The second edition of the knowledge forum presented market insights from the southern region and emphasized the drivers of change and growth in the region
Bengaluru: The Retail Jeweller South Forum 2025, held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Bengaluru, saw over 150 industry leaders gather for a day of experience sharing, idea exchange, and networking.
The forum provided key insights into the nuances of the changing retail culture in southern markets, equipping retailers with actionable strategies for navigating the future.
The event opened with an in-depth discussion on regional growth and expansion strategies, highlighting how business growth today extends beyond store openings to encompass digital integration and strategic sustainability.
As retail expansion gains momentum, brands chart out growth strategies with a sharp eye on profitability. Suhas Rao, Managing Director of Bhima Jewellery, said, “Our focus remains on sustainable expansion while ensuring each store is profitable and holds a strong market share. As we continue to grow, our commitment to quality and customer trust remains our top priority.” The brand has 83 stores in India and the Middle East.
The session ‘Role of Sub-brands in Creating New Growth Markets’ highlighted the rationale behind sub-brand launches: the demand for a new category of jewellery, easy differentiation by their target audience, and clear market segmentation and communication. Chetan G R, Co-Founder, Arnav & Co., pointed out, “As opposed to our parent brand, which is more of heritage jewellery, our sub-brand roped in the younger generation with newer metals and affordable price points”. The panel also discussed strategies for how their sub-brands gradually led customers to their legacy brands while increasing their overall market share.
“The next phase of growth in the sector will be driven by personalized experiences, operational efficiency, and innovation. By leveraging AI, digital transformation, and scalable customer-centric processes, businesses can cater to Gen Z consumers, enhance ROI, and create unique offline and online experiences”, said Praveen Govindu, Partner, Deloitte India.
A session on the evolving consumer demand for diamonds emphasized the significance of brand storytelling, consumer education, and social media engagement as primary demand drivers. “The modern consumer seeks immersive, value-driven brand experiences, prompting retailers to pivot towards digital-first strategies that leverage authentic narratives and targeted marketing campaigns,” said Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, De Beers, India.
Pratihari commented on the brand’s major initiative to offer retailers a digital solution for promoting natural diamonds. “The INDRA program is a game-changer for independent retailers, providing consumer insights, customizable marketing tools, and the resources needed to build a strong local presence. With access to cutting-edge trends, jewellers can stay ahead and optimize their growth in an evolving market”, he said.
Another panel on ‘Evolving Digital Consumer Journey’ examined the new marketing landscape with a focus on connected retail strategies. Panelists highlighted the rising role of user-generated content, artificial intelligence-driven marketing tools for content creation and targeting, and cross-marketing in shaping purchasing decisions. Pratap Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran Timeless Jewellery, explained, “Influencer marketing has yielded maximum returns”, emphasising the need to find the right niche influencer who breaks the stereotype and has a strong market standing.
With digital advertising expenditure in India surpassing television advertising, the panel agreed as consumer digital maturity grows, brands must shift from basic awareness campaigns to actionable content for better return on investment.
The silver jewellery market was another key focus area, with discussions highlighting the rising demand for silver jewellery in the bridal segment. Chetan Kumar Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, Laxmi Diamonds Bangalore, observed how margins are a major factor in the expansion of the category and even with a single store, these margins can be quite lucrative. “It is drawing the young generation of jewellers to explore new possibilities in this segment.”
Harini Nevedha, Co-founder & COO, Divas Mantra commented, “Modern brides are increasingly embracing silver jewellery, contributing to the segment’s growing popularity. However, the market remains largely unstructured, presenting retailers with an opportunity to streamline and scale this category by offering curated collections.”
The forum concluded with a felicitation ceremony, which recognized excellence across diverse spheres of retail. The winners were Mitesh G Bafna from Navrathan Jewellers (Heritage Jeweller of Bengaluru); Lakshman Nayak from Gujjadi Swarna Jewellers Pvt Ltd (Showroom Design for Gandhinagar, Bengaluru); Rohit Charan Reddy – BNR Gold & Diamonds (Bridal Jewellery); Sudhir Kapoor from Bhima Jewellery Madurai (Temple Jewellery); Jayaprakash from Sri Ganesh Jewellery Mart (Customer Engagement).
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