National News
Kumari Fine Jewellery Redefines Luxury Retail with Immersive Brand Experiences in Mumbai
From QR-enabled streetscapes to social media-friendly store interiors, the brand is building more than stores—it’s crafting moments.
In an age where attention spans are fleeting and consumer expectations ever-evolving, Kumari Fine Jewellery is quietly rewriting the rulebook on luxury retail. The brand’s recent store launch in Mumbai’s Bandra wasn’t just a commercial debut—it was a masterclass in immersive brand-building.
Instead of sticking to conventional promotions, Kumari created an interactive public experience that blurred the lines between art installation, fashion fantasy, and marketing. Think oversized candy-pink handbags gliding down Turner Road, floral walls transforming sidewalks, and neon signage that felt more like a music video set than a jewellery storefront.
But at the heart of this strategy wasn’t just aesthetic flair—it was smart consumer engagement. QR codes embedded into the installations guided intrigued passers-by from the street straight into the store (and in many cases, into a purchase). An “Insta Wall” inside the store turned every visitor into a potential brand ambassador, with shareable photo ops baked into the experience.

According to CEO Amit Bandi, the goal was to ensure the brand stood apart in a city saturated with traditional luxury formats. “We’re not in the business of just selling jewellery,” Bandi said. “We’re creating living brand moments—the kind that people remember, post about, and return to.”
This experiential philosophy extends beyond launch day theatrics. The brand’s design language—rooted in youthful maximalism—is reflected in every detail, from floral-wrapped façades to interactive installations that invite discovery and delight.
Managing Director Vikas Kataria elaborates, “Today’s luxury consumer isn’t just buying a product—they’re investing in a narrative, a feeling, a memory. Our job is to deliver that at every touchpoint.”

Kumari’s Bandra opening follows its inaugural flagship at Kala Ghoda and signals the brand’s intent to scale this experience-led approach. Plans are underway for several more stores across Mumbai, each envisioned as a unique chapter in a growing story of luxury, identity, and innovation.
In a landscape where traditional jewellery retail often leans on legacy and lineage, Kumari is charting a different course—one that speaks to the modern Indian woman: bold, expressive, and unafraid to turn heads.
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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