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Tag: india

  • Mercedes-Benz India Kick Starts Bookings For The A-Class Limousine

    Mercedes-Benz India Kick Starts Bookings For The A-Class Limousine

    Mercedes-Benz India will soon launch the A-Class Limousine and the company has already kick-started bookings in the country. A part on the new-generation A-Class range, the new sedan version is positioned below the Mercedes-Benz CLA, is currently the most affordable three-pointed star sedan globally. The A-Class Limousine will be available in 3 variants. There’ll be petrol, diesel and an AMG variant on offer. The booking amount for the car has been set at ₹ 2 lakh

    The front sees sharp-looking LED headlamps with eyebrow-like LED daytime running lamps. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class also comes with a set of sporty twin-5-spoke alloy wheels (in sizes 16 to 19 inches), new sleeker ORVMs with integrated LED turn signal lights, a bold waistline, blackened B-pillar, and a sloping roofline. The four-door notchback has the wheelbase of the hatchback (2729 millimeters) as well as the proportions of a compact saloon with short overhangs at the front and rear.

    The A-Class sedan’s cabin is largely identical to its hatchback counterpart with a well-equipped dashboard larger fully-digital instrument cluster paired with a fully-digital infotainment system. The dashboard also features the signature rotor-like chrome air-con vents, a multi-functional new steering wheel, and a smart-looking center console in piano black finish.

    The car will also get the MBUX multimedia system – Mercedes-Benz User Experience – with artificial intelligence, which made its debut in India with the new-gen GLE, which is also here on display. The system comes with features like – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with wireless charging areas for your smartphone. Powertrain wise, the A-Class will come with a pair of 2.0-liter petrol and diesel engine and both are BS6 compliant.

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  • Metro Cash & Carry India plans more stores

    Metro Cash & Carry India plans more stores

    European wholesale group Metro Cash & Carry will launch five new locations in India by the end of the year.

    The firm is also building its supply partnerships with local small-scale “kirana” stores, and has already secured 2000 partners in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi. It has provided these small businesses with specialized point-of-sale devices outfitted with an app to help owners order items from Metro online, as well as generate daily sales and profit reports and track sales data.

    “We believe in helping kiranas in increasing their sell-out,” said Metro Cash & Carry India MD and CEO Arvind Mediratta to ETtech, “not just sell to them because if their sell-out improves, and if they think Metro can help increase their sell-out, we automatically become their preferred supplier.

    “The whole idea is how to make a kirana store smarter in terms of usage of technology, by running business more efficiently, targeting more customers using data analytics, drive more customer traffic and make it more successful and profitable.”

    Metro’s devices allow the kirana stores to trade using e-payment services. The firm is also offering loans for remodelling costs to help modernise these outlets.

    The firm’s five new cash & carry stores will be established in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It currently operates 27 such outlets in 17 cities within the territory.

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  • Aditya Birla plans to open 500 stores this year

    Aditya Birla plans to open 500 stores this year

    India’s Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail is set to launch more than 500 stores by the end of the year.

    According to reporting in The Economic Times, the firm, which owns the Pantaloons fast-fashion brand, is counting on shifting buyer interest towards its branded clothing despite economic indicators of a lull in consumer spending – and its plans represent three times the company’s normal growth rate. Aditya Birla’s strategy seeks to invigorate spending while speeding up the expansion of exclusive brand outlets, including conversion of some large wholesalers into exclusive brand outlets.

    “The general consumption habits are changing, especially in a digitally connected network, when you are seeing a desire for brands and aspiration for better quality products,” said Aditya Birla MD Ashish Dikshit.

    “There is a very large movement to buy brands and the opportunity in a country like India will keep emerging from new markets.”

    The firm also currently plans to release a line of mass-market traditional ethnic wear, which represents an estimated 30 percent of the overall apparel market in India.

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  • Indian Apple reseller Aptronix expands footprint

    Indian Apple reseller Aptronix expands footprint

    Indian Apple reseller Aptronix has launched six new stores in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

    The firm has opened four locations in Chennai and one each in Coimbatore and Kochi.

    “With these six stores across Chennai,” said company founder Sutinder Singh, “Aptronix will be the largest partner of Apple in Chennai and India. As the largest premium reseller partner of Apple, we are committed to our growth plans and are steadily expanding our path across cities.”

    “We provide easy access for our customers by catering to their diverse Apple product requirements,” said Aptronix director Meghna Singh.

    “Our premium centres will strengthen and boost retail and service networks across the country.”

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  • Indian tea chain Chaayos raises capital for expansion

    Indian tea chain Chaayos raises capital for expansion

    Sunshine Teahouse, the parent of Indian tea chain Chaayos, has raised US$21.5 million in a new funding round.

    The fundraising, led by US firm Think Investments and including $3 million of venture debt from InnoVen Capital, will assist the firm to increase its store count to 300 within three to four years.

    “We will deploy the capital to expand our store network, hire a few more senior people, and invest more in technology,” Chaayos founder and CEO Nitin Saluja said in an article published by Livemint.

