Raghavendra Kamath And Neeraj Thakur In Mumbai, New Delhi

Stories by Raghavendra Kamath And Neeraj Thakur In Mumbai, New Delhi

Birla Retail eyes 18-fold sales growth

Birla Retail eyes 18-fold sales growth

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2009

The retailer, which runs a supermarket chain under the More brand, is targeting annual sales of $4.5 billion (Rs 22,000 crore or Rs 220 billion) by March 2014 from Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) in the current financial year. The retailer clocked sales of Rs 500 in the previous year. In 2007, the company had talked about a Rs 9,000 crore (Rs 90 billion) investment plan.

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2009

Less than half-a-dozen people have evinced interest in buying the eight apartments owned by the late Harshad Mehta and his family, partly due to a last-minute case filed by the stockbroker's mother, Rasila S Mehta.

The curious case of Jaybharat Textiles

The curious case of Jaybharat Textiles

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2009

Jaybharat Textiles & Real Estate, a textile company that forayed into real estate three years back, today has a market capitalisation higher than Grasim Industries or Tata Motors.

PE flows to realty mart may start again

PE flows to realty mart may start again

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2009

Most of the funds have not signed any deals in the past few months as realty prices fell sharply and economic slowdown deepened across the world, which slowed the flow of funds significantly. Red Fort plans to deploy Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion) in the current quarter and is in talks with a Mumbai developer. But Bedi says finance is a big issue now as most of the projects have been delayed or are yet to take off.

Retailers plan to step up discounts as sales slow

Retailers plan to step up discounts as sales slow

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2009

The disclosure comes within days after Kishore Biyani-owned Pantaloon Retail said that same store sales in December dropped for the first time in four years. Analysts were more surprised at the drop in value retailing, which indicated that value retailers were not benefiting from downtrading.

Ranbaxy to exit Japanese JV with Nippon Chemiphar

Ranbaxy to exit Japanese JV with Nippon Chemiphar

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2009

Ranbaxy's investment in the six-year-old joint venture for the 50 per cent stake is estimated at Rs 30.5 crore (Rs 305 million). Industry sources said the deal was unlikely to impact Ranbaxy's financials as revenues and investment in the joint venture was not significant. Sources said revenues from NPI were only $25 million in 2007 through the sale of four generic products.

Using unsecure Wi-Fi? You could land up in jail!

Using unsecure Wi-Fi? You could land up in jail!

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2009

The Mumbai police, along with a group of enthusiastic citizens including Mumbai Sheriff Indu Shani, combed commercial complexes, malls, office buildings and residential premises in south and south-central Mumbai to identify and get rid of unsecured Wi-Fi connections in the city, following terrorist attacks last year.Terror mails were sent via unsecured Wi-Fi connections before the Delhi and Ahmedabad serial blasts also.

Sasan mega project closure in a few weeks

Sasan mega project closure in a few weeks

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2009

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Power is likely to announce the financial closure of its 3,960-Mw Sasan ultra mega power project (UMPP) in a few weeks.

Incentive cut hurts MICE tourism

Incentive cut hurts MICE tourism

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Companies in the fast moving consumer goods, insurance and entertainment sectors offer the highest number of MICE trips to employees and sales dealers. The trips are offered as incentive to achieve sales target. Under the incentive package employees and dealers are allowed to take their families for the trip making it a much sought after reward.

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Reliance Retail plans private label sale to kirana

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

The move is expected to give high retail exposure to its products in innumerable kirana stores in the country, without having to spend much on advertising and marketing expenses apart from generating business volumes. When contacted, Reliance Retail spokesperson said: "As a policy, we do not comment on speculation." In a recent reshuffle at the company, Reliance Fresh head Gunender Kapur was made head of private labels business in the company.

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

NAVs of India-centric realty funds fall over 90%

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2009

The managing director of a US-based pension fund blamed the fall on the carnage in stock markets globally and the heavy pullout by investors. "Last year saw unprecedented pullouts by hedge funds as they faced huge redemption pressure. Lots of investors believed they had paid too much and sold off. Most of the funds were listed in 2006 when realty prices were high. But now, prices have come down in most parts of the world."

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Hiranandani's problems mount as merger plan fails

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

Valuations of projects dated, says valuer. Also, angry shareholders could come together to oppose the proposed reverse merger.

Property firms see buyers back in market

Property firms see buyers back in market

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2009

Property developers expect to boost sales of homes and borrow funds at lower rates after the Reserve Bank of India on Friday reduced its key benchmark rate and cut the cash-reserve ratio requirement in a bid to help banks lower interest rates and lend more to cash-starved sectors, including the real estate. They are hopeful of attracting more overseas investment in projects as demand revives.

Cheaper tickets cause stampede on travel portal

Cheaper tickets cause stampede on travel portal

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2009

Makemytrip.com, a travel-related portal, remained inaccessible for a large part of the day owing to an unprecedented surge in traffic, after Air India and JetLite slashed fares.

Cost of holiday to drop by a fifth in 2009

Cost of holiday to drop by a fifth in 2009

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

The downturn in the tourism industry may cast a gloom for hotels and travel related industry, but it augurs well for tourists.

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2008

The retail arm of the Mukesh Ambani-led group had almost halted its expansion plans as a credit crunch roiled markets across the globe forcing companies to withhold new projects. The company also froze fresh recruitment.

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

In addition to that, an increasing number of airlines like SpiceJet, national carrier Air India and GoAir are either getting into hedging of aviation turbine fuel or increasing the quantum of ATF hedged on the MCX. Last month, state-run Indian Oil Corporation approached MCX to provide it with a platform to hedge its refinery margins and end products from crude oil.

Slowdown helps sales of private labels

Slowdown helps sales of private labels

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

A global slowdown, which is forcing companies to curtail production, cut salaries and jobs, is helping retailers who have launched private labels.

Investors give realtors the chill

Investors give realtors the chill

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Investors, at a recent property exhibition concluded by magicbricks.com, were seen selling flats at 30 per cent discount to the market rate compared with the builders' offer of 15-20 per cent, according to reports. Investors normally comprise about 30 per cent of the property markets.

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Six infotech special economic zone projects of the Unitech Group, which owns the country's second-biggest real estate company, have been delayed by as much as three years owing to slowing demand and delays in government approvals, sources said.