National News
Madhuri Dixit inaugurates 20000* sqft jewellery shopping destination for PNG Jewellers at Laxmi Road, Pune
Retail expansion in jewellery aligns with the consumer response in any given market. Phenomenal popularity and product demand call for unprecedented expansion, and one such instance was exhibited by PN Gadgil Jewellers, widely known for its commitment towards excellence across a legacy of 193 years of business and counting, with the launch of a new store besides renovation of its flagship showroom, both at Laxmi Road in Pune, on 23 March, 2025.
Catering to rising demand across all categories of gold, diamond, platinum, and colour gemstone jewellery in the Pune market, the two stores were jointly inaugurated by Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit in the presence of Dr. Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing Director of PNG Jewellers; Mr. Parag Gadgil, and members of the PNG Jewellers family. The combined area of the two large-format stores now reach a staggering 20,000 sq. ft.*
Dr. Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing director of PNG Jewellers said, “Pune holds a special place in our hearts, as it is where our flagship store continues to stand as an example to our heritage and trust. Now, the brand has a total of 53 stores across the world. As we strive to strengthen our retail network further, this expansion brings us closer to our patrons, ensuring they have convenient access to the finest jewellery, steeped in tradition and craftsmanship. We look forward to serving the people of Pune with the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and trust.”
Ushering in a completely modern in-store experience while respecting Maharashtrian tradition, the renovated flagship showroom has been redesigned akin to heritage Wada courtyard houses intrinsic to the state. Exclusively retailing in gold jewellery of Kalkatti, temple, antique, and kundan designs, the flagship showroom specialises in bridal jewellery along with a dedicated wedding lounge replete with private make-up stations to give the brides-to-be the attention they deserve. The new 2-storey showroom, on the other hand, stands tall as a hub of the studded categories including diamond, platinum, uncut, polki, and precious colour gemstone jewellery. The expansion has now diversified the product range of PNG Jewellers by an impressive 30-40%, thus giving buyers across all categories better options for an immersive and satisfying shopping experience.
Commenting on the continuing legacy of the brand, ambassador and Bollywood superstar Madhuri Dixit said, “It is a privilege to be a part of this historic event with PNG Jewellers, a company known for its excellence and tradition. Their commitment to preserving tradition while embracing modern designs truly sets PNG Jewellers apart. PNG has always stood for trust, tradition, and timeless craftsmanship.”
The new store of PNG Jewellers is located 500 meters away from their flagship store, and has rolled out exclusive offers such as 0% deduction on old gold exchange, up to 40% off on gold jewellery-making charges, and up to 100% off on diamond jewellery-making charges respectively to celebrate the grand inauguration.
National News
Gold Exchange Schemes See Surge In Demand
Nearly 25% Of All Jewelry Buyers Now Opt For Exchange Programs Instead Of Outright Cash Purchases
In 2026, India’s retail gold sector is witnessing a significant paradigm shift. Driven by a combination of macroeconomic factors and strategic government appeals, gold exchange schemes have emerged as a dominant trend. Nearly 25% of all jewelry buyers now opt for exchange programs instead of outright cash purchases, marking a substantial increase from previous years.
Key Drivers of the Exchange Trend
1. Record-High Gold Prices
The primary economic catalyst for this shift is the unprecedented surge in gold prices. As fresh gold becomes increasingly expensive, consumers are unlocking the value stored in their existing assets rather than stretching their liquid capital to make new purchases.
2. Government Advocacy and Import Reduction
The trend is heavily backed by national policy interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively appealed to the public to utilize old jewelry for new purchases rather than buying fresh gold. The strategic goal behind this initiative is to curb India’s massive gold imports, thereby strengthening the current account deficit and stabilizing the national economy.
3. Aggressive Jeweler Incentives
Jewelers have rapidly adapted to consumer demand and government alignment by lowering the barriers to entry for exchanges.
Two major policy shifts are driving this retail adoption:
- Zero-Deduction Exchange Schemes: Traditional penalties and melting losses that previously deterred consumers from exchanging gold are being eliminated.
- Relaxed Documentation & Purity Standards: Retailers are now accepting old gold sourced from any jeweler starting at a purity level as low as 9KT, even without original purchase bills.
Market Implications
The 25% Threshold: The fact that a quarter of all jewelry buyers are now choosing exchange programs signifies that gold recycling is no longer a niche or distress-driven activity; it has entered the mainstream consumer behavior matrix.
- For Consumers: This shift provides a highly liquid, cost-effective way to upgrade designs and maintain asset value without facing heavy financial hits or bureaucratic hurdles (like tracking down decades-old receipts).
- For the Economy: By circulating existing domestic gold back into the supply chain, India reduces its reliance on international bullion markets, directly answering the government’s call for macroeconomic resilience.
-
ShowBuzz2 hours agoJCK Las Vegas 2026: Luxury Show Opens To Strong Buyer Traffic and Robust Sales
-
DiamondBuzz2 hours agoGIA Acquires 30% Shareholding In Diamond Provenance Blockchain Platform Tracr
-
National News2 hours agoGold Exchange Schemes See Surge In Demand
-
National News2 hours agoGold Demand In India Sees Sharp Decline After Import Duty Hike
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.