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Tata Group-backed jewellery brand CaratLane plans to open 40 stores in the coming financial year, 10 per cent of which will be company-owned, a senior executive said. "We have almost 50 stores right now, and we expect to add around 40 stores next year (2026-27); however, we won't be in a hurry to open them. In the first quarter, we will probably focus on exploring stores and in the second quarter, we will start the expansion for FY27. Around 10 per cent of these new stores will be owned by the company," CaratLane Managing Director Saumen Bhaumik told PTI. About 13 per cent of the current 50 operational stores are company-owned, he added. He said this expansion will be more in the north, east and the south, while in the west the openings will be fewer. "I think in north, east, and south, we will continue to expand. In the west, we will be opening fewer stores as we have already opened a decent number in that region. Right now, I want to make sure that every store in the western regi
India's gems and jewellery exports grew 3.86 per cent year-on-year to USD 2,680.79 million (Rs 24,340.05 crore) in February, following the industry's diversification into other markets, according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The overall exports stood at USD 2,581.08 million (Rs 22,460.13 crore) during the corresponding month of 2025, GJEPC data showed. From April 2025 to February 2026, total gems and jewellery exports were almost flat at USD 25,933.72 million (Rs 2,28,230.06 crores) compared to USD 25,915.81 million (Rs 2,18,737.62 crores) in the year-ago period. "The past year has been challenging for the global gem and jewellery industry, shaped by evolving US tariff policies, geopolitical uncertainties, and changing consumer preferences across key markets. Despite these headwinds, the Indian gem and jewellery sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience," GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said. Exporters have actively diversified their export markets,
Exporters in Rajasthan are expecting a sharp rise in gems, jewellery, handicrafts and textiles shipments to the United Kingdom once the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India comes into effect. As part of the FTA, which was signed in July this year and is likely to come into effect next year, duties on 99 per cent exports to the UK will be reduced to zero. Jaipur-based jeweller K B Goyal of Dwarka Jewellers said the removal of the 3-3.5 per cent duty on jewellery items in the UK will give Indian jewellers a strong edge in global markets. "The duty removal will help jewellers in sales and marketing of jewellery samples abroad... We will give tough competition to China, Thailand, and Hong Kong," Goyal told PTI on Wednesday. He said India's estimated export of gold, silver, and platinum jewellery to the UK stands around USD 400 million, with Rajasthan contributing nearly 40 per cent. "We expect this export to increase 1.5 times in the next 2-3 years," he added. Trade policy expert Ri
The Louvre said on Monday it would remain closed a day after historic jewels were stolen from the world's most-visited museum in a daring daylight heist. The museum's staff asked dozens of visitors who were queuing in front of the glass pyramid entrance to leave the site. In a message posted on the social media, the Louvre said visitors who have booked tickets will be refunded. It did not provide additional details. On Sunday, thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre's facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said. The theft about 30 minutes after the museum opened, with visitors already inside, was among the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory. It unfolded just 250 meters from the Mona Lisa, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional, four-minute-long operation. French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged security failures on Monday. One can wonder about the fact that, for exam
The overall gems and jewellery exports rose by 6.55 per cent in September to USD 2,914.29 million (Rs 25,737.50 crore) despite global headwinds as festive and wedding season demand gains momentum, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said on Tuesday. Gem and jewellery exports stood at USD 2,735.26 million (Rs 22,925.81 crore) in in September 2024, GJEPC said in a statement. In the first half of 2025-26, the overall gem and jewellery exports witnessed a growth of 3.66 per cent at USD 14.09 billion compared to USD 13.60 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal. "The first half of this financial year reflects encouraging signs of recovery for the industry. Demand for gem and jewellery products has strengthened across key markets such as the UAE, Hong Kong, and the UK, with exports registering consistent growth. The upcoming festive and wedding season among the Indian diaspora, together with the holiday season demand in global markets, is expected to further .