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Several companies are trying to organise the home-focused services
sector in India and bring in professionalism. (Mint)
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Home maintenance goes corporate
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here to read the article
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Amazon makes quiet entry into India
Click
here to read the article and Our
Perspective
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The world's largest online retailer is tiptoeing into India,
using cover from a comparison shopping site Junglee.com it acquired
13 years ago. (The Economic Times)
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As the ice cream market in India evolves and there is much more
on offer, single scoops and the common flavours are no longer
enough for many consumers. (Daily News & Analysis - DNA)
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Folks are dining on ice cream!
Click here
to read the article
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Retailers try to sell more for less
Click
here to read the article
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Spending on the High Street has never been cheaper for such
a long period of time. Some of the biggest brands are literally
shouting from the rooftops that they are offering up to 70% discounts.
(Business Standard)
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The world's second-largest apparel retailer Hennes & Mauritz
(H&M), which usually enters large markets on its own, is not
so sure about opening shop in India despite finding the market
"interesting". (The Economic Times)
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Hennes & Mauritz wary of entering in India
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here to read the article
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Bombay Store aims to grow younger
Click here
to read the article
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More than a century old, The Bombay Store is looking to attract
youth with The Elephant Company, a young, quirky brand. (The
Hindu BusinessLine)
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Dutch-based supermarket chain Spar International plans to partner
with multiple firms to expand its retail presence in India, a
senior company executive said on Wednesday. (Mint)
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Spar plans tie-ups with multiple firms
Click here
to read the article
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Will luxury brands lap up 100 pc FDI?
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here to read the article
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Contrary to popular belief that allowing 100 per cent in single
brand retail will give impetus to luxury brands in India and bring
down costs, experts have a more conservative view. (Pitch)
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India Inc has welcomed the lifting of the foreign direct investment
(FDI) limit to 100 per cent on single brand retail. But retail
sector specialists do not expect a stampede of investments any
time soon. (The Hindu BusinessLine)
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Never mind 100% FDI, foreign chains may not rush in
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here to read the article
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100% FDI approved in single brand retail
Click
here to read the article from The National
Click
here to read the article from Retailer
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The Manmohan Singh government has finally given its nod for
the relaxation on the existing 51 per cent FDI in single brand
retail, increasing it to a much awaited 100 per cent. Indians
could soon experience the unique frustration of assembling Scandinavian
flat-pack furniture as stores such as Ikea are to be allowed to
open in the country. (from The National-UAE and Retailer)
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Apparel retailers in India are extending their end-of-the-season
discount sales period to clear inventory that has been piled up
due to slowdown witnessed in earlier months. (Fibre2Fashion)
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Indian apparel retailers extending sales
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here to read the article
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Minding other people's business
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here to read the article
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The entry of Future Supply Chain Solutions into multi-brand
retail via a subsidiary has given some regional brands the kind
of exposure they could only aspire to before. (Business Standard)
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Andhra Pradesh government seeks tie-up with Tesco, Bharti-Walmart
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here to read the article
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The Andhra Pradesh state government is drawing up plans to open
swanky supermarkets, venturing into the multi-brand retail territory
with multinational retailers such as Walmart and Tesco, but the
proposed partnership will need alignment of objectives.(The
Economic Times)
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2012 will be the year of moderation in consumer spending across
durable, consumer goods and apparel, as industry experts foresee
an unfavourable sentiment gripping consumers, which could make
companies cautious in their growth talk. (Daily News &
Analysis - DNA)
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After festive cheer, grim reality
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here to read the article
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Four brands nearing Rs. 500 cr annual revenue
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here to read the article
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With critical mass now available in the Indian market, four
companies have a positive outlook despite the gloomy overall economic
scenario, targeting 100 million dollars each in sales. (Mint)
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Football clubs are jumping on the Indian sportswear bandwagon,
pursuing the huge scope for growth in a US$900 million market.
(The National)
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Football and India -- a friendly match
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here to read the article
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Retail executives turn entrepreneurs
Click
here to read the article
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India's retail industry is buzzing with entrepreneurial activity
as a growing number of retail professionals trade in salaries
for their own wall art chains, lingerie brand, and beer cafes.
(The Economic Times)
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FDI in retail will usher in changes in the shopping experience,
believe experts. But, even without it, Kerala's textile retailers
have been dressing up in style. A look at the action. (The
Hindu - BusinessLine)
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God's Own Retail Lab
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here to read the article
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Retailers anxious, government seems confident
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here to read the article
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The industry is turning nervous about the prospects of single-brand
retail, since the government has yet to notify a Cabinet decision
raising the foreign investment level to 100 per cent, from the
current 51 per cent. (Business Standard)
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Reliance Industries, a $50-billion-plus oil and gas giant, will
enter the fast-food business with its own brand next year, opening
yet another front to do business directly with India's growing
young population. (The Economic Times)
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Reliance Industries to enter fast-food business
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here to read the article
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Try, Try, Try Again
Click
here to read the article
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Foreign investment could change the way India retail firms function.
