IIJS Signature 2024: Retailers look forward to new couture jewellery section, The Select Club

The 16th edition of IIJS Signature will be held in a dual-venue format, from January 4-7 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, and from January 5-8 at Bombay Exhibition Centre (Nesco), Mumbai

Mumbai: The India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) Signature 2024, set to take place in the first week of January, is being held in a dual venue format for the first time, across the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) and Bombay Exhibition Centre (Nesco) in Mumbai. Being organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), IIJS Signature 2024 is introducing a whole new concept – a dedicated section for luxury connoisseurs and couture jewellery buyers called ‘The Select Club’ at the JWCC venue. Couture jewellery manufacturers can showcase their high-end, exclusive jewellery designs to a curated audience here, much to the delight of jewellery retailers.

Speaking about the event, Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “IIJS Signature is strategically positioned at the beginning of the year. Following a phenomenal festive season that witnessed double-digit sales growth for retailers, this platform allows buyers to stock up inventory for the wedding and festivities placed in the first half of the year.”

The couture segment

Retailers who were hard put to source couture jewellery from various sections of the exhibition earlier are looking forward to The Select Club as a one-stop destination to buy their inventory.

Saumitra Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems and Jewels, Gorakhpur said, “My view of The Select Club at IIJS Signature 2024 is very, very positive. From a buyer’s perspective, it was very difficult for us to segregate the couture manufacturers from the generic ones at the same event earlier. Now, within my team, those who are taking care of HNIs will probably spend two days at The Select Club, and the rest will go to the Nesco venue.”

Milan Shah, Director, Kala Mandir Jewellers, Gujarat, said, “The Select Club section for couture jewellery at IIJS Signature 2024 is a fabulous addition, as earlier, our procurement team would get confused about buying for this premium category. They will now be able to make targeted purchases more efficiently.”

Retailers are also expecting variety in this section. “I am very excited about The Select Club at IIJS Signature 2024. What I would suggest to the vendors there is to play to one’s strengths instead of trying to emulate competition. One will then know what type of clients to attract,” commented Raghava Rastogi, Partner, Jugal Kishore Jewellers, Lucknow.

Anticipation runs high 

Apart from the prospect of buying and selling innovative jewellery, participants at IIJS Signature 2024 are eager to connect with customers and industry peers. “We look forward to connecting and strengthening our relations with our clients and peers with an emphasis on mutual growth. The market is quite volatile when it comes to jewellery designs. It favours new trends, so we innovate constantly. We offer every type of ornament in every combination, be it the precious gemstones category, uncut diamonds, kundan, jadau or contemporary jewellery,” commented manufacturer Rajneshkant Agarwal, Chairman, Shree Omkar Jewellers Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad.

“After a successful Diwali season, we anticipate the presence of serious buyers at the upcoming show. The timing is right for buyers to seek exclusive products, expand their offerings and provide a favourable moment to explore new categories and vendors. This marks our debut exhibition, where we’ll showcase our exclusive Rosecut Collection featuring precious stones such as emeralds and rubies. Our offerings will include rings, studs, and earrings. Specializing in Rosecut Diamond Jewellery, we are thrilled to be a part of this event”, said another manufacturer, Yusuf Motiwala, Creative Director & Partner, Omarsons & Co., Mumbai.

According to many jewellers, the successful festive season in the last four months of 2023 is expected to give 2024 a good head-start across metropolitan cities, Tier II and Tier III cities and towns. They are looking forward to buying stocks at the jewellery show to meet demands for the ongoing wedding season.

“We are going to shop for the current wedding season and the upcoming season, as this is the right time to re-stock inventory,” commented Vastupal Ranka, Director, Rare Jewels – A Ranka Legacy, Pune, adding, “The idea of expanding the venue of IIJS Signature 2024 to the Jio World Convention Centre is a very significant milestone. The timing is also perfect as the show is happening exactly after the Diwali season.”

Jewellers such as Brahmananda Meher, Managing Director, Arundhati Jewellers, Bhubaneswar expect that this edition of the IIJS Signature will cater to the brand’s requirement for trending fine jewellery that young customers are looking for. “As you know, we’re in the marriage season and the young generation is on the lookout for new concepts in jewellery designs. Our aim is to cater to these young customers as per their tastes and choices,” Meher said.

Stating that the show will help jewellers restock their inventory for the upcoming season, Aayush Khurana, Director, Khurana Jewellery House, Amritsar, said, “We are excited about the IIJS Signature as we have been seeing a very good response since Dhanteras, which was much better than the last three years. I look forward to buying open setting polki as that has received a lot of recognition and response in our showrooms. The IIJS Signature show is always a great platform to rebuild our inventory.”

Overall, IIJS Signature 2024 is expected to be a show that will not only meet the requirements of the jewellery retailers but will also make it more convenient for them to engage with their choice of manufacturers through initiatives like The Select Club and facilitated meetings between buyers and manufacturers. With 3000+ booths, the show expects visitors from 800+ cities in India and more than 60 countries abroad.

Inputs from Aparna Bhowmick

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive