Coca-Cola India partners SOS Children’s Village

Coca-Cola India has entered into a partnership deal with country’s leading NGO SOS Children’s Village to develop rain water harvesting plants across 39 SOS locations across the country. The proposed collaborative project, a part of company's corporate social responsibility (CSR), will witness an outlay of USD 585,000 of which USD 391,920 has been granted by the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Foundation. The project will be completed in the next one year and will facilitate the lives of around 6,000 children growing up in SOS villages.

Atul Singh, president and CEO, Coca-Cola India, said, “Our sustainability as a business demands a relentless focus on efficiency and prudence in our use of natural resources. Water is fundamental to all communities and water stewardship remains a priority for Coca-Cola India. At our end, we pursue a 3R programme of water conservation that include reduced use of water, recycling of water and replenish the water. This partnership will not only create sustainable water resources for children but will also raise awareness among them and play a leading role for water conservation .”

“Business must not play a constructive role alone, but a leading role for development. We have also established a Coca-Cola India foundation, which will take a lot of such initiatives in future in and around our bottling plants and office complexes. We have already developed 320 rainwater harvesting centres in different parts of the country and some more projects will be operational soon,” added Singh.

He further said, all the industries put together uses only around 7 per cent of water resources where as agriculture alone consumes 35 per cent water. “We at Coca-Cola have also been working on projects to come up with new technology so that our farmers can get better yield using less water,” concluded Singh.

Other CSR activities of the company include organising awareness campaign for the use of bio fuels and providing educational scholarships, besides funding schemes for making available potable drinking water to 20 schools in Chennai and 150 schools in various parts of West Bengal.

Tata Motors enters used car biz

In an initiative to extend exchange offer of used cars, India’s leading auto major Tata Motors has launched its certified programme Tata Motors Assured. The programme facilitates exchange of any company’s cars under certain conditions, besides Tata labels, according to a company press release.

S Krishnan, vice-president — commercial and passenger car business unit, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors Assured pre-owned car programme has been conceived to provide convenience of a one-stop solution to customers willing to exchange their existing cars for new Tata cars. Any company’s car can be exchanged, as long as the owner buys either a new Tata car or a pre-owned Tata car.”

Initially, the pilot project has been launched through 15 dealers in 10 major cities that include Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Vapi. The programme will be subsequently offered across the country through the Tata Motors dealer network in a phased manner, added the release.

Titan to add 20 franchise stores by FY '09

Titan Industries, a joint venture between Tata group and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), plans to roll out 20 more franchise stores across India by the end of FY’09, said a senior company official.

Commenting on the development, Ajoy Chawla, vice president—global business head, Titan Retail said, "We have added 35 stores in the current fiscal. We plan to add 20 more in the remaining months of this fiscal." 

The company currently has 260 franchise stores across 130 towns pan-India, apart from an overseas presence in the Middle-East, south-east Asia and SAARC countries. The company is currently clocking a 14 to 15 per cent growth as against an expected 22 to 25 per cent growth” concluded Chawla.

Food retail to grow by 400 pc: Govt

Food retail business in India is expected to grow by over four hundred per cent in next five years. Consequently, the share of global trade in the sector has been projected to double by 2015, according Ajit Kumar, joint secretary, ministry of food processing, India. 

"Food in grocery sector is about USD 154 billion which is 77 per cent of total retail sales. two-third of the food is in retail grocery, and the organised Indian food retail is just three per cent at USD 7 billion which is expected to grow by 400 per cent in next five years," said Kumar. 

Kumar was speaking at the 5th annual Agri Business Summit organised at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. 

Highlighting the estimated growth projection targets set by the Union Government, Kumar said the retail food industry is going to be at USD 20 billion by 2010 against the present USD 7 billion. 

"We will have tremendous growth in food processing sector by 2015, increasing the level of processing of perishable from six per cent to 20 per cent, value addition which is only 20 per cent now to 35 per cent and share of our global food trade of 1.5 per cent to double by 3 per cent by 2015," Kumar said. 

According to Kumar, government has taken several steps for promotion of food processing industry, including tax holidays and permission for repatriation of profits.

Now Paratha, Idli, Omelets and more at CCD

India's leading fine coffee cafe chain and a division of coffee conglomerate Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company Café Coffee Day (CCD) has added more products in its offering. The chain has started to offer north Indian Paratha, south Indian Idli, Omlette and many such products in its coffee retail chain besides serving coffee and other ready-to-eat products. According to S Jayaraman, senior general manager-business development, CCD, the new offerings in the basket are currently operational on trial basis at few of its stores on highway petrol pumps.

“We have tie-ups with almost all the oil marketing companies in the country and a large sum of our 718 operational stores is present at petrol pumps. CCD outlets at petrol pumps consist of stores within the city petrol pumps as well as at highways. On the highway, a customer needs more than just coffee. He needs food as well. This prompted us to come up with this plan,” elaborated Jayaraman to IndiaRetailing.

Further, the company also prefers store expansion at highway petrol pumps because of adequate parking space. “Now the roads in India are good with lot more people going on highways. Business travelers, now a days, too choose highways. Parking space is the biggest advantage at such places besides having 24x7 security,” clarifies Jayaraman.

However, for Jayaraman the biggest challenge at highway stores is electricity. “Round the clock availability of power is the biggest issue. We cannot operate the stores most of the time on generators. Further, getting manpower is also a problem as the staff is needed to stay somewhere near the outlet,” he adds.

With 718 Coffee Day outlets, the company enjoys strong presence in NCR with 114 outlets. The company which operates in India through company-owned outlets is also present in overseas market of Karachi, Pakistan and Vienna, Austria with 18 franchisee outlets. Coffee Days's different divisions include Coffee Day Fresh n Ground (which runs 354 Coffee bean and powder retail outlets), Coffee Day Xpress (with 341 Coffee Day Kiosks), Coffee Day Take away (operating 7000 Vending Machines), Coffee Day Exports and Coffee Day Perfect (FMCG Packaged Coffee) division. 

TVS-E rolls out retail IT hardware range; plans to open demo zones

IT peripheral major and a manufacturer of dot matrix printers, TVS Electronics (TVS-E) has extended with an introduction of retail IT hardware products in the market. The range includes point-of-sale (POS) printers, integrated touch screen, barcode scanner, electronic cash register and cash counting machines, customer pole displays and much more. Further, the company also aims at building a network of TVS-E owned demo zones across India targeting the retailers to facilitate a better access to these technology products, according to a top company official.

“India has a number of retail outlets in the world. Though the market has been dominated by unorganised players, the entry of domestic and international organised players is set to change the scenario,” said V Shankar, senior vice president, POS and solutions business group, TVS Electronics.

TVS-E has currently has over 200 channel partners and 150 retail solution providers in the POS category across India.

"With an improved scenario in the Indian retail market, there is a need for sustaining the momentum with sharp technology and greater focus on customer convenience. Hence as an effort to modernise the Indian retail scenario we have devised a customer friendly hardware technology sought by a small kirana shop owner down the street to a large retailer operating chain of stores in malls and shopping centers," added Shankar. 

The POS products by TVS-E caters to suit the needs of sectors as varied as textiles, food and grocery, restaurants, hospitals, educational institutions, beauty parlours, pharmaceutical stores, jewellery stores, book stores, electronic showrooms, logistics on a pan India level. Being on the cutting edge of technology these sectors have gained a huge leverage in optimizing their time and business while servicing the multitudes of customers visiting the store daily.

25 Big Bazaar stores in 2008; a stimulus for retail industry

What he thinks turns visionary, what he does becomes innovative and what he develops becomes an enterprise in itself. No prizes for guessing. IndiaRetailing is referring to India’s retail tycoon Kishore Biyani and his venture Future Group.

The retail arm of Future Group — Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd is India’s leading retailer that operates multiple retail formats in both the value and lifestyle segment. The Mumbai-based company has diversified its operation over 18 categories and operates a nationwide chain of stores that include Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar, Pantaloons, Central, HomeTown, eZone, Depot, LootMart, Brand Factory, Scullers, Urbana, Indigo Nation, One Mobile, Staples, Etam, Lee Cooper Sports Bar, Copper Chimney and F123.

Starting the year 2008 with six million square feet of retail space with stores in 51 cities across the country, the retailer ended the year with over 11 million square feet of retail space and over 1,000 operational stores across 63 cities and towns and 65 rural locations in India. The retailer opened 25 Big Bazaar stores in 2008 besides opening stores simultaneously across all the formats and carried the total store count of Big Bazaar to 104. Even more, the company had seen a 52 per cent increase in its total income from Rs 33.29 billion in FY 2006-07 to Rs 50.53 billion in FY 2007-08.

