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Showing posts from December, 2024

India’s goods, services exports likely to cross $800 bn in 2024: GTRI

In 2023, the country’s merchandise and services exports stood at $768.5 billion New Delhi: India’s overall exports of goods and services in 2024 has estimated to cross $814 billion, an increase of 5.58 per cent, according to a report by economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). In 2023, the country’s merchandise and services exports stood at $768.5 billion. This year, the report estimated that in 2024, merchandise exports are expected to reach $441.5 billion, showing a modest 2.34 per cent increase over $431.4 billion in the previous year. In contrast, the services exports are estimated to grow by 10.31 per cent to $372.3 billion, up from $337.5 billion in 2023. “India’s total exports, encompassing merchandise and services, are projected to exceed $814 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5.58 per cent growth compared to $768.5 billion in 2023,” it said. GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said India’s export landscape is undergoing a transformation that highlights both opp...

Magicpin top management delivers food on bikes in top cities on New Year’s Eve

The deliveries were done in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru New Delhi: Hyperlocal e-commerce firm Magicpin’s top management, led by CEO Anshoo Sharma, went out on bikes to deliver food to customers on New Year’s Eve, according to a company’s post on a social media platform. The deliveries were done in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru. “It’s the busiest night of the year, and our Leadership will hustle on the ground with our delivery partners. While some operate from the warmth of cosy offices and war rooms; we will End and Start our Year meeting our customers. Looking forward to the hustle and rush this New Year’s Eve and distributing smiles all the way from 2024 to 2025,” Magicpin said on X. The photo posted by the company featured Sharma, Enterprise business CXO Naman Mawandia, Enterprise & Food Delivery business Director Suyash Jaiswal, Sales and Dining out, AVP, Vinod Jain, Enterprise Business Director Indrajit Nair and Finance AVP Tarun Kumar. The company recently forayed...

Menswear brand The Indian Garage Co. enters Kerala

The new store of TIGC is located at Lulu Mall, Kochi Bengaluru: City-based menswear brand The Indian Garage Co. (TIGC) has entered Kerala, with its latest store located at Lulu Mall, Kochi, the company wrote in a social media post. It is the third brick-and-mortar store of TIGC in India. “We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our 3rd store at the iconic Lulu Mall, Kochi, marking our first step into Kerala,” said TIGC in a LinkedIn post, while sharing pictures of the new store.  The outlet was inaugurated by Shibu Philips, Director of Shopping Malls, Lulu Group India. In addition to its flagship menswear brand, the store will showcase its womenswear line, FreeHand, and plus-sized fashion line, HardSoda. TIGC forayed into the offline retail market in October this year, after 12 years of thriving in the online space. Its first store is situated in one of Bengaluru’s busiest shopping hubs, Brigade Road, and spans 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Its second store was open...

Zepto central ops VP Jitendra Bagga quits

Bagga, who joined the Mumbai-headquartered firm in April, was in-charge of the mother hubs and line haul segment in Zepto New Delhi: Quick commerce platform Zepto’s vice-president of central operations Jitendra Bagga has quit the firm, according to people in the know. Bagga, who joined the Mumbai-headquartered firm in April, was in-charge of the mother hubs and line haul segment in Zepto. A query sent to the company did not elicit any response. This comes shortly after news of Zepto’s HR head Martin Dinesh Gomez resigning from the company that is headed for an IPO. Recently, Zepto raised $350 million in November, including investments from Indian HNIs, family offices, and leading financial institutions. The post Zepto central ops VP Jitendra Bagga quits appeared first on India Retailing . from India Retailing https://ift.tt/Z85YBNO via IFTTT

22 Global Brands India Welcomed in 2024

From luxury beauty labels to boutique café chains, Indian consumers have witnessed a surge of global brands in the country this year Bengaluru: As India continues to solidify its position as a lucrative market for international brands, 2024 has proven to be another remarkable year for global entrants. From high-end beauty brands to boutique cafe chains, Indian consumers have seen an influx of international names eager to tap into the country’s growing appetite for premium products. Here are 22 global brands spanning categories like fashion, beauty, home, and food and beverages that made their debut in India this year… Fashion and Lifestyle Asos: British online fast-fashion retailer Asos made its debut in India in August this year through Reliance Retail’s online fashion marketplace, Ajio. Asos launched over 3,000 options across its curated portfolio of brands including Asos Design, Asos Edition, Asos Luxe and Miss Selfridge. With fresh launches every month, the brand plans to exp...