But for now, most proponents of the policy will have to swallow
their disappointment and hope that the government gets its act
together enough to put it back on the agenda. (Businessworld)
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With plans for raising FDI in single-brand retail from 51% to
100% getting the green signal, albeit possibly with riders, all
is not lost for India Inc. (Outlook)
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Get Ur Swoosh On
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here to read the article
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New FDI rule hits roadblock in India
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here to read the article
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Some predict foreign investment will herald a consumer revolution
in the huge retail sector, some forecast doom for countless small
traders and farmers. (China Daily Asia Pacific)
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Traders in Karnataka are livid at the Centres move to allow 51%
FDI in multi-brand retail, fearing that their business will be
hit by predatory pricing. (The Times of India)
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Traders fear FDI will bring predatory pricing
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here to read the article
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Single-brand retail reform could see changes on high street
Click
here to read the article
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The move to increase the 51% limit on foreign direct investment
(FDI) in single-brand retail hasnt attracted much attention,
but could see a change in existing relationships and lead to a
transformation of the Indian high street. (MINT)
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The Indian government has proposed allowing single-brand retailers
(such as the furniture giant IKEA) to wholly own stores in India,
while multi-brand retailers (like Wal-Mart and Carrefour) can
own a 51 percent stake. The moves, which have yet to be formalized,
could greatly impact the supply chain landscape in this country
of nearly 1.2 billion people. (American Shipper)
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India opens door to foreign retailers
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here to read the article
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Will FDI in retail help Biyani finally tie up with Carrefour?
Click
here to read the article
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After foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail was approved
by the Indian Government, could the Future Group enter into negotiations
again with French retailer Carrefour? (The Hindu Businessline)
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The supply chain efficiencies of cash-and-carry operations such
as Metro are mainly beneficial to small retailers, as large format
retailers choose to go direct to suppliers. (The Hindu Businessline)
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Cash-and-Carry focussed on small retailers
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here to read the article
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Targeting the savvy shoppers in India
Click
here to read the article
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Kenneth Cole's entry into India comes at an opportune time -
the American company wants to attract the young, brand-aware segment
of consumers. (The National)
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Starting with bookings for two of India's biggest obsessions
- Bollywood films and cricket matches - e-ticketing companies
have now diversified into other events too. (Business Today)
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E-ticketing websites go all out
Click here
to read the article
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India Tops Retail Shrinkage List
Click here
to read the article
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Indian retailers suffered the highest loss of stocks to theft
in the world, but the silver lining was that India is the worlds
only country where the shrink rate came down in 2011, according
to the Global Retail Theft Barometer 2011.(Asian Correspondent)
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Retailers are countering the economic slowdown by offering interest-free
equated monthly instalment (EMI) schemes, which they say are not
only helping them pull customers into stores but also encouraging
shoppers to buy higher value products. (The Economic Times)
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Interest Free EMIs offered by retailers
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here to read the article
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Gulliver's Travails
Click here
to read the article
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The Lilliput Kidswear controversy could lead to irreconcilable
differences, and weaker valuations. (Businessworld)
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Tommy Hilfiger is taking direct control of its operations to
integrate India into its global sourcing and design programmes.
(Business Standard)
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Tommy Hilfiger goes in for solo play
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here to read the article
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Falling Footfalls
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here to read the article
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Vishal Krishna presents an in-depth analysis on why only a handful
of Indias hundreds of malls make money, the 7 deadly sins
that failed malls committed and what some of them are doing to
correct course. (Businessworld)
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High prices and economic uncertainty appear to be turning consumers
stingy, if not altogether unwilling to spend. (Daily News &
Analysis)
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As goods turn dearer, bargain hunters grow
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here to read the article
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Buoyant Expectations
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here to read the article
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Even as participants at the Indian Retail Forum in Mumbai, the
industrys annual jamboree, are being cautiously optimistic,
preliminary data from the first quarter of 2011-12 (FY12) reinforce
the perception of a slowdown. But growth of space expansion continues.
(Businessworld)
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Tommy Hilfiger buys out Murjani in JV
Click
here to read the article
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Tommy Hilfiger Group has bought out the Murjani Group’s 50% stake
in the latter’s joint venture (JV) with clothes maker Arvind Ltd
for an undisclosed sum, as part of a global strategy of consolidating
its operations and having a more direct role in its various markets.
(MINT)
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Shoppers Stop will be the launchpad for Paris Hilton's eponymous
brand of handbags and accessories in India. (The Economic Times)
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Paris Hilton to launch at Shoppers Stop
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here to read the article
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All for personal taste
Click
here to read the article
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To capture the hearts of millions of ever demanding consumers,
a tweak in the products has become the ace card for a marketing
game plan. (Retailer)
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Reliance Retail has begun door-to-door direct selling through
housewives and housing societies to boost sales of its private
brands such as Sudz detergent, Amara soaps and Healthy Life food
items. (The Economic Times)
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Housewives to peddle Reliance retail wares
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here to read the article
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Looking for good bargains? Go online
Click here
to read the article
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Indian websites like snapdeal, taggle, sosasta, mydala offer
up to 90% discount, pushing growth of online sales. (The Economic
Times)
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Indian personal-care (FMCG) companies have registered significant
increases in revenue despite commodity inflation, as consumption
patterns have gained momentum. (Businessworld)
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The Time for Personal Growth
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here to read the article
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Consultants, developers set up mall management firms
Click
here to read the article
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Mall developers entering an increasingly crowded market are calling
in experts to help them design and run their new projects. (Mint)
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Who doesn't love to strike a deal, with discounts from 10 per
cent to 90 per cent on lifestyle products and services? This is
why group buying (discount deals) websites show strong potential
in India. But there are many variables that these businesses need
to pay attention to in order to succeed. (The Smart CEO)
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The Art of Selling Discounts
Click
here to read the article
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Denizen: A new avatar
Click here to
read the article
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Levi's, with the launch of Signature, was being perceived as
a mass brand. Can it make a U-turn after phasing out Signature
and bringing in Denizen? (Pitch)
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Apparel sales in the country have slumped about 20% since March,
forcing many brands to start end-of-season discount sales two
weeks earlier than usual. (The Economic Times)
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Apparel sale slump after imposition of excise duty on branded
garments
Click
here to read the article
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Trent in talks with Inditex for one more brand
Click here
to read the article
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Trent, the flagship retail arm of Tatas, is in talks with Spanish
retailer Inditex group to bring another fashion brand, Massimo
Dutti, to India. (Business Standard)
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Reliance's re-entry into the cash-and-carry business assumes
significance even as global retailers such as Walmart, Tesco,
Metro and Carrefour are expanding their presence in India, and
amid anticipation that the government is likely to ease foreign
direct investment (FDI) norms in retail. (Businessworld)
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Reliance Retail Refreshed
Click
here to read the article
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RIL looks to re-enter cash-&-carry
Click
here to read the article
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Three years after its experimentation with cash-and-carry retail
fizzled out, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) plans a strong comeback.
