NRF to Congress: Round 2 of economic stimulus needed
Washington--The National Retail Federation (NRF) is calling on Congress to hold a lame-duck session as soon as possible to address the country's financial state and to include tax relief for consumers...
NRF to Congress: Round 2 of economic stimulus needed
Washington—The National Retail Federation (NRF) is calling on Congress to hold a lame-duck session as soon as possible to address the country's financial state and to include tax relief for...
U.S. Congress passes Burmese gem ban
Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate passed a bill late Tuesday to place a total embargo on the importation of gemstones from Myanmar, including gemstones that are mined there and subsequently pass...
Bush signs intellectual property protection act
Washington--President Bush has signed into law a new intellectual property protection act, one that covers everything from software and music to clothing and accessories, including jewelry.
Tiffany ad applauds stricter Burmese-ruby embargo
New York—In an ad that ran on Monday in the Washington Post, Tiffany and Co. gave the U.S. Congress kudos for passing legislation that would ban the importation of all gemstones from Myanmar...
Retailers welcome economic-stimulus legislation
Washington, D.C.—The National Retail Federation (NRF) welcomed an agreement on economic-stimulus legislation reached yesterday between the Bush Administration and House leaders.
JA applauds Burmese gem ban
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) commends the U.S. Congress for its passage this week of a bill banning Burmese gemstones, a measure JA has been advocating for some time.
N.J. used-jewelry law tabled
Newark, N.J.—Proposed legislation in New Jersey that would have required retail jewelers to keep records and photos of all jewelry they buy from consumers was tabled in the State Assembly, the...
ICA: Gem ban could hurt Burmese miners, traders
New York—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) is expressing concern that the recently approved U.S. import ban on gemstones from Myanmar may "cause collateral damage" that will...
NRF welcomes bill on credit card fees
Washington, D.C.—The National Retail Federation (NRF) is cheering the introduction of a Senate bill that would require Visa and MasterCard to negotiate with merchants over "hidden" credit card...
NRF to House: Pass financial-rescue bill
Washington, D.C.—The National Retail Federation (NRF) urged the House to immediately pass legislation scheduled for a vote today that would address the nation's financial crisis.
MJSA, FJTA call for uniform lead standards
Providence, R.I.—Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) and the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association (FJTA) are supporting national legislation that would establish a uniform...
N.J. jewelers blindsided by used-jewelry bill
Newark, N.J.—New Jersey jewelers are scrambling to have their voices heard by state lawmakers after belatedly learning of pending legislation that would require retail jewelers to maintain...
NRF lobbies for second round of rebate checks
Washington—With the weakest holiday season in six years looming, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has asked Congress to consider a second round of tax rebate checks, or other direct relief,...
NRF urges Calif. to adopt ORC legislation
Redwood City, Calif.—The National Retail Federation (NRF) is urging California lawmakers to adopt legislation addressing organized retail crime (ORF), citing a recent raid as evidence that the...
NRF welcomes passage of financial-rescue bill
Washington--The National Retail Federation (NRF) welcomed today's passage by the House of legislation to address the nation's financial crisis, saying the bill would help protect Main Street jobs in...
World watch associations—Another fruitful meeting
Watch associations in countries represented at Baselworld attended informal discussions regarding issues affecting the industry, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH reported. It was the...