Retailers from across the nation report sales and trends in gold. There was a heat wave that crossed the 40 degree mark across the nation, the war situation too has not improved much, nor is the inflation reduced…yet, consumers across the nation not only purchased in large numbers, they pre-booked their gold for the auspicious occasion. In Mumbai, Zaveri Bazaar was abuzz with activity. Jewellers had launched special collections especially for the occasion. People thronged stores for there were schemes and offers on purchase for the occasion. Girish Shah from Aakar Jewels said that the sales this year were amazing. “We started selling almost three to four days in advance, as people started pre-booking orders to purchase on the shubh-muhurat. We had people asking for light-weight gold jewellery. As the wedding season too is approaching, the demand is for coloured-stone jewellery collections and people have been making purchases for light-weight gold designs.”

Akshay Tritiya this year had opened its doors to real-time purchases after a hiatus of two long years. “This year was fantastic,” exclaims a buoyant Saket Keshri of Ratnalaya Jewellers from Patna. “Customers were making purchases with unmatched enthusiasm. Akshay Tritiya being the auspicious time for buying gold was all the more successful because the wedding season is around the corner. Clients looking for wedding collections booked their gold well in advance with us. No matter what online sales may have done, customers got more connected with our brand at the store where I had the opportunity to interact with a lady who has been purchased with us since 1965. The veteran spoke truly when she said, I love to feel my gold and see it on myself, before I make an auspicious purchase. The younger women were excited with the idea of our Mother’s Day initiative to be launched on May 8. We have already planned an intimate session with mothers and daughters. Akshay Tritiya has delighted many hearts this year!”

Raghav Rastogi, partner at Jugal Kishore Jewellers in Lucknow is of the opinion that sales at Akshay Tritiya herald great business. “Akshay Tritiya was a great relief after the miserable market condition! At my store, I witnessed many of our regular customers entering with smiling faces and shopping on their minds. They had the opportunity to make a real-time purchase after almost 2 years. The entire day was a grand success with people thronging our store and asking for the latest that we had on offer,” he shares.  SK Saha from Annapurna Jewellers, Patna said he had clients walking in and asking for rings, anklets, nosepins and such. Arun Saboo from Vijaywada’s Maheshwari Jewellers said he had a good sale as there was optimism in the air. He noted a demand for coloured stone jewellery designs and innovations in light-weight wedding collections. We at Indian Jeweller safely conclude that Akshay Tritiya 2022 was a welcome change for the stagnant atmosphere of the market. The movement of merchandise has picked up due to sales and the manufacturing segment is as relieved as the retailers are. Now, it is time to prepare for the upcoming wedding season in May!