National retail base congratulates GJEPC for a spectacular in-person IIJS 2021

• Overwhelming inventory in gold jewellery
• Innovation in kundan-meenakari, colour stone ranges
• Tech-enabled infrastructure helped spot exhibitors accurately

IIJS 2021 ticked all the right boxes for the domestic trade fraternity. Executed courageously and commendably by the board of convenors in GJEPC, the council presented a 5-day jewellery extravaganza to buyers, who waited out the pandemic to surprise end-consumers with breathtaking jewellery. Here is what the retailers across the country have to say about IIJS.

Innovation – antique, polki and kundan steal the show

Nakul Bansal, owner, Sona Chandi Jewellers, Haldwani, praises the humongous dedication put in by manufacturers across the country to bring something new on the table. “Every exhibitor, right from antique, diamond to plain gold jewellery, had worked tirelessly to create unique designs. We also paid attention to the lightweight concepts in antiques, which are otherwise heavy jewellery,” said Bansal.

Deepa Agarwal, Sona Chandi Jewellers, Kanpur, also agreed on the efforts by manufacturers. “This time, exhibitors didn’t hesitate to experiment on ideas such as converting antique jewellery into lightweight ranges. This has helped me a lot to stock my inventory to meet the demand for the upcoming festive season,” Agarwal said. Saumitra Saraf, Partner, Aisshpra Gems and Jewels, Gorakhpur, also lauded the work on antique ranges. “Some of my old vendors came up with good collections such as long earrings, shoulder dusters, tennis bracelets in diamond in ultra-lightweight,” he added.

Pallavi Foley from Pallavi Foley Boutique Jewels, Bengaluru, was impressed with the kundan work at the show. “I was surprised with the innovation in kundan-meenakari and cut diamonds. The colour stone segment was particularly versatile and I got my demands about Russian emeralds met therein,” she said.

Inventory – gold ranges grab highest average demand

It is the sheer diversity of inventory across verticals that increased the buying list of retailers this time. Varda Goenka of Diagold Jewels, Kolkata, spotted a humongous reserve of gold and diamond jewellery at the show. Agreeing to her view was Vikas Soni from L Gopal & Sons Jewellers, Guwahati. “We saw a lot of variety in inventory there and met many new manufacturers not seen in IIJS Mumbai before,” said Soni. Bansal, too, was satisfied in refilling his motley stock of diamond, polki, gold and antique jewellery.

Hitesh Adesara of Keshavji Chhaganlal Jewellers, Jamshedpur, said, “There was overwhelming inventory in gold jewellery, for which many manufacturers were over-booked within the first two days. Finding new manufacturers was crucial and we collaborated with 3-4 new manufacturers this time. Although Mumbai will always be preferred, Bengaluru can become the next reliable place for IIJS,” he said.

Saumitra Saraf also pointed out the increase in transparency in gold jewellery this time. “In studded jewellery like kundan polki with colour stones, the gold weight was always a question mark. There used to be a difference of at least 10-15% in the weight but this year, a lot of the vendors committed to a 99.9% accuracy in gold weights, which I believe is a good trend,” he said.

The response was so inspiring that manufacturer Mohanlal Seth, of SK Seth Jewellers, Mumbai, pointed out the serious buying intent among visitors, particularly in the bridal segment, to give the biggest impact possible. “The customers were looking for genuine vendors who could provide quality, transparency and authenticity in products. They were ready to pay even if the rate was slightly on the higher side,” said Seth.

Infrastructure–vast exhibition space easily navigable via app

Infrastructure was, by far, the biggest positive factor second to safety protocols at the show, and GJEPC walked the talk with the biggest ever spatial allotment to a B2B trade event ever in the history of Indian jewellery industry.

Talking about the breakthrough success in infrastructure, Foley said that the GJEPC app guided visitors even before entering the venue. “It took exactly 5 minutes for me to enter. The show is so well-organised. The booth of every exhibitor can be spotted accurately and fast through the app. The decision to shift base to Bengaluru was good because of the larger space ensuring better safety,” she said.

“Although two online shows had happened post-pandemic, the response to the physical show was well above expectations before the start of the show,” said Seth. This, said Saraf and Agarwal, encouraged a decent footfall and intense buying at the show.

All in all, the industry had a massive reunion of interests, ideas and scope for bettering each vertical with more focus from now on. Retailers agreed that after a span of 20 months, sharing ideas and chalking plans with old partners, clients and well-wishers have given a clearer roadmap to excite the end-consumers with refurbished interest and value of jewellery in adornment and investment, all thanks to IIJS 2021.

Courtesy: Retail Jeweller India News