Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds plans to double store network by 2026
The company has presence in over 45 cities with 50 stores. 'We are not just participating in the lab-grown diamond category, we are building it,' said Pooja Sheth Madhavan, Founder and Managing Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds.
'As a first mover, we carry the responsibility to lead the shift in how lab grown diamonds are perceived. With an aggressive roadmap to open 100 stores by 2026, we are scaling both reach and relevance,' she said.
'Our campaign 'Let's Get Real' calls out traditional myths about luxury and offers a compelling promise of diamonds that shine boldly with a purpose,' she added.
'What drew me to Limelight was the honesty of their story,' said Shilpa Shetty. 'Lab-grown diamonds are a smart and a responsible choice,' she added.
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The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds plans to double store network by 2026
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds is planning to double its store network from 50 currently to 100 by 2026. The firm said it has onboarded actor Shilpa Shetty as an investor brand ambassador. The company has presence in over 45 cities with 50 stores. 'We are not just participating in the lab-grown diamond category, we are building it,' said Pooja Sheth Madhavan, Founder and Managing Director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds. 'As a first mover, we carry the responsibility to lead the shift in how lab grown diamonds are perceived. With an aggressive roadmap to open 100 stores by 2026, we are scaling both reach and relevance,' she said. 'Our campaign 'Let's Get Real' calls out traditional myths about luxury and offers a compelling promise of diamonds that shine boldly with a purpose,' she added. 'What drew me to Limelight was the honesty of their story,' said Shilpa Shetty. 'Lab-grown diamonds are a smart and a responsible choice,' she added.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Shilpa Shetty gets real in Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds' new ad
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds , India's fastest-scaling lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, has unveiled its new brand campaign 'Let's Get Real' a powerful call to reimagine luxury through the lens of innovation, ethics and conscious consumption . At the heart of this movement is actor, entrepreneur and wellness icon Shilpa Shetty , who joins the brand also as a strategic investor. The campaign signifies a defining moment in the evolution of India's luxury jewellery landscape. With 'Let's Get Real', Limelight takes a firm stance against outdated narratives and legacy perceptions, positioning itself as the torchbearer of new-age luxury in India. 'Limelight isn't just participating in the lab-grown diamond category, we're building it,' said Pooja Sheth Madhavan, founder and managing director, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds . 'As a first mover, we carry the responsibility to lead the shift in how lab grown diamonds are perceived. With an aggressive roadmap to open 100 stores by 2026, we're scaling both reach and relevance. 'Let's Get Real' calls out traditional myths about luxury and offers a compelling promise of diamonds that shine boldly with a purpose. This campaign is more than marketing; it's a cultural reset.' Shetty, as the brand ambassador, lends her voice and credibility to a campaign grounded in mindful luxury. Her entrepreneurial mindset, public commitment to conscious living and aspirational appeal make her a strategic fit and a firm believer of the movement. 'What drew me to Limelight was the honesty of their story,' said Shetty. 'Lab-grown diamonds are a smart and responsible choice. As someone who values authenticity and mindful choices, investing in Limelight felt natural. With 'Let's Get Real', you can wear something stunning yet meaningful without any compromise. That's the future of luxury, and I'm proud to help shape it.' The campaign taps into a powerful consumer truth that the modern Indian woman is increasingly value-driven, informed, and conscious. With sustainability, innovation, and transparency rising as critical purchase factors, lab-grown diamonds are fast becoming the preferred choice for a new generation of luxury consumers. ''Let's Get Real' is not a cosmetic line, it's our core positioning,' said Rupali Shrivastava, chief marketing officer, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds. 'Luxury today is about meaning, not legacy. Our integrated 360° campaign spans TV, digital, print, OOH, multiplex cinema, influencers, and in-store experiences. It's backed by deep consumer insight showing strong traction for labgrown diamonds among young, independent women across India. This is not meant to sit in lockers or wait for occasions. It's made to be worn every day, everywhere by women who want their diamonds to reflect their values and lifestyle. We are not just responding to this shift, we're driving it.' With its vision and a brand ambassador who puts belief into action through investment, Limelight is redefining what it means to lead a category. 'Let's Get Real' is not just a campaign, it's a blueprint for the future of luxury in India, the press note shared with ETBrandEquity stated.
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Should You Invest in India's Biggest Office REIT IPO – Knowledge Realty Trust?
