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
A Tiny Hallmark Number, A Gold Bangle, and A Remarkable Reunion With Malabar Gold & Diamonds
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Traces Rightful Owner Through HUID-Enabled Records, Reinforcing Trust, Transparency and Customer-First Practices
Losing a valuable piece of gold jewellery is often accompanied by the fear that it may never be recovered. Beyond its monetary worth, jewellery frequently carries deep emotional significance, representing family memories, milestones and cherished moments that are impossible to replace.
In a heartwarming incident that underscores the power of trust, transparency and technology in modern jewellery retail, a bangle was recently reunited with its rightful owner, thanks to the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system and the robust customer record management processes followed by Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
The journey of the lost bangle back to their rightful owner began when a member of the public handed them over to a local jewellery establishment after finding them. During the verification process, the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number engraved on the jewellery was identified and examined.
Through the BIS hallmarking ecosystem, it was established that this jewellery had originally been hallmarked for Malabar Gold & Diamonds. The information was subsequently shared with Malabar’s HUID and technical teams, which leveraged the company’s technology-enabled record management and traceability systems to identify the original point of sale and trace the customer.
The customer, who is currently residing in the United States, was subsequently informed that her jewellery had been safely recovered. Given her overseas location, arrangements were made for her mother in India to collect the bangle on her behalf from the Malabar showroom.
This incident highlights how technology is increasingly enabling responsible jewellery practices and enhancing customer trust. At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, investments in digital record management, traceability systems and customer-centric processes help strengthen transparency and accountability across the jewellery ownership journey. By combining the assurance of hallmarking with robust technology-enabled systems, the company is able to offer customers greater confidence, security and peace of mind long after a purchase has been made.
Commenting on the incident, Mr. M. P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said:

“At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, trust is the foundation of every customer relationship. While jewellery is often valued for its purity and craftsmanship, it also carries deep personal significance and cherished memories. This incident demonstrates how responsible retailing, transparent processes and technology-enabled traceability can come together to protect customer interests beyond the point of purchase.”
“Technology is increasingly becoming an enabler of trust in the jewellery industry. Our investments in traceability, customer record management and technology-enabled processes are aimed at creating a more transparent and secure ownership experience for customers. This incident is a powerful example of how these systems can help protect customer interests and reinforce confidence in the brand.”
“The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system, coupled with our robust record management processes, enabled us to trace the rightful owner and facilitate the safe return of the jewellery. We are delighted that the bangle has been reunited with their owner and family, reaffirming our commitment to customer-first practices, transparency and accountability.”
Expressing her gratitude, Miss. Murugesan, said:
“When I realised the bangle was missing, I thought they were gone forever. Receiving a call from Malabar informing me that they had traced and secured them came as a complete surprise. The bangle is not just valuable jewellery; they hold precious memories for my family. I am deeply grateful to the Malabar team for their honesty, professionalism and efforts in ensuring they were returned to us. Knowing that such systems and processes exist gives customers tremendous confidence and peace of mind.”
As the world’s fourth largest jewellery retailer, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has consistently championed transparency, ethical business practices and customer-centric innovation. The company continues to invest in systems and processes that enhance traceability, strengthen customer confidence and uphold the highest standards of accountability across the jewellery ownership journey.
For one family, the recovery of the lost jewellery marked the return of a cherished possession. For the wider jewellery industry, it serves as a powerful reminder that when trust, transparency and technology work together, even the smallest hallmark can help bring priceless memories back home.
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