Weak gold may boost sales by up to 40 pc this Akshay Tritiya

May 12, 2013

Weak_gold

Mumbai, May 12: The continued weakness in gold prices is likely to boost jewellery sales by up to 40 per cent this Akshay Tritiya, according to retailers.

"Due to the sudden dip in prices, we expect a very positive response from consumers as now is the time they indulge in gold. The festive season along with the low rates make it a perfect spending opportunity. The increase expected can be anywhere around 30-40 per cent compared to last year," Manubhai Jewellers Director Samir Sagar told PTI here.

Echoing him, Shree GaneshJewellery House Head-Retail, GAJA, Rahul Singh said, "We expect around 40 per cent rise in Akshay Tritiya sales compared to last year."

The day is considered auspicious to buy gold. But non-Hindu buyers also take advantage of the offers and discounts offered by jewellers, he added.

All India Gems and Jewellery Federation (GJF) Chairman Haresh Soni said overall sales in jewellery and bullion is expected to rise by about 25 per cent considering current reduction in gold prices this Akshay Tritiya.

From the regional perspective, southern India is expected to consume high percentage of sales, he added.

Gitanjali Group Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi said drop in gold prices normally boosts demand for jewellery and coins. When the gold peaked late last year at above Rs 32,000 per 10 grams, demand slowed in terms of value, while during the recent drop to almost Rs 27,000 there has been a surge of consumers in jewellery stores across India. "If gold prices remain relatively weaker than last year's peak, which is what the market now expects, then demand will be good, if they fall further, demand on Akshay Tritiya will soar by 30 per cent," he added.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Executive Vice President Puneet Kapoor said this season Kotak Mahindra Bank is expecting to sell around 175 kg of gold coins and bars, which will be 30 per cent higher compared 135 kg during last Akshay Tritiya.

After witnessing steep fall in prices -- up to almost 20 per cent -- the price of gold became stagnant at the new level, and has again started inching upwards in anticipation of higher demand.

In the last 10 days, gold has already gained almost 8 per cent and if the trend continues, it will bring investor community back to the fore, he pointed out.

Reliance Capital Executive Director, Broking and Distribution Business, Vikrant Gugnani said gold prices as well as gold sales hit a high during last Akshay Tritiya. "The run-up to this Akshay Tritiya has seen some volatility in the gold prices and we expect this to have a positive impact on sales of gold coins. We are optimistic and expect a 30 per cent growth in sales over last year," he said. The bearish trend in gold prices has also given boost to online jewellery sales as the e-commerce has matured in jewellery segment in the past 10-12 months.

JewelsNext.com CEO Gaurav S Issar said, "We are expecting good sales with ticket size of Rs 25,000-50,000 this season. Last Diwali, transactions ranged between Rs 10,000-20,000 since there was no marketplace model, less awareness about e-commerce, less matured market."

On the investment side, Religare Securities AVP & in-charge - Metals, Energy and Currency Research - Sugandha Sachdeva said a steep correction in prices just ahead of Akshay Tritiya is absolutely a perfect time for the investors for fresh buying.

The ETF data of previous years suggests that the turnover on Akshay Tritiya has been extraordinarily high. "Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) on NSE recorded a turnover of around Rs 600 crore last year on Akshay Tritiya and this year we expect an additional growth of around 400 crore, given the fact that gold appears to be a good bargain at current levels.

Last year, India's gold consumption (coins and jewellery) on this day was around 17 tonnes and this year sales are expected to be around 20 to 25 tonnes, if prices drop further," she added. MCX gold this week-end was at Rs 26,987 per 10 grams, while in the international market it was at USD 1,447 an ounce.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
June 18,2020

New Delhi, Jun 18: Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday removed Sanjay Jha as a party spokesperson, days after he wrote a newspaper article criticising the party. She also approved the appointment of Abhishek Dutt and Sadhna Bharti as national media panelists for the Congress.

"Congress president has also approved that Sanjay Jha be dropped as AICC spokesperson with immediate effect," the party said in an official statement.

In the article published a few days ago, Mr Jha had said, "The Congress has demonstrated extraordinary lassitude, and its lackadaisical attitude towards its own political obsolescence is baffling..."

"I would like to call a spade a spade here and a shovel: there has been no serious effort to get the party up and running with any sense of urgency," he had said in the article in a national newspaper.

