Wednesday, February 4, 2009

India Post gold retailing pilot a success; soon to launch Gold Accumulation Plan

Over 10,000 customers since October 15, 2008
 More than 24,724 gold coins sold
 Number of branches currently selling gold coins increased from 108 to 155
 Soon to launch its Gold Accumulation Plan (GAP) - a first-of-its kind initiative by India Post in association with Reliance Money and World Gold Council
 GAP to be modeled on the lines of Postal Savings Scheme


Mumbai, 4th February, 2009: India Post today announced the success of its Gold retailing pilot project in association with Reliance Money and World Gold Council. It also announced plans to launch Gold Accumulation Plan (GAP) via its retail network.

The announcement was made by Ms. Sunita Trivedi, Chief General Manager, India Post today.

Over 10,000 customers have purchased 24,742 gold coins through India Post outlets since October 15, 2008.

“The response that we have received to our pilot project has been highly encouraging. Based on the increased demand we increased the number of outlet retailing gold coins from 108 to 155. Customers can now purchase gold coins from any India Post outlet across 9 states in the country. Going forward, we not only plan to further expand this service to another 100 India Post outlets but also launch our Gold Accumulation Plan to help customers make systematic investments in gold,” said Ms. Trivedi.

The proposed GAP will offer customers a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) like option while investing in gold through accumulation of small quantities as and when they have the money during a particular month. Hence, customers will not need to invest a huge lump sum at a single point of time.

“Retailing gold through India Post is a ground-breaking initiative in the Indian investment sector and one of its kind in the world. The success of this pilot study is a true reflection of the faith an average Indian has in India Post and in gold as an asset class. Gold is also the most credible form of Social Security for the women of India and introduction of GAP by the Indian Postal Services will be one more innovation from them in the service of these women. This initiative will be another first by a highly credible organized player in the Indian investment sector” said Mr. Ajay Mitra, Managing Director of World Gold Council, India.

Under GAP, the customer will benefit from the average pricing of gold over a period of time, as more gold grams will be credited when the price of gold is low and lesser will be purchased when the price is high. The quantity of gold to be invested in or grammage (such as 25/ 50/ 100 grams) and the tenure (such as 12/ 24/ 36 months) specified can be increased as and when desired by the customer.

“We are extremely happy with the success of the gold retailing pilot and are looking forward to introducing the GAP with India Post. Through this pioneering move, we aim take the culture of structured investments in gold to the masses by giving them the convenience of investing in small quantities. We are sure this move will bring about a paradigm shift in the way people invest in gold in the country,” said Mr. Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Director and CEO, Reliance Money.

For details contact –
Reliance Money
Mumbai: Tamanna Khanna tamanna.khanna@relianceada.com +91-93236 09510
Delhi: Sanjiv Kumar sanjiv.k.sinha@relianceada.com +91-93124 56677
Concept PR: B. N. Kumar bnk@conceptpr.com +91-9321048332

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