News for 'consumers'

India's Diwali sales cross record Rs 6 lakh crore: CAIT

India's Diwali sales cross record Rs 6 lakh crore: CAIT

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

India's Diwali sales touched a record Rs 6.05 lakh crore -- comprising Rs 5.40 lakh crore in goods and Rs 65,000 crore in services -- buoyed by the recent GST reform and strong consumer sentiment, traders' lobby CAIT said on Tuesday. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) based its findings on a nation-wide survey across 60 major distribution centres including state capitals and Tier 2 & 3 cities conducted by its research wing.

Lenskart readies AI-powered smart glasses for Dec launch

Lenskart readies AI-powered smart glasses for Dec launch

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Eyewear major Lenskart is gearing up to launch its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses by the end of December, marking a step towards positioning itself as a technology-led lifestyle brand, according to people familiar with the matter.

Why Most Indians Don't Get Enough Daily Protein

Why Most Indians Don't Get Enough Daily Protein

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

'Whether it's paneer for vegetarians or chicken and fish for non-vegetarians, the overall intake of protein is not sufficient.'

Sarvam AI To Launch India's First LLM In Feb

Sarvam AI To Launch India's First LLM In Feb

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Sarvam's LLM will have more than 17 trillion tokens with 17 to 20 per cent coming from Indian data

Uber Adds Teen Rides With Parental Control

Uber Adds Teen Rides With Parental Control

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Guardians continue to have full oversight of teen trips and activity on the app.

India's domestic IT spend set to touch $176 bn in 2026: Gartner

India's domestic IT spend set to touch $176 bn in 2026: Gartner

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

India's information technology (IT) spend is projected to touch $176.3 billion in 2026, rising 10.6 per cent from 2025, and outpacing the 9.8 per cent growth expected globally, according to the latest forecast by Gartner Inc., a business and technology insights company.

Many growth triggers for Samvardhana Motherson

Many growth triggers for Samvardhana Motherson

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

The country's largest listed auto parts company by market capitalisation, Samvardhana Motherson International, reported a better than expected operating performance in the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26). Though the global passenger vehicle (PV) market is facing multiple headwinds, the company is outperforming on the back of higher content per vehicle and market share gains.

Want To Invest In US Markets? Read This

Want To Invest In US Markets? Read This

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

New investors or those with lower-than-planned exposure should add US-oriented funds through SIPs.

India signs first LPG term deal with US to import 2.2 mt of cooking gas

India signs first LPG term deal with US to import 2.2 mt of cooking gas

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

In a first, Indian oil public sector undertakings (PSUs) finalised a one-year contract to import around 2.2 million tonnes (mt) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the US. The LPG import deal comes at a time when negotiations for an India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) are gathering steam. Earlier in the month, US President Donald Trump had said Washington and New Delhi were "pretty close" to reaching a fair trade deal.

Seniors to Drive 25% of India's Pharma

Seniors to Drive 25% of India's Pharma

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

'Once the 60-plus population hits 20 to 30 per cent of the country, the demand for elderly-care treatments will surge -- cardiac, metabolic, neurological, and musculoskeletal medicines are going to dominate the market for the next several decades.'

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

India's Housing Finance Sector Hits Home Run

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

India's housing finance sector is riding a wave of post-pandemic revival, driven by policy support, digital innovation, and growing demand from younger homebuyers in emerging cities.

Choose your eateries wisely: Consumer panel rejects non-veg momo complaint

Choose your eateries wisely: Consumer panel rejects non-veg momo complaint

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

A consumer redressal commission in Mumbai has said if meat-based food hurts a "strictly vegetarian" person's religious sentiments, why should the individual opt to order from a restaurant serving both veg and non-veg items.

Auto retail sales surge to all-time high of over 52 lakh units

Auto retail sales surge to all-time high of over 52 lakh units

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Automobile retail sales across the domestic market witnessed a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in the 42-day festive season led by record registrations of passenger vehicles and two-wheelers aided by GST rejig enabled drop in prices across segments, dealer' body FADA said on Friday.

