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
Correction In Gold Prices Prompts Margin Calls On Some Bullet‑Repayment Gold Loans
NBFCs, Have Started Shifting Toward EMI Based Gold Loan Products To Reduce LTV Vulnerability
A sharp correction in gold prices over recent months has prompted margin calls on some bullet‑repayment gold loans, while EMI (regular‑instalment) loans have stayed largely insulated; this dynamic and recent RBI rules (effective April 1, 2026) have pushed non‑bank lenders to migrate toward EMI‑based products to reduce future margin‑call risk.
Bullet loans keep principal outstanding until maturity, so a fall in gold’s market value raises the loan‑to‑value (LTV) ratio quickly and can trigger margin calls or demands for extra collateral; lenders have invoked margin calls in some cases as prices fell over five months.
EMI loans reduce outstanding principal every month, creating an equity cushion that buffers the borrower against modest price corrections and so have remained largely unaffected in the recent correction.
Market participants attribute the correction to geopolitical events and renewed concerns about interest‑rate trajectories, which reduced safe‑haven flows and weighed on prices.
Key elements of the new RBI gold‑loan framework (effective April 1, 2026)
- Tiered LTV caps: 85% for loans up to Rs 2.5 lakh, 80% for Rs 2.5–5 lakh, and 75% above Rs 5 lakh. This standardises collateral limits across lenders.
- Requirement that borrowers repay principal and interest within 12 months (ending the widespread practice of rolling by paying only interest) and stricter auction/valuation and borrower‑protection rules (30‑day average or previous‑day price for valuation, faster release of gold on closure, mandated disclosures, auction reserve pricing rules).
- LTV for bullet loans must be calculated on the total amount repayable at maturity, which makes bullet structures less attractive under the new framework.
Industry response and product shift
- Non‑bank lenders (NBFCs, smaller finance companies) have started shifting toward EMI‑based gold‑loan products to reduce LTV vulnerability and margin‑call exposure, and to align with RBI’s consumer‑protection and repayment‑discipline aims.
- Lenders say they can manage risks on short‑term loans and through active LTV monitoring, but the structural incentive now favours EMI schedules because they steadily reduce outstanding balances.
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