Raghavendra Kamath

Stories by Raghavendra Kamath

Sahara set to buy out Siva from Aamby Valley

Sahara set to buy out Siva from Aamby Valley

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2010

The deal size could be in excess of Rs 2,000 crore, though this could not be verified. Sivasankaran had invested close to Rs 1,800 crore in 2007 to take a 41 per cent stake in Aamby Valley. The Sahara Group is the majority investor, with a 51 per cent stake.

Rly panel makes 4th attempt to sell Mumbai land

Rly panel makes 4th attempt to sell Mumbai land

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2010

The last date for receiving EoIs is February 28, after which a new reserve price will be announced.

Home prices almost back to 2007-08 levels

Home prices almost back to 2007-08 levels

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2010

Apartment prices at Planet Godrej, a premium residential property developed by Godrej Properties in the tony Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai, had come down to as low as Rs 17,000 to Rs 18,000 a sq ft in the property market slowdown last year.

Future group's home retailing sees turnaround

Future group's home retailing sees turnaround

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2010

Kishore Biyani's Future Group has seen a turnaround in home retailing after months of decline, on the back of improved consumer sentiments and focused merchandising plans, a key group executive said.

FSI hike to boost Maharashtra realty biz

FSI hike to boost Maharashtra realty biz

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2010

The Maharashtra government has decided to increase floor space index (FSI) to 3 from the current 2.5 for buildings which have come up between 1940 and 1960. The decision opens up the possibility for redeveloping 16,461 old buildings.

Property giants bet big on Goa

Property giants bet big on Goa

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

Litigation, regulations and the process of seeking approvals have also discouraged some developers.

Reliance Brands' plans more new stores

Reliance Brands' plans more new stores

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2009

Reliance Brands, a group company of Reliance Industries, began operations two years earlier to launch premium-to-luxury domestic and international brands and also set up retail stores for them.

Lots of affordable houses, but no buyers!

Lots of affordable houses, but no buyers!

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2009

After the euphoria, "affordable" realty developers are faced with the reality of excesses.

Office property market yet to beat slump

Office property market yet to beat slump

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2009

Because of oversupply and rising vacancy levels in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, among others, rentals are expected to remain stagnant in the next six months or see a further fall of 10-15 per cent.

At last, retailers make a comeback

At last, retailers make a comeback

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2009

The growing margins suggest that the belt tightening is paying off. For example, the margins of Pantaloon Retail, the country's largest listed retailer, have gone up from 9.2 per cent in June last year to 10.6 per cent in June 2009.Others such as the Raheja-owned Shoppers Stop and Tata Group's Trent, Reliance Retail and Spencer's Retail aren't far behind.

Retailers expect brighter Diwali,see jump in sales

Retailers expect brighter Diwali,see jump in sales

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2009

Sales grew only 5-10% last year on weak consumer sentiments

Provogue reworks business plans to boost revenues

Provogue reworks business plans to boost revenues

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2009

After a year of slow growth, apparel maker and retailer Provogue is reworking its business strategy to boost revenues and prop up margins, a top company executive said.

It's boom time again for home sales

It's boom time again for home sales

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2009

Q3 will be better than the second, say bankers and builders.

Realtors see sharp rise in loans to subsidiaries

Realtors see sharp rise in loans to subsidiaries

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2009

Last week, banks were asked to factor in the loans extended to a group -- comprising subsidiaries, special purpose vehicles and related parties of a real estate company -- 'as a matter of prudence'.

Govt refuses Lodha bid for Finlay Mill

Govt refuses Lodha bid for Finlay Mill

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2009

According to sources close to the development, the ministry feels that the National Textile Corporation (NTC), which has put the land on sale, will get better prices than the bid put in by Lodha Developers. The company, which had initially placed a bid of Rs 657.90 crore (Rs 6.57 billion), later hiked it to Rs 710 crore (Rs 7.1 billion), following a request from NTC.

Food retailers take up to 50% hit on margins

Food retailers take up to 50% hit on margins

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2009

Prices of agricultural commodities have risen 23 per cent so far this month.

India-focused fund: Knight Frank puts off plan

India-focused fund: Knight Frank puts off plan

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2009

Last year, the group held discussions with potential investors and started putting in place a management team to run the fund. Knight Frank India executive director Keku Cola was expected to head the new fund, but he has quit and joined the Shapoorji Pallonji group. According to a report by global research firm Preqin, private equity real estate funds are still struggling to raise capital in the current economic environment.

Swine flu: Mumbai malls see biz dropping upto 50%

Swine flu: Mumbai malls see biz dropping upto 50%

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2009

After Pune, the swine flu scare is affecting footfalls and sales in malls and retail stores in Mumbai. Sales in these places have fallen by up to half in the past two days.

Pune malls see 70% drop in business

Pune malls see 70% drop in business

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2009

Shopping malls, multiplexes and top retailers in Pune are seeing as much as a 70 per cent drop in business owing to the swine flu outbreak in the city.

Realtors rebuild hopes on rising home sales

Realtors rebuild hopes on rising home sales

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2009

After a long hiatus, home sales are finally back on track. Sales of major real estate developers have more than trebled in the June quarter compared to the preceding three months, amid growing expectations that the good times will continue to roll.