IIJS virtual is a very promising platform and it is bringing us new customers with all their contact details. Our existing customers are just checking out our products shape, size and weight in the online booth as they know our finishing. Business will happen at this show.

JK Prasad of JKS Jewels Pvt Ltd is looking forward to learning more about online sales from the IIJS Virtual. He thinks business is going to go up manifold in the next six months

What are your thoughts on the virtual format of the IIJS?

It’s a great platform to connect people. The time for virtual is now, so everything is online. IIJS will be the perfect place to show our products. We have already taken our business online, so I am hoping to learn a lot about online sales. This is a wider platform and opportunities will increase. So, I think it will be a massive success.

What are you planning to showcase at the IIJS Virtual this year?

We already had a set plan for IIJS before the lockdown was imposed. We are not changing that. The lockdown saw a lot of karigars making their way back home so work did slow down a bit, but we recuperated. We are sticking to our Bengali collection and the temple designs in gold. Our craftsmen are slowly coming back now, so we are confident about newer designs. Work is going on as we speak in Kolkata. Everything will be on exhibition. The best thing about online is that there is no need to travel or carry much, so we will be able to show a lot more of our products. Most of our customers know about the quality of our pieces. We just need to take care of getting the other specifications—shape, size, weight— right on the online platform.

What is your business outlook for the next six months?

Right now, people are a little scared to come to stores. Wedding shopping is mostly done by the elders in the family. Since they are in the risk zone when it comes to getting infected, they are not stepping out. Business suffered from July to September. But people are getting used to life with Covid, so things will improve in the next six months. Retailers should not bog down on stock. Gold prices are settling down, the wedding season is coming up, so there will be sales. Don’t be scared to invest in inventory. People love jewellery in this country, not only as a wearable, but also as an investment.

What would you like to say to retailers who are oming to the IIJS Virtual this year?

We make fine jewellery in designs from all over India. They are in different price ranges and the designs are exquisite. I invite all dealers, domestic and international, to check out our designs. I am sure they will like what they offer. There should not be any doubts regarding business. It will all go wonderfully. Don’t wait for prices to fall to replenish your stock. India loves its gold, and a jeweller will never go out of business. The fear is abating, so you should take full advantage of that.

Courtesy: Retail Jeweller India News Service