Tea industry witnesses production fall, rise in exports in 2024

The companies incurred huge losses across geographical locations in 2023 and the industry will probably break even this year. New Delhi: The tea industry is likely to witness a fall in total production by over 100 million kg this year due to erratic weather conditions coupled with early annual closure of gardens, resulting in increased cost per kg for planters, stakeholders said on Monday. However, the silver lining this year was better price realisation and growing exports. They said that compared to the country’s output of around 1,178 million kg during the first 10 months of 2023, around 1,112 million kg of tea was produced in the January-October period of the current calendar year. Exports were expected to touch 240-250 million kilograms in 2024, up from around 231 million kg in the previous year. The production is down by around 66 million kg during the January-October period in 2024, while there is expected to be a dip in production by another 45-50 million kg as plucking ha...

2025 to be a year of transformation for retail industry; AI & automation to play a crucial role

Helped by rising disposable income, urbanisation, rise of non-metro tier II cities, and growing middle class along with a digitally-savvy consumer base, the organised retail sector is poised to grow  New Delhi: With the rapid evolution of channels like quick-commerce and the emergence of ONDC, the Indian retail industry is ‘cautiously optimistic’ for 2025, in which new-age technologies such as AI and automation will play a crucial role, driving efficiency and personalisation. The New Year could be a period of transformation for the Indian retail industry, one of the fastest-growing globally, where the contemporary retail landscape is rapidly evolving, influenced by the preferences of digital-first generation Gen Z and retail tech. Helped by tailwinds such as rising disposable income, rapid urbanisation, the rise of non-metro tier II cities, and growing middle class along with a digitally-savvy consumer base, the organised retail sector is poised to grow expanding its play furth...

5 Fashion Brand Collabs No One Saw Coming In 2024

2024 has brought forth some of the most surprising fashion collaborations that have taken the social media by storm  Bengaluru: In the ever-evolving world of fashion, collaborations have become the secret ingredient to creating buzz and trends. From luxury giants teaming up with streetwear retailers to unexpected partnerships with gourmet brands, 2024 has delivered a fresh wave of collaborations that have left fashion enthusiasts surprised. Here, we spotlight five unexpected fashion brand collaborations of the year—pairings that no one anticipated but everyone is talking about.  Anita Dongre x Barbie  Ahead of the Hindu festival of lights in October, Mattel Inc., the parent company of fashion doll Barbie, introduced the first-ever Diwali Barbie Doll , designed by Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre, founder of the Mumbai-based brand House of Anita Dongre. The doll wore a lehenga named ‘Moonlight Bloom’, designed by Dongre, featuring a choli top, Rajasthani flor...

How Elitty Beauty is shaping the future of colour cosmetics in India

Founded in 2022, brand achieved a revenue of Rs 6.5 crore, in the FY 2023-24 Cosmetic brand Elitty Beauty was founded in 2022 by Vailina Tulsani with a strong focus on vibrant beauty products. Its highest-selling products include a range of coloured eyeliners, which have quickly gained popularity among beauty enthusiasts. Initially bootstrapped, the brand fueled its growth with investment from Real Time Angel Fund. In the financial year (FY)  2023-24, the brand achieved sales of Rs 6.5 crore, signaling strong market demand and consumer trust. Elitty Beauty’s unique selling propositions include offering the most extended range of colour cosmetics in the market. The company has set a revenue target of Rs 11 crore for FY 2024-25, with plans to expand its footprint and product offerings. “We offer high quality premium products with an extensive selection when it comes to colour variants,” said Tulsani. Elitty Beauty’s growth strategy is supported by advanced quality control mechan...

McDonald’s opens new largest outlet at Anthurium, Noida

Spanning 9,000 sq. ft., situated within Anthurium, Noida’s first Digital Office Space, the new McDonald’s outlet features a contemporary design. New Delhi: Food service retailer McDonald’s has launched its largest outlet in Noida, located at the Anthurium project in Sector 73, a release said on Friday. Spanning 9,000 sq. ft., situated within Anthurium, Noida’s first Digital Office Space, the new McDonald’s outlet features a contemporary design, ample seating, and modern amenities, the release added. “We are thrilled to introduce McDonald’s at Anthurium as part of our commitment to enhancing the dining experience in this landmark project,” said Harsh Gupta, CEO of Sundream Group. “The launch of this outlet underscores our dedication to offering world-class amenities at Anthurium—a project that merges cutting-edge office spaces with premier retail offerings. Its strategic location and connectivity align perfectly with Noida’s growing commercial and lifestyle potential.” McDonald...