Looking back in excitement: 

In an initiative to asses the growth of the company in the last year, IndiaRetailing found that the company was not only aggressive in store openings but also ran some innovative marketing initiatives across its formats to attract footfalls and cash in huge revenues therein.

Opening the season’s first Big Bazaar store in Kolkata on January 19, 2008, which was spread over an area of 62,000 square feet, Sandeep Marwaha, head operation — east zone, Pantaloon Retail, said, "We are a consumer-driven company and we ensure that all our Big Bazaar stores fulfill the needs of the entire household under one roof. We are confident of our offerings both in quality and competitive pricing, which has earned us the trust of millions of families across the country." 

And yes the confidence kept rolling throughout the year as the company was found opening stores after stores across formats. In January itself, Pantaloon Retail opened another Big Bazaar store at Lee Road in Kolkata, which was spread across 40,000 square feet. The month also witnessed the launch of ‘Cosmos: The Siliguri Megamall’ in the city. Spread across six floors with a retail area of around 3.5 lakh square feet, Cosmos Megamall houses over 75 retail stores including all popular national chains of the Future Group. Ardhendu Bose, GM, Cosmos, said: “It will indeed be a landmark and pride of the city, and even for the entire north eastern India region.” Pantaloon Retail also posted 62.9 per cent increase in income for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 in this month. 


February 2008 started with company’s signing up of USD 50 million business deal with leading IT solution provider Wipro Infotech for developing streamlined IT operations for its stores. Speaking on the occasion, Kishore Biyani, CEO, Future Group, said, “Pantaloon is driving innovation and thought leadership in India’s retail industry. This partnership is valuable to all our stakeholders including customers and employees.” The group also launched a new retail format in the home segment branded ‘Home Bazaar’ — a satellite version of its national home making and improvement retail brand Home Town at M Square Mall, Aurangabad. It further announced its plan to expand the format throughout the country, mainly in tier II and III cities. 

In March 2008, the group opened an exclusive store of its French lingerie brand Etam in Mumbai. It also opened lifestyle apparel and accessories retail format store Pantaloons in Guwahati and one Big Bazaar in Ranchi, which claimed to be the largest in the east zone with 80,000 square feet retail area.

FY 2008-09 started with the opening of its luxury furniture and furnishings format store Collection i in Surat and electronics specialty store eZone in Pune. In May, the group opened the seamless mall Central at Oberoi Mall in Mumbai and eZone in Bengaluru. Besides the store launch, the group signed a 50-50 JV with entertainment, media and communications company — Percept Ltd to enhance its reach in Bollywood retail. The concept was developed to provide a complete ‘Bollywood Experience’ including Bollywood Cafes, Walk Throughs, Hall of Fame, Bollywood Museums, Bollywood Theme Park, Merchandising and a host of other experiential offerings for the visitors.

In June 2008, the group's activities were concentrated mostly on brand building and partnership. In this month, the group’s home making and home improvement store HomeTown entered into a distribution deal with Italy’s modular kitchen maker — ARAN Cucine and launched its exclusive brand Denovo for the first time in India. Denovo ranges include designer collections like Tiziano, Leonardo, Giotto and Raffaelo. HomeTown also entered into an exclusive tie up with Italy’s luxury bath range manufacturer and supplier AQUAlife and brought it to India.

In July 2008, Pantaloon Retail opened its flagship brand Big Bazaar at the Deendayal Mall in Gwalior, which was the 91st store of the chain. It also opened the 41st store of its lifestyle format Pantaloons in Nagpur and its fashion value retail format store Brand Factory in Bengaluru in this month. 

In August 2008 when the whole country was celebrating the 61st Independence Day, Future Group was celebrating total sales of worth Rs 1.05 billion on single day across its outlets earned from one of its promotional and special offer programmes.

After continuous effort throughout the quarter, in September 2008, Pantaloon Retail presented its audited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, wherein the total income of the company had seen a 52 per cent increase from Rs 33.29 billion in FY 2006-07 to Rs 50.53 billion in FY 2007-08. In October that year, Pantaloon Retail posted 39 per cent increase in net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

M&M enters infant care, maternity products retail

With the launch of two specialty format Mom & Me stores in Ahmedabad and Ludhiana, auto major Mahindra & Mahindra has marked its maiden entry in country’s retail space. The stores retail infant care and maternity products. 

The company will run its operation under Mahindra Retail, part of Mahindra Intertrade, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra. 

The retail expansion is part of extending its operation after successful tie-ups with Walt Disney, Aqua, Mattel and Lego to distribute and market kids’ toys, apparels and accessories in India, according to company sources. 

Spar, Spencer’s to continue large format stores expansion

Dubai-based Landmark Group promoted food retailer Spar and RPG Group's retail arm Spencer’s Retail will continue to expand in large format stores in the next two years, reportsBusiness Line. 

“ The format has given us higher turnovers and the entire range and assortment of products across all categories of food, fashion, home and entertainment finds space only in a large store which is typically more than 25,000 square feet,” said Samar Singh Sheikhawat, vice-president-marketing, Spencer’s Retail Ltd in the report. 

Spar, which currently has three hypermarkets, two in Bangalore and one in Hyderabad is planning to expand only through this format. Viney Singh, managing director, Max Hypermarket India, which owns the Spar brand said, “Spar can alone offer customer-centric experience. Even our supermarkets in other parts of the globe are around 30,000 square feet and any space less than this cannot deliver service and range, which we promise along with value and freshness.” 

Spencer’s Retail has scaled down its store growth plans from an intended 2,000-3,000 across all formats by 2011 to 750 stores in two years with an investment of about Rs 20 billion. The group currently has 32 large format stores and is working on growing this number to 45 by March.

Kewal Kiran Clothing announces Q3 results

One of the country’s leading players in the business of manufacturing and marketing of apparel products, Kewal Kiran Clothing has announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

In the quarter, the company posted a net profit of Rs 304 lakhs as against the net profit of Rs 510 lakh for the corresponding period of the previous year 2007.

The company has achieved net sales of Rs 3,511 lakhs during the third quarter as against net sales of Rs 4,275 lakhs during the corresponding quarter of the previous year ended December 31, 2007.

Backed by a strong retail and distribution network, the Mumbai-based company currently operates five units with an annual capacity of 25 lakh products employing over 800 employees.

Brio Café: Arrives Jaipur, leaves Noida

Shoppers Stop has opened a new Brio Café in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Meanwhile, the company has also closed down Brio Café at Noida. 

Shoppers Stop foray into food and beverages began with Brio. Brio has been designed with the intention of providing a warm and friendly place to relax, revive and reflect. After the development, the company has now 21 Brio Café stores, said the company in a statement to Bombay Stock Exchange.

The company also operates under Indian cuisine concept with the brand Desi Café. This, the company says, is another concept to add to the food and beverages offerings.

Whirlpool to double it market share in India

Electronics major Whirlpool India plans to double its market share of the front loading washing machine from 5 per cent in the next fiscal. Further, the company plans to launch 11 new models within the fully automatic top-loading and front-loading category this month-end. 

The new models which are priced above Rs 12,800 will be initially rolled out in major metros and other big cities. 

Commenting on the development, Shantanu Das Gupta, vice-president (marketing), Whirlpool India said, "We are focusing on front loading models as the segment is growing at 25 to 30 per cent every year. Through new launches, we intend to garner a double-digit market share within front loading segment and a 20 per cent share in the country's washing machine industry." 

Whirlpool India is a subsidiary of Whirlpool, a US-based company established in 1911. The company came to India in late 1980s under a joint venture with TVS Group and acquired Kelvinator India Ltd in 1995. The company is present in more than 170 countries. 

Raymond CMD exhorts industry to Get the Power at IFF 09

Gautam Hari Singhania, CMD, Raymond Limited and a passionate ambassador of the Indian fashion and textile industry, will be chairing the forthcoming India Fashion Forum (IFF) scheduled to be held on January 27-28, in Mumbai. 

The industry that IFF is addressing is estimated at over Rs 3,500 billion and hence the significance of this edition is critical in reviving business sentiments. Comprising clothing & textiles; premium fashion & accessories; jewellery & watches; sports & footwear; home & beauty; and mobile and fashion gadgets, the Indian fashion and lifestyle industry has grown over four times since this forum first gathered the leaders of the businesses together in the year 2000.

In his message to the press, Singhania states, “With business captains, policy makers, entrepreneurs and professionals joining in for this mega congregation of the fashion, textile & beauty industry, IFF will be the focal point for all vibrant thoughts to converge and brainstorm on how together we can overcome the impact of this global downturn.” 

