Brands
E-com, Media, and Retail saw hike in ad volumes across media during Ganesh Chaturthi: TAM AdEx
MUMBAI: A total of 450+ categories, 6400+ advertisers, and 8500+ brands advertised across mediums (TV, print, and radio) during the festive period of Ganesh Chaturthi (22 August to 12 September), as revealed by a latest TAM AdEx data report.
As compared to the last year, the top category of Food and Beverages saw an increase of 9 per cent in ad volumes. Following it were Personal Care/Personal Hygiene and Services, which recorded a dip of 17 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.
Retail saw an increase of 40 per cent in ad volumes, across media, laundry 38 per cent and household products 14 per cent, the data revealed.
The top category to advertise across media, Toilet Soaps recorded a dip of 16 per cent across media, as compared to the last year. E-commerce, social media, entertainment category gained 81 per cent in ad volumes, Retail Outlets-Jewellers 57 per cent, and Washing Powders/Liquids 45 per cent.
The top advertisers included Hindustan Unilever. Reckitt Benckiser, and Godrej, on the top three sports. Leading brands, in terms of ad volumes were Lizol, Trivago, and Vivo S1.
Brands
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds to open 25 stores in Q1 FY26 expansion
Push into Tier 2 cities and metros to take total footprint past 85 stores
MUMBAI: Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds has kicked off the new financial year with an ambitious retail push, announcing plans to launch 25 new stores in the first quarter of FY26 across metros and high-growth Tier 2 markets.
With this expansion, the brand’s total retail footprint is set to cross 85 stores nationwide, reinforcing its early-mover advantage in India’s fast-growing lab grown diamond segment. The move reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, where aspirational buying is increasingly aligned with sustainability and value.
The company said the expansion is aimed at deepening its presence beyond major cities and tapping into emerging demand centres, as lab grown diamonds gain wider acceptance among Indian consumers.
Commenting on the development, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds founder and managing director Pooja Madhavan said, “Launching 25 stores at the very start of the financial year is a strong signal of how the category is evolving. As pioneers, we are not just expanding retail, we are shaping consumer mindsets towards smarter, more sustainable luxury.” She added that the brand’s long-term goal is to scale to 200 stores while making the category accessible to modern Indian buyers.
From an execution standpoint, the company is focusing on building depth in high-potential markets rather than just expanding its footprint. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds director retail expansion Karamjyot Singh Chawla said, “Every new store is a step towards creating a truly national footprint with consistent, premium experiences,” highlighting the role of supply chain and operational discipline in supporting growth.
On the product side, the brand is strengthening its merchandising capabilities to keep pace with rising demand. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director of inventory and merchandise Nirav Bhatt said the focus is on building an agile supply system that keeps designs relevant and responsive to consumer trends.
Meanwhile, scaling operations sustainably remains a priority. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director production and finance Kalpan Dalal said the company is investing in efficient production and financial discipline to support long-term expansion.
The retail rollout is backed by an omni-channel strategy, franchise partnerships and continued investment in design innovation and consumer education. Each store is designed to deliver a consistent, premium experience aligned with the brand’s positioning around transparency and modern luxury.
With a roadmap to reach 200 stores by 2027, Limelight is betting big on both scale and sentiment, aiming to carve out a larger share of India’s evolving fine jewellery market.