"There are many in the party who cannot comprehend this perceptible listlessness. For someone like me, for instance, permanently wedded to Gandhian philosophy and Nehruvian outlook that defines the Congress, it is dismaying to see its painful disintegration," he had said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
February 4,2020

New Delhi, Feb 4: Miffed over the controversy created by its former Union minister and Uttara Kannada MP Anantkumar Hegde by his remarks against Mahatma Gandhi, the BJP, it was learnt, has issued a show-cause notice to him. The ruling party came under heavy criticism from the opposition over its MP’s remarks. The opposition has demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his party MP’s remarks.

Often in news for his controversial remarks, Hegde, sources said, could also be barred from attending the first parliamentary party meeting of the BJP of the budget session, scheduled on Tuesday. The party had taken a similar approach against its Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur during the last winter session for praising Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse. Though the BJP leadership was earlier of the view that Hegde should tender an apology over his remarks but the party top brass, it was learnt, decided that it was not enough.

The Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on the central government over the comments of BJP Lok Sabha MP Ananthkumar Hegde on Mahatma Gandhi. The party demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi come to Parliament and clarify his position on BJP leader’s “objectionable” remarks.

Congress party spokesman Anand Sharma said, “we can understand that why one after the other senior BJP leaders are insulting the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. They are disparaging the national movement, the freedom struggle because they are ideological descendents of those who were not only non-participants, but, actively opposed the freedom movement.” He further added, “Parliament is in session. We demand that the Prime Minister come to the House and make his position clear. As I have said, feeds that he is unhappy and angry, we are not concerned with that. In the very ideology, mindset, thinking and language of the BJP, there is violence.”

Asserting that the BJP MP’s statement was condemnable, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the leaders of the saffron party could afford to call the freedom movement a drama as they never fought for the country’s independence. “Such statements reveal their true mindset that they use Gandhi's name just for show and have no regard for him,” he said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
August 4,2020

Ayodhya,  Aug 4: Various religious ceremonies have been conducted for the past 108 days by saints in Ayodhya and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in `muhurat puja' at 12.44 pm on Wednesday as part of 'bhoomi pujan' for construction of a grand Ram temple.

PM Modi will arrive at 12:30 pm at the Ramjanmbhoomi and take part in various prayers including the main "bhoomi pujan".

Govind Giriji Maharaj, treasurer of Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said that the religious ceremonies will begin from 8:30 am in the morning and will continue till 12:30 pm.

"The Prime Minister will arrive at 12:30 pm and he will offer `puja' for 15 minutes and take 'sankalp'. First Lord Ganesh will be worshipped then he will offer prayers of eight shilas. Some prayers at shilas we have conducted already," Giri told said.

"The muhrat of pooja is at 12: 44 pm. He will say words 'prathisthapayami' and it is crucial to be done in that muhrat," he said.

Elaborating on the rituals to be performed tomorrow by the Prime Minister, the trust member said that most important is `Kurm Shila' .

"The most important is Kurm Shila - this is right beneath the place where Ram Lalla will be seated. It is this ceremony that we are conducting tomorrow. A cone of Bakul tree wood will be kept in ceremony. This isn't an ordinary cone, it is made of various metals including gold and silver. 

A lotus with nine gems too will be part of pujan which will be offered to this cone by the Prime Minister," he said.

"These are intrinsic to main bhumi pujan. The first religious ceremony was of Devi Kali. There are two devi kalis here, `choti' and `badi'. She is kuldevi, family's goddess of Sita. Today we held Ramarchan ceremony," said Giri.

The Vedic pundits who are involved in religious ceremonies have come from Delhi, Mathura and Kashi.

Asked about the absence of Nepal's religious head of Janaki Mandir, he said that there are many, including 20 religious heads, who would not able to come because they can't leave their seat in Chaturmas.

On the design of temple, Giri said, the old design will remain as it is except a rise in height.

"The structure has become popular and we will keep it. Keeping in mind the modernisation of architecture, we have raised height from 128 feet to 161 feet and instead of three peaks we will have five peaks," he said.

Kanchi Pithadhishvar Maharaj has sent silver coins as souvenirs for every sadhu participating in it, Giri said.

Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple.

The construction of Ram temple will begin in Ayodhya after the ceremony to lay the foundation stone.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.