Sharleen D'Souza And Indivjal Dhasmana

Stories by Sharleen D'Souza And Indivjal Dhasmana

Rural kiranas power September sales

Rural kiranas power September sales

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2023

Sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) witnessed significant recovery in September after enduring a double-digit decline in August, according to data furnished by Bizom. Kirana stores in rural areas stocked up in preparation for the festival season, which began in September. This, combined with rainfall reaching 113 per cent of the long-perid average for the month, contributed to a boost in sales.

Union excise duty collection fell 12% in first five months of FY24

Union excise duty collection fell 12% in first five months of FY24

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2023

Union excise duty collection dropped 18 per cent in August year-on-year at a time when the overall central tax kitty rose about 94 per cent before devolution to the states. The mop-up from Union excise duty declined to Rs 23,576 crore in August this year compared to Rs 28,816 crore in the same month a year ago. On the other hand, total tax collection rose to Rs 2.9 trillion in the month as against Rs 1.5 trillion in August 2022-23, shows the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

Inflation a cause of worry for FMCG companies; margins could take a hit

Inflation a cause of worry for FMCG companies; margins could take a hit

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2023

Higher inflation has again become a matter of concern for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. After prices of commodities like sugar and wheat moved higher and stabilised at those levels, the crude oil too surged, adding to FMCG firms' worries. Besides, a dry spell in August in the ongoing monsoon season impacted rural demand.

With Elections Near, Debate On Freebies Rages

With Elections Near, Debate On Freebies Rages

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2023

Populism gains momentum during election periods, and this trend is evident in at least four states: Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Can RBI Win The War On Inflation?

Can RBI Win The War On Inflation?

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2023

'There are occasions when the prices of individual items like food raise inflation; then supply-side measures must be taken.' 'But if there is continued inflation, it means liquidity is aggravating the situation.'

Brand SRK Is Back With A Bang!

Brand SRK Is Back With A Bang!

Rediff.com   12 Sep 2023

'He doesn't need to play eye candy or a boy next door. He has found his mark.' 'Brands like him because he understands them and he emotes appropriately for them.'

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2023

With Onam and Raksha Bandhan just around the corner, the festival season is ready to kick off in full swing. As people embrace the celebratory spirit, companies anticipate a surge in sales this year. Consumer durables firms are expecting strong growth of 40-50 per cent in the premium segment during the upcoming season. Appliance makers also foresee increased demand for cooling appliances - refrigerators and air conditioners - which were impacted by unseasonal rainfall.

At $112 bn, Reliance Retail value may be almost double RIL's O2C business

At $112 bn, Reliance Retail value may be almost double RIL's O2C business

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2023

Reliance Industries' (RIL's) retail arm, Reliance Retail, is now valued at nearly twice the amount of its decades-old and lucrative oil-to-chemical (O2C) division. Bernstein's latest report on the conglomerate projects a valuation of $112 billion for its retail business, dwarfing the $57 billion valuation of its O2C division. In addition, the research firm valued Jio Platforms, the company's telecom arm, at $77 billion and the renewable energy business at $17 billion.

Loan granted to credit card holder is exempt from IGST: Calcutta HC

Loan granted to credit card holder is exempt from IGST: Calcutta HC

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2023

The interest charged on an inter-state loan given to a credit card holder without the use of a plastic card would not be subject to the integrated goods and services tax (IGST), a two-judge bench of the Calcutta high court has ruled. In this connection, it recently set aside a ruling by a single judge of the high court. The issue was a loan of Rs 650,000 granted by Citi Bank with an EMI of Rs 58,056 for 12 months and inclusive of integrated GST (IGST) on each installment of interest.

Unseasonal rains to impact performance of consumer durables in Q1

Unseasonal rains to impact performance of consumer durables in Q1

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2023

Unseasonal rains watered down the performance of consumer durables companies as temperatures cooled, impacting the sales of refrigerators and air conditioners (ACs) in the 2023-24 (FY24) April-June quarter. Centrum says in its report on the sector that the trade channel indicates a 25-30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in sales of refrigerators and ACs in April and May due to restricted buying. "While some green shoots in demand were visible in June, overall growth for the quarter is likely to remain at a negative 10-12 per cent," observes the brokerage.

Tomato Is Not The Villain Of Price Rise!

Tomato Is Not The Villain Of Price Rise!

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2023

How is it that tomatoes recorded a price fall in official statistics when it remained unaffordable for the common person in June?

Margins remain a pain point for organised FMCG supply-chain companies

Margins remain a pain point for organised FMCG supply-chain companies

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2023

Jiomart B2B is the latest among organised supply-chain companies to bite the bullet, shutting down its warehouses, and asking its employees to leave. Why are companies finding it difficult to sustain the supply-chain business? Experts point out that gross margins in supplying fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) are very low.

Which 5 States Lag Behind India's GDP?

Which 5 States Lag Behind India's GDP?

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2023

Economies of Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana may have grown at a slower pace than the national economy during 2022-2023.

TVs, Laptops, Phones May Cost More

TVs, Laptops, Phones May Cost More

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2023

The reason? Price of open cell panels has gone up 15%. One of the main components in the manufacturing of TV sets, open cells contribute to 60%-65% of the manufacturing cost.

Aditya Birla invests Rs 5,000 cr in jewellery biz, takes on Tata, Reliance

Aditya Birla invests Rs 5,000 cr in jewellery biz, takes on Tata, Reliance

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2023

Aditya Birla Group has announced its foray into the branded jewellery space with an investment of around Rs 5,000 crore and will battle it out with Titan's Tanishq and Reliance Industries- Reliance Jewel. The business will be housed in a new venture, "Novel Jewel", and will open large-format exclusive stores across the country with its in-house jewellery brands, the company said in its release. "The new venture will seek to transform customer experience by creating an aspirational national brand with unique designs and a strong regional flavour.

'The story of inflation is not yet over'

'The story of inflation is not yet over'

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2023

'The actions of Indian monetary authorities will depend on how quickly they want the inflation to come down to 4 per cent.'

'The impact of El Nino is always a matter of concern'

'The impact of El Nino is always a matter of concern'

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2023

'If because of El Nino, the monsoon is affected adversely in the current year, naturally it will affect income projections and consequently Budget numbers.'

Have You Tried A Pinwheel Samosa?

Have You Tried A Pinwheel Samosa?

Rediff.com   29 May 2023

Or makhni pasta? Timbits or donut holes? Time you headed to Tim Hortons.

Shein is ready to make its second entry into India with Reliance Retail

Shein is ready to make its second entry into India with Reliance Retail

Rediff.com   19 May 2023

Chinese fashion e-commerce platform Shein is expected to make a second entry into India and has tied up with Reliance Retail for this, according to a source in the know. The source said as part of the tie-up, Shein would source goods from India for its global operations. Also, the manufacturing of its products could happen in the country and they could be exported.

FMCG sales slow on lower stocking; home care only category to report growth

FMCG sales slow on lower stocking; home care only category to report growth

Rediff.com   16 May 2023

Demand for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) fell in April owing to lower stocking by kiranas, according to the data from Bizom. Kiranas stocked lower quantities in April as they resorted to heavy stocking in March. Sales in value terms were down 8.4 per cent in the month as against the same period last year while on a month-on-month basis, they declined 17 per cent.