Sharleen Dsouza

Stories by Sharleen Dsouza

'India's paint market is highly local and competitive'

'India's paint market is highly local and competitive'

Rediff.com   6 hours ago

'We realised that partnering with a strong local player like the JSW Group would create far greater value than going it alone.'

For Herman Jansen, India still a strategically-important emerging market

For Herman Jansen, India still a strategically-important emerging market

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2025

Herman Jansen continues to see India as a strategically-important emerging market despite selling the global rights for Maison House and Savoy Club brands from UTO Asia to Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD). Herman will focus on growing its European and South East Asian market, Diederik Jansen, chief executive officer and seventh-generation owner of Herman Jansen, which has been producing spirits since 1777, told Business Standard.

'India may become biggest natural diamond market'

'India may become biggest natural diamond market'

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2025

'That combination of a rising economy, a growing middle class, and a deepening love of diamonds and jewellery is what we see really doubling the market for diamonds over the next five years.'

Brands Begin To Circle Around Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Brands Begin To Circle Around Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Rediff.com   16 May 2025

'Give him a couple of seasons, a cool head, and some long-term form, and he won't just be in campaigns -- he'll be the campaign.'

Trump's tariff measures will help Indian cos expand in US mkt

Trump's tariff measures will help Indian cos expand in US mkt

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2025

Consumer durable companies in India have begun early-stage talks with US importers at a time when the tariffs levied on Indian products are lower than those on competitors such as China. While the discussions started some time ago, many believe that the Donald Trump administration's tariff measures will help Indian companies expand their presence in the US market.

'Strong retail growth is expected'

'Strong retail growth is expected'

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2025

'The retail business was somewhat slow initially, but it has picked up over the past seven to eight days. Following Makar Sankranti, there is a renewed sense of positivity.'

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.'

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Regional FMCG firms see gains over larger peers for second quarter in a row

Regional FMCG firms see gains over larger peers for second quarter in a row

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2023

Regional and local fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands are gaining momentum at the cost of national brands for the second quarter in a row. Consumer brands are now losing out on share, especially at the mass end of the market. Local brands have been able to capture market share as prices of raw materials are lower.

Daewoo plans India comeback in new avatar, to launch electronics, EV

Daewoo plans India comeback in new avatar, to launch electronics, EV

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2023

Posco Daewoo, the South Korean conglomerate whose Cielo sedan and Matiz hatchback were once the pride of Indian car owners, is looking to re-enter India. And its return journey is riding on plans to sell electric bikes and e-cycles. The company termed India's robust economic growth and surging consumer demand as reasons behind its comeback plans, saying they make India "one of the world's most promising consumer markets," according to Y S Choi, general manager, Posco Daewoo South Korea.

With rains at unprecedented low in August, kiranas keep less stocks

With rains at unprecedented low in August, kiranas keep less stocks

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2023

With the rains at unprecedented low in August, kiranas are thinking twice before stocking up on goods. "With August 2023 rain shortfall at almost a 100-year low, we are seeing kiranas stocking up very carefully," Akshay D'Souza, chief of growth and insights at Bizom. He added, "As we look ahead, it does seem that the impact of rains in September will be critical to the sowing season.