designs with famous names from favourite designers, such as Pilgrim, Hot Diamonds and Karma Jewellery. The company is also one of the biggest stockists of Pandora jewellery throughout the UK and Ireland, with every store stocking an extensive range of beads and bracelets.

All Argento products are hand-chosen, from silver to costume jewellery with an extensive collection of amber and natural stones, which means quality is not compromised for price. Direct buying from Thailand, Mexico, Bali, Poland and Italy keeps prices competitive and this, combined with home suppliers, ensures an unrivalled selection to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

The company’s first store opened in Belfast in 1997 and it has since expanded throughout the UK and Ireland, with 30 branches currently opened, including Dublin, Nottingham, Cork, Derby and Newry. Argento operates primarily through own-stores, alongside five franchise stores and two Tempest department store concessions in Northern Ireland. A new e-commerce online service opened in November.

The company’s flagship store, its largest to date, which opened this year on Royal Avenue in Belfast, occupies a location that holds special significance to the company, and to Owner & CEO Peter Boyle in particular: “The company has been based in Belfast for nearly 15 years and I used to have a street stall on virtually the same spot, right outside the store! This is where I started and where the company started and yes, there is a very special significance to that,” he said.

The company is bucking the trend and enjoying great success, having recently celebrated the official opening of its 28th store, its inaugural Yorkshire opening at the Frenchgate Centre in Doncaster. As part of its rigorous expansion programme throughout the UK, Argento decided that Doncaster was a clear market leader when considering its initial locations within the county.

“We like the scheme and we like Doncaster; we trade in similar-sized towns in Northern Ireland and we have found that we trade very successfully in those locations – for us, this was a perfect fit,” says Boyle.

“A major factor in looking at the Frenchgate Centre was the relationship that we enjoy with the owner and landlord. We already have a store in one of his centres in Newtownards and have been very impressed by his proactive approach.”

Argento had originally planned to coincide the opening of the Doncaster store with a new opening at the White Rose Centre in Leeds. Unfortunately, the company was unable to conclude the deal. “We will certainly be looking very closely at Leeds again in the New Year,” comments Boyle.

So what are the company’s expansion plans for the coming year?
“We completed 13 new stores this year and anything less than that number in 2010 will be extremely disappointing,” he says. “We are planning for 13-15 new stores next year. Ultimately, we are aiming to achieve a target of 100 stores in the next five years.”

These new openings may not all be in the UK, Boyle and his team have been watching the French market keenly, having made a number of enquiries about possible sites in the south of the country. The company has also made enquiries in Hong Kong, a market that interests Boyle greatly.

For the full article please see the RLI December'January 09/10 issue