Once a small spice trader, now owns huge jewellery brand name - the story of Malabar Gold

M. P. AHAMMED is the founder of Malabar Gold & Diamonds. He was born on November 1, 1957, in a family of merchants and landlords in Kerala.

At just 17, he launched his first business, an agro-products firm, and later expanded it into the spice trade in 1981 at the age of 24. He started dealing in cardamom, pepper and coconuts.

He studied at Government High School in Kozhikode and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calicut.

Founding Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Ahammed realized the limitations of the spice industry. He was also observing the jewellery market during those times.

Wherein he identified a major gap of the lack of organization and transparency. This became a turning point in his career. Thinking of a customer-centric brand built with trust and quality, he started his own jewellery business. In 1993, he founded Malabar Gold & Diamonds with a revenue of $5 million.

Malabar Gold growth 

Under Ahammed’s leadership, Malabar Gold & Diamonds became one of the world’s largest jewellery retail chains. Today, the brand has 350 showrooms in nine countries. 

Ahammed didn’t stop with jewellery but the Malabar Group also entered into multiple sectors like real estate. It launched Malabar Developers and built the Mall of Travancore, India’s first green mall. 

It also collaborated with Eham Digitals to manufacture household appliances and through Green Thumb, they promoted sustainable and organic farming initiatives.

M. P. Ahammed started as a spice trader but didn’t stop there; he built a gold and retail empire with hard work and dedication. His story will inspire future entrepreneurs worldwide.