National News
Retail Gold Sales Drop 25% Amid Rising Prices, Lightweight Jewelry in Demand
A 4% rise in gold prices in March has led to a significant 25% decline in retail gold sales at jewelers and a 60% drop in Zaveri Bazaar. Indian families with upcoming weddings are feeling the pinch of higher gold prices, turning to lighter, lower-carat jewelry to meet bridal jewelry demands. Despite this, demand is expected to pick up during Akshay Tritiya in April, though lightweight jewelry remains the preferred choice.
Gold prices saw a near-4% increase in the first half of March, bringing down retail sales by 25% compared to the same period last year. Zaveri Bazaar, a hub where retail jewellers buy bullion and jewelry in bulk, saw a 60% drop in sales.
Senco Gold & Diamonds, Joy Alukkas, PNG Jewellers, Mamraj Musaddilal Jewellers, and senior executives from the India Bullion & Jewellers Association mentioned that Indian families, especially those with weddings planned for the upcoming season, are stressed by the escalating prices. As a result, they are opting for lightweight jewelry, as high prices make it difficult to stick to the traditional gold jewelry budgets.
Suvankar Sen, the chief of Senco Gold, shared that sales of small-ticket gold jewelry in the ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 price range have dried up. “The high prices are keeping customers away from spending on gold,” he said. On March 18, gold was priced at ₹88,256 per 10 gm in the physical market, with a 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST), pushing the cost to ₹90,903 per 10 gm.
“Those who have weddings in the family are buying lightweight jewellery as they cannot stretch the budget. Demand has dropped by 15% beginning from March and if this rally continues, the recovery in demand may not happen. The next big sales can only happen during Akshay Tritiya, which falls on April 30,” said the MD of Senco Gold & Diamond.
Despite the rise in prices, the demand has remained sluggish in South India too. “Compared to last March, demand is down by up to 25%. While the high price is a big factor in this demand drop, other things like board exams have slowed down demand as well,” said Baby George, CEO of Joy Alukkas.
Saurabh Gadgil, chairman of PNG Jewellers, also highlighted the shift in preferences. “People are buying lightweight jewellery, and many are exchanging old gold jewellery with new ones. The volumes are getting impacted but value-wise the jewellers are not facing any issue.”
Avinash Gupta, partner at Hyderabad-based Mamraj Musaddilal Jewellers, noted that while demand has softened, it hasn’t reached alarming levels. “Demand will bounce back in April due to weddings and Akshaya Tritiya, but definitely the preference will shift to lightweight and lower caratage jewellery.”
National News
Rajiv Jain Elected Chairman Of Jaipur Jewellery Show
The members expressed their confidence that, under his leadership, JJS will continue to achieve new milestones while further strengthening its position as one of the country’s premier gem and jewellery exhibitions.
The Jaipur Jewellery Show Organising Committee has unanimously elected Rajiv Jain as the Chairman of Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS). Rajiv Jain is a distinguished industry leader with decades of exemplary service to the gem and jewellery sector and had held many important positions.
A few of the key positions held by him are: Past Chairman, Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rajasthan; Founder Chairman, Museum of Gems & Jewellery, Jaipur; and Past Chairman, Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery, Jaipur (IIGJ Jaipur).
Rajiv Jain succeeds Vimal Chand Surana, who has served as the Chairman of JJS for the past 19 years. Under his visionary leadership, Jaipur Jewellery Show has evolved into one of India’s most respected and successful gem and jewellery exhibitions. In recognition of his distinguished service, exemplary leadership, and invaluable contribution to the growth of JJS, the Organizing Committee has unanimously named him as the Patron of Jaipur Jewellery Show.
Following these appointments, the Executive Committee of Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) is constituted as under: Vice Chairman, Dinesh Khatoria; Secretary, Kamal Kothari; Joint Secretary, Ajay Kala; Joint Secretary, Ashok Singhi; and Treasurer, Dr. Nawal Agrawal.
The members conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to Shri Rajiv Jain on his unanimous election as Chairman and expressed their confidence that, under his leadership, Jaipur Jewellery Show will continue to achieve new milestones while further strengthening its position as one of the country’s premier gem and jewellery exhibitions.
The Organizing Committee looks forward to the continued support and active cooperation of all Committee Members and Sub-Committee Members in carrying forward the vision and legacy of Jaipur Jewellery Show.
Rajiv Jain Elected Chairman Of Jaipur Jewellery Show
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