Themed ‘Fashion 2009: Get the Power!’, the forum will see over 200 thought leaders and global honchos devising strategies to add energy and empower the categories that drive consumption in modern India.

Speaking on the IFF09 theme ‘Get the Power!’, Singhania says that to move ahead in the fashion world today, businesses need some “Special Powers” and hence IFF brings together the most powerful minds, brands and businesses with most ‘out-of-the-box’ thoughts and innovative ideas that can change the way one looks at things, particularly in today’s context. IFF promises almost cent per cent attendance of the key lifestyle brands that have presence in India or wanting to get into the market in the near future.

IFF ’09 highlights include 'FASHION VOICES of India’. IFF ’09 will open with a difference. Taking centre stage will be highly dynamic voices, identified and mentored by leading fashion brands of the world, from across the country sharing their experiences, concerns and hopes, their individual and collective strategies for growth, and what they expect from the forum. 

IFF Inaugural will be a showcase of size and power. From India’s largest fashion and textile brands to the country’s largest retailer to its largest fashion intermediary, the session will put up the business’ most influential spokespersons, tycoons and icons. 
The India - Sri Lanka session will bring in leaders representing all major textile, apparel and retail trade bodies of both countries to talk about partnership possibilities in developing mutually beneficial projects.

IFF ’09 will also launch India Beauty Forum, which will host major stakeholders in beauty, hair care and cosmetics businesses coming together for a conclave besides numerous talk shows, workshops and catwalks -- setting the perfect stage for leading and upcoming beauty brands to leverage the tremendous business environment at IFF. 

The grand finale of IFF will be ‘Decision Making Session’ involving fashion brands, retailers and shopping centre developers. ‘’It’s time to act!’’, says Hemchandra Javeri, chairman of The Fashion Alliance of India (TFAI), a non-profit body of global fashion and lifestyle brands, which will be launching a major market development initiative at IFF backed by substantial investments. Consumer aspirations and awareness, new occasions for purchases, and availability of quality and viable retail space will be top of agenda for TFAI.

IFF, the magnum opus of the business of fashion, will house simultaneous and concurrent leadership talk sessions, exhibits of futuristic concepts in fashion forecasting, branding and retailing, the best of retail spaces across India, and an unparalleled opportunity for business networking. With various sub-events under the umbrella of IFF, the event culminates in IMAGES Fashion Awards – one of the most glamorous fashion award extravaganzas in the world.

Microsoft opens retail demo center

Showcasing an emerging technology for consumers throughout the retail environment, Microsoft has announced a 20,000 square foot facility in Redmond, Washington, USA. redmond houses an interactive store environment including point of sales and service to the receiving dock. Microsoft is attempting to showcase their view of a retail business solution while at the same time creating an interactive consumer-based research facility to analyse consumer buying habits.

Commenting on the development, Bill Gonzalez, general manager, worldwide distribution and services sector at Microsoft said, “With changing consumer demands and slowed spending, increasing shopper loyalty and frequency while managing costs is critical for retailers’ success. Through this setting of the Retail Experience Center, our retail customers can emerge with an in-depth sense of how software and innovations can help them rise above competitive pressures and industry regulations to create a consumer-driven operation.”

The Retail Experience Center features in-store displays of Microsoft consumer products and showcases ways to cut costs, create efficiencies, streamline operations and promote and sell goods within the aisles, in the employee break room, at receiving and shipping, at checkout, across the web and even at home or on the go.

Bharti opened 22 Easyday stores in 2008

Making its maiden entry in retail in April 2008, Bharti Retail has opened 22 Easyday stores during last nine months. Of these 22 stores, there are 21 Easyday neighbourhood format stores and one compact hypermarket format Easyday Market, a top company official said. 

The neighbourhood Easyday stores cater to the day to day needs of a family whereas Easyday Market is for home-makers that offers everything under one roof. Currently Bharti Retail has stores in Punjab and Haryana.

“People want more for every rupee they spend. They want more savings on their purchases and Bharti Retail makes it possible for them to do so. We have managed to build trust with our customers, and we are confident of repeating that with every new store we open in future,” said Vinod Sawhney, president and COO, Bharti Retail.

Meanwhile, he informed that the company got very good customer response and was upbeat throughout the season. 

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Easyday stores employ people from the local communities where it operates. Bharti Retail also offers unique opportunities to untapped workforce viz meat sellers, fruits and vegetable vendors, housewives, retired people, school and college drop outs and self employed persons. 

Further, Easyday stores also employ physically challenged people, the initiative that helps Bharti Retail achieve its objective of facilitating inclusive growth in communities in which it operates its stores. 

Future Group to restructure footwear retail biz

The Future Group owned Footmart Retail Ltd, the 49:51 joint venture between Liberty Shoes and Pantaloon Retail forged in 2005 is getting reviewed with the possibility of a change in its shareholding pattern, reports Business Line. 

“The details of the restructuring are, however, yet to be finalised,” said Anupam Bansal, executive director, retail, Liberty Shoes to Business Line. 

With intentions of restructuring the footwear retailing business, a new vertical is being set up to streamline the business going forward, added the report. 

“We are considering new possibilities and there could be fresh opportunities under the joint venture. There has already been some amount of realignment within the business and there is now a new vertical for footwear retailing with streamlining of operations within the Group,” said Rakesh Biyani, director and CEO (Retail), Future Group to Business Line.

At the time of launching the joint venture company in 2005, Footmart Retail had planned to operate in two distinctive store concepts — while Shoe Factory would stand for value format, Pairs was expected to be an exclusive lifestyle format of stores. The purpose behind forging the venture was to combine the retail expertise of Pantaloon with Liberty’s sourcing, merchandising and designing strengths.

'HyperCity - Great Discovery Sale' to start today

In an initiative to cash in revenue and attract footfalls, HyperCity Retail (India) Ltd, part of Mumbai-based K Raheja Corp, has planned to offer around 50 per cent reduction in multiple product categories across HyperCity stores, according to a company press release. 

As part of the plan, the company is set to launch today limited period discount offer 'HyperCity - Great Discovery Sale’ across all HyperCity and HyperCity Argos stores in Malad, Thane and Vashi. The products on offer include furniture, homeware, sports, toys, fashion, jewellery, electronics and watches. 

The mega sale has been anchored around the brand promise of 'there is more to discover'. The company has also planned to offer up to 70 per cent discount on select furniture and home products, added the release. 

FitnessOne India bags corporate excellence award

FitnessOne India Ltd, a gym and fitness training to equipment retailing company, has bagged the corporate excellence award initiated by Rotary Club of Madras Metro. 

The company has national footprint with 50 outlets under three formats - FitnessOne, FitnessExpress and Pink. 

While FitnessOne is a full-fledged large format gym and FitnessExpress, a satellite model, Pink is its brand name for women-only gyms. It is planning to take its total number of fitness centres to 100 across cities by 2010.

Office rentals fall in Indian cities: CB Richard Ellis

Office space rentals in metros and larger cities of India are witnessing a fall since the last financial year, according to a report CB Richard Ellis.

According to India Office Market View — the report on office spaces in major cities by global real estate consultancy CB Richard Ellis, the vacancy levels have increased and rentals were corrected because of dampened demand. 

While the office markets of Chennai recorded the least correction of 6 per cent in the third and fourth quarters of 2007-08, the maximum of 30 percent was experienced in the Extended Business District of Mumbai, stated the report. Bengaluru too witnessed about 30 per cent vacancy with IT firms slowing down fresh acquisition plans.

In terms of rental values, the peripheral markets of Gurgaon and Noida witnessed a drop of approximately 12 per cent and 16 per cent respectively in the fourth quarter of 2007-08, as compared to the previous quarter, the report added.

Himalaya targets domestic market; ties up with Reliance, Walmart

Himalaya International Ltd, India’s leading agro-based food manufacturer and exporter, has tied up with Reliance and Bharti Walmart to mark its presence in the domestic market. Branded ‘Himalaya Fresh’, the company will supply all its products to these chains and will invest around Rs150 crore initially to set up a factory in Gujarat for producing its milk-based products. Announcing this plan, Manmohan Malik, chairman, Himalaya International Ltd, said, “After 12 years of experience in exporting our products to the US and establishing the company as one of the top quality exporter for food products, we are now entering the domestic market under the brand Himalaya Fresh with strategic tie-ups with all major players in retail chains.” “The company has signed separate agreements with Walmart and its Indian subsidiary Bharti Walmart for selling its products and will undertake cash-and-carry operations at wholesale prices,” added Malik. The company targets to achieve around Rs 25 crore business transactions through Bharti Walmart stores in India during the current fiscal.

