Build Strong Brands Or Battle For Survival, Indian Jewelry Retailers Told

Keynote speaker Piyush Pande

This advice was dispensed by Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and National Creative Director for Ogilvy & Mather India.

Pandey was the keynote speaker at the third Leadership Summit organized by the All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) and sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GJF is the apex body of the jewelry retail industry in India.

Pandey took attendees at the event through a series of presentations about some products that built brands from the ground up, others that rebranded themselves to suit changes in the market or to grow into other consumer segments and even some that realized the value of branding and jumped into the game very late in life. Brands, he explained, are what keep strong connections between consumers and products.

Other speakers included Dev Dutt Pattanaik of the Future Group, a mega-player in organized modern retail in India. Pattanaik used Indian mythological allegories to define modern business and the marketplace. He was followed by Ajit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director of Infinit Retail-Croma, a major consumer electronics retail chain owned by the giant Tata Group that also owns Tanishq, India’s largest jewelry brand shared the group’s learning experience in the setting up of a countrywide multi-brand electronics retail operation.

Shubhada Rao, President and Chief Economist of the Yes Bank, a big player in diamond manufacturing, jewelry fabrication and retail finance, gave attendees an overview of the global macroeconomic forces that were affecting India’s own economic situation as well the value of the rupee against the US dollar – something that has a major impact on the Indian gem and jewelry industry.

Finally, Rahul Bose, an actor, director and social activist who has also captained India’s rugby union team, shared his experiences and perspective on “success and successful leadership”.