Ishita Ayan Dutt, Sharleen D'souza

Stories by Ishita Ayan Dutt, Sharleen D'souza

Indians Work More Than Chinese!

Indians Work More Than Chinese!

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2025

The average Indian works 46.7 hours per week, surpassing even China's 46.1 hours. In some sectors, the numbers are even more staggering.

'Global barriers to trade are increasing'

'Global barriers to trade are increasing'

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2025

'The steel industry expects the government to decide on safeguard measures from dumping post-Budget'

'Bengal Is In Business'

'Bengal Is In Business'

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2025

'This is the Bengal story, where businesses are nurtured, dreams are realised, and legacies are built.'

Trump's Tariff War: India Waits, Watches

Trump's Tariff War: India Waits, Watches

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2025

'We have to be prepared for the larger disruption that is likely to take place.'

Q3 results preview: FMCG stocks vs capital goods sector

Q3 results preview: FMCG stocks vs capital goods sector

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2025

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are expected to witness pressure on volumes in the October-December quarter. However, price hikes will help push up revenues, said brokerages.For India's largest engineering firm, Larsen and Toubro (L&T), the analysts expect a 20 per cent growth in consolidated revenue, and an 8.1 per cent core business Ebitda margin, up 40 bps from a year ago.

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

FMCG distributors flag deep discounts by qcom cos to govt

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2024

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distributors' association has written to the finance ministry, highlighting concern over fund utilisation and fund accumulation by quick commerce companies and deep discounting of goods on their platforms. According to a recent letter seen by Business Standard, All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) noted that its analysis indicated that approximately 80 per cent of these funds were directed toward customer acquisition strategies instead of creating cutting-edge innovations or sustainable growth models for the retail sector.

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

'Urban demand is under stress, would need an upward spiral'

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2024

'Spending by the middle class is limited with a focus on savings. However, there is buoyancy at the top-end.'

Lorries Being Gifted This Wedding Season!

Lorries Being Gifted This Wedding Season!

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2024

Another trend: A preference for coloured diamonds among brides, who are pairing them with their groom's birthstone. So, along with yellow or white diamonds, they are choosing pink, green, blue sapphires, emeralds or red rubies.

India Inc sends mixed signals on H2FY25 capex path

India Inc sends mixed signals on H2FY25 capex path

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2024

After subdued earnings in the first half amid global headwinds, India Inc is taking a cautious approach on their capital expenditure (capex) for the second half of the financial year ending March 2025, according to management commentary. Minutes from the October monetary policy meeting show the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) optimism about private investments picking up.

After cola play, Reliance Consumer takes trade margin fight to snacks

After cola play, Reliance Consumer takes trade margin fight to snacks

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2024

After trying to make a dent in the cola market with Campa by offering higher trade margins to the supply chain, Reliance Consumer Products is betting on the same strategy to capture the chips, namkeen, and biscuits market in the country's booming snacks sector.

Tata Steel to file curative petition

Tata Steel to file curative petition

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2024

Tata Steel is in the process of filing a curative petition in the Supreme Court in connection with the apex court ruling which said that states have the power to levy cess on mining and mineral-use activities. The petition by the steel manufacturing firm is aimed at seeking remedy to the order, passed by a 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on July 25. However, Tata Steel's managing director and chief executive officer T V Narendran told Business Standard that there was no demand note on the firm.

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Why FSSAI called up qcom companies

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2024

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought a meeting with quick-commerce (qcom) platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto on Tuesday to discuss issues regarding violations of food safety standards, according to sources familiar with the matter. This comes at a time when there have been issues raised about food safety standard violations by qcom platforms for packaged food products, including violations related to expiry and best before dates.

'Growth Of Cheese Market In India Is Exponential'

'Growth Of Cheese Market In India Is Exponential'

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2024

'Only 20 per cent of families in India buy cheese twice once a year.'

Crude palm oil rates on boil, FMCG prices move north

Crude palm oil rates on boil, FMCG prices move north

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2024

With crude palm oil prices on the rise, companies have started to jack up rates of soaps and edible oils in order to pass on the hike to consumers. Crude palm oil, one of the main ingredients in the manufacture of some consumer goods, saw a price rise of 45.2 per cent in the last three months. One of the country's largest consumer companies, Hindustan Unilever, said it has already started to take price increases in the skin cleansing category.

Diwali Shopping Still Sluggish

Diwali Shopping Still Sluggish

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2024

While there was a 6 to 7 per cent increase in volume compared to last year in the first few days of the month which coincided with festivals, a large part of the demand is yet to hit the market.

Trade on road to recovery but Indian firms tread cautiously

Trade on road to recovery but Indian firms tread cautiously

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2024

Truck movements across the India-Bangladesh border are on the rise, with increasing rentals signalling a trade recovery between the two South Asian nations. Yet, geopolitical tension looms large, with Bangladesh now under an interim government for nearly two months.

'Carrefour looking to export from India in next 5 years'

'Carrefour looking to export from India in next 5 years'

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2024

'All competitors are sourcing within the country, so we'll be at the same level of competition.'

Who Will Lead The Tata Group?

Who Will Lead The Tata Group?

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2024

Will it be Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's half brother?

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2024

'In India, managers and the leadership almost glorify overworking.'

Emami has built itself through acquisition, but...

Emami has built itself through acquisition, but...

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2024

Two young men jostle in a rickshaw as it clatters along a narrow, bustling lane of North Kolkata, each with a leg dangling over the side of the vehicle, a bulging sack of cosmetics nestled between them. The protagonists here are the founders of Emami - Radhe Shyam Agarwal and Radhe Shyam Goenka - childhood friends who gave up cushy corporate jobs to build a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. From a 200-square-foot rented space on Muktaram Babu Street in North Kolkata, brand Emami stepped into the competitive world of FMCG 50 years back, armed with just three products: Vanishing cream, talcum powder, and cold cream.