Top Mall launches of 2024

Relisting some of the most talked about mall launches of the year New Delhi: India’s retail sector showed strong growth and resilience in 2024. According to a report by CBRE, the first nine months of the year saw an estimated 4.5 million sq. ft. of retail space absorbed. Mid-range and value fashion brands were the main contributors to this growth, while luxury and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands also saw continued success. The retail supply forecast for 2024 was around 5–6 million sq. ft. in tier-I cities, with Grade A mall supply expected to reach approximately 1–1.5 million sq. ft. Retailers focused on integrating community spaces and smart technologies, offering shoppers more engaging experiences. 2024’s Top Mall Launches Several new malls have opened across India, adding to the retail landscape. These developments reflect the growing demand for shopping, entertainment, and dining options. HiLITE Mall – Thrissur Developer : HiLITE Group Launch : December 2024 Size : 7.4 l...

Dining chain Pasta Street forays into North India

The new outlet of Pasta Street is located on Club Road, Punjabi Bagh, Delhi Bengaluru: City-based dining chain Pasta Street has entered the National Capital Region with the opening of a new outlet on Club Road, Punjabi Bagh, Delhi. The Italian restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including pizza, ravioli, gnocchi, mocktails, cocktails, and dolci. With the open-kitchen concept, guests can watch culinary art in motion as chefs prepare each dish. “Delhi is an excellent market for the Hospitality sector, and we want to capture a good size of this pie,” said Manish Kumar, Executive Director of Pasta Street, in a press release. “Just as we did in Bengaluru, we aim to expand further in Delhi-NCR by adding 5 new outlets, with addtional plans to establish our presence in Gurugram and Noida by the end of 2025, bringing a true slice of Italy to the region.” Founded in 2011 by Italian entrepreneur Massimiliano Gini, Pasta Street was created from a passion for bringing authentic Italian cuis...

Malabar Gold & Diamonds enters Amritsar

Located at 14th Mall Road, White Avenue, the 4,000 sq. ft. store offers collections of gold, diamond, gemstone jewellery and more Bengaluru: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s sixth-largest jewellery retailer, has expanded its retail footprint in North India with the launch of its first showroom in Amritsar, the company said in a press release. Located at 14th Mall Road, White Avenue, the 4,000 sq. ft. store offers collections of gold, diamond, gemstone jewellery and more. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Om Prakash Soni, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab. Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ exclusive brands are available in the showroom, including Mine diamond jewellery, Ethnix handcrafted designs, and Precia gemstone collections. Additionally, a dedicated bridal arena presents over 30,000 jewellery designs, ranging from bridal and solitaire pieces to lightweight jewellery. To mark the opening, the brand provides up to 25% off on making charges for gold and diam...

We are among the top footwear on major platforms: Gopal Rathor, Clog London

Gopal Rathor, Director,  Clog London speaks  about the brand’s growth  journey, strategies and expansion plans New Delhi: Launched in 2018 as a shop-in-shop (SIS), Clog London, Today, Clog London is an omnichannel brand available on leading e-commerce platforms such as Myntra, Tata Cliq, Ajio, Nykaa Fashion, Amazon, and Flipkart, where it ranks among the leaders in the footwear category. Additionally, the brand has launched Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) in the Delhi NCR and Haryana region and is rapidly expanding its presence. The brand began its journey with a core focus on shoes that embody an empowered sense of glamour and a boldly playful spirit. With aspirations of establishing a global presence, Clog London quickly gained traction as a “Celebrity Favourite,” driving its rapid growth. In the last six years, Clog London has evolved into a comprehensive footwear and accessories label, offering an array of styles that include formal, casual, driving shoes, spor...

Bigbasket brings Santa Claus to doorstep this Christmas

BigBasket has launched an exclusive Christmas Shop on its app. This one-stop destination offers everything needed for the season. New Delhi: Bigbasket is spreading festive cheer with a unique initiative this holiday season. Select customers in Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru, Vizag, Nagpur, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ranchi will receive their orders from delivery partners dressed as Santa Claus, adding a magical touch to their Christmas celebrations, a release by the company said on Tuesday. BigBasket has launched an exclusive Christmas Shop on its app. This one-stop destination offers everything needed for the season, from Christmas trees and decorations to baking essentials and an array of gifting options. Whether it’s perfume sets, earphones, Bluetooth speakers, luxury chocolates, or toys, BigBasket ensures there’s something for everyone. The platform caters to all budgets, offering thoughtful choices such as grooming kits for men, makeup kits for women, and toys for kids. “At Bi...

