Akshara Srivastava &Amp;Amp; Aryaman Gupta

Stories by Akshara Srivastava &Amp;Amp; Aryaman Gupta

Zepto upsizes, to shift core operations to Bengaluru

Zepto upsizes, to shift core operations to Bengaluru

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2024

Flush with funds, quick commerce unicorn Zepto is planning to relocate from Powai in Mumbai to a larger office space in Bengaluru's Sarjapur to accommodate its imminent new hires. While the company will maintain an office in Mumbai, its primary operations will shift to the new space in Bengaluru. A spokesperson for Zepto confirmed the development

ADIF files complaint with CCI against Google for anti-competitive practices

ADIF files complaint with CCI against Google for anti-competitive practices

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2024

The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), an industry body for startup ecosystem and app developers, on Monday filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against technology major Google for alleged anti-competitive practices in online advertising. The complaint outlined Google's dominant position and alleged abusive behaviour in both the online search and online display advertising.

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2024

In the first quarter (Q1) of the ongoing financial year ending June 30, Westlife Foodworld, which operates McDonald's outlets in the South and West, reported an 88 per cent drop in net profit. While net sales remained flat, its same-store sales growth (SSSG) fell by 6.7 per cent, impacted by "subdued in-store business, although the off-premise segment saw positive same-store sales", the company said.

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2024

The Budget proposals are expected to boost the fortunes of consumer goods and fast-moving consumer goods companies, which have been struggling with poor consumer demand for more than a year. The Budget announcements, such as the increase in standard deduction by Rs 25,000 for income-tax payers and slab revisions, will put more money in their hands, boosting consumer demand. Private consumption is also likely to benefit from a new scheme to offer internships to 10 million youths in the country's top 500 companies.

Startups Likely To Step Up Hiring

Startups Likely To Step Up Hiring

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2024

'In the second half of 2024, about 60% of startup jobs will be taken by entry-level candidates with 0-3 years of experience.'

IPO-bound startups find favour with investors amid funding resurgence

IPO-bound startups find favour with investors amid funding resurgence

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2024

The tide of startup-funding is turning in India, with a rising trend of overall funding while the deal sizes grow bigger. However, the spotlight now is on late-stage startups, many of which are seen to be headed for initial public offerings (IPOs). Record surge in stock markets and consistently improving performances of listed startups are understood to have turned the sentiment for the better, especially for those that exhibit a clear path to an IPO.

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2024

Raising toast to 25 successful years, India's largest wine maker Sula Vineyard is eyeing a sustained double-digit growth in revenue over the next five years, buoyed by growth in the premium and elite categories and expansion of its new ranges. It was during Covid that the vineyards shifted focus to its own brands and pivoted towards growing the premium and elite segment of the market.

Bucking the trend: Indian startups regain lost funding ground, says report

Bucking the trend: Indian startups regain lost funding ground, says report

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2024

Finally, some good news for the Indian startup ecosystem. After four consecutive half-year periods of declining funding since 2022, the first half (H1) of 2024 has shown an upward trend compared to the second half (H2) of 2023. According to the India Tech Semi-Annual Funding Report H1 2024 by Tracxn, Indian technology (tech) startups raised $4.1 billion in H1 2024, marking a 4 per cent increase from $3.96 billion in H2 2023.

D2C brands hitch a ride on the quick commerce wagon

D2C brands hitch a ride on the quick commerce wagon

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2024

As quick-commerce players find their foothold among consumers, brands are all set to step up their presence on these platforms.

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2024

Hotel rooms, usually in the range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 a night during the peak season, are now available for Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 a night.

Premium devices to dial up growth in India's smartphone market in 2024

Premium devices to dial up growth in India's smartphone market in 2024

Rediff.com   23 May 2024

Indian smartphone sales, traditionally dominated by the entry and mid-range segments, are set to change as high-end and super-premium devices capture consumer attention. The premium category is expected to grow by more than 20 per cent in calendar year (CY) 2024 compared to the previous year. While the overall smartphone market is expected to w

WEF: Tourism's share in global GDP to return to pre-Covid levels this year

WEF: Tourism's share in global GDP to return to pre-Covid levels this year

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

The travel and tourism sector's contribution to global gross domestic product will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday. This recovery is driven by a considerable increase in worldwide demand, coinciding with more available flights, better international openness, and increased interest and investment in natural and cultural attractions.

Coffee Aroma Is Spreading Across India

Coffee Aroma Is Spreading Across India

Rediff.com   16 May 2024

India has been a tea sipping society. But the aromatic wave of coffee culture is wafting across it.

Indians Are Saying NO To SUGAR!

Indians Are Saying NO To SUGAR!

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

With rising incomes, education, and health awareness in India, especially in the big cities, droves of people are saying no to sugar.

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rediff.com   8 May 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector witnessed growth in rural consumption in volume terms outpace urban consumption for the first time in five quarters, in the January-March period. According to a report from consumer intelligence firm NIQ, rural consumption grew at a rate of 7.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in Q1CY24, overtaking that in urban areas which stood at 5.7 per cent.

No cancer-causing agents in our products: MDH on quality claims

No cancer-causing agents in our products: MDH on quality claims

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2024

MDH Spices has denied allegations that its products have traces of cancer-causing agent ethylene oxide (ETO), calling them "untrue" and "lacking any substantiating evidence." "Amid speculations doing rounds that there is presence of ETO in our products, we clarify and state unequivocally that these claims are untrue and lack any substantiating evidence," a statement released by the company said.

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Swiggy gets one step closer to $1.25 bn IPO

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2024

Food delivery major Swiggy has received approval from its shareholders for a $1.25 billion initial public offering (IPO), according to filings made with the Registrar of Companies sourced by Tofler. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to raise as much as Rs 3,750 crore (around $450 million) via a fresh issue and up to Rs 6,664 crore (around $800 million) through an offer-for-sale (OFS) component, the filings stated.

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Consumer goods firms and auto companies are witnessing an upturn in rural demand, which had been lagging for most of FY24. Expectations of a bumper rabi crop harvest have helped turn the tide. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged last week, noting that as rural demand catches up, consumption is expected to support economic growth in 2024-25.

Airfares, hotel rates shoot up ahead of Holi, Good Friday

Airfares, hotel rates shoot up ahead of Holi, Good Friday

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2024

As March draws to a close, two consecutive long weekend opportunities - Holi and Good Friday - are driving up hotel occupancy and airfares across major routes. According to travel platform Cleartrip, hotel bookings have seen a 3.5 times spike for the Holi weekend, while a 3.7 times spike has been visible in the Good Friday weekend.

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Q3 sees startups turn a profitable corner

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2024

The third quarter (Q3) of 2023-24 (FY24) has proven to be pivotal, witnessing some startups turning profitable and others enhancing their performance as their businesses finally begin to deliver. Startups like Delhivery, Zomato, PolicyBazaar, Mamaearth, and Nykaa have either become profitable or improved their profit margins in Q3FY24. A renewed focus on profitability, supported by operational efficiencies, expense rein-in, and robust demand during the festival season, has empowered companies to strengthen their performance.