Jewellers Forecast 25% Sales Growth This Dhanteras 

Mumbai: Gems and jewellery retailers are expecting around 25 per cent growth in sales during Dhanteras on Friday October 28, considered auspicious to buy precious metal, compared to last year due to good monsoon and pent up consumer demand. Sreedhar GV, Chairman, All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF), said: "Market sentiment is looking up and the prices have more or less stabilised. Moreover, good monsoon and pent up demand will boost sales. We expect around 20-25 per cent overall growth in sales this year. This year the reports from the northern region are extremely good as the festival is very popular there. The season started well and the general mood is very good, so seeing this positive trend we are expecting 25-35 per cent growth from last year."

Gitanjali Gems Chairman and MD Mehul Choksi said: "Good monsoon will aid this growth and we are expecting Rs 30,000-35,000 ticket size to move more this year. Moreover, last couple of years were very bad for the industry and this year the sector is going to benefit from this pent up demand."

World Gold Council MD-India, Somasundaram PR said: "There is a lot of positive demand in the market and the jewellery consumer is back after the disastrous first half, which was affected due to strike by jewellers against the imposition of 1 per cent excise duty." The prices have stabilised and the monsoon was good this year, which will definitely make demand stronger this year compared to last year. Investment demand is going to be the big driver during this Dhanteras. Demand for wedding jewellery will also be very strong this year, he said.

Arvind Singhal, Bluestone.com COO said: "Good increment in the government sector, good monsoon and the coming wedding season will boost demand and sales are likely to be 15-20 per cent more than last year. Bluestone is an online jewellery store . Basically, Rs 25,000-50,000 ticket size is expected to do well this season, including gold and diamond jewellery. Coins, mostly 10-20 grams, are likely to push more this year, he added.

The demand was subdued till September, and since then it has slowly picked up due to upcoming wedding season and positive sentiment, PN Gadgil Jewellers Chairman Saurabh Gadgil said. The sales will also be pushed by the various discounts and offers by jewellers. Light weight wearable jewellery are in vogue and coins will also be more in demand, he added.

Source: PTI