Early Life
G. Rajendran was born on October 5, 1942, and hails from a family of jewelers in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. He started his career as a gold loan advisor at the Chennai Central Cooperative Bank. Encouraged by his mother, Mahalakshmiammal, Rajendran decided to start his own retail store.
Rise to Success
In 1964, Rajendran founded GRT Jewellers (originally GR Thangamaaligai) in Chennai. The first showroom was a modest 500 sq. ft space with a rent of Rs. 100. By 1979, the business expanded with a larger showroom. The brand's success is attributed to unwavering customer satisfaction and commitment to quality.
Key Business Strategies
GRT Jewellers focuses on providing service to customers, delivering value for money, and maintaining high-quality designs. GRT has expanded to 65 stores across India and Singapore, offering gold, diamond, platinum, and silver jewellery. The brand has also expanded into hospitality and education, with the GRT Institute of Engineering and Technology (GRTIET), promoted by the GRT Mahalakshmi Charitable Trust. The company has an online presence through www.grtjewels.com.
Philanthropy
GRT Jewellers actively engages in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. They have contributed to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, donating Rs. 25 lakhs each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The company has also granted ₹1.37 crore in scholarships to 264 deserving students from economically challenging backgrounds.