    Tea chain Chaayos is noted for its use of an IoT-enabled teamaker, called Chai Monk.

    “We have structured ourselves as a neo-retail business, which is a traditional retail business heavily leveraged on technology,” said Saluja. “The entire technology stack that Chaayos runs on has been developed in-house and we have filed for multiple patents as well”.

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  • Vivo India opens Mumbai flagship

    Vivo India opens Mumbai flagship

    Chinese smartphone brand Vivo has opened an experiential flagship store in Thane, Maharashtra as Vivo India eyes 250 new stores this year.

    The 1800sqft outlet is the second of 20 stores planned for the territory, according to the India News Service. Vivo India currently operates an experiential retail store in Bengaluru as well.

    “The offline channel has been an essential part of our go-to-market strategy and we would continue to invest in this channel,” said Vivo India director of brand strategy Nipun Marya.

    “We intend to launch more than 250 exclusive stores in 2020, taking the total number to 600.”

    Showcasing Vivo’s entire range of devices and accessories, the store will also feature an interactive touch-enabled LED screen allowing customers to explore products in more detail, as well as gaming, VR and customer interaction zones.

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  • Vietjet opens three more direct routes connecting Vietnam with India, boosting the regional connection further

    Vietjet opens three more direct routes connecting Vietnam with India, boosting the regional connection further

    To meet rising demand for air travel between Vietnam and India as well as across the region, Vietjet has announced three new direct routes connecting Vietnam’s three largest hubs, Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with two of India’s largest economic, political and cultural centres, New Delhi and Mumbai.

    The Da Nang – New Delhi and Hanoi – Mumbai routes will commence operations starting from 14 May 2020 with a frequency of five flights per week and three flights per week respectively. The Ho Chi Minh City – Mumbai route will operate four weekly flights starting from 15 May 2020.

    “We are excited to continue connecting Vietnam destinations to the market of over 1.2 billion population in India after receiving positive feedback regarding our previous two direct flights that linked both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with New Delhi,” said Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thanh Son.

    “With just over five hours of flight time per leg, and a convenient flight schedule throughout the week, Vietjet’s newest routes between Vietnam and India will create many more trade and tourism opportunities between the two countries, helping to boost the economies of both. The expansion of Vietjet’s flight network into India also reaffirms the airline’s ongoing commitment to continuously help flyers in saving cost and time. Passengers can enjoy flying on our new and modern aircraft, and taking transit flights to famous destinations across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and many other countries, thanks to Vietjet’s extensive flight network in the Asia Pacific region,” he added.

    Located in Central Vietnam, Da Nang not only possesses beautiful beaches but also world-famous tourist attractions, such as the Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills, Dragon Bridge, and much more. The city also serves as a gateway to many of the country’s most famous heritage sites, including the ancient town of Hoi An, the former imperial citadel in Hue city, the world’s biggest cave Son Doong and many other fascinating destinations. Meanwhile, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam’s two largest political, financial, economic and cultural hubs, offering tourists a heady mix of historical sites, cultural activities, incredible shopping options, cosmopolitan dining as well as amazing street food.

    In recent years, India has emerged into one of Asia’s most exciting and attractive destinations thanks to its diverse cultural, religious, culinary and tourist attractions. Besides the incredible capital of New Delhi, Mumbai, once known as Bombay, serves as one of India’s most important financial and economic centres and is an extremely enchanting destination in its own right. India is also well-known as an ancient and captivating land with many treasures of cultural heritage, colorful festivals and historic religious sites.

    With the addition of the three new routes, Vietjet will become the operator with the most direct routes between the two countries, offering five direct routes from and to India. The airline currently operates the HCMC/Hanoi – New Delhi services at a frequency of four weekly flights and three weekly flights, respectively.

    As the people’s airline of choice, Vietjet always keeps up to date with the latest travel trends to introduce new flying opportunities to more and more people at reasonable prices. The new-age carrier has also implemented a program called “Protect the planet – Fly with Vietjet”, which involves a series of meaningful activities, such as “Let’s clean up the ocean”, “Take action against plastic waste”, and many more initiatives, to help create a green planet for all of humanity and protect the environment for future generations.

    Flight schedule of new flights between Vietnam and India:

    Flight Flight code Frequency Departure
    (Local time)    		 Arrival

    (Local time)
    Da Nang – New Delhi VJ831 5 flights/week

    Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

    		 18:15 21:30
    New Delhi – Da Nang VJ830 5 flights/week

    Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun

    		 22:50 5:20
    Hanoi – Mumbai VJ907 3 flights/week

    Tue, Thu, Sat

    		 20:20 23:30
    Mumbai – Hanoi VJ910 3 flights/week

    Wed, Fri, Sun

    		 00:35 6:55
    HCMC – Mumbai VJ883 4 flights/week

    Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

    		 19:55 23:30
    Mumbai – HCMC VJ884 4 flights/week

    Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat

    		 00:35 7:25
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  • Reliance to launch Balenciaga in India

    Reliance to