In the first of its kind among property consultants, the UK-headquartered Knight Frank Group will launch a $250 million India-focused real estate fund.ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund recently launched its real estate securities fund, which is the first real estate mutual fund in India.
Corporate houses getting into music retail are turning the outlets into multi-product stores that will offer apparel and even perfumes.
Although exports of gold jewellery have increased from Rs 5,220 crore (Rs 52.20 billion) during FY 2001 to Rs 23,516 crore (Rs 235.16 billion) during FY 2007 (source: Icra industry monitor), the export business has been constrained by an inability to compete in global markets on basis of price and superior design capabilities.
In an attempt to combat competition from local beauty and wellness salons, companies like Lakme, Habibs and VLCC are gearing up to offer specialised and upgraded services. According to market data, the beauty and wellness industry, which stands at Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) right now, was only Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion-)-strong in 2004.
It was the first company to launch sub-10,000 PCs five years ago forcing major PC makers to offer ultra-low cost entry-level models. Then it launched India's first laptop to be priced under Rs 20,000. And now, it has launched a 100cc motorcycle for under Rs 20,000. Xenitis has launched the mobike for Rs 19,990, with equated monthly instalments (EMIs) fixed at Rs 490.
Corporate sponsorships for B-school festivals are set to double and almost touch the Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) figure in 2008. While established annual festivals of B-schools in eastern India are likely to see a 20-30 per cent increase in sponsors and sponsorships, the newer B-school fests are likely to receive double the sponsorship amounts they received last year.
XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business and Human Resources, has drawn up a number of courses this financial year for companies to help combat attrition rate across industries. These are expected to help managers and senior-level executives, especially HR personnel and team-leaders, to understand ways to retain employees and manage teams effectively.
According to the latest report by AdEx India, a division of TAM Media Research, the growth in Internet portals' overall ad volume on TV during the period was dominated by 'Shopping Portals 'which recorded a maximum rise in advertisements per day. According to the report, average advertisements per day saw a rise of 240 per cent in January-August 2007 over the January-August 2006 figures.
The Indian SMEs have spent over $5 billion on telecom equipment and services last year. Further growth is expected from the cellular market which is set to grow at over 13 per cent.
Even in the face of protests from trade groups, escalating real estate costs and pressure on margins, the march of domestic retail chains continues unabated.
The Sweden-based cosmetics company Oriflame is set to introduce 150 more products in India by next year, as competition among direct-selling companies in India rises with the entry of more multi-national players.
In one of the biggest such programmes, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta is investing Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) over three years in remodelling its campus to make room for 25 per cent more students and give it an international look.
According to a Reliance Retail executive, 20 per cent of the space will be occupied by local vendors selling their agricultural produce, food items and artifacts. Besides, there will be stores for foods and vegetables, entertainment etc.
The Reliance apparel stores will stock all kinds of apparel, about 4,000 products across as many as 94 brands, manufactured exclusively for the company.
Oberoi Constructions, promoted by billionaire Vikas Oberoi, has tied up with the $10 billion Chinese real estate firm Shimao group to bid for the Rs 10,000-crore (Rs 100 billion) Dharavi Redevelopment Project.
While starting salaries range between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000, one can also start one's own business after gaining a few years of experience.
Filmmaker Prakash Jha, well known for his hard-hitting movies such as Gangajal and Apaharan, is set to change the entertainment and retail landscape of eastern India.
Leading property developers have made offers for this prime property, which real estate industry sources suggest could fetch Fiat more than Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion).
With growth in mobility and mobile penetration levels in tier II and III towns and cities, Microsoft India is looking at a larger chunk of its mobility business from these regions.
The ban, although described as temporary, is being seen as a knee-jerk reaction by the state government following the attacks on Reliance Fresh and Spencer's stores and has raised several questions over its farm policy.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances