National News
Senco is gearing up for significant growth; plans to open 20 new stores this year
Senco Gold & Diamonds, one of India’s leading jewelry retailers, is gearing up for significant growth in the fiscal year 2025. The company has announced plans to open 20 new stores this year, aiming for a 20% increase in its topline revenue. This expansion is part of its broader strategy to maintain consistent annual growth while catering to rising consumer demand.These details were provided by Suvankar Sen, MD and CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds, during an interview with CNBC TV18.
The company experienced a challenging start to FY25, with weak demand for diamond jewelry during the first three quarters due to high gold prices. However, the fourth quarter saw a revival, with increased sales of 14-carat and 18-carat diamond jewelry. Senco Gold also noted that silver sales outpaced both gold and diamonds in volume and value, as consumers increasingly view silver as an investment and gifting option.
Senco Gold has embraced innovation by launching dedicated lab-grown diamond jewelry stores under its sub-brand “Sennes.” According to Suvankar Sen, Managing Director and CEO of the company, lab-grown diamonds are gradually carving out their own market. The company expects these products to gain traction within the next two years, especially in the small-ticket segment catering to everyday wear.
The reduction in gold import duties by 9% provided temporary relief to customers but affected Senco’s profitability in Q2 and Q3. Despite this, the company expects profit margins to stabilize by the end of FY25.
In addition to domestic growth, Senco Gold has ventured into international markets by opening a store in Dubai. This move aligns with its strategy to cater not only to Indian expatriates but also to global consumers who appreciate handcrafted Indian jewelry. The company is also diversifying its product portfolio under the Sennes brand by introducing luxury lifestyle products such as leather bags.
Future Outlook
Suvankar Sen remains optimistic about the future, citing strong demand during wedding seasons and evolving consumer preferences for lightweight, versatile jewelry. The company is also focusing on digital services like virtual try-ons and personalized designs to appeal to younger, tech-savvy customers.
National News
Will RBI Rate Hikes Make Gold Loans Costlier?
With Bullion rIces Sliding From Recent Peaks, Borrowers Face A Dual Squeeze: Potential Upward Adjustments On Floating Borrowing Costs and Lower Loan Amounts Against Pledged jJewellery.
Potential rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could push borrowing costs higher across the financial system, but the transmission to gold loans will not be immediate or uniform across all lenders, analysts and industry executives said. With bullion prices sliding from recent peaks, borrowers face a dual squeeze: potential upward adjustments on floating borrowing costs and lower loan amounts against pledged jewellery.
Key Takeaways for Borrowers & Lenders
Non-Uniform Transmission: A repo rate hike does not guarantee a 1:1 surge in gold loan rates. Lenders pricing credit via non-bank finance company (NBFC) cost-of-funds channels may adjust rates on a different timeline compared to banks operating direct floating-rate transmission models.
Loan Structure Matters: Existing fixed-rate borrowers remain protected for their contract term, while floating-rate borrowers face higher interest costs upon contract reset dates.
Collateral & LTV Risk: A fall in gold prices reduces the value of pledged collateral relative to total debt. Lenders are required under RBI regulations to enforce a strict loan-to-value (LTV) ceiling of 75%, leaving borrowers vulnerable to margin calls or mandatory partial pay-downs if market prices breach regulatory margins.
Commercial banks experience a high and direct immediate impact from a central bank rate hike, as their benchmark-linked External Benchmark Lending Rates (EBLR) force floating borrowing costs to reset quickly.
In contrast, gold loan NBFCs face a moderate or delayed impact, with interest rate adjustments depending on their broader liability structure, wholesale borrowing costs, and competitive market positioning.
For fixed-rate contracts, a rate hike has no immediate impact, keeping borrowing costs steady until the specified term ends. Conversely, floating-rate contracts carry a high impact, with interest charges stepping upward automatically on the loan’s next periodic reset date.
Strategic Considerations
Borrowers considering a gold loan amidst rate uncertainty and volatile commodity prices should evaluate the following structural factors:
Calculate Servicing Capacity: Assess whether monthly cash outflows can accommodate potential interest rate resets on floating-rate agreements.
Review LTV Margins: Evaluate pledged jewellery value at current spot rates to maintain a safety cushion above the mandatory 75% LTV regulatory threshold, mitigating auction risk during sharp gold pullbacks.
Compare Fine Print: Look past headline interest rates to evaluate reset frequencies, processing charges, prepayment penalties, and default auction clauses across competing bank and NBFC offerings.
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