Stress in Rs 50k-1 lakh price points: Titan's jewellery biz head
MUMBAI: Geopolitical uncertainty and trade tariff jitters are weighing on hiring and new job openings in certain sectors, impacting discretionary spending by consumers across sectors ranging from apparel to auto.
In the jewellery space which still has an edge given the intrinsic value gold and diamond hold, spends have been a bit better comparatively but fluctuating
gold prices
have hit demand in the sub Rs 50,000-1 lakh (pricing) category, said Ajoy Chawla, CEO of jewellery division at Titan.
Mass markets are largely bearing the brunt of the surrounding uncertainty at least in the jewellery space; premium and luxury segments continue to fare well.
'Sentiment has been subdued in the lower price points, the customer there is beginning to feel the pinch of high gold prices. 'At the same time, some are going through tough times (referring to factors such as job uncertainty) ….and customerers are a bit under pressure.
Uncertainity taking a toll
Many international IT/tech companies have been reducing jobs and some of that is kind of flowing back. The volatility that we have come to live with now for the past five-six quarters continues,' Chawla told TOI in an interview on the sidelines of a company event here on Friday, adding that early end of season sales being rolled out by certain firms (across industries) indicate wobbly demand.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think
Villas In Dubai | Search Ads
Get Rates
Undo
Fluctuating sentiment
'The sentiment is not bad but it is fluctuating…uncertainty affects consumers in different ways. The greatest stress is below Rs 50,000 and 1 lakh segment in both gold and diamond,' Chawla said, pinning hopes on tax breaks to partly lift broader consumption through the course of the year.
For Titan which owns brands Tanishq and Zoya, the June quarter has been decent but it could have been better, said Chawla who is set to take over as the MD of Titan from Jan 1.
Consumers in the mass segment may shift to jewellery with lesser gold content and light weight items and the industry as a whole will need to innovate to boost demand in the near-term.
'We are getting people used to lower caratage products in gold. We have piloted it in the North and the East and the initial response has been good. All the fundamentals of the India growth story are here. We have to stimulate demand in the short run, manage our inventory and gold prices with agility,' Chawla said.
There's also a push to bolster the trust of people in diamonds which only has a 15% penetration in India. To this end, Tanishq has partnered with De Beers Group to set up diamonds expertise centres across its stores.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Epsilon to partner with firms seeking ex-China EV battery supply: MD
Battery materials manufacturer Epsilon Advanced Materials is prepared to enter into long-term strategic partnerships with the companies looking to source high-quality graphite anode and cathode materials outside China, a company official said. EV batteries are made of components like anode, cathode, electrolyte and separator. As of now China commands over 90 per cent of this graphite anode and cathode processing capacity which is used in electric vehicles. The recent curbs by China on the export of key battery-grade materials and technologies for both graphite anode and cathode (lithium iron phosphate-based) has intensified global concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities in the electric vehicle (EV) sector including in India. This development comes as India ramps up efforts to build a resilient, localised battery supply chain in the wake of China's tightening export restrictions on critical battery technologies. "Epsilon is ready to partner with cell manufacturers and Auto OEMs who are eyeing ex-China sourcing to secure long-term supply chain of high-quality anode materials and LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cathode while supporting their localization and sustainability objectives," company's Managing Director Vikram Handa said in an interview. China has a good early mover advantage and hence has been dominating the global battery materials supply chain for decades, but the recent export restrictions has shown how critical it is for battery manufacturers and auto OEMs to diversify their sourcing, outside of China, he explained. "To begin with, our integrated and proprietary synthetic and natural graphite anode materials allow us to provide a secure and consistent supply chain to our customers across geographies. We have strategically invested in R&D facility and commercial plant to ensure customer qualification samples to our customers for sample testing and qualifying them," he said. The company has its own proprietary technology for manufacturing lithium iron phosphate cathode with an R&D facility in Germany which makes them unaffected from the recent Chinese curbs. Many companies who were dependent on the Chinese LFP cathode technology to manufacture in India are stuck as they will have to now invest in their own R&D which takes 5-6 years to mature. "We have manufacturing plants in India, USA, and Finland with total capacity of 60,000 tonne by 2027 and 220,000 tonne by 2030 which make us the largest anode material producer outside China and will strengthen the resilience of our supply network. "The cathode material plant of 100,000 tonne by 2030 in India will make us Atmanirbhar in electric vehicle battery material supply chain. This multi-continent presence gives our international clients more flexibility, localised supply options, and a reduced risk of disruption," he explained. The company is investing Rs 15,350 crore in Karnataka to develop state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility for electric vehicle battery materials, battery testing and advanced materials R&D.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Naturally coloured cotton revival hit by funding crunch, low yields