On August 5th, 2025, Indian investors will be offered a front-row seat to some of the country's most iconic office buildings—without ever needing to own one. The Knowledge Realty Trust REIT, or KRT REIT, opens its ₹6,200 crore initial public offering (IPO) this week, with ₹900 crore reserved for retail investors, at a price band of ₹95-100. In her column "Let's Get Real," Manisha Natarajan writes about The Knowledge Realty Trust REIT, or KRT REIT, that opens its ₹ 6,200 crore initial public offering (IPO) this week, with ₹ 900 crore reserved for retail investors And if the names behind it — Blackstone and Sattva Group weren't enough to stir investor excitement, the assets on offer might do the trick. We're talking about trophy addresses like One BKC and One World Centre in Mumbai, and Knowledge City in Hyderabad. Big, brand-name tenants like Amazon, Google, Cisco, and Goldman Sachs are already paying rent here. On paper, it feels like a great opportunity: owning a slice of India's finest commercial real estate and earning regular rental income. Big Question: Should You Invest? But is it really that simple? Or more importantly, is it worth your money? Before we dive into KRT's specifics, let me first take a step back, especially for readers new to REITs. Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, allow regular investors to buy into high-quality commercial real estate such as offices, malls, and industrial parks — that you and I can't even afford to buy! You earn through dividends (a share of the rent collected) and, hopefully, from an increase in the REIT's unit price. In essence, it's a hybrid: part-debt, part-equity. SEBI regulates REITs, and you can buy or sell them just like any stock on NSE or BSE. India's REIT market is young but maturing fast. So far, we've had three listed office REITs — Embassy Office Parks, Mindspace Business Parks, and Brookfield India REIT. Knowledge Realty Trust is the fourth, and it comes in as the biggest yet, by Gross Asset Value ( ₹62,000 crore) and Net Operating Income ( ₹3,432 crore in FY25). It also promises a unique proposition — a highly diversified portfolio across six cities, with a sharp focus on India's three strongest office markets: Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Nearly 96% of KRT's assets are in these three cities, which continue to lead the country in office demand and rental growth. So far, so good. But let's not gloss over the fact that REITs, like stocks, demand careful timing and entry. While they offer regular income, returns across the current 3 listed REITs have been varied — some as low as 8%, others closer to 13-14%. Just like a stock, buying a REIT at the right price and fair valuation matters. Also Read: Are REITs the stability your stock portfolio needs now? KRT's management claims their IPO is being offered at a discount. According to Ashish Mohta, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone, the NAV (Net Asset Value) is around 10% lower than current market value. In some cases, such as their One BKC property in Mumbai, the discount he insists is even deeper — nearly 30-35% lower than comparable strata sales in the area. If these numbers hold true, there's potentially value left on the table for new investors. One of the compelling features of KRT IPO is what's known as 'mark-to-market' potential. Many tenants have been in these buildings for years, paying rents negotiated five to ten years ago. As leases expire and are renewed at today's market rates, there's a chance to lift overall income significantly — as much as 20% according to management's estimates. Also Read: Sattva Group, Blackstone sponsored REIT raises ₹1,400 cr in pre-IPO round What About REITs' Performance? But here's where we have to get real. Historically, REITs in India haven't always passed on their full income growth to investors. Net Operating Income (NOI) may grow 8-10%, but dividend distributions — the money that actually lands in your bank account, have often grown just 2-3%. Why the disconnect? Shirish Godbole, CEO of KRT REIT, addressed this head-on in my conversation with the management. He insists that KRT will not only distribute 100% of available cash flows, but most of their projected growth is also already contracted, not speculative. 'We're confident that the 13% CAGR on net operating income, will be delivered,' he said, adding that over 60% of that growth is already locked in through signed deals. The REIT is projecting a starting yield of 7.2%, which it expects to rise to 7.7% or higher in the years ahead. Combine that with targeted annual growth of 13% in cash flows, and you're looking at a potential total return of 14–15%. That's what makes the proposition tempting, especially in this market where safe, predictable returns are hard to come by. Another point worth noting is KRT's relatively low debt level. With a Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio of just 19%, the REIT has significant headroom to raise capital and acquire new assets — without diluting returns. This could be a real advantage in a competitive market where prime office properties are becoming harder to come by. Interestingly, KRT is positioning itself as India's first brand-agnostic REIT, open to acquiring high-quality assets from smaller developers and HNIs looking to monetise commercial properties without giving up their own branding. Sattva Group, the equal partner in Knowledge Realty Trust has already moved nearly 50% of its portfolio into the REIT and committed four additional buildings under ROFO (right of first refusal) agreements. But the real momentum, it appears, will come from this inclusive strategy. As Bijay Agarwal, Managing Director of Sattva Group puts it: 'This is strategy is designed to unlock value for developers and HNIs who've built commercial assets but lacked a clear, tax-efficient exit. It allows them to retain their own branding while benefiting from the institutional structure, stability, and yield of a REIT. That's the real differentiator.' That said, if Sattva and Blackstone were to move their own assets into KRT: will valuations be fair and add value for unitholders? Here too, the management's answer is measured. Godbole insists that the REIT will be disciplined in acquisitions, use third-party valuers, and ensure every deal adds to distributions per unit (DPU). With both Sattva Group and Blackstone holding substantial stakes, there is a system of checks and balances. 'We're here for the long run,' Ashish Mota said, emphasising Blackstone's decade-plus belief in India's office story. And that story is indeed powerful. India is now the GCC capital of the world, with a 58% global share. What began as back-end support has evolved into high-value functions in AI, robotics, design and digital transformation, with its vast English-speaking STEM qualified workforce. Office demand continues to be driven by this shift. Add to that India's unbeatable cost advantage: top-grade office rents in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai average $1–3 per square foot per month — versus $7–9 in London or $10–14 in midtown Manhattan. So yes, there's momentum behind India's office REITs. And on paper, KRT has the right ingredients to do well by your investment. If you're after long-term, stable income go ahead, apply to the IPO.