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Even as non-life insurers reported muted premium growth in October, standalone health insurers saw a robust 38 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) surge. This growth was driven by pent-up demand in the retail health insurance segment.

Wholesale price inflation falls to (-) 1.21% in Oct on GST cut

Wholesale price inflation falls to (-) 1.21% in Oct on GST cut

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Wholesale price inflation (WPI) fell to (-) 1 .21 per cent in October, driven by a decline in prices of food articles like pulses and vegetables, as well as lower fuel and manufactured items' prices, government data showed on Friday.

Marico Q2 net down 0.7%

Marico Q2 net down 0.7%

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

The consolidated net profit of Marico, the maker of Parachute coconut oil, declined 0.7 per cent in the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26).

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

If Xi Jinping is dethroned in the future, the instrument for that may well be embedded within the PLA, notes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Big relief as Mumbai CNG supply restored after 2-day disruption

Big relief as Mumbai CNG supply restored after 2-day disruption

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Most CNG pumps, including those operated by Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), saw long queues from early morning, particularly of black-yellow taxis and autorickshaws, with several drivers reporting wait times of three to four hours, compared to the usual 15 to 30 minutes.

'Your Body Only Needs 4 Tsp Oil Per Day'

'Your Body Only Needs 4 Tsp Oil Per Day'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

"If you are eliminating rice, oil, nuts or any food items which give you good nutrients, it becomes very difficult to manage the other nutrients which were supposed to come from that food item," explains Dr Rajeshwari Panda.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

Inflation data, quarterly earnings and global trends will be the major driving factors for stock markets this week, analysts said. Moreover, the trading activity of foreign investors would also influence the equity market trends.

USFDA's new draft biosimilar rules to benefit Indian biotech cos

USFDA's new draft biosimilar rules to benefit Indian biotech cos

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

The US Food and Drug Administration's (USFDA)'s new draft guidelines aimed at speeding up and reducing the cost of developing biosimilars - lower-priced, near-replicas of complex biologic medicines - could significantly benefit Indian biotech companies.

GST collection grows at slower pace of 4.6% in October

GST collection grows at slower pace of 4.6% in October

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

Festive buying spree unleashed by lower tax rates pushed gross GST collection to about Rs 1.96 lakh crore in October, registering a 4.6 per cent year-on-year growth -- the slowest rate so far this fiscal.

Why Banks Are Struggling For Deposits

Why Banks Are Struggling For Deposits

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

As deposit growth lags credit expansion, Indian banks face shrinking low-cost Casa inflows, rising funding costs, and structural shifts driven by UPI, e-Kuber, and digital savings trends, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'GST 2.0 Great Opportunity For Insurance Biz To Make Products Affordable'

'GST 2.0 Great Opportunity For Insurance Biz To Make Products Affordable'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'The government is putting insurance in the same category as food, which is essential for life.' 'Now this is an opportunity for the sector to focus on the consumer.'

Sensex jumps 595 points on strong global cues

Sensex jumps 595 points on strong global cues

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finserv, Adani Ports, HCL Technologies, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, Trent, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Eternal, Titan and Bajaj Finance were the gainers. On the other hand, Tata Steel, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, Bharat Electronics, Kotak Mahindra Bank and PowerGrid were the laggards.

Reliance investments in AI infra may top $12-15 bn

Reliance investments in AI infra may top $12-15 bn

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd may spend about $12-15 billion over the next few years on AI infrastructure that could include a giant 1GW data centre, Morgan Stanley said in a report. Ambani had at the company's annual shareholder meeting in August announced a major push into AI through a new subsidiary and strategic partnerships.

Industrial output growth remains firm at 4% in Sep

Industrial output growth remains firm at 4% in Sep

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

India's industrial production growth remained steady at 4 per cent in September this year due to the good performance of the manufacturing sector, according to official data released on Tuesday. The factory output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had expanded by 3.2 per cent in September 2024.