TGISF brings Future Group brand and Sone Ki Chidiya in the customers’ space

At a time when the whole country is reeling under slowdown and people are away from shopping, Future Group’s innovative concept The Great Indian Shopping Festival (TGISF) has been trying to rejuvenate the shoppers’ mood for year 2009, and according to a top company official, the response is overwhelming and encouraging.“Two things which have been very encouraging so far for us, apart from response, are that earlier people were sceptical because of the market conditions and this offer has given a positive message to the market. Also, the customers are seen shopping together with family even with a small child with them which has really been very positive for us,” said Damodar Mall, group customer director, Future Group.He informed that as part of company’s plan, Future Group wanted to upgrade people and introduce them with multiple offerings and formats within the group with this offer and said: “The customer's reaction has been very encouraging and the Group believes that in going forward these customers will continue to shop in our stores.” “So far I believe the acceptance of Future Group brand and Sone Ki Chidiya as a symbol was limited to corporate and retail space. But now, Future Group and Sone Ki Chidiya are in the customers’ mind space as well,” he added.Elaborating the sales figure, he said that the company has already met its sales expectation not just in its lead formats but even in its smaller formats too. Further, the company has extended the festival by one week on public demand. “Because the customers were to collect Sone Ki Chidiya stickers and qualify for assured gifts, the request from people had been that they need some more time to reach the 300 stickers mark, and we have extended the festival by a week till January 11, 2009.” However, he remained tight lipped about the exact earnings for the company during this period.Commenting on such innovative marketing strategies from the Group, he further said, “We at Future Group believe that shopping is not a chore in India. It is a family outing and is part of the small joys of Indian families. Our strategy is to keep making shopping interesting and fun and also to be able to reach to a larger audience. Hence democratisation of access to goods and services is what we do through a series of offers for families through out the year.” 'Sabse Sasta Tin Din', the next large event coming from our portfolio, is already an established brand which is due for its fourth year of operation from January 24-26 this year,” he added.

DAILY RFID launches RFID asset management solution

DAILY RFID has released a new RFID asset managenet system, which is designed to track and manage mobile and fixed assets. The system enables the automated gathering and sending of asset information.According to a company press release, the new system allows organisations to manage assets more efficiently,regardless of what type of asset it is in the business.DAILY RFID, which belongs to PAN Group, is a leading company focusing on the research and development of EPC and RFID technology in China.

Bharti-Wal-Mart training centre opens in Amritsar

Bharti Wal-Mart Training Centre, a special skills training centre aimed at bridging the shortage of skilled workers for cash-and-carry and organised retail formats, has been inaugurated in Amritsar, Punjab. Located at the Government Institute of Garment Technology (GIGT) Amritsar, run by the Department of Technical Education, Punjab Government, the training centre was inaugurated by Punjab chief minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal.With the enrollment process already started for the inaugural batch of students, the centre is expected to train approximately 125 candidates each month. Meanwhile, all enrolled candidates will be awarded 100 per cent scholarships. The center is an outcome of the government of Punjab joining hands with Bharti Wal-Mart in a public private partnership to offer short-term vocational certification courses that will equip candidates to become floor and sales assistants or supervisors at wholesale cash-and-carry and retail ventures.

e-shopping to grow by 180 pc this festival: Assocham

The wide spread violence and terror attacks are turning out to be blessing in disguise atleast for one section of retailers. While small retailers (footpath sellers), mainly dealing in clothes and varied household items are liekly to be the worst hit, those retailers who have adopted the e-commerce way of reaching out to their customers are likely to be the ones who will have some reason to smile this festive season. This was revealed by a study carried out by ASSOCHAM, which claims that e-shopping during the forthcoming season is likely to go up by 180 per cent in major cities like Delhi and other metros.The findings also revealed that during the coming Dussera and Diwali, the white goods and bullion trade was unlikely to be as impressive as it was last year because little or few discounts are being offered by consumer durables manufactures to attract customers because of their higher input cost . Higher inflation and loss of property and lives as result of terror activities at various places have completely dampened purchasing enthusiasm of common investors towards gold and silver. Releasing these findings of Assocham, its secretary general, DS Rawat said that through e-shopping in the month of Oct-Nov 2007, shopkeepers in major hubs of economic activities effected sales of number of articles to an extent of Rs 55 billion. Since, these on-line transactions take place through recognised and established banking mechanisms there is little room for fudging and these figures are therefore realistic, asserted Rawat. Assocham expects this figure to go up between 175-180 per cent to touch levels of over 150 billion.Rawat, however, added that the consumer durables and white goods sector is unlikely to do better because this sector has already fallen under recession because of extremely higher input costs forcing the already struggling manufacturers not to offer any of the customary discounts.Assocham findings further add that most of e-shoppers have shown satisfaction with e-shopping as the chamber has received feedback from various organised retailers in this regard. This experience will only be repeated which will amount to a hike in numbers of e-shoppers. E- shopping is getting much more attractive with assured supplies of an ever increasing range of products coupled with high quality and correct quantity, as most of these systems are automated leaving little room for errors. The comfort of shopping while sitting at home, 24x7 access, product and price comparison charts, home delivery and secure payment gateways are some of the reasons making more and more shoppers catch on to this trend in India.

FMCG sales to go up to $25 bn by 2008-end: Assocham

Sale of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) remains unaffected by the current slowdown and is rather anticipated to register a growth of 25% and touch USD 25 billion by end of calendar 2008 as against USD 20 billion in calendar 2007 due to higher consistency in demand for FMCG products throughout the country, according to estimates by Assocham. The industry group is also of the view that due to increasing consumption patterns towards FMCG products especially electronics and detergents, the rural FMCG sale by end of current fiscal is likely to be one fifth of its total sale projections which means rural FMCG sale will touch volumes of USD 5 billion by end of December 2008. The factors responsible for increased market penetration in rural FMCG sector, as per Assocham, comprise higher consumption patterns of rural population for products such as consumer durables which include refrigerators, TV sets, electrical appliances as rural India is getting connected with power facilities, personal care products, toiletries & soaps and soft drinks.The study is based on the feedback given by major FMCG players like Hindustan Unilever, Godrej, Dabur, ITC, Johnson and Johnson, Procter and Gamble, Reckitt and Benckiser, Parley, Britannia, and Nestle. As per the report, the growth of FMCG in rural areas alone will touch USD 5 billion by this month-end. In 2007, rural sales of FMCG stood at USD 3 billion, Assocham said.

Asahi plans to buy Cadbury's Schweppes

Tokyo-based beermaker, Asahi Breweries has entered into an agreement with Britain confectionary maker Cadbury to buy its Australian beverages arm, Schweppes for USD 810 million, said a company official.“The successful sale of Schweppes Australia will complete Cadbury's divestment of its beverage operations. As a result, Cadbury will focus solely on growing its chocolate, gum and candy portfolio, in line with the Vision Into Action strategy, announced in June 2007," Todd Stitzer, chief executive officer, Cadbury. According to the Asahi official, they had been constantly pursuing investment opportunities to enter into the soft drinks market worldwide. Cadbury was formerly known as Cadbury Schweppes until it demerged its Americas Beverages division in May.

Asahi plans to buy Cadbury's Schweppes

Tokyo-based beermaker, Asahi Breweries has entered into an agreement with Britain confectionary maker Cadbury to buy its Australian beverages arm, Schweppes for USD 810 million, said a company official.“The successful sale of Schweppes Australia will complete Cadbury's divestment of its beverage operations. As a result, Cadbury will focus solely on growing its chocolate, gum and candy portfolio, in line with the Vision Into Action strategy, announced in June 2007," Todd Stitzer, chief executive officer, Cadbury. According to the Asahi official, they had been constantly pursuing investment opportunities to enter into the soft drinks market worldwide. Cadbury was formerly known as Cadbury Schweppes until it demerged its Americas Beverages division in May.

Megamart opens its 100th store in India

Furthering their reach in India – value retail chain store – Megamart from the house of Arvind Limited has recently achieved the 100 mark with its 100th store in Karim Nagar in Andhra Pradesh. Future plans include setting up of 400 stores in the next 3-4 years.It is believed that the expansion of the stores is taking place with help of adopting the franchisee route rather than sticking to company-owned and company-run stores. Explaining the same, Venkatachalapathy, COO, Arvind Brands and Retail said, “For the first time in 14 years, Arvind is shifting from the traditional format of company-owned and company-run and are keenly exploring the franchisee route in tier II and tier III cities with real estate of 1500-2000 sq.ft. To strengthen backend operations and to manage the supply chain of goods, Arvind is investing in developing and embracing state-of-the-art IT technology to help with the roll-out of expansion.”With a proposed investment of USD100 million, Arvind has propelled itself into an aggressive mode to expand their retail business. The company has set itself a benchmark to achieve sales of USD1 billion from its brands and retail business alone, in the next five years and to achieve this turnover, the company is looking to implement new formats and forge new partnerships.

