From jewellery market stall to retail empire: Northern Ireland entrepreneur marks 30 years with 100th store — opening Europe’s largest Nomination Italy store in Belfast

A Northern Ireland entrepreneur who began his career selling jewellery from a street stall has marked a major milestone with the opening of his 100th retail store.

Pete Boyle, originally from Strabane, has officially launched a flagship Nomination Italy monobrand store in Belfast city centre - now the largest of its kind in Europe. The opening comes 30 years after Pete first began trading.

His early ventures date back to his teenage years, when he sold mirrors and jewellery at festivals. A turning point came during a summer trading in Dublin, when he agreed to watch a neighbouring jewellery stall. Observing the higher margins and portability of jewellery, Pete shifted his focus - a decision that would shape his future business.

Pete went on to trade across Ireland, eventually establishing a regular, albeit unofficial, pitch on Royal Avenue. That experience laid the groundwork for the founding of Argento in 1997.

Three decades on, it’s a full circle moment for Pete to be opening his 100th store in the heart of Belfast City Centre, back where he started all those years ago. Argento now operates 22 thriving stores across the UK and Ireland, while recent expansions include additional Nomination Italy stores in Scotland and England.

However, the new Belfast flagship marks personal significance for Pete, highlighting a longstanding relationship with Bill Best that spans nearly three decades. When Pete first opened Argento’s doors on Royal Avenue in 1997, he worked alongside Bill, who as an independent sales agent was supplying Argento with other jewellery brands.

In 2008, Bill, by then was representing Nomination Italy, encouraged Pete to introduce Nomination Italy jewellery into his stores on a “sale or return” basis.

Initially hesitant, Pete considered returning the stock, but with Bill’s encouragement, he held on - a decision that proved transformative. As sales quickly gained momentum, Nomination Italy was rolled out across additional locations, beginning with Argento Derry and Argento Bloomfield, before becoming a core brand in every new Argento store.

Reflecting on this journey, Pete said: “Bill took a chance on a new company and we’re very grateful. To mark nearly 30 years since we first traded together, we’ve invited him back to officially open our first concept store of this kind in Belfast - it’s a true full-circle moment.”

Pete added: “I was only starting off in the retail world and getting my career off the ground, and Bill backed me from the very beginning.”

This latest expansion highlights Argento’s continued growth and commitment to delivering high-quality jewellery and retail experiences across the UK and Ireland.

This is only the first phase of a retail rollout for Pete in 2026, with a busy year ahead, there are several new Nomination Italy Monobrand Stores due to open in Mainland UK; including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Nottingham.

Allesandro Gensini, marketing director of Nomination Italy, added: “We are very excited about this store opening. It is our largest Flagship Store in the UK & Ireland, so this is an important moment for us. Belfast, and Northern Ireland as a whole, has a very special place in our hearts, it was one of the first areas in the UK & Ireland to fall in love with the Composable? Collection.

"Our success in Northern Ireland is also thanks to having excellent local Retail Partners, the biggest being Argento Contemporary Jewellery. Many years ago, Pete Boyle and his brilliant management team invested time, energy and attention in the brand, and our businesses have grown together ever since.

"Nomination Italy continues to make great jewellery but we still need local retailer partners who know and appreciate their customers to keep moving the brand forward spreading its heritage and storytelling.

"In fact today, it is with immense pride that we see a new Nomination Italy Flagship Store right in the centre of Belfast's busiest shopping area. This is a milestone for Nomination Italy and me and my family want to thank everyone who has helped to make this dream become a reality. And, of course, we want to personally invite everyone to visit the store, we have a lot of beautiful jewellery to show you.”