akshaya tritiya: Akshaya Tritiya: Jewelers expect pick up in sales on softening of gold prices
People are buying new jewelery, mostly in light weight, and also picking up the pre-booked items. The footfalls are expected to increase as the day progresses, Mehra said.
Jewelery from 5-33 grams and coins in 1-2 grams range are popular this year, he said, adding that this year, after Hallmarking, jewelery has become more popular than coins.
“This year we expect business to be around 17-18 tons in terms of volume on Akshaya Tritiya. Last year, people bought wedding jewelery as the marriage season was immediately after Akshaya Tritiya. However, this year it’s in June-July, so the major wedding jewelery purchases will happen in May,” Mehra said.
Echoing similar sentiments, PNG Jewelers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said, being a weekend, jewelery retailers are expecting good business this Akshaya Tritiya mainly supported by the slight decline in gold prices.
“The footfalls have been good since morning on Akshaya Tritiya, considered auspicious to purchase something new. We expect the footfalls to remain steady till tomorrow. This year we are seeing a lot of interest in jewellery,” he added.
Former GJC chairman and NAC Jewelers (Chennai) Managing Director Anantha Padmanabhan said, in the morning the footfalls have been slow, however, since 11 am it has been improving.
“People are mostly preferring jewelery of up to 20 grams. We expect footfalls to continue till tomorrow,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh-based Aisshpra Gems and Jewels Vaibhav Saraf said the stores opened early this morning for Akshaya Tritiya but customers began coming in only after 10 am and footfalls are steady and are expected to pick up more during evening.
“This year, there are wedding and engagement-related purchases, however, light weight jewelery of around 9-10 grams are more popular. The sudden hike in gold prices has affected the consumer sentiment,” he added.