(Business Standard)
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Considered as a mass brand in Spain, Zara came to India as a
premium brand and has managed unprecendented success. How did
Zara get its 4Ps right? (Pitch)
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Zara: Premium Fashion
Click here
to read the article
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Major Brands-Promod Plan JV, 40 Stores
Click here to
read the article
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Major Brands (India) Pvt. Ltd, the local franchisee for fashion
apparel and accessories brands such as Mango, Aldo, Charles &
Keith and Nine West, will form a joint venture with French womenswear
retailer Promod. (Mint)
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Back in the race now, Shoppers Stop is gathering speed in expansion
even as it improves operational glitches. (Businessworld)
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Few Halts For Shoppers Stop
Click here
to read the article
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Squeezing More Juice Per Fruit
Click here
to read the article
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Drink makers are busy courting the thirsty and the health-conscious.
Fruit beverage is seen as the next big squeeze, growing at a healthy
clip of 25 per cent year-on-year. (Businessworld)
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Beaten on its home turf Delhi, the $1-bn Mother Dairy is crafting
a new strategy to win back its base and go national. Mother Dairy
is placing emphasis on value-added, high-margin products. (The
Economic Times)
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Billion-dollar Mother Dairy's new strategies
Click here
to read the article
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A New Lifestyle
Click
here to read the article
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Micky Jagtiani's Lifestyle International went slow when others
were rushing. Now, it is ready with massive expansion plans in
the Indian market. (Businessworld)
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Western chains flock to India as fast food grows
Click
here to read the article
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A number of fast-food and cafe chains that are flocking to India
would do well to take away lessons learned by established rivals
such as McDonald's in navigating a market beset with obstacles.
(Reuters)
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Inditex entered India with its flagship brand Zara on a Friday
in May 2010 and that day the South Delhi outlet recorded the largest
single-day sale by an international retailer in the country. The
journey continues in 2011. (The Economic Times)
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Zara favourite among Indian shoppers
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here to read the article
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Makeover on the Shop Floor
Click here
to read the article
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Almost all established department store chains are reinventing
themselves in a bid to win customers who are spoilt for choice.
(Business Standard)
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Food Tech Holland Launched in India
Click
here to read the article
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The Indian presence of the Dutch supply chain cluster, Food Tech
Holland, was formally launched by Ashok Sinha, Secretary, Ministry
of Food Processing Industries, at the recently held Food Forum
India 2011 in Mumbai. (Images Food)
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Group buying websites, mostly launched in the last one year,
plan aggressive expansion as they see record traffic for their
offerings. (Business Standard)
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Group buying sites eye expansion
Click here
to read the article
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Retailer-manufacturer slugfest resurfaces
Click
here to read the article
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The margin issue between retailers and manufacturers
has resurfaced big time whether between Reckitt and Future
or consumer durables giants and Tata groups Croma. (Business
Standard)
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The fledging retail sector in India will enter an expansion period
and witness large-scale consolidation with increasing competition.
(China Daily)
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Indian retail sector to see fast expansion and consolidation
Click
here to read the article
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Home Truths
Click here
to read the article
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Large Indian retailers are using private labels to differentiate
themselves from competition, but also to flex their muscles in
their relationships with brand manufacturers.(Business Standard)
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The textile industry has sought measures to boost exports of
apparels and textile products in a cost-competitive market and
easier access to funds for cotton buyers as it peaks in a year
of global shortage. (Reuters)
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Textile firms seek exports boost in budget
Click
here to read the article
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Shoppers Stops new strategy
Click
here to read the article
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Shoppers Stop (SSL) has topped the list of the Most Respected
Companies in the retail category for the third year in a row.
The company has been rated No. 1 by its peers in all categories
except one. (Businessworld)
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Star Bazaar, the chain run by Tata-owned Trent Hypermarket, says
it used the economic slowdown to book properties when prices were
down, allowing it now to open more stores. (Business Standard)
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Star Bazaar pats itself on slowdown strategy
Click here
to read the article
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Britannia forays into breakfast mixes market
Click
here to read the article
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FMCG major Britannia Industries has entered the Rs 5 billion
branded breakfast space dominated by players like MTR Foods, Kellogg
India, PepsiCo and Marico. (The Times of India)
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Starbucks is finally coming to India. The world's largest premium
coffee retail chain announced that it has entered into an agreement
with Tata Coffee for a strategic alliance. (Business Standard)
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Tata Coffee brings Starbucks to India
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here to read the article
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Retail Outlook 2011 the Year Ahead
Click here
to read the article
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Retailers and mall operators in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Thailand and India share their views and expectations for 2011.
