At the 11th edition of COUTURE India 2026, businesses across design, branding, packaging, technology, certification and retail services presented solutions aimed at addressing the operational challenges faced by jewellery retailers.

Gold prices remained subdued on September 24 as expectations of further US Federal Reserve rate hikes strengthened, while softer oil prices provided limited support to bullion.

Strong jewellery sales and higher store footfall at Titan indicate that consumer demand for gold remains resilient despite calls to curb purchases and a higher import duty.

The new service targets lightweight, daily-wear and gifting-led jewellery, with four-hour delivery currently available across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Jewellery stocks fell on September 1 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to avoid unnecessary gold purchases, citing Swadeshi and self-reliance, raising concerns over demand and jewellery buying patterns.

India’s INR 7 lakh crore jewellery market is seeing lower gold volumes but higher consumer spending, prompting retailers to focus on lightweight, lower-carat and studded jewellery.

The government is considering changes to its gold deposit framework, including a role for jewellers, to bring more privately held gold into the financial system and reduce import dependence.

The Gem & Jewellery Council has cautioned that the US' 10% tariff on Indian imports could weaken export competitiveness, squeeze margins and impact jobs, urging government intervention through trade negotiations.

Mumbai flagged off its first jewellery export consignment to the UK on July 15 under the India–UK CETA, marking nationwide shipments expected to benefit exporters through zero-duty market access.

World Gold Council's Mid-Year Outlook 2026 says gold is likely to trade within a 5% range in H2, with geopolitical risks, central bank demand and India remaining key market drivers.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council joined the Union Commerce Minister's trade mission to the UK and Greece to strengthen market access, promote exports and deepen trade partnerships across Europe.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council has sought regulatory relief from the Reserve Bank of India, citing liquidity constraints, extended payment cycles and financing challenges affecting India’s export-oriented gem and jewellery sector.

Augmont has launched the next phase of its ‘Recycle with Resilience’ campaign from Mumbai, introducing AI-powered purity evaluation in Chennai to promote transparent, organized gold recycling across India.

Augmont has introduced an AI-powered gold purity evaluation machine at its Poonamallee branch in Chennai, enabling instant gold assessment and integration with gold loan processing and recycling decisions.