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
NPCI Defers Rollout Of UPI Merchant Discount Rate Until After Diwali
Given Typical Retail Margins Of 2%–6% On Bullion and Plain Gold Jewellery, Absorbing A 0.4% Fee—Or Up To ₹300 Per Large Transaction—Would Have Directly Eaten Into Festive Profitability. The Deferral Keeps Bottom Lines Protected Through Dhanteras and Diwali.
The National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) UPI and Services Steering Committee has deferred the implementation of Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) on select person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions until immediately after Diwali.
The move aims to protect consumer sentiment and keep operational costs steady for businesses during the peak festive shopping season. A specific implementation date will be announced separately.
Key Highlights
- Festive Relief for Retail: The deferment ensures merchants face no additional payment processing costs during peak festive demand, helping avoid disruptions to consumer spending.
- The Approved MDR Structure:
- Applies only to eligible P2M transactions above Rs 2,000 at a rate of 0.4%.
- Capped at Rs 300 for high-value transactions of Rs 75,000 and above.
- Everyday low-value payments and small merchants remain fully exempt, preserving zero-cost digital transactions for general consumers.
- Timeline Adjustment: Originally notified on September 15 for an October 15 rollout, the framework will now take effect post-Diwali, giving banks, payment aggregators, and merchants additional runway to align their systems and communicate terms clearly.
Jewellery purchase values routinely exceed the Rs 2,000 threshold and frequently touch or surpass the Rs 75,000 cap. Given typical retail margins of 2%–6% on bullion and plain gold jewellery, absorbing a 0.4% fee—or up to Rs 300 per large transaction—would have directly eaten into festive profitability. The deferral keeps bottom lines protected through Dhanteras and Diwali.
Introducing transaction fees just as footfall surges would have forced retailers to decide whether to absorb the cost or pass it on to buyers (via checkout surcharges or selective discounts). Avoiding this choice prevents awkward billing counter negotiations and cart abandonment during rush hours.
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