Aditya Birla Retail's marketing head joins Tatas

Trexa, the mall management company of Tata Group's retail arm Trent and a global private equity firm The Xander Group, has hired Sanjay Badhe as its new CEO, according to sources. Badhe will be making the shift from Aditya Birla Retail where he served as head of marketing. Badhe has earlier worked with companies such as Shoppers Stop, Raymond, Al Futtaim Watches & Jewellery and MARG Marketing Group. A couple of months ago, Aditya Birla Retail's CEO Sumant Sinha also left the company to join Tulsi Tanti's Suzlon as CEO.

Aditya Birla Retail's marketing head joins Tatas

Trexa, the mall management company of Tata Group's retail arm Trent and a global private equity firm The Xander Group, has hired Sanjay Badhe as its new CEO, according to sources. Badhe will be making the shift from Aditya Birla Retail where he served as head of marketing. Badhe has earlier worked with companies such as Shoppers Stop, Raymond, Al Futtaim Watches & Jewellery and MARG Marketing Group. A couple of months ago, Aditya Birla Retail's CEO Sumant Sinha also left the company to join Tulsi Tanti's Suzlon as CEO.

Aditya Birla Group brings changes in top management

In an attempt to strengthen its retail operation countrywide, one of India’s leading retailers Aditya Birla Group has brought changes at its top-level management. Pranab Barua, earlier the head of Group's retail arm Aditya Birla Retail, will now lead the Group’s fashion house Madura Garments, reports ET. Further, Vikram Rao, who headed Madura Garments for nearly a decade, will now look after the Group’s acrylic fibre and fabric operations in Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, added the report.Meanwhile, after Partho P Kar’s resignation, COO, Madura Garments Exports, the Group has appointed S Vishwanathan as the new head and R Swaminathan as the deputy COO, and both of them will report to Barua.

Metro to target traditional retailers with Kolkata outlet

Targeting more traditional retailers around the festive season this year in Kolkata, Metro Cash & Carry has planned to open its first outlet in the city at EM Bypass. The 100,000 square feet centre, will be the company’s fifth outlet in the country and will be set up with an investment of around Rs 120 crore. Announcing plans, Erik Schmit, the director (development and expansion) of Metro Cash & Carry India, said: “Our homework shows Kolkata has over 250,000 kirana stores and that gives us the confidence to roll out a few more outlets in this city. Besides hotels, restaurants and caterers, Kirana stores constitute our core clientele.” The centre will stock more than 18,000 items including fish, meat, fruits and vegetable, groceries, cosmetics and detergents, beverages, office stationery and kitchen accessories.“Ours is a B2B model and anyone with a valid trade licence can be a customer. Just like anywhere else, we will source nearly 95 per cent of our stocks in Kolkata, providing handholding support to hinterland farmers and small manufacturers,” informed Schmit.The group further hopes to cut down transit wastage of foodstuff from 30 per cent to less than five per cent through “efficient” supply chain management. “While lower wastage and the ability to directly market their produce to us will ensure fairer price for local farmers, we will also help them improve their crop yield as well,” said Schmit.Metro will train the owners of the city’s neighbourhood stores to improve their visual merchandising, promotions and product-mix and accounting skills.

'Adidas Originals' for smaller cities

Sportswear brand Adidas has planned to open its sports performance showroom ‘Adidas Originals’ in tier III and IV cities within this year.Announcing the plans to media at the launch of Adidas Originals in Chandigarh, Andreas Gellner, managing director, Adidas India Marketing Private Limited, said, “We have decided to open 150 more outlets in tier III and IV cities by the end of the year.”The company also wants to expand its presence by opening eight 'Adidas Originals' stores in the metros within a year. “We have plans to cover all the major metros such as Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad for the opening'Adidas Originals' outlets within the next 12-15 months," informed Gellner.According to Gellner, Adidas enjoys a 25 to 30 per cent share in the country's sports footwear and apparel market.

Reckitt to opt for green labeling to reduce carbon footprint

Health and personal care products group Reckitt Benckiser has planned to implement an environment friendly option to reduce the carbon footprint of products used by the consumers. The company is preparing to re-label all its products with a green label, providing consumers guidelines for usage and safe disposal of products, according to a top company official.Under the campaign named ‘Carbon 20 programme’, Reckitt plans to implement the exercise globally through extensive in-store promotions. Bart Becht, CEO, Reckitt said, “We aim at reducing total carbon footprint of Reckitt products by 20 per cent by the year 2020. Following the guidelines on the packs, consumers can cut energy and water use and save money while making an impact on climate change.” Although in India, their re-labelling exercise is expected to take shape after a year since the usual practice is to follow production cycles six-eight months in advance. “The exercise is global but specific time lines for India have not yet been firmed up. The implementation in India will happen in the second phase of the exercise.” said Reckitt Benckiser India’s spokesperson. In addition to re-labelling the product packs, all television advertising of Reckitt products will be adapted to highlight the campaign with a punchline— 'greener ways to clean and save'. Reckitt Benckiser product offerings include antiseptics, toilet care products, shoe care products, mosquito repellants and personal health care products. The company manufactures leading brands like Dettol, Disprin, Lizol, Mortein, Robin power, Harpic, Cherry and Colin in India.

Levi’s India MD speaks before IFF ‘09

“There are two key priorities for retail in India today – recalibration of real estate prices to the value it delivers in terms of attracting consumer traffic and to create another significant occasion (like Diwali) for buying during the first half of the year for the Indian consumer,” Shumone Chatterjee, MD, Levi’s IndiaChatterjee is one of the poster boys of Indian fashion industry who will be featuring at India Fashion Forum ’09 (IFF ’09) which is scheduled to be held on January 27-28, in Mumbai. The forum will see over 200 thought leaders and global honchos deliberating on most crucial issues of the business of fashion in India.“IFF provides the industry an opportunity to progress significantly in both the areas,” added Chatterjee.IFF is country's largest intellectual and information exchange for the fashion and retail businesses where leading lights of the fashion and retail industry converge to discuss, display and highlight facets and issues related to the healthy growth of these sectors.

Sensex crosses 10k, Nifty above 3100; Retail stocks in green too

t was a cheerful day at Dalal Street last Monday. Markets ended up firm, thanks to strong global cues and a positive economic stimulus package, resulting in smart market rally. While the 30-share index Sensex shut shop at 10275, up 317 points, Nifty ended the day at 3121, up 74 points from its previous close. The market today opened on a quiet note with Sensex trading at 10257, up 21.15 points, and Nifty trading at 3126, up 5.3points from the previous close.

CNX Midcap index was up 1.36 per cent and BSE Smallcap index was up 1.21 per cent. The market breadth remained positive too with advances at 808 against declines of 407 on the NSE. BSE showed 1660 advances against 879 declines.

Top Nifty gainers included Tata Power and Sterlite, while losers included Satyam and Bharti.

Puma signs JV with Knowledge Fire for retail biz

n an effort to set up retail stores in India, Germany-based high-end lifestyle brand Puma is setting up a JV with RGN Swamy owned knowledge Fire. In the proposed JV, Puma will hold 51 per cent stake and will open around 40 retail stores across the country by this year-end and take the count to 140 by 2015, reports ET.

As part of the deal, Puma will provide the latest technology, marketing expertise and logistics for high-quality products through its new retail venture, adds the report.

Currently, the company is operational in the country under the brand name Puma India for cash and carry wholesale trade and supplies largely the footwear ranges. With this JV, the company will sell footwear, apparel and accessories under a single brand name.

Pyramid Saimira promoter sells 6.5 pc stake in co

Cinema operator Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd (PSTL) has said in a statement to the stock exchange that a promoter of the company had sold 6.5 per cent of his stake in the company. The sale took place through open market sale.

In the disclosure made to Bombay Stock Exchange, the Chennai-based entertainment company said that Nirmal Kotecha sold 3.80 lakh shares representing 1.35 per cent stake in the company between November 19 and December 5, 2008 and 18.36 lakh shares, representing 6.50 per cent stake between December 18 and 29, through open market transactions. After the development, Kotecha's shareholding in Pyramid Saimira will be reduced to 15.5 percent.

PSTL is India’s leading theatre chain company operating with presence across South India. Its network includes 800 plus screens with 5,50,000 plus seats across India, Malaysia, Singapore and North America spread over 5 million square feet. By 2010, the Group plans to operate 2,000 screens in India alone (with 175 multiplexes and stand alone theatres). The company has also created a niche for itself in the food and beverages segment with one food court, one restaurant and 110 cafeterias inside theatres in operation with the brands including Apple Tree, Red Curry, Shivalay, Augrita, Asparagus, Thall and Cineteria.