(Retail Asia)
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Luxury retailers from across the globe are thronging India, where
they see a huge potential for growth. However, they do have to
tackle significant hurdles along the way. (Retailer)
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Bumpy Road for Luxury Retail
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here to read the article
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Biba split: new firm in the offing
Click here
to read the article
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Bindra brothers split: Sanjay Bindra will sell his stake in an
all-cash deal in Biba Apparels Pvt. Ltd; new firm in the offing.
(MINT)
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The regional markets in the country are dominated by the regional
retailers. But national and international retailers are trying
to get better of them and are now modifying their offerings to
suit the regional tastes and preferences. (Retailer)
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Streak of regional colour
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here to read the article
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There are strong arguments both in favour of and against the
MRP (maximum retail price). Can we try giving retailers a chance
to flex prices? (Indiaretailing.com)
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Time's up for MRP?
Click here
to read the article
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Walmart: Back To The Front
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here to read the article
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In two years, the global retailer has built-up an impressive
supply chain that no Indian retailer can match. (Businessworld)
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Airtel's brand is going to be visible on two different continents.
The company believes a change in the logo signals its readiness
to change. But do consumers agree? (The Economic Times)
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Airtel's new logo comes in for criticism
Click
here to read the article
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Britannia, Marico, PepsiCo spot a big opportunity
Click
here to read the article
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Call it the breakfast war. The scramble to serve the first meal
of the day is getting busier with companies such as Britannia,
Marico, PepsiCo, Kellogg India and MTR Foods offering more and
more options to meet Indian consumers' rising demand for quick-fix
food. (The Economic Times)
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The Madras High Courts order rejecting Subhiksha's merger
proposition with Blue Green Constructions and Investment (BGCIL)
has put a big question mark on the revival of the retail chain.
(Businessworld)
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Reverses On Revival Path
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here to read the article
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A Brand New Story Everyday
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here to open the PDF file 
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Shweta Iyer talks about the pros and cons of launching a new
brand and tries to find a success mantra to survive in the industry.
(StoRAI - magazine of the Retailers' Association of India)
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After wooing customers with happy meals and extra-value meals,
Big Mac has added breakfast to its menu, which it believes will
keep the chain "ahead of competition". (Business
Standard)
|
Big Mac's New Menu
Click
here to read the article
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Woodland's eco drive
Click
here to read the article
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Woodland, the outdoor shoe and apparel maker, wants eco-friendliness
to become its brand recall. Heres how it plans to grow.
(Business Standard)
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Indian beauty salon chains are looking to expand operations,
offer cheaper services and increase the share of product sales
in their earnings. (MINT - A Wall Street Journal Partner)
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Indian beauty salon chains go on expansion spree
Click
here to read the article
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The Hidden Cost
Click here
to read the article
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Do Indian retailers underplay the expense on a promotion while
assessing the success of a sale campaign? Is top line growth the
only purpose of a promotional campaign? Do the numbers at retail
justify the costs involved? These are burning questions that need
to be addressed while assessing the efficacy of this oft-used
tool. (Images Business of Fashion)
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Everything was on the track until the very famous after-effect
of worldwide recession hit the Indian retail industry. The blow
was too hard for some, and some ducked the impact. (Retailer)
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Sustaining the not so sustainable
Click
here to read the article
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The Complete Coffee Experience
Click
here to read the article
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Initially, stocking additional merchandise was treated to be
a tool for branding but nowadays the same has managed to become
a source of additional revenue. (Retailer)
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As the competition heats up among shopping centres, what would
differentiate one from the other? The answer lies in localisation
of the shopping centre in line with local tastes and preferences.
(indiaretailing.com)
|
Go local, not global
Click
here to read the article
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Call of the Mall for Reluctant Shoppers
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here to read the article
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Reluctant shoppers who used to drag themselves to the market
even for that rare need-based shopping, dont mind walking
the clean corridors of some of the plush malls in town. (MINT
- A Wall Street Journal Partner)
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Back then, the sales were a much-awaited annual affair. Today,
discount sales run all year round. Modern retail appears to be
learning its lesson on right-pricing the hard way - the Indian
consumer will go where the value is. (Daily News & Analysis)
|
Retailers step up discounts
Click
here to read the article
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Club Couture
Click here
to read the article
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'Couture equals bridalwear'- this perception is just the start
of many a symptomatic issue that ails the Indian fashion sector.
(Business India)
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The latest catwalk designs, at affordable prices. That's Zara's
promise. But to deliver that in India, it will have to tweak its
centralized business model. (Forbes India)
|
Fast Fashion - Zara in India
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here to read the article
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India is warming up to fair trade. But the concept remains a
niche market as companies are hesitant about taking it to the
masses. (Forbes India)
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Fairtrade in India
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here to read the article
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Taking The High Road
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here to read the article
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Foreign brands are lining up to enter the Indian market. Although
many have positioned themselves as premium brands, most have become
prudent enough to ensure that the prices are not beyond the reach
of the Indian consumer. Indians are willing to pay more for foreign
apparel brands. The brands themselves have lowered prices. And
the resultant boom is attracting more players into India. (Outlook
Business)
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Customers visiting a store are looking for either the width of
merchandise the variety of product lines offered
or the depth the number of each item or particular style
of a product on offer. Which is more important? (IndiaRetailing)
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Width or Depth - A Critical Choice
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here to read the article
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Foreign Players in Indian Retail
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here to read the article
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While multinational companies have preferred franchise models,
more are now seeking joint ventures and greater control over their
presence in India. (Span)
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Jewellery retailers looking at malls need to focus on those that
are consistent with their own product mix and standing. (interview
to Retail Jeweller)
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Growing Jewellery Retail Through Malls
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here to read the article
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Textile Mills Ride Realty Boom
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here to read the article
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India's top textile firms are generating additional revenue streams
by developing or selling precious real estate as land rates rise
in a buoyant economy.(Reuters)
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Even the cautious are now convinced about the Indian recovery.
