Akshara Srivastava

All stories by Akshara Srivastava

The Great Indian Wedding Season

The Great Indian Wedding Season

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

With November 22, 23 and 24 being among the most auspicious dates for marriage this year, hotels across the country are all booked, as are wedding-related ancillary services.

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

Quick commerce (Qcom) platforms are bringing upon a rapid change in the behaviours of online shoppers, with 31 per cent of buyers relying on the fast delivery option for grocery needs, according to a new study.

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

The Indian arm of the Norwegian investment company Orkla ASA, which owns spice brands like MTR and Eastern, is exploring the possibility of launching an initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, said a top company executive. "The ASA board just cleared the proposal. "We had done a pre-IPO study last year to understand what we need to do and based on that the board said, 'okay, let's go ahead and explore capital markets'," Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Orkla India, told Business Standard.

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

French wine and spirits maker Pernod Ricard expects to report low double-digit growth in India in the medium-term on the back of a strong premiumisation trend emerging in the country. "We are now the second market worldwide for Pernod Ricard and India continues to be a big growth engine for the group. "Our compoun annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years was 8 per cent, which is robust and was maintained at a rather high level," said Jean Touboul (pictured), chief executive officer, Pernod Ricard India.

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.com2 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.

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Rediff.com24 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.

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rediff.com10 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.

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.com22 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.com16 May 2024

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

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rediff.com8 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.com29 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.

86% CEOs bullish about India's economy in 2024

86% CEOs bullish about India's economy in 2024

Rediff.com17 Jan 2024

Most Indian chief executives are optimistic about the economy and believe it would improve in the coming 12 months, said a survey by consulting and auditing firm PwC on Tuesday. The company's 27th annual global survey polled 4,702 chief executive officers (CEOs) in 105 countries and territories, including 79 in India, from October 2 to November 10, 2023. As many as 86 per cent of CEOs in India - 30 per cent higher than a year ago - are confident that the economy would improve.

IHG Hotels & Resorts focused on bringing more luxury offerings to India

IHG Hotels & Resorts focused on bringing more luxury offerings to India

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

Global hospitality major IHG Hotels and Resorts saw its business surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023 on the back of "unprecedented growth" in the tourism industry, a senior company official said. The UK-headquartered company, which operates Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and luxury brands like Intercontinental and Six Senses in India, launched its premium lifestyle brand voco in January this year, with the first property set up at Jim Corbett in North India. The group, in total, signed 15 new deals in 2023.

India Could Be Next Whisky Superpower

India Could Be Next Whisky Superpower

Rediff.com8 Dec 2023

'Indian single malts have a very specific character.' 'They are sweet when you take a frontal palette approach and change significantly with the addition of water.'

G20 Meet: Delhi's Biggest Event This Century

G20 Meet: Delhi's Biggest Event This Century

Rediff.com26 Aug 2023

AFor a mega event like the G20 Summit -- being attended by so many heads of States and international bodies, top diplomats and bureaucrats -- nothing can be more important than security.

'Make in India can't happen overnight'

'Make in India can't happen overnight'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

'Customers will end up pre-buying laptops, even at inflated rates. The same is true for second-hand and refurbished pieces that a company's authorised stores sell.'

Communal Violence: IT Hub Gurugram Bunkers Down

Communal Violence: IT Hub Gurugram Bunkers Down

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

As its backyard remains embroiled in tension, Gurugram is exercising caution.

'What we are seeing today is 'who the accused is' matters'

'What we are seeing today is 'who the accused is' matters'

Rediff.com29 May 2023

'The law is neither able nor willing to function the way the legal machinery is envisaged.'

Apple Stores Will Up Brand Value Of Its Chosen Addresses

Apple Stores Will Up Brand Value Of Its Chosen Addresses

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

'If they are taking marquee locations and, say, are paying 50 per cent higher rent, those locations will see a spurt in rates as well.'

Air India Building's High-Flying Days Ends

Air India Building's High-Flying Days Ends

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

India's first escalator, its shortest elevator, a terror attack, a rescue operation -- the building's seen a lot.

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