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.”
GlamBuzz
Aisshpra Gems & Jewels Opens Four Stores in One Day, Takes Network to 20; Targets 30 Stores by March 2028
Four franchise showrooms add approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space, taking the brand’s total retail footprint beyond 90,000 sq. ft.; Bettiah marks its entry into Bihar.
Aisshpra Gems & Jewels, the jewellery retail brand established in Gorakhpur in 1940, today announced the simultaneous opening of four showrooms in Bahraich, Bettiah, Lucknow and Mirzapur. The milestone takes its operational network from 16 to 20 stores in a single day, with three more stores under construction and a target of 30 operational stores by March 2028.
Each new franchise-operated showroom measures approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Together, the openings add around 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space and take the brand’s overall retail footprint to more than 90,000 sq. ft. The Bettiah opening is Aisshpra’s first in Bihar, where Siwan and Gopalganj are also in its expansion pipeline. The Lucknow launch marks its third showroom in the city.
Jewel Story takes centre stage across all four stores
All four showrooms feature a dedicated store-in-store presence for Jewel Story, Aisshpra’s lifestyle jewellery brand. Designed for teenagers, young adults and customers up to around 40 years of age, Jewel Story focuses on lightweight, wearable, modern jewellery across 9KT to 22KT gold purity. The concept seeks to make jewellery relevant to everyday personal style, alongside Aisshpra’s traditional, bridal and occasion-wear collections.
Leadership on expansion and legacy
Atul Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Since 1940, our most important achievement has been the trust we have earned across generations. Opening four stores together is a proud milestone, and every new showroom brings the responsibility of preserving that trust.”
Anoop Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“As we enter new markets, Trust, Integrity and Ethics remain our guiding principles. We want customers in every city to experience the same transparency, quality and care that have defined Aisshpra for decades.”
Vaibhav Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Moving from 16 to 20 stores in one day is a major jump in our network. Our footprint now exceeds 90,000 sq. ft., three additional stores are under construction, and we are working towards 30 stores by March 2028. Bettiah opens the door to Bihar, while our third Lucknow showroom deepens our presence in a key market.”
Saumitra Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Younger customers increasingly want jewellery that feels contemporary, versatile and easy to wear. Jewel Story brings that proposition to every new showroom, with modern designs spanning 9KT to 22KT.”
Inauguration celebrations and opening offers
The celebrations featured Mouni Roy in Lucknow, Adah Sharma in Bahraich and Ayesha Khan in Mirzapur. The Bettiah inauguration took place in the presence of local dignitaries.
Customers can avail inaugural offers of up to 30% off gold jewellery making charges and diamond value, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Offer validity is to be confirmed.
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