Bulgari jewellery sales soar

The Bulgari Group has seen an 8.2 per cent increase in jewellery sales during the first quarter of 2006, compared to the same time last year.

The Italian jewellery company, which sells white, yellow and pink gold rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories, has stated that sales in the jewellery sector totalled $103 million.

Francesco Trapani, chief executive at the Bulgari Group, said: "The results achieved through this first quarter of the year in all product categories and in all countries makes me optimistic also for the forthcoming months."

Japan saw one of the highest rises in sales, up 25.3 per cent for the first quarter on the back of a 19.9 per cent increase at the same time last year.

Meanwhile, Europe, excluding Italy, also saw an increase of 27.1 per cent, while the Italians added a further 13.9 per cent.

The Far East was the only market to register a negative sales trend, with sales there down 24.7 per cent due to the weak markets in some areas.