Sharleen Dsouza, Akshara Srivastava

Stories by Sharleen Dsouza, Akshara Srivastava

'RBI has a tough balancing act to do'

'RBI has a tough balancing act to do'

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2025

'Inflation is not good for industry. Nor for the economy as a whole.'

Want To Take Your Parents For A Holiday?

Want To Take Your Parents For A Holiday?

Rediff.com   31 Dec 2024

From specialised senior-friendly tours to redesigned hotel amenities, hotels are becoming increasingly attuned to the unique requirements of elderly travellers.

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Lab Or Natural? What Diamond Would You Prefer?

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2024

Suddenly, the legendary advertising line -- a diamond is forever -- is losing its shine.

'Mahindra Electric Is Getting Free Publicity'

'Mahindra Electric Is Getting Free Publicity'

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2024

'IndiGo's position in this argument will depend on whether it has registered '6e' as a trademark.'

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2024

A growing preference for convenience products and hybrid media consumption, and a surge in digital engagement have led to a rise in the average basket size for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) among rural consumers. The average of the rural FMCG basket saw a 60 per cent rise from 5.8 in 2022 to 9.3 in 2024 as it expanded to include convenience products like ready-to-eat packages and beverages, stated the fifth edition of the Rural Barometer Report, brought out jointly by GroupM and Kantar, which surveyed 4,376 rural adults across 20 states.

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2024

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday asked e-commerce and quick-commerce food operators to ensure a minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or at least 45 days before products expire at the time of delivery. The order follows rising concerns over violations of food safety standards in quick-commerce and e-commerce.

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector grew 5.7 per cent by value and 4.1 per cent by volume in the July-September quarter driven by rural demand, consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ said in its quarterly update on Thursday. Price-led growth stood at 1.5 per cent. According to NielsenIQ data, rural volume growth outpaced urban markets for the third straight quarter despite consumption softening in both regions.

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2024

'We used to get 400-500 applications for Canada on a yearly basis until last year, but this has gone down to just 70 this year.'

'India is at the heart of what we are doing'

'India is at the heart of what we are doing'

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2024

'For us, it's "keep moving and keep building a critical mass", which is commensurate with the size of the country.'

Maggi revival architect Narayanan to bow out after 26 yrs with Nestle group

Maggi revival architect Narayanan to bow out after 26 yrs with Nestle group

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2024

Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director of Nestl India, is set to retire on July 31 next year, marking the end of an era that began 26 years ago with the Nestl group, a multinational giant in the food and beverage space. His tenure is perhaps most famously defined by his role in reviving the Maggi noodles brand. When Narayanan stepped into leadership at Nestl India in 2015, the company was facing criticism: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had ordered a nationwide recall of the popular Maggi noodles due to high levels of lead found in the product.

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2024

'In India, managers and the leadership almost glorify overworking.'

The Great Indian Wedding Season

The Great Indian Wedding Season

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2024

With November 22, 23 and 24 being among the most auspicious dates for marriage this year, hotels across the country are all booked, as are wedding-related ancillary services.

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2024

Quick commerce (Qcom) platforms are bringing upon a rapid change in the behaviours of online shoppers, with 31 per cent of buyers relying on the fast delivery option for grocery needs, according to a new study.

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2024

The Indian arm of the Norwegian investment company Orkla ASA, which owns spice brands like MTR and Eastern, is exploring the possibility of launching an initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, said a top company executive. "The ASA board just cleared the proposal. "We had done a pre-IPO study last year to understand what we need to do and based on that the board said, 'okay, let's go ahead and explore capital markets'," Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Orkla India, told Business Standard.

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2024

French wine and spirits maker Pernod Ricard expects to report low double-digit growth in India in the medium-term on the back of a strong premiumisation trend emerging in the country. "We are now the second market worldwide for Pernod Ricard and India continues to be a big growth engine for the group. "Our compoun annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years was 8 per cent, which is robust and was maintained at a rather high level," said Jean Touboul (pictured), chief executive officer, Pernod Ricard India.

Online vs offline retail: Industry divided over Piyush Goyal's comments

Online vs offline retail: Industry divided over Piyush Goyal's comments

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2024

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal's recent comments on large e-commerce players have reignited the debate about their impact on smaller offline retailers. On Wednesday, Goyal said that the rapid growth of e-commerce in India is a "cause for concern" and is diminishing the market share of small, mom-and-pop stores by offering high-margin products such as consumer electronics and apparel at discounted rates.

'Rural consumption to do well going forward'

'Rural consumption to do well going forward'

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2024

'Food inflation is important and if that is controlled, then consumption will go up.'

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2024

In the first quarter (Q1) of the ongoing financial year ending June 30, Westlife Foodworld, which operates McDonald's outlets in the South and West, reported an 88 per cent drop in net profit. While net sales remained flat, its same-store sales growth (SSSG) fell by 6.7 per cent, impacted by "subdued in-store business, although the off-premise segment saw positive same-store sales", the company said.

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2024

The Budget proposals are expected to boost the fortunes of consumer goods and fast-moving consumer goods companies, which have been struggling with poor consumer demand for more than a year. The Budget announcements, such as the increase in standard deduction by Rs 25,000 for income-tax payers and slab revisions, will put more money in their hands, boosting consumer demand. Private consumption is also likely to benefit from a new scheme to offer internships to 10 million youths in the country's top 500 companies.

Companies Join Battle Against Sugar, Salt

Companies Join Battle Against Sugar, Salt

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2024

Mondelez, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Nestle India have been working on bringing down the sugar, salt, and sodium content.