Alok Industries to raise Rs 4.5 bn via rights

Textile firm Alok Industries has said that it will raise Rs 4.5 billion through issues of rights. In a disclosure to Bombay Stock Exchange, Alok Industries informed that the board of directors has approved to increase the size of the proposed rights issue to Rs 4. 5 billion from Rs 3 billion.

Earlier in October 2008, the board of the directors of the company had approved a rights issue of equity shares or convertible instruments up to Rs 3 billion.

Alok Industries is a diversified manufacturer of home textiles, apparel fabrics, garments and polyester yarns selling directly to manufacturers, exporters, importers, retailers and brands across the world. The company made its foray into retail through textile chain H&A, which offers a range of products including apparels for both men and women, embroidered fabrics and bed and bath accessories.

Raymond CMD to chair India Fashion Forum '09

Gautam Hari Singhania, CMD, Raymond Limited will be chairman of India Fashion Forum ’09 (IFF ’09). “2009 edition of IFF will be the focal point for all vibrant thoughts to converge and brainstorm on how together we can overcome the impact of this global downturn,” says Singhania.

Scheduled to be held on January 27-28, in Mumbai, the forum will see over 200 thought leaders and global honchos deliberating on most crucial issues of the business of fashion in India.

In regard to the Mumbai terror attacks, Singhania said, “As the country braves some critical challenges in this unprecedented economic climate and the aftermath of 26/11, the fashion industry has a special role to play. Consumption will be the key to India’s progress. Being the key element that reflects the mood of the people -- besides being the key driver of the economy with its employment, tax revenue and investment potential – fashion can contribute handsomely to get India back to normalcy; thus it will be vital to re-energise ‘The Feel Good Look Good’ quotient in the life and economic activities of India.”

“With the country witnessing a retail renaissance of sorts, sharing of views from different regions will indeed help understand consumption and buying pattern in different parts of India. This will help brands, retailers and shopping centre developers create new formats to better serve consumers and also undertake specific programmes for potential markets/consumer segments” adds Singhania.

IFF is country's largest intellectual and information exchange for the fashion and retail businesses where leading lights of the fashion and retail industry converge to discuss, display and highlight facets and issues related to the healthy growth of these sectors.

Mafatlal forays in school uniform biz

Textile major Mafatlal Industries, a flagship company of Arvind Mafatlal Group, is targeting a turnover of Rs 1 billion in FY '09-10 in its school uniform business by expanding its presence in metros, according to a company official.

“Last year, the company had clocked a turnover of Rs 5.5 billion in its garment business. We are targeting a turnover of Rs 1 billion by the end of fiscal 2010 in the school uniform segment,'' said Raghunath M B, vice-president (sales and marketing), Mafatlal Industries.

The company has forayed into the school uniform market in the country under the brand Wonder Years. “The Indian school uniform market size is around Rs 100 billion and is growing at an annual rate of more than 30 per cent,'' added MB.

The company is now focusing on Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai market to expand its branded garments segment. “For the year ending March 2009, its turnover target stands at Rs 575 crore,” concluded M B.

Lifebuoy soap prices dips by 7-8 pc

FMCG major, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL) has slashed the prices of its soap brand, Lifebouy by 7 to 8 per cent. The new development came in the wake to pass on the benefits of the excise duty reduction announced by the Central Government recently, according to a company source.

The company has reduced the prices of Lifebouy (115 gm) bar by Re 1 to Rs 14 and Lifebouy (90 gm) bar by Re 1 to Rs 12, added source.

Lifebouy is one of the oldest brand of HUL and is positioned as health and hygiene soap. It was launched in 1895, and for over a 100 years, has been a leading selling soap brand in India.

Large format Spencer's stores saw 60 pc growth in 2008

The large format stores of Spencer’s Retail witnessed 60 per cent growth in 2008. With 20 hyperstores and superstores in March 2008, the format ended the year with a 32 stores count. However, across five different formats, the company identified about 50 commercially unviable stores, which would be relocated to higher potential catchment areas over the next two to three months, a top company official said. Further, the company added five new products to its portfolio in the last year in four different categories that include fashion, toys, café and casual dining and furniture. In fashion, Spencer’s added the Beverley Hills Polo Club brand in aspirational but affordable segment and Ladybird for kids in value segment. The toys category includes Chad Valley in value segment, whereas Au Bon Pain was introduced in mid-premium café range and Livin Smart in private label furniture. “In order to appeal to new Indian customers while retaining the extensive brand equity, we at Spencer’s had launched a retail design programme called 'Taste the World'. Also we had renovated our store design which helped in gaining increased footfalls in our stores throughout the year,” said Samar Singh Sheikhawat, VP marketing, Spencer’s Retail Ltd. “Over the next two years, we plan to open another 400 Spencer’s stores, involving an investment of about Rs 200 billion. March 08 ended at Rs 8.15 billion. By March 09, we would be closing at Rs 12.5 billion,” stressed Sheikhawat.He further went on to say, “The customer sentiment had been very encouraging in 2008. Inspite of the global economic crisis, recessionary and inflationary trends, our sales have seen robust growth of about 5 per cent month-on-month. We hope to close this fiscal with a beat rate of Rs1.3 billion to Rs1.4 billion a month.”The 32 large format Spencer’s stores which retail products including FMCG, apparels, consumer durables, home care, home décor and office stationary are currently operational in places that include Ambala, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Baroda, Calicut, Durgapur, Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Pathankot, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Vizag and Vijayawada, whereas its small format convenience food stores have a pan-India footprint.

Dabur remembers '08 for its maiden entry in organised retail

Making its entry in 2008, beauty, health and wellness retail chain 'newu' from the house of Dabur India was the most admired new retail launch of the year at Images Retail Awards in September 2008. Besides opening eight stores and launching private labels in kids and jewellery product segments, the company introduced two international brands in the Indian market that included household commodity brand QVS (Australia) and lifestyle brand Moda (Italy), a company spokesperson said."Dabur India would like to remember the year 2008 for its maiden entry in organised retail. However, high retail rentals was one of the most alarming calls the company does not want to hear anymore," he added. He further said that the company recognised that consumer sentiment was upbeat through out the year for everyday use products that were priced at popular price points and the company is signing up new properties across the country for expansion. The spokesperson went on to add that as part of its corporate social responsibility, Dabur India has been supporting SUNDESH, an NGO based in village Chouna in Uttar Pradesh. The core areas of SUNDESH include providing education, healthcare and training to poor and needy people in rural India by undertaking a host of integrated rural development programmes that are aimed at achieving an optimal level of environmental, economic and societal benefits on a sustainable basis.

Sensex goes green; Retail joins bandwagon too

The new year continues to bring joy to Indian equity markets. The sensitive index Sensex of Bombay Stock Exchange opened at 9,974, up 71 points from the previous close of 9,719. The fifty-share Nifty too gained 18 points from its previous close of 2985 to go above the psychological 3,000 mark. A day beforeWhile the world markets were closed on the first day of 2009, Indian market gave the investors a reason to rejoice. The market closed at the high point of the day as Sensex shut shop at 9903, up 256 points and Nifty at 3033, up 74 points from the previous close. CNX Midcap index was up 2.11 per cent and BSE Smallcap index was up 3.46 per cent. The market breadth was positive with advances at 1048 against declines of 167 on the NSE. All sectoral indices were in the positive with buying in realty, metal and capital goods space. Retail stocks

Rajesh Vaishnav quits Vintage Cards

In a latest development, Rajesh Vaishnav has resigned as the managing director of the company. The development came into effect from December 31, 2008, said the company in a filing to Bombay stock Exchange.However, the Pune –based company further said that the board of directors has decided to take up this matter at the ensuing board meeting.