The GDP projections are creeping up, production figures look good
and, more importantly, demand is back. Organised retailers are
heaving a sigh of relief with an uptick in sales after a bad year.
But one group in the organised retail business is still not smiling:
the mall owners. (Businessworld)
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Malls - Surviving the Slump
Click here
to read the article
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The marketing mantra may sound incongruous outsibad year. But
one group in the organised retail business is still not smiling:
the mall owde a bar, but retailers from a range of sectors have
started borrowing it to push sales in traditionally lean hours--betting
that everyone loves discounts. (MINT)
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Retailers turn to happy hour discounts
Click here
to read the article
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He wants more
Click
here to read the article
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Thomas Varghese wants to take the Aditya Birla Group's retail
chain "More" to the top by 2015. But he has to give
it an identity first. (Businessworld)
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Cigarettes to hotel major ITC entered the consumer products business
in 2007. In three years, it has managed to corner a two per cent
market share. The personal care sector holds immense appeal for
ITC due to the category's size and growth potential. (Business
Standard)
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ITC tries to find its feet in personal care
Click
here to read the article
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Won't need? Don't pay.
Click
here to read the article
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Is it worth paying extra for feature-laden appliances or extended
warranties? Not always. Find out why the price may not live up
to the promise. (Money Today)
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Retailers need to ascertain that the format, product assortment
and the location of their store assures profits. How do exclusive
branded outlets (EBO), shop-in-shop (SIS) and multi-brand outlets
(MBO) compare as different channels? (Indiaretailing.com)
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It's All About the Format
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here to read the article
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Spinach withers in economic slowdown
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here to read the article
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Grocery supermarket chain Spinach appears to be caught up in
a slide that has seen a number of Indian retailers, particularly
from low-margin food and grocery industry, down shutters in the
wake of the economic slowdown. (MINT)
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Aigner, the German luxury brand, and Genesis Luxury, the up-market
retailing arm of Genesis Colors, have ended their tie-up in the
country, as their plans did not go as expected. (Business Standard)
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Another luxury partnership from abroad goes kaput
Click
here to read the article
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Textile makers seek more funds for technology in Budget
Click
here to read the article
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The textile industry had been battered by the economic slowdown
for much of 2008/09 but has begun to recover in the past 2-3 quarters.
But analysts said that the government needs to quicken disbursement
of funds as there was no clarity on how soon a unit can receive
the funds under TUFS, which is essentially a low interest-rate
loan. (Reuters)
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The second rung of retail players is shaking things up. But in
a highly competitive market, smaller retail chains have cracks
in their business models. Can they take the next leap? (Feature
article from Businessworld, 23 January 2010)
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Wild Cards
Click here
to read the article
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Retailers mull new strategies for small stores
Click
here to read the article
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Large retailers are trying to make their small food and grocery
stores viable by trying out new ideas. While some like Reliance
Retail are converting most of these stores into a deep- discount
value format, RPG Groups Spencers is looking at the
franchising route.
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As the New Year celebrations wear out sooner or later, bringing
to the fore the harsh realities, the first thing that is likely
to hit hard are the sharply rising food prices.
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Hotter chillies, tangier tomatoes
Click
here to read the article
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Global tie-ups, private labels to be buzzwords in retail
this year
Click
here to read the article
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Tie-ups with international retailers and brands, emphasis on
profitable growth and increased focus on private labels are set
to be key trends in the Indian retail sector in 2010, say retailers
and consultants that Business Standard spoke to.
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Parents continuously strive to do better for their children.
They play an indelible role in shaping up the eating habits of
their kids beginning at infancy. So when it comes the matter of
feeding their toddlers, urban Indians (parents) typically are
willing to go the extra mile in enhancing the nutrition quotient.
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Nutrition Trust - No Child's Play
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here to read the article
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High Cotton Prices Sour Rebound
Click
here to read the article
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An unforeseen drop in global cotton output has seen prices flare,
putting at risk the fragile recovery of India's textile industry
that was battered by the global recession earlier in the year
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"Rather than trying to fit the world to our business model,
we need to fit the business model to the real world that exists,"
comments Devangshu Dutta, chief executive of Third Eyesight.
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Customer-centric retailers roll the dice
Click
here to read the article
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Zoozoo merchandise launched by Vodafone and Shopper's
Stop
Click
here to read the article
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They're egg-headed, have squeaky voices and formless pale bodies,
but the viewers seemingly can't get enough of them. Vodafone's
Zoozoos have now ventured into merchandise. The reason: public
demand.
