Apparels

Gold prices in India soared to a record high of Rs 1,11,750 per 10 grams, mirroring gains in global markets driven by anticipation of US inflation data and Federal Reserve policy guidance. Silver also surged, reaching Rs 1,33,582 per kilogram. A weaker rupee and subdued equity market sentiment further bolstered bullion prices.

“Monday was a pretty good day for us with the Pitru Paksha ending on Sunday. Customers had been holding off on purchases and they started making the payments from Monday,” said Vijay KG, founder of Luxepolis, an online marketplace for certified pre-owned and discounted luxury goods. “I think more discretionary income should benefit the luxury sector indirectly. With more money in the hands of consumers, consumption should go up.”

V2 Retail has expanded its footprint to 250 stores nationwide with the launch of six new outlets across emerging markets in India, strategically timed before the festive season. The expansion underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Tier II and Tier III cities, with new stores in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

CareEdge Ratings maintains a negative outlook for the diamond industry, projecting a 17-20% decline in cut and polished diamond exports by FY26 due to global headwinds and steep US tariffs. While India’s domestic demand shows resilience, it’s unlikely to offset the export decline. The industry is responding by curtailing production and exploring new markets to mitigate the impact.

Ultrahuman, a wearable tech startup, achieved its first profit in FY25, driven by a significant surge in smart ring sales and growing subscription revenue. Operational revenue soared to Rs 565 crore, resulting in a net profit of Rs 73 crore. The company is shifting from hardware-led growth to a software-driven model, enhancing profitability and free-cash generation.

PNG Jewellers plans to grow its retail presence this Navratri. The company will launch six new showrooms and four LiteStyle shop-in-shops. These will be located across Maharashtra and Central India. New stores are coming to Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Lucknow, and Kanpur. LiteStyle counters will be added in Solapur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur.

Singapore and Bangladesh are set to sign an FTA aimed at boosting garment trade, after Singapore’s imports from Bangladesh fell 46.12 per cent to $45.982 million in January–July 2025.
Bangladesh’s share slipped to 4.04 per cent. Imports have fluctuated over the past four years, with Bangladesh’s share ranging between 4–7 per cent, highlighting the FTA’s potential to stabilise trade.

UK’s apparel exports dropped 13.97 per cent to $1.58 billion in H1 2025.
Ireland remained the top market with $232.94 million shipments (14.72 per cent share), up 1.94 per cent YoY.
France, the US, Italy, and the Netherlands followed as key destinations.
The sustained multi-year decline highlights persistent challenges for UK apparel exporters amid global economic uncertainty.

India’s gold demand may rise during the festive season. Investment interest and wedding purchases are key factors. A potential consumption tax cut could boost sales. High gold prices might limit demand. Domestic gold prices have increased significantly. Signs of demand have narrowed price discounts. Jewellers anticipate higher footfalls with marketing efforts. Bullion dealers are increasing purchases for the season.

Apparel and footwear brands will pass on GST benefits to consumers. Prices will drop for items under ₹2,500. Discounts from retailers’ margins may decrease. Higher sales are expected due to lower prices. Unsold inventory should reduce. The GST change impacts different price segments. Retailers anticipate a sales recovery driven by festivals and weddings.