Dabur India enters kids’ toothpaste category with ‘Dabur Herb’l Kids Toothpaste’

The product is currently available on leading e-commerce platforms and will soon be launched in modern trade outlets across India. New Delhi: Dabur India has announced its entry into the kids’ toothpaste segment with the launch of Dabur Herbal Kids Toothpaste, a release by the company said on Tuesday. “We are thrilled to enter the kids’ toothpaste category with Dabur Herb’l Kids Toothpaste. Children’s enamel is thinner than adults, making them more vulnerable to cavities. Our toothpaste is specially formulated with natural ingredients to protect enamel and combat decay-causing germs and bacteria,” said Abhishek Jugran, Executive Vice President – Marketing, Dabur India Limited. The product is currently available on leading e-commerce platforms and will soon be launched in modern trade outlets across India. Each pack includes a QR code, allowing kids and parents to access an interactive game. Lucky winners will receive exclusive IRON MAN and ELSA collectables. “At Dabur, we continuo...

2024 Retail Recap: Highs and lows explored

A reflection on how 2024 unfolded for the Indian retail sector New Delhi: The year 2024 was a mix of opportunities and challenges for India’s retail sector, with aggressive expansions fueling growth on one hand and rising rental, input, and import costs presenting hurdles on the other. Here’s a recap of the highs and lows of 2024…. The Highs Rapid retail footprint expansion Both domestic and international brands aggressively increased their physical retail footprint in the year, focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities, to tap into underpenetrated markets. Several digital-first players also entered the offline market by investing in stores to provide customers with an omnichannel experience. Menswear brand Blackberry, with a legacy spanning over three decades, expanded its presence with 30 new stores in 2024. Meanwhile, Snitch, a relatively young brand at just four years old, opened over 35 stores within the last 1.5 years. D2C menswear retailer The Bear House also ventured into o...

Hisense India partners with Reliance resQ 

Operating in over 160 countries, Hisense offers a diverse portfolio of multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. New Delhi : Consumer electronics and home appliances brand Hisense has announced a strategic partnership with Reliance resQ, the service arm of Reliance Retail for after-sales service standards across India, a release by the company said on Monday. This collaboration leverages Reliance resQ’s technological expertise and extensive reach across 19,000+ pin codes. The partnership aims to redefine after-sales service in India by offering faster installations and prompt repairs, operational excellence, and seamless nationwide coverage. “Our customers are at the core of everything we do. Partnering with RelianceRestt allows us to merge innovation with operational excellence, setting a new benchmark for after-sales service in India. Together, we are building a service ecosystem that prioritizes speed, transparency, and customer satisfaction, reinforcin...

FSSAI mandates quarterly reporting of expired, rejected food products

The move is aimed at preventing the rebranding and resale of expired and rejected food items for human consumption under the guise of cattle feed. New Delhi: Food safety regulator FSSAI has ordered licensed food manufacturers and importers to submit quarterly data on rejected and expired food items through its online compliance system FOSCOS to prevent their resale for human consumption. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) directive, issued on December 16, also applies to repackers and relabellers. The new reporting requirements cover three key areas: the number of products failing internal quality testing or inspection, the volume of expired or returned products from the food supply chain, and detailed records of product disposal, including destruction, auction, or alternative use, with specific buyer and waste disposal agency information. The move is aimed at preventing the rebranding and resale of expired and rejected food items for human consumption under...

How Pacific India develops urban spaces into modern shopping hubs

Pacific India has built a reputation for introducing innovative lifestyle elements that elevate modern living New Delhi : Pacific India, a privately owned group of companies, has been a dynamic presence in India’s commercial sector for over three decades. Dedicated to making a notable impact in real estate, hospitality, and education, the group upholds its philosophy of trust, quality, and commitment, establishing itself as a leading name in infrastructure development. With over 50 multi-crore projects across retail, residential, education, and hospitality, Pacific India consistently introduces innovative lifestyle elements through large-scale projects designed to enhance modern living. The group’s expertise shines through each project, optimally utilizing state-of-the-art resources to deliver distinctive, high-quality solutions. Pacific India is committed to setting new industry benchmarks by providing unparalleled value and architectural excellence, continuously expanding its estee...