An OC Is A Must When You Buy A Home

An OC Is A Must When You Buy A Home

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

For homebuyers, the OC is not just an administrative formality but the very basis of lawful possession. Without it, the property is deemed unauthorised, exposing buyers to risks such as eviction, denial of utilities, or even demolition.

Oil companies breathe easy as Saudi cuts LPG price

Oil companies breathe easy as Saudi cuts LPG price

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Saudi Arabia's steep cut in LPG benchmark prices has pushed India's household LPG underrecoveries to their lowest level in over two years, slashing oil companies' losses from Rs 200-250 per cylinder last year to about Rs 20-40 now.

'Compact SUVs to see fastest growth after GST rate cut'

'Compact SUVs to see fastest growth after GST rate cut'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'Growth will definitely continue to come most from the sub-four-metre SUV segment, primarily because that is where the heart of economy and affordability is. Naturally, that will keep pushing the share of that segment (in overall PV sales) higher.'

Tata Motors Q2 net loss at Rs 867 cr; revenue at Rs 18,585 cr

Tata Motors Q2 net loss at Rs 867 cr; revenue at Rs 18,585 cr

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

Tata Motors, which now houses the company's commercial vehicle business, on Thursday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 867 crore in the September quarter, impacted by mark-to-market losses of Rs 2,026 crore on account of investment in Tata Capital.

Is Stomach Pain A Sign Of Colon Cancer?

Is Stomach Pain A Sign Of Colon Cancer?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The major problem with colon cancer is that its symptoms are frequently indistinct in their early stages and appear to be similar to common digestive disorders like piles, infections or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), warns Dr Mohammed Mithi, surgical oncologist at Saifee Hospital.

'No Such Thing As Diabetes Reversal'

'No Such Thing As Diabetes Reversal'

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

'In diabetes remission, you go below a 6.5 HbA1c without medication.' 'And this happens only when you lose 10 to 15 per cent of your body weight with a good amount of lifestyle and dietary changes, exercise and sometimes medication.' 'You have to be able to sustain your HBA1C below 6.5 for at least a year without medication to say that the patient is in remission.'

Startups go vertical in India's qcom race

Startups go vertical in India's qcom race

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

As the quick commerce (qcom) race hots up, a new model - vertical qcom - is gaining investor attention. Unlike horizontal players such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart, which stock everything from groceries to gifts and gadgets, vertical platforms focus on depth over breadth.

FMCG cos indicate mid single-digit revenue growth in Q2

FMCG cos indicate mid single-digit revenue growth in Q2

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are expected to report mid-single-digit revenue growth in the July-September 2025-26 quarter, according to their quarterly updates. Most companies also noted that supply chains were focused on liquidating existing stock ahead of the implementation of new goods and services tax (GST) rates in categories where the tax was lowered.

Power network sharing plan will face 3 key challenges

Power network sharing plan will face 3 key challenges

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The ambitious proposal by the power ministry to allow network sharing between distribution licensees operating in the same geographical area will face three key challenges, said a former bureaucrat.

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Why ecom platforms are under govt lens

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is looking into complaints of additional charges being levied by ecommerce platforms when customers choose cash-on-delivery (COD) option instead of paying while ordering items. "The Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints against ecommerce platforms charging extra for cash-on-delivery, a practice classified as a dark pattern that misleads and exploits consumers," Pralhad Joshi, Union minister of consumer affairs, wrote on X on Friday afternoon.

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.

Growth acceleration key to Trent stock's recovery

Growth acceleration key to Trent stock's recovery

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

Trent reported decent margins in the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 (Q2FY26) but growth moderated. Same store growth was low single-digits. Trent's revenue growth decelerated in Q2FY26 at 17 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) while area additions were offset by decline in revenue per square foot (sq ft).

10 Tips To Grow Your Brand On Social Media

10 Tips To Grow Your Brand On Social Media

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

People connect with people. No matter how small your brand is, when you share your journey or the why behind your business, you automatically humanise your brand and make it unique as compared to faceless competitors, says Vinayak Burman.