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With retailers downsizing operations, many senior executives
from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and telecom who had jumped
on the retail bandwagon a couple of years ago are making a quiet
comeback
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Retail dream fades for many FMCG, telecom executives
Click
here to read the article
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Sustainable Fashion Forum
Click
here to read the article
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Sustainability is a great concept like liberty - In three sessions,
the panel of speakers tackled three key issues: What is Sustainable
Fashion? Is Sustainable Fashion Profitable? Who Wants Sustainable
Fashion?
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The Indian call centre has become an international cliché.
Its employees are young, educated, English-speaking and compared
with their compatriots, well-off – and their disposable
income, along with that of the rest of India’s fast-growing
middle class, is driving extraordinary growth in the country’s
consumer goods market.
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Happy with home-grown
Click
here to read the article
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Quickening Service
Click
here to read the article
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Indian shopping hotspots are sporting more and more golden arches
these days. If McDonald’s is expanding like never before,
KFC is not far behind.
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Normally, the performance of the market leader is a fair indicator
of which way the wind is blowing in a sector, data from various
retailers suggest that sales picked up slightly, but urban consumption
could still be worrying.
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Not Out Of The Woods
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here to read the article
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Promises to keep
Click
here to read the article
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Real estate is the largest component of cost for a modern retailer
in India. At an average of 15 per cent of sales being paid out
as rentals – compared to 2-3 per cent of sales in developedmarkets
– just the retail space cost is enough to seriously dent
a low-margin retailer’s bottomline. However, is reductionin
rent the proverbial Final Solution?
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The fast growth of digital media has amplified the potential
of modern retailers to gain momentum in pushing brand building
and consumption of their respective products among younger consumers.
Opportunities in online brand building are particularly important
to understand, given the tremendous pressure Indian retailers
face in generating revenues robust enough to counter high operating
costs.
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Social Circuitry
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here to read the article
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Seeking the right value
Click
here to read the article
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A decade ago getting a branded footwear or apparel at 50 per
cent discount gave rise to doubts in the minds of consumers. The
stock was often comprised of store rejects and seconds. But this
phenomenon has taken a complete turn with the terminology also
being changed to value retailing.
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Managing business poses many challenges to a retailer. Gross
margin is only the starting point. A higher gross margin allows
the retailer much more scope in deciding the operating costs.
However, there are businesses with a high gross margin on products
but slow inventory turn and high markdowns as well.
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Gross Margin: How reflective is it?
Click
here to read the article
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Getting the retail value chain right
Click
here to read the article
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The consumer driven industry is feeling a dire need to streamline
processes and optimise operational efficiencies. Industry experts
are of the view that to fight back in this challenging environment,
retail value chain can prove a handy tool for retailers to understand
and identify performance improvements within the network while
at the same time improving the customer experience in every store.
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Gone are the days of basic satchels, canvas shoes and hand-me-down
clothes from elder siblings. Retailers are finding new ways to
create buying opportunities.
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Retailers discover potential in the
‘back-to-school’ market
Click
here to read the article
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Apparel retailers move into small towns for growth
Click
here to read the article
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Skyrocketing rentals in big cities also makes moving to tier
2 and tier 3 cities attractive for apparel retailers.
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After making their debut on television ads during the Indian
Premier League earlier this year, the lovable egg-headed Zoozoos
quickly made their way onto comic strips, newspaper mastheads,
birthday cakes, wedding cards, shoes, T-shirts, key chains and
even rakhis.
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Zoozoo rakhis, anyone?
Click
here to read the article
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Modern Food Retail: A tough balancing act
Click
here to read the article
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The primary challenge in food retail, is its supply chain, which
is making things difficult for retailers and food processors to
procure quality produce at competitive costs directly from farmers
in India.
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Convenience and low prices are spurring an increasing number
of Indians to purchase goods and services through the Internet.
The innovations in securing online transactions are also fuelling
the trend .
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Just click to buy and save more
Click
here to read the article
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Neighbourhood stores go off the beaten track
Click
here to read the article
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Modern retail is here in India to stay and growing but the friendly
neighborhood stores are fighting back - and how.
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It has been suggested that investing in innovation during a downturn
helps retailers counter depressed consumer sentiments but a downturn
also creates opportunities in the market and it may be the best
time to invest in value marketing.
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Survival of the fittest
Click
here to read the article
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Homeware retailers change tack - Adopt new strategies
to prop sales and cut losses
Click
here to read the article
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Speciality home ware retail chains have changed tack as home
sales drop and shoppers defer buying big-ticket items like furniture
and furnishing to save cash in the downturn. To counter the slowing
sales, retailers have adopted strategies to prop sales and cut
losses.
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The sustainability of any business depends - to a large degree
- on loyal customers who come back again and again. A loyalty
scheme can enable a retailer to not only to be in touch with its
customers more regularly, but also to distinguish between customers
and service the individual customers much better.
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The Mystery of The Shopper
Click
here to read the article
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RETAIL The Burden Of Debt
Click
here to read the article
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Being an entrepreneur, Kishore Biyani is not shy of burning his
fingers. Biyani took on a huge debt to expand Pantaloon Retail
very quickly. Now the slowdown is making him rethink the Future
Group's business plans and structure.
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When the recession started in the second half of 2008, luxury
retailers predicted that high-end brands would be immune as their
target group would neither tighten their Chanel belts nor compromise
on their lifestyles. Six months on, terms like recessionista and
chicko-nomics are in and the Richie Rich club is shying away from
luxury.
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Cut-price couture
Click
here to read the article
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Slowdown Spiking E-Tailing?