Primark, Argos lead the UK’s hottest brands list

Both Primark and Argos achieved a 94% brand awareness among the respondents of the survey followed by Marks & Spencer and Next at 93% In the UK e-commerce scene, local brands such as Argos and Primark are ranked as the most popular online fashion brands, as per a latest survey on the data analytics platform Statista. Both Argos and Primark achieved a 94% brand awareness among the respondents of the survey. Argos Ltd., owned by UK-based supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, primarily operates within the UK. In contrast, Primark, an Irish brand, has expanded its presence across several European countries and the US. The survey collected responses from 1,247 participants aged between 18 and 64 years. Marks & Spencer and Next both garnered 93% brand awareness in the survey, closely followed by H&M and JD Sports at 92%. John Lewis ranked next with 89%, while River Island secured 88%. Notably, Zara, a Spanish brand, was recognised by only 86% of UK respondents. In the lower half of...

D2C eyewear brand ClearDekho targets 50 new stores in FY25. 

The company achieved Rs 23.6 crore revenue in FY24 and is aiming to scale even further in FY25, targeting revenue of Rs 40 crore Launched in 2016 by Shivi Singh, ClearDekho focuses on underserved low-income segments in India’s tier-2, 3, and 4 markets. The brand operates on a scalable and sustainable omnichannel model that combines online and offline channels, ensuring quality, affordable eyeglasses for the masses. It operates in FOCO (franchise-owned, company-operated) model promotes a spirit of micro-entrepreneurship in competitive markets. The asset-light business model enables expansion with minimal capital investment while maximising impact across different geographical regions. “ClearDekho is building India’s most affordable eyewear brand targeting the massive eyewear market that continues to be 80% unorganised,” said Singh. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, ClearDekho achieved a revenue of Rs 23.6 crore, largely driven by its highest-selling products: prescription eyeglasses an...

Liqueur brand Quaffine enters Mumbai

Quaffine is planning to establish a footprint in over 200 bars and more than 100 retail outlets in Mumbai Bengaluru: Quaffine, India’s first cold brew coffee liqueur, has launched in Mumbai, following its establishment in Goa, according to a company press release. The retailer is planning to establish a footprint in over 200 bars in Mumbai, spanning five-star venues to mid-tier bars and local joints and over 100 retail outlets within the first few months of launch. “We are very excited to bring Quaffine to Mumbai,” said Isaac Vivek Mani, Founder and CEO of Indie Brews and Spirits Pvt. Ltd. (parent company of Quaffine). “A city that already loves its coffee and cocktails, we hope to be in every home bar that supports Indian craft brands. Our ambition is to be the number one brand in the coffee liqueur category and launching in Mumbai is a big step towards it,” he added. The brand was founded in Goa in 2022. Currently, it has a presence across more than 600 points of sale, includin...

Tata Consumer Products denies reports on exit of Starbucks from India

Starbucks was responding to reports that suggested that the American company was planning to quit Indian operations due to high operating cost, mounting losses, and availability of cheaper local alternatives in the market New Delhi: Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) on Thursday denied reports on the exit of cafe chain Starbucks from the Indian market, terming them as “baseless”. Tata in a 50:50 joint venture with US-based Starbucks Corporation operates a cafe chain in India under the brand name of Starbucks, which is the leading cafe chain in India. Starbucks had 457 stores across 70 cities at September-end and the company aims to take it to 1,000 by FY28. The company’s revenue from operations was up 12 per cent to Rs 1,218.06 crore in FY24. However, its loss for the period widened to Rs 79.97 crore from Rs 24.97 crore in FY23 due to the expansion. Its advertising promotional expenses were up 26.8 per cent to Rs 43.20 crore and royalty was at Rs 86.15 crore, according to financ...

How Unity Group is embellishing North India’s mallscape

Here are some of the top shopping malls developed by Unity Group in Delhi NCR For nearly three decades, Unity Group has been a pillar of excellence in real estate, transforming the landscape of Delhi with a commitment to transparency, vision, and commitment. Since inception in 1996, the company has developed and delivered over 10 million sq. ft. of premier commercial, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use spaces, earning the trust of the customers, investors, and community. The brand’s portfolio boasts more than 100 successful projects that have become integral to Delhi’s urban environment. Going forward, Unity Group continues to set ambitious goals with approximately 15 million square feet of ongoing developments. These include a landmark residential project in the heart of Delhi, an iconic mixed-use commercial space in Dwarka, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Pitampura, and multi-level car parks with integrated retail spaces in Janakpuri and Rohini. Some of the shopping mal...