Ranju Sarkar And Raghavendra Kamath

Stories by Ranju Sarkar And Raghavendra Kamath

Indiabulls plans retail foray

Indiabulls plans retail foray

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2007

After consumer finance and real estate, the Indiabulls Group is set to step into the retail business. Indiabulls Wholesale Services Ltd, a subsidiary of listed firm Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd, will set up 30 hypermarkets across as many smaller cities in the country in the next 15 to 18 months with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion).

Cash and carry space hots up

Cash and carry space hots up

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2007

When French Retailer Carrefour enters the Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) cash and carry segment in 2009, it would face tough competition from established players such as Germany's Metro, Bharti-Wal Mart, Reliance, Pantaloon, Wadhawan Retail and others entrants like Tesco and Costco.

Welspun India turns around 150-year-old Christy

Welspun India turns around 150-year-old Christy

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2007

The UK retailer earned an EBITDA of 2.7 million in the year ended June 2007 on the back of 17 per cent growth in sales, said Welspun India director Akhil Jindal in Mumbai on Monday. Christy's, which was losing money, customers and market share when it was acquired by Welspun, has reversed the tide by winning back customers, adding new ones and expanding its reach by opening more shop-in-shops.

Real estate funds get a big boost

Real estate funds get a big boost

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2007

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.

Music stores changing tune

Music stores changing tune

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2007

Corporate houses getting into music retail are turning the outlets into multi-product stores that will offer apparel and even perfumes.

Mumbai: World's 4th most expensive office mart

Mumbai: World's 4th most expensive office mart

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2007

In August this year, ABN Amro Bank decided to renew the lease for its 3,100 sq ft office space at Nariman Point's Sakhar Bhavan, but the landlord dropped a bomshell by jacking up the rental to Rs 500 per sq ft.

Big retail still gung-ho on expansion

Big retail still gung-ho on expansion

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2007

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.

RIL Retail to tap small towns

RIL Retail to tap small towns

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2007

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.

Tata Group shows the way in managing M&As

Tata Group shows the way in managing M&As

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2007

Retaining the senior management of acquired companies has been the cornerstone of the company's strategy, be it in case of Daewoo's commercial vehicle business in South Korea, the tea company Tetley or the steel maker Corus.

Reliance Retail's first apparel store soon

Reliance Retail's first apparel store soon

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2007

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.

The cellphone: Upwardly mobile

The cellphone: Upwardly mobile

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2007

The cell phone is no longer just a communications device -- it has evolved into a lifestyle statement.

Oberois to bid for Dharavi project

Oberois to bid for Dharavi project

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2007

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.

Prakash Jha: From films to multiplexes

Prakash Jha: From films to multiplexes

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2007

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.

Pune's closed factories become a real estate play

Pune's closed factories become a real estate play

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2007

Greaves Cotton, for instance, has converted half its holding into commercial real estate (a multiplex) while Elpro plans to follow suit by developing half its 37-acre land at Chinchwad.

Fiat evaluating bids for Kurla property

Fiat evaluating bids for Kurla property

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2007

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).

India's subprime market proves a prime opportunity

India's subprime market proves a prime opportunity

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2007

Like the US, India too has a sub-prime market and it is booming. The success of early entrants like Citi Financial and GE Money has encouraged several others to enter the consumer lending business, nearly half of which is a sub-prime market.

Politics sends retail into tailspin

Politics sends retail into tailspin

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2007

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.

What pulls domestic airlines abroad

What pulls domestic airlines abroad

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2007

Even if you assume a higher return fare of Rs 40,000, the yield will still be lower than the costs.

Rate spike takes a toll on Mumbai realty

Rate spike takes a toll on Mumbai realty

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2007

Real-estate consultants and housing finance companies say the number of deals has dropped in suburbs such as Bhandup, Malad, Vasai, Kharghar and Panvel.

Dharavi project form submission date extended

Dharavi project form submission date extended

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2007

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority of Maharashtra has once again extended the last date for submission of expression of interest for the Rs 10,000-crore (Rs 100 billion) Dharavi Redevelopment Project to August 30.