Click
here to read the article
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Statistics gathered from eBay India reveal that one of the top-selling
categories are jewellery and watches. Other hot categories are
clothing and accessories, sporting goods, collectibles, home furnishings
and musical instruments. These online shopping trends throw two
big myths out of the window. One that the lack of the "touch
and feel" factor is the biggest constraint in the path of
e-commerce growth in India. And second, that only low value items
peddle on the net.
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Raheja-owned department al store chain Shoppers Stop Limited
(SSL) is pulling out of unviable new ventures and shutting loss-making
stores to conserve cash for the company in the ongoing economic
downturn.
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Shoppers Stop pulls out from unviable projects
Click
here to read the article
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Against the grain
Click
here to read the article
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Rice, which has long held the reputation of being the food of
the masses, is witnessing a silent transformation in India. Things
have come a long way from the “touch and feel” approach
to purchasing rice by the weight to the modern era in which the
busy urban Indian consumer is beginning to place his or her trust
in branded and packaged rice.
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The jewellery trade and industry has taken a hit. The global
economic meltdown, the winds of recession, the slump in diamond
and jewellery exports, massive lay-offs, closure of factories
(SEEPZ, Surat), the volatile prices of gold and, most importantly,
the dampened sentiment of the consuming class (especially for
non-essentials like jewellery) have adversely impacted this sector.
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What should Jewellers be doing next?
Click
here to read the article
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Pantaloon sees second slowest sales growth in 5 years
Click
here to read the article
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Pantaloon Retail's same-store sales in January grew at the second
slowest pace in five years as consumers curbed spending and the
retailer struggled to survive the downturn by offering discounts.The
slow growth comes after the retailer's value and lifestyle same-store
sales registered a negative growth in December.
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Indian textile manufacturers have sought a two-year moratorium
on repayment of term loans, withdrawal of excise duties on man-made
fibres and waiver of service taxes on exports as well as taxes
on textile machinery. The embattled textile industry, reeling
under a slowdown in demand and high input costs, also seek to
bring domestic cotton prices at par with international prices.
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BUDGET VIEW
India textile makers seek loan repayment moratorium
Click
here to read the article
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Bangladesh Pips India in Garment Exports
Click
here to read the article
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For the first time, Bangladesh has garnered more market share
than India in garment exports to the US, the largest importer
of garments. Bangladesh has now taken the fifth position, which
was previously occupied by India, in the list of largest garment-exporting
countries to the US, pushing India to the sixth position.
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The exciting developments in India's
dynamic, consumer-led retail sector and the export opportunities
being created for British companies are the subjects of a conference
to be staged by UK Trade & Investment's London International
Trade Team on 27 January. |
India's Retail Boom in the Export Spotlight
Click
here to read the article
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Balm for the soul
Click
here to read the article
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Growth in the smaller towns and rural markets can still be driven
by penetration and improved availability levels of stock-keeping
units. There are still vast swathes of consumers in India whose
consumption of packaged skin and personal care products is negligible
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The history of catalogue retailing
is interesting. What began out of necessity, soon developed into
a channel offering convenience of shopping from home. With the trend
of catalogue retailing yet to gain momentum in India, most retailers
- still focussed on the brick and mortar format- are yet to fully
exploit the true potential of the medium |
Catalogue Retail in India – Work in Progress
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here to read the article
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Retail Kiosk – Plug and Profit
Click
here to read the article
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The Indian retail scenario has been witnessing significant advancement
with traditional retail formats making way for more innovative
and technologically evolved formats. One of the innovations to
watch out for is the 'retail kiosk', which truly makes business
sense for retailers because of its cost benefit structure at the
‘point of sale’ establishment process and ease and
convenience for the customers too.
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Lack of an apex body, along with
the absence of time-bound deadlines, are being cited as reasons
behind the poor implementation of the scheme for integrated textile
parks (SITPs), which is the textile ministry's flagship scheme,
according to industry experts. |
Textile parks scheme hit by slow execution
Click
here to read the article
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Textile firms battle global slump despite
rupee fall
Click
here to read the article
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Textile companies may not benefit much from the rupee's weakness
as a slump in global demand and prior currency hedges trim bottomlines
in an industry dominated by exports. However, the global credit
crisis, which triggered the rupee's fall in the first place, is
also leading to slump in global textile demand.
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The global financial crisis has
undermined the viability of India’s textile and clothing players’
business, The textile industry is one of the few industries in India
that are export weighted and the global turmoil can cause a deep
dent into it. |
Global Crisis Could Badly Hit Indian Textile Industry
Click
here to read the article
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The Indian Retail Market
Click
here to read the article
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A perspective on the Indian retail market, the growth path followed
in the past, views on the evolution path it could take, the opportunities
as well as the challenges that need to be address. (Chapter
1 from the India Retail Report 2009)
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A report by Third Eyesight, has
called upon the Indian textile and apparel industry to urgently
develop capabilities to capture the value being lost due to inadequate
focus on product development and downstream products. |
Eternal Hope to Reality
Click
here to read the article
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Building the Safety Net
Click here
to open the PDF file
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In a departure from popular retail philosophy, the author calls
for a new model of food supply based on multiplicity and diversity.