Retail booms, Manpower crunch boomerangs

Himani Sharma, a statistician by profession recently landed in the national capital from Agra, her home town upon receiving an offer letter from one of the country’s leading research firms. After meeting her accomodation before she become a part of Delhi’s fast life, she visited a leading retail chain outlet to satisfy her appetite for daily usage. “Forget about the availability of the goods in the store, the staff hardly bothers to inform you about the placement of the products you demand,” says Himani. “Interestingly, most of the things were not available and in case they were; one was cursorily told that "it's not for sale". Reason: "Tags have not been received yet so the item is not listed into the computer,” she comments. India has already touched population figures of over 1.1 billion. The government never tires of patting the country’s booming young workforce as the key to economic growth. But a glaring crunch of the right work force is what retail businesses faces today. Commenting on the lack of desired talent, Viney Singh, managing director, Max Hypermarkets, stresses on the necessity of trained manpower to manage the recurring challenges that occur on the shop floor. Reason: customers, today, demand more value and look for a better shopping experience.“A company spends huge money on advertising and branding of product. What purpose is it for? True! The customers. But sadly at the time, when this excited customer walks into a comapny outlet, the response he gets from the employees present cools down the desire to actually purchase" feels Rajiv Mathur, president and CEO of Delhi-based Aakansha Management Group. “The front line staff of a retail outlet should be trained in such a manner that cordiality and hospitality come naturally, from the heart. The organisation set up and motto should be such that the message to serve with enthusiasm should have a trickle down effect to the front line staff,” adds Mathur. Taking the discussion further, Dr Santrupt B Misra, director, group HR & IT, Aditya Birla Management Corporation, said, “Companies may be very enthusiastic with advertising expenditures but we train the front line staff to maintain a dignified distance from the customer, when they visit the store.” “An over-enthusiastic staff can sometimes intrude into the privacy of the customer,” adds Misra. “Such factors should be considered during the HR training. While, the employee must work on the behaviour, the HR should identify right candidate” adds Misra.

HomeShop18 CEO expects huge sales opportunity in ‘09

Christmas is over. The festive season of the year is to culminate waiting for new year celebrations to arrive. If 2008 remained the year of economic slowdown, how will 2009 react. "We expect consumers to go slow on discretionary spends. A dampening sentiment normally leads to consumers either deferring or downsizing their purchase decision. Value and convenience become critical. And this is where we see a huge opportunity for HomeShop18 as our direct to home model provides customers with not just best brands and products but unmatched value,” shares Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop18, when IndiaRetailing asked him about his expectations from 2009.HomeShop18 is online and on-air retail marketing and distribution venture of media and entertainment conglomerate Network18 Group. HomeShop18 operates in a multimedia environment including television, web, catalogue and print to reach products and services directly to customers across the country. “Being able to shop 24 hours in a day from the safe & secure confines of their house becomes a huge added benefit. 2009 for us is clearly an year of opportunity and consolidation," adds Malhotra.

HomeShop18 CEO expects huge sales opportunity in ‘09

Christmas is over. The festive season of the year is to culminate waiting for new year celebrations to arrive. If 2008 remained the year of economic slowdown, how will 2009 react. "We expect consumers to go slow on discretionary spends. A dampening sentiment normally leads to consumers either deferring or downsizing their purchase decision. Value and convenience become critical. And this is where we see a huge opportunity for HomeShop18 as our direct to home model provides customers with not just best brands and products but unmatched value,” shares Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop18, when IndiaRetailing asked him about his expectations from 2009.HomeShop18 is online and on-air retail marketing and distribution venture of media and entertainment conglomerate Network18 Group. HomeShop18 operates in a multimedia environment including television, web, catalogue and print to reach products and services directly to customers across the country. “Being able to shop 24 hours in a day from the safe & secure confines of their house becomes a huge added benefit. 2009 for us is clearly an year of opportunity and consolidation," adds Malhotra.

More action, less talk in ’09: CEO, FnS

The year 2008 has seen many lows in terms of the economic slowdown as well as in terms of tragedies such as 26/11. However for the year 2009, CEO Forks & Spoons Adish Jain has very optimistic thoughts. “I hope to see India shining on every front – an economy that fights the recession and emerges a winner,” shares Jain with IndiaRetailing.Launched in 2005, FnS or Forks & Spoons is a company with a vision to change the way cutlery has long been perceived. The company says it has been created to infuse new life into the segment of cutlery. The company claims to be the only company in India specialised in creating art out of uninspired cutlery.“A government so strong that it doesn’t need to look beyond its borders for help, a governance so confident that it helps all of us reinstall our faith in the system, a market that welcomes with open arms all players who bring quality at good prices to the table!” expresses Jain, when probed for his vision of India as a country in 2009.“In 2009, I expect to see more action and less talk. I hope to witness the rebirth of a safe and secure India – for its citizens and for its guests,” concludes Jain.

Wipro applying thought for FMCG?

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCLG), quietly founded by Wipro Group in 2003 with Rs 360 crore as start-up capital, is beginning to make noise - about its global and local acquisitions, marketing strategy, diversification and new product launches. Vishnu Rageev R unearths the other side of this IT major.
Story begins Azim H Premji, chairman, CEO and MD of Wipro Group, believes in legendary Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's philosophy – “It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.” So, it doesn't matter if you are in software or FMCG, as long as it makes money. Nearly a month after taking a major plunge into the global FMCG arena by acquiring Unza Holdings Ltd, a Singapore-based personal care products manufacturer, for $246 million (Rs 1,010.2 crore) in an all-cash deal, the Wipro chieftain is back in news for picking up 1.24 per cent stake in Marico Industries, one of the country's top FMCG companies. When contacted, Marico's spokesperson informed that Premji in his personal capacity has picked up the stake (75.72 lakh shares) in Marico. It is learnt that he picked up the stake during the first quarter of this financial year, though the news saw light only last week.
“Earlier it was Unza Holdings; now it is a small stake in Marico. All these are clear indicators of Premji's interest in FMCG retailing, which is booming and booming. The company is geared up for more acquisitions – both global and local – across various categories,” sources close to Wipro confirmed. Retail looms In November 2003, Wipro set up a wholly owned subsidiary called Wipro Consumer Care solely for manufacturing FMCG products in its Himachal Pradesh unit. The subsidiary started by manufacturing toilet soaps, focusing on its flagship brand Santoor.
“Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting is the mother division of Wipro Ltd, with its roots going back to 1945, when Western India Vegetable Products was incorporated as a private limited company to manufacture edible oil,” said a company spokesperson. “Over the years, WCCLG crossed various milestones and metamorphosed from being a manufacturer of hydrogenated vegetable oils to a strong player in the FMCG space, with robust brands addressing consumer needs in various categories like personal wash, fabric wash, toiletries, personal grooming, baby care, cooking medium, domestic and industrial lighting, and energy drinks,” the spokesperson added.
Currently, the company has brands across three separate retail divisions – Consumer Care, Lightings, and Furniture. Santoor (soap and talcum powder), Wipro Baby (soap and talcum powder), Milk & Roses (soap), Wipro Shikakai (soap), Glucovita D (energy drink), Chandrika (soap), and Safe Wash (detergent) are under Consumer Care; Wipro Smartlite (voltage-saving tubes), Vipro Bulbs and Tubes, and Wipro Domestic Accessories are offered under Lightings; and a variety of stylish office furniture are retailed under the Furniture division.
The furniture business was initiated recently. It is learnt that while supplying custom-made lighting solutions for big corporate houses, the company found a latent demand for office furniture and moved into that space.
Until August 2007 From 2003 to 2007, acquisitions formed a defining strategy at Wipro. In a bid to expand its FMCG basket, Wipro acquired Chandrika Soaps for Rs 31 crore and Glucovita (glucose drink brand) for Rs 5 crore in 2003. It bought Chandrika Soaps from Bangalore-based SV Products and Glucovita from Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL). Last May, Wipro bought North West (electrical switches brand) from North West Switchgear Ltd for Rs 102.2 crore. After acquiring Chandrika and Glucovita, it is learnt that the company scouted to buy Mysore Sandal Soap — Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited's (KSDL) flagship heritage soap brand – but it fell through.
“ WCCLG has been buying brands selectively in the last three years or so – such as Chandrika, Glucovita and North West (electrical switches). The acquisition of Chandrika in December 2003 has heralded Wipro's entry in the fast-growing natural products market,” states an industry watchdog.
Latest on the line is the Marico stake (acquired by Premji, as mentioned earlier), culminating immediately after settling the Unza deal. Although the stake in Marico picked up from the secondary market is considered minuscule, it clearly indicates the growing interest of Wipro's in the FMCG sector.
Rumour had it three years back that Marico and Wipro were in a fierce battle for Chandrika. Industry watchdogs are surprised about Premji's new move. They are keenly watching his next move. Could it be a majority stake next time in Marico? Only Premji would know.
Unza deal Little did Wipro know that it would become the only Indian company to make the largest acquisition in the personal care segment, when it bought 100 per cent stake in Unza Holdings Ltd. In acquiring Unza, it is learnt that Wipro outbid large companies like Dabur, Emami, Godrej, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive and Sara Lee. Unza is Southeast Asia's largest maker of personal care products and has a successful portfolio of deodorants and household care products. It has an employee base of about 4,000 in five manufacturing locations spread across four nations – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China

Wipro applying thought for FMCG?

