National News
Jewelbox Strengthens South India Footprint with Flagship Store in Bangalore
Jewelbox, a pioneer in lab-grown diamond jewellery, has expanded its presence in South India with the opening of its flagship store in Jayanagar, Bangalore.
This expansion follows the brand’s successful entry into Chennai and is a key part of its retail growth strategy, which has seen rapid expansion with stores in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati over the last six months.
Bangalore, contributing 15% of Jewelbox’s total online orders, is now a pivotal market for the brand. The new store is poised to cater to the rising demand for sustainable luxury jewellery, drawing on the city’s eco-conscious and affluent consumer base, as well as its status as a hub for young professionals.
“We’ve always seen Bangalore as a key market for growth,” said Vidita Kochar Jain, Co-Founder of Jewelbox. “With the Jayanagar store, we’re offering a personalized in-store experience for customers who appreciate sustainability, innovation, and exceptional craftsmanship.”
The Jayanagar store will showcase a curated collection of lab-grown diamond jewellery, featuring personalized consultations, exclusive designs, and expert styling advice aimed at consumers aged 25 to 50.
With the lab-grown diamond market in India set to reach USD 797.92 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.8%, Jewelbox is positioning itself to capitalize on this growing demand for sustainable jewellery. The brand plans to open three to four additional stores in Bangalore by the end of 2025, further strengthening its presence in the region.
This store launch is part of Jewelbox’s comprehensive omni-channel strategy, combining the convenience of online shopping with the immersive, hands-on retail experience at its Jayanagar outlet.
National News
Smuggled Gold Distorting India’s Bullion Market
Sharp Rise In Smuggled Gold, Driven Largely By The May 2026 Hike In Import Duty To 15%, Which Has Made The Grey Market Significantly Cheaper Than Legal Channels and Squeezed Legitimate Dealers and Jewellers
India’s bullion market is being skewed by a sharp rise in smuggled gold, driven largely by the May 2026 hike in import duty to 15%, which has made the grey market significantly cheaper than legal channels and squeezed legitimate dealers and jewellers.
Market distortion and price gap
- Smuggled gold is now selling at discounts of up to Rs 8,000 per 10 grams compared with official prices, creating a wide arbitrage that undercuts compliant traders.
- Industry executives warn that this price gap is a clear signal of an active grey market, disadvantaging genuine bullion dealers and organised jewellers who pay full duty and taxes.
Scale of illegal inflows
- Industry estimates suggest more than 100 tonnes of gold could enter India through illegal channels in 2026, echoing past surges in smuggling after earlier duty hikes.
- Despite the higher tariff, India’s gold import bill rose 24% to a record $71.9 billion in FY26, even as physical volumes fell to about 721 tonnes, indicating persistent demand being met partly via unofficial routes.
Enforcement response
- Revenue intelligence agencies, particularly the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), have intensified operations against organised smuggling networks using airports, land borders, coastal routes and domestic road transport
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