Modern retail must take into account the changing environment
and be sensitive to evolving consumer preferences. (By Devangshu
Dutta)
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Private Equity (PE) investment in
India is on the rise, commensurate with global interest in the booming
Indian economy. However, big ticket PE investments have not really
come the retail way. In the times to come, is there a possibility
of big time PE investment in the retail sector? |
Private Interests
Click
here to open the PDF file
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Food and grocery retailers are leaving no stone unturned to gain
the loyalty of the spoilt-for-choice consumers. One bad experience
and poof! The loyal shopper is gone for good. Not only does this
imply assuring good shopping experience every time a consumer
enters a store, but also retain them by ensuring an impressive
visual treat for them. You get only one chance to create the first
impression. This impression would either create a happy loyal
shopper or would eliminate their chance of ever stepping into
the store again. A store that projects a differentiated image
and branding definitely gains in the long term.
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Indian fashion has true potential to grow exponentially in the
next decade. But before that, there are many issues that the creators
and producers of fashion need to address.
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Quo Vadis fashion industry?
Click
here to read the article
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Strapless
Click here
to read the article
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In 2004, Oswal group forayed into innerwear business under the
brand of 'Sensa' with a view to cater to the growing ready-to-wear
fashion apparel market. Thereafter, the company renamed its retail
innerwear business as 'Straps', offering lingerie, nightwear and
maternity wear in 2006. And finally in 2008; Oswal Retail decided
to wind up its innerwear business and close down its 22 exclusive
outlets of 'Straps'.
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Since India bars overseas investments in a retail venture selling
multi-branded products to consumers, the two foreign funds have
invested in MedPlus’ wholesale arm.
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Foreign venture cos fund medical retail chain’s
back-end business
Click
here to read the article
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Retailers tighten purse strings amid economic slowdown
Click
here to read the article
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As costs rise and economic growth slows, Indian retailers are
looking at ways to trim expenses and protect their profits. Unlike
mom-and-pop stores, large retail formats have much higher cost
obligations, said Devangshu Dutta, chief executive of retail
consultancy firm Third Eyesight. Organizations with larger
cost heads will be first to get hit in case of a slowdown.
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Many retailers, saddled with excessive inventory and caught flat-footed
by optimistic sales forecasts, have had to launch early "end-of-season"
sales this year and the more innovative ones are trying to stand
out in that deep discount clutter. The midnight-sale by Spykar
has become one of the many retail innovations that stores are
using to get more shoppers into their stores. And, much like a
"happy hour" in a bar, retailers are offering steep
discounts during such "off" hours or on certain days
when foot traffic is normally slow.
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Retailers cross other side of midnight
Click
here to read the article
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Third Eyesight Knowledge Series©
Textiles Workshop
Click
here to open the PDF file
|
The apparel and textile industry has grown and matured a lot
over the last few years - from an unorganized to an organized
sector. However, this in turn has increased the need for constant
improvement and upgradation of knowledge and skills. An update
on a workshop conducted by Third Eyesight.
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Senior executive's outlook towards
supply chain tends to differ considerably from that of supply chain
manager's. While SCM professionals concerns are usually operational
and immediate in nature, senior executives prefer looking at the
slightly distant supply chain objectives. The increasing realization
of supply chain's strategic relevance is prompting senior executives
to increase their involvement in the supply chain affairs of the
organization albeit at a macro level. |
Logistics Management - Executive Involvement
Click
here to open the PDF file
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URBAN LEGENDS OR LEGACIES?
Click
here to open the PDF file
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Many people l know treat shopping centres or malls as a new phenomenon,
a progressive development of recent times, or a modern blot on
the traditional cityscape (depending on your point of view). Lest
one forgets, Grand Bazaar (lstanbul, Turkey) is the earliest known
mall, with the original structures built in 1464,with additions
and embellishments later.
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India has 267 million mobile phones. And the market is growing
at the rate of five million phones per month. As a result, companies
are quite busy leveraging the medium.
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Mobile Marketing
Click
here to read the article
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Logistics Management - Supply Chain Strategies
Click
here to open the PDF file
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Quite a few companies have realized the importance of developing
distinct supply chain strategies that are aligned with business
strategies. This helps them capture cross-enterprise opportunities
that not only generate cost and capital efficiencies, but also
help drive top-line opportunities. However, in India the idea
of letting the supply chain enter the corporate boardroom still
seems somewhat alien to many.
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India has literally millions of individuals who would prefer
to be their own boss and run a business, rather than being an
employee. There are joint families, where resources may be available
in the form of some real estate and family members who can be
part of the business. Personal loans are available from family
and friends, in the close social fabric of our communities. This
is ideal ground for franchising,” says Devangshu Dutta,
chief executive, Third Eyesight, a consulting firm focused on
the retail and consumer products sector.
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Profit From Franchising
Click
here to read the article
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Shopper's Stop targets younger buyers with Rs 20 crore brand
revamp
Click here
to read the article
|
Shopper's Stop Ltd, the 24-store retail chain, got a new look
at a glitzy function featuring actor Shah Rukh Khan, nightclub
lighting and hundreds of saplings that will be planted as part
of the stores' Rs. 20 crore (Rs. 200 million) rebranding exercise.
The chain, which started in a defunct suburban Mumbai movie theatre
in 1991, got itself a new black-and-white logo, uniforms, print
and television campaigns, carry bags and even an anthem and an
in-store radio channel. It will also launch an Internet shopping
platform along with a Think Green campaign.
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Indian retailers are a worried lot these days. There has been
a decline in margins and it's one of the lowest ever, according
to some retailers. As inflation touched a 41-month high, chains
across the country, especially the smaller players, have been
trying every trick in the book to attract consumers, and keep
them coming in, even as they struggle to grow profitably. (From
The Economic Times)
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Inflation Hurting Retailers Margins
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