India's naturally coloured cotton , which thrived commercially in the 1940s, is struggling to stage a comeback despite rising global demand for sustainable textiles and decades of government's efforts in research. The specialty crop is currently grown on just 200 acres across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, fetching Rs 240 per kg, 50 per cent more than regular cotton at Rs 160 per kg. However, farmers are hesitant to expand cultivation due to significantly lower yields. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others MBA Public Policy Others CXO Degree MCA Leadership Healthcare PGDM Product Management healthcare Artificial Intelligence Technology Design Thinking Data Science Data Analytics Cybersecurity Data Science Project Management Finance Operations Management Management Digital Marketing Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details "The productivity of light brown cotton is very low at 1.5-2 quintals per acre, compared to 6-7 quintals per acre for normal cotton. This discourages farmers from expanding the area under this crop," Ashok Kumar, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), told PTI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Annual production from these limited acres stands at merely 330 quintals, underscoring the challenge facing this specialty crop that could potentially transform India's textile sustainability profile. ICAR-CIRCOT is currently focusing on light brown coloured cotton. Live Events Coloured cotton has ancient roots in Indian agriculture , with cultivation dating back to 2500 BC. Before independence, red, khaki and brown varieties of Cocanada 1 and 2 were grown commercially in Rayalseema, Andhra Pradesh, with exports to Japan. Traditional varieties were also cultivated in Assam and Karnataka's Kumta region. However, the Green Revolution's emphasis on high-yielding white cotton varieties pushed coloured cotton to the sidelines. The crop's inherent limitations - fewer bolls, lower weight, poor fibre strength, short staple length and colour variations - made it economically unviable for large-scale cultivation. Indian agricultural institutions have developed improved varieties, including DDCC-1, DDB-12, DMB-225, and DGC-78 by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, created Vaidehi-95, considered the most prominent among 4-5 available varieties. Between 2015-19, ICAR-CIRCOT processed 17 quintals in demonstration batches, producing 9,000 metres of fabric, over 2,000 jackets and 3,000 handkerchiefs, proving commercial viability. The environmental benefits are significant. Traditional cotton dyeing requires approximately 150 litres of water per metre of fabric, while naturally coloured cotton eliminates this requirement, potentially reducing toxic waste disposal costs by up to 50 per cent. "Naturally coloured cotton has huge export potential. More government support is required to enhance production and value addition," Kumar said. Despite premium pricing and environmental advantages, expansion faces hurdles including lack of seed systems, pest vulnerability, and high pesticide requirements typical of cotton cultivation . "Nobody develops varieties as production is low and the market is not visible. Even textile mills are not ready to procure small quantities," Kumar explained. The global market shows promise with growing demand from environmentally conscious brands , particularly in Europe, USA and Japan. Australia and China are investing heavily in research using traditional breeding and genetic engineering. For commercial viability, coordinated efforts are needed across the value chain ' from developing farmer-friendly varieties to creating processing infrastructure and establishing market linkages with textile manufacturers committed to sustainable practices.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Apple iPhone 17 price breakdown: What it might cost in India, US, UK, UAE and more
Apple's iPhone 17 series is coming this September, and we're getting four models: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a new one called the iPhone 17 Air . The Pro models are getting a fresh design, new chip, and serious camera upgrades. The Air model is aiming to be Apple's thinnest phone yet. Price tags are going up, though — partly due to rising production costs and trade issues. Apple iPhone 17: Launch timing and estimated pricing Apple is expected to launch the new iPhones between 8 and 11 September, sticking with its usual early-September window. Pre-orders will likely open the same week. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Finance Data Science Data Science Management Technology Operations Management healthcare MCA Design Thinking Degree Project Management Digital Marketing CXO Public Policy others Product Management Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Leadership Data Analytics PGDM MBA Cybersecurity Others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Prices in India are expected to rise again. The iPhone 17 Pro may hit ₹1,45,000, while the 17 Air could land around ₹90,000. In the US, that's roughly $899 for the Air. This jump is reportedly tied to pricier components and rising tariffs in China. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Victoria Principal Is Almost 75, See Her Now Reportingly Undo Region-wise iPhone 17 expected pricing India: ₹79,900 United States: $899 United Arab Emirates (UAE): AED 3,799 United Kingdom: ~£849 European Union (Germany, France, etc.): ~€1,019 Australia: ~AUD 1,599 Canada: ~CAD 1,199 China: ~CNY 6,499 Japan: ~JPY 129,800 Singapore: ~SGD 1,429 iPhone 17 Pro: Fresh design, faster chip, smarter cameras The iPhone 17 Pro is getting a redesigned rear camera setup, switching to a horizontal layout with three lenses in a triangular layout. The flash and LiDAR sensor are shifting to the side. It's the first major camera layout change since the iPhone 11 Pro. Live Events Under the hood, you'll get the A19 Bionic chip (likely built on a 2nm process), 12GB of RAM, and a new vapour chamber cooling system to keep things cool under pressure. It'll run iOS 26 out of the box. Apple's also giving the cameras a serious boost — all three rear sensors will be 48MP, including ultrawide and telephoto. You'll be able to shoot 8K video, and the front camera is jumping from 12MP to 24MP for sharper selfies and FaceTime calls. Colour options are rumoured to include black, silver, grey, dark blue, and a new orange-copper tone. iPhone 17 Air: Thin, light, minimal The iPhone 17 Air is where things get interesting. It could be just 5.5mm thick — thinner than any iPhone before. Apple's using a titanium-aluminium blend for strength without the weight, and the phone may weigh just 145 grams. It'll feature a 6.6-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate (but no adaptive ProMotion). To save space, there's just one rear camera — a single 48MP lens — though the front still gets the upgraded 24MP shooter. The rear design follows the same horizontal bar style as the Pro models. Battery life will take a hit. The battery is rumoured to be around 2,800mAh, but Apple's said to be working on a smarter 'Adaptive Power Mode' in iOS 26 to help make it last. This isn't a small refresh. Apple's reworking its design language, pushing camera tech further, and trying to define what a high-end iPhone can be — while also introducing a thinner, lighter model that doesn't feel cheap. But it's also clear that prices are going up. If you're planning to upgrade, expect to pay more — and get more, at least on the Pro side. More details should drop closer to the September event.