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCLG), quietly founded by Wipro Group in 2003 with Rs 360 crore as start-up capital, is beginning to make noise - about its global and local acquisitions, marketing strategy, diversification and new product launches. Vishnu Rageev R unearths the other side of this IT major.
Story begins Azim H Premji, chairman, CEO and MD of Wipro Group, believes in legendary Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's philosophy – “It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.” So, it doesn't matter if you are in software or FMCG, as long as it makes money. Nearly a month after taking a major plunge into the global FMCG arena by acquiring Unza Holdings Ltd, a Singapore-based personal care products manufacturer, for $246 million (Rs 1,010.2 crore) in an all-cash deal, the Wipro chieftain is back in news for picking up 1.24 per cent stake in Marico Industries, one of the country's top FMCG companies. When contacted, Marico's spokesperson informed that Premji in his personal capacity has picked up the stake (75.72 lakh shares) in Marico. It is learnt that he picked up the stake during the first quarter of this financial year, though the news saw light only last week.
“Earlier it was Unza Holdings; now it is a small stake in Marico. All these are clear indicators of Premji's interest in FMCG retailing, which is booming and booming. The company is geared up for more acquisitions – both global and local – across various categories,” sources close to Wipro confirmed. Retail looms In November 2003, Wipro set up a wholly owned subsidiary called Wipro Consumer Care solely for manufacturing FMCG products in its Himachal Pradesh unit. The subsidiary started by manufacturing toilet soaps, focusing on its flagship brand Santoor.
“Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting is the mother division of Wipro Ltd, with its roots going back to 1945, when Western India Vegetable Products was incorporated as a private limited company to manufacture edible oil,” said a company spokesperson. “Over the years, WCCLG crossed various milestones and metamorphosed from being a manufacturer of hydrogenated vegetable oils to a strong player in the FMCG space, with robust brands addressing consumer needs in various categories like personal wash, fabric wash, toiletries, personal grooming, baby care, cooking medium, domestic and industrial lighting, and energy drinks,” the spokesperson added.
Currently, the company has brands across three separate retail divisions – Consumer Care, Lightings, and Furniture. Santoor (soap and talcum powder), Wipro Baby (soap and talcum powder), Milk & Roses (soap), Wipro Shikakai (soap), Glucovita D (energy drink), Chandrika (soap), and Safe Wash (detergent) are under Consumer Care; Wipro Smartlite (voltage-saving tubes), Vipro Bulbs and Tubes, and Wipro Domestic Accessories are offered under Lightings; and a variety of stylish office furniture are retailed under the Furniture division.
The furniture business was initiated recently. It is learnt that while supplying custom-made lighting solutions for big corporate houses, the company found a latent demand for office furniture and moved into that space.
Until August 2007 From 2003 to 2007, acquisitions formed a defining strategy at Wipro. In a bid to expand its FMCG basket, Wipro acquired Chandrika Soaps for Rs 31 crore and Glucovita (glucose drink brand) for Rs 5 crore in 2003. It bought Chandrika Soaps from Bangalore-based SV Products and Glucovita from Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL). Last May, Wipro bought North West (electrical switches brand) from North West Switchgear Ltd for Rs 102.2 crore. After acquiring Chandrika and Glucovita, it is learnt that the company scouted to buy Mysore Sandal Soap — Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited's (KSDL) flagship heritage soap brand – but it fell through.
“ WCCLG has been buying brands selectively in the last three years or so – such as Chandrika, Glucovita and North West (electrical switches). The acquisition of Chandrika in December 2003 has heralded Wipro's entry in the fast-growing natural products market,” states an industry watchdog.
Latest on the line is the Marico stake (acquired by Premji, as mentioned earlier), culminating immediately after settling the Unza deal. Although the stake in Marico picked up from the secondary market is considered minuscule, it clearly indicates the growing interest of Wipro's in the FMCG sector.
Rumour had it three years back that Marico and Wipro were in a fierce battle for Chandrika. Industry watchdogs are surprised about Premji's new move. They are keenly watching his next move. Could it be a majority stake next time in Marico? Only Premji would know.
Unza deal Little did Wipro know that it would become the only Indian company to make the largest acquisition in the personal care segment, when it bought 100 per cent stake in Unza Holdings Ltd. In acquiring Unza, it is learnt that Wipro outbid large companies like Dabur, Emami, Godrej, Unilever, Colgate Palmolive and Sara Lee. Unza is Southeast Asia's largest maker of personal care products and has a successful portfolio of deodorants and household care products. It has an employee base of about 4,000 in five manufacturing locations spread across four nations – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China

Nikon India launches digital SLR — D3X

Nikon India, 100 per cent subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, Japan and one of India’s leading digital product manufacturers and retailers, has launched an FX-format digital SLR camera — D3X. The new camera features 24.5 megapixel resolution and promises low-noise functionalities, according to a company press release.“Our earlier range 12.1-megapixel FX-format D3 launched in 2007 delivered groundbreaking digital SLR image quality. Now, the new 24.5-megapixel FX-format D3X D-SLR provides the extreme resolution and high dynamic range capabilities needed to meet the extraordinary needs of photographic disciplines,” said Hidehiko Tanaka, managing director, Nikon India, in the release.Nikon offers cameras for beginners, amateurs and professionals. Further, the company offers services for all available cameras, lenses as well as microscopes and technical measuring instruments, added the release.

Nikon India launches digital SLR — D3X

Nikon India, 100 per cent subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, Japan and one of India’s leading digital product manufacturers and retailers, has launched an FX-format digital SLR camera — D3X. The new camera features 24.5 megapixel resolution and promises low-noise functionalities, according to a company press release.“Our earlier range 12.1-megapixel FX-format D3 launched in 2007 delivered groundbreaking digital SLR image quality. Now, the new 24.5-megapixel FX-format D3X D-SLR provides the extreme resolution and high dynamic range capabilities needed to meet the extraordinary needs of photographic disciplines,” said Hidehiko Tanaka, managing director, Nikon India, in the release.Nikon offers cameras for beginners, amateurs and professionals. Further, the company offers services for all available cameras, lenses as well as microscopes and technical measuring instruments, added the release.

Croma opens at Phoenix Mills, Mumbai

Croma, the consumer durables and electronics retail arm of Tata group, has opened its store in phoenix mills, Mumbai. With a sprawling 15,000 square feet retail space, this megastore offers a widest range of electronic products, informed a company official.The new launch is the tenth store of the retail chain in Mumbai taking the total number of store count to 25 across the country, informed Murtuza Sariya, head property, Infiniti Retail.In December 2008, the company launched its private label of electronic goods under the brand name Croma. Besides it private labels, Croma offer niche lifestyle products like wine cellars, foot spa, appliances including air conditioners, irons and vacuum cleaners in all the 24 cities in India.

Reliance, Microsoft to hold talent hunt for school children

31 Dec 2008
Reliance World (formerly Reliance WebWorld), nationwide chain of retail outlets for products and services of the Reliance – Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group will organise the National Digital Elocution Competition (NDEC) to be held in the months of January and February 2009 is collaboration with Microsoft. The competition which is currently in its fourth year is a talent hunt to promote creativity amongst school children using cutting edge technology. Participants are encouraged to use interactive platforms like video conferencing to showcase their talents during the competition, informed a company official.“The biggest USP of this national talent hunt is that it allows students across the country participate irrespective of their location, thus providing a level playing field to compete. The digital platform of this contest offers great width and engagement levels not only to students but to parents and teachers as well,” said Sunil Buch, head, marketing and corporate sales, Reliance World.Students from over 1,000 schools are expected to participate in the event. Further, Reliance World is expecting over 10,000 entries from students during this year’s contest, company sources said.

Dabur remembers '08 for its maiden entry in organised retail

02 Jan 2009
Making its entry in 2008, beauty, health and wellness retail chain newu from the house of Dabur India was the most admired new retail launch of the year at Images Retail Awards in September 2008. Besides opening eight stores and launching private labels in kids and jewellery product segments, the company has introduced two international brands in the Indian market that include household commodity brand QVS (Australia) and lifestyle brand Moda (Italy), informed a company spokesperson.According to the spokesperson, Dabur India likes to remember the year 2008 for its maiden entry in organised retail. However, high retail rentals was one of the most alarming calls the company does not want to hear anymore, added the spokesperson. Meanwhile, the company recognised that consumer sentiment was upbeat through out the year for everyday use products that were priced at popular price points and the company is signing up new properties across the country for expansion. As part of its corporate social responsibility, Dabur India has been supporting SUNDESH, an NGO based in village Chouna in Uttar Pradesh. The core areas of SUNDESH include providing education, healthcare and training to poor and needy people in rural India by undertaking a host of integrated rural development programmes that are aimed at achieving an optimal level of environmental, economic and societal benefits on a sustainable basis.