Sharleen Dsouza, Akshara Srivastava

Stories by Sharleen Dsouza, Akshara Srivastava

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2024

Raising toast to 25 successful years, India's largest wine maker Sula Vineyard is eyeing a sustained double-digit growth in revenue over the next five years, buoyed by growth in the premium and elite categories and expansion of its new ranges. It was during Covid that the vineyards shifted focus to its own brands and pivoted towards growing the premium and elite segment of the market.

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rajasthan Hotels Offer Off-Season Bargains

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2024

Hotel rooms, usually in the range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 a night during the peak season, are now available for Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 a night.

Prices of consumer durables may go up; container prices up 4-fold in a month

Prices of consumer durables may go up; container prices up 4-fold in a month

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2024

Container prices have shot up by up to 300 per cent in the past one month owing to geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran following the former's attack on Hamas, causing shortages and pushing consumer durables companies to increase prices. Companies have planned increases but some are yet to decide on the extent of the increase.

WEF: Tourism's share in global GDP to return to pre-Covid levels this year

WEF: Tourism's share in global GDP to return to pre-Covid levels this year

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

The travel and tourism sector's contribution to global gross domestic product will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday. This recovery is driven by a considerable increase in worldwide demand, coinciding with more available flights, better international openness, and increased interest and investment in natural and cultural attractions.

Coffee Aroma Is Spreading Across India

Coffee Aroma Is Spreading Across India

Rediff.com   16 May 2024

India has been a tea sipping society. But the aromatic wave of coffee culture is wafting across it.

Indians Are Saying NO To SUGAR!

Indians Are Saying NO To SUGAR!

Rediff.com   9 May 2024

With rising incomes, education, and health awareness in India, especially in the big cities, droves of people are saying no to sugar.

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rural FMCG growth overtakes urban after 5 quarters

Rediff.com   8 May 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector witnessed growth in rural consumption in volume terms outpace urban consumption for the first time in five quarters, in the January-March period. According to a report from consumer intelligence firm NIQ, rural consumption grew at a rate of 7.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in Q1CY24, overtaking that in urban areas which stood at 5.7 per cent.

No cancer-causing agents in our products: MDH on quality claims

No cancer-causing agents in our products: MDH on quality claims

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2024

MDH Spices has denied allegations that its products have traces of cancer-causing agent ethylene oxide (ETO), calling them "untrue" and "lacking any substantiating evidence." "Amid speculations doing rounds that there is presence of ETO in our products, we clarify and state unequivocally that these claims are untrue and lack any substantiating evidence," a statement released by the company said.

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Consumer goods firms and auto companies are witnessing an upturn in rural demand, which had been lagging for most of FY24. Expectations of a bumper rabi crop harvest have helped turn the tide. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged last week, noting that as rural demand catches up, consumption is expected to support economic growth in 2024-25.

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2024

'During the scorching summer months of election season, largescale outdoor gatherings create a prime opportunity for increased consumption in the packaged drinking water category.'

Dhoni as a brand will continue to reign even if he retires post IPL

Dhoni as a brand will continue to reign even if he retires post IPL

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2024

With the IPL kicking off, speculations are rife that the former Indian cricket team captain M S Dhoni will hang up his boots after handing over the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, brand experts believe this is not the end of the road for Dhoni as a celebrity, and he still has some mileage left even if he completely retires. Dhoni is expected to continue being associated with CSK even after retirement, according to a media report.

Airfares, hotel rates shoot up ahead of Holi, Good Friday

Airfares, hotel rates shoot up ahead of Holi, Good Friday

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2024

As March draws to a close, two consecutive long weekend opportunities - Holi and Good Friday - are driving up hotel occupancy and airfares across major routes. According to travel platform Cleartrip, hotel bookings have seen a 3.5 times spike for the Holi weekend, while a 3.7 times spike has been visible in the Good Friday weekend.

Packaged food sector leaving consumers spoilt for choice with new launches

Packaged food sector leaving consumers spoilt for choice with new launches

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2024

Over the past year, Amul has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a dairy-centric entity to a comprehensive foods company. Since 2022, PepsiCo India, too, has embarked on extensive launches in the food category. Not to be left behind, ITC, which has been introducing an average of 100 fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products across categories every year, has also launched a number of packaged food items.

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2024

As Ayodhya readies itself for the glittering, much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir on January 22, and as millions of pilgrims and devotees pour into the holy city for the momentous event, companies are rushing to do their bit and be a part of the mega celebrations. Some are offering a part of their profits as donations, telcos are beefing up the number of cellular towers to ensure better connectivity, and there are those distributing jalebis and food platters.

86% CEOs bullish about India's economy in 2024

86% CEOs bullish about India's economy in 2024

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2024

Most Indian chief executives are optimistic about the economy and believe it would improve in the coming 12 months, said a survey by consulting and auditing firm PwC on Tuesday. The company's 27th annual global survey polled 4,702 chief executive officers (CEOs) in 105 countries and territories, including 79 in India, from October 2 to November 10, 2023. As many as 86 per cent of CEOs in India - 30 per cent higher than a year ago - are confident that the economy would improve.

IHG Hotels & Resorts focused on bringing more luxury offerings to India

IHG Hotels & Resorts focused on bringing more luxury offerings to India

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2024

Global hospitality major IHG Hotels and Resorts saw its business surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023 on the back of "unprecedented growth" in the tourism industry, a senior company official said. The UK-headquartered company, which operates Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and luxury brands like Intercontinental and Six Senses in India, launched its premium lifestyle brand voco in January this year, with the first property set up at Jim Corbett in North India. The group, in total, signed 15 new deals in 2023.

India Could Be Next Whisky Superpower

India Could Be Next Whisky Superpower

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2023

'Indian single malts have a very specific character.' 'They are sweet when you take a frontal palette approach and change significantly with the addition of water.'

Flavours of ICC Cricket World Cup final on apps: Food and flowers

Flavours of ICC Cricket World Cup final on apps: Food and flowers

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2023

As the Men in Blue took on Australia in an intriguing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the orders on quick delivery platforms reflected the pulsating mood of the nation.

Festival season fail to light up apparel sales, consumer durables shine

Festival season fail to light up apparel sales, consumer durables shine

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2023

Sales of apparel were a mixed bag this festive season while those of consumer durables saw an uptick with mobiles, laptops, and air conditioners being in demand. In apparel, Tier-2 and -3 markets did better for some brands, because these have been witnessing an uptick for the past 18-20 months compared to metros. "The past two weeks have been good, and we saw a 13 per cent increase in value sales, and volume sales have also been similar," Manish Kapoor, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO), Pepe Jeans

Consumer firms see double-digit growth on festive shopping

Consumer firms see double-digit growth on festive shopping

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2023

Consumer durables firms and fashion retailers expect double-digit growth in value terms in the ongoing festival season as consumers have stepped up purchases during this period. They expect to see value sales growth upwards of 15 per cent, which is especially coming in from cities. However, volume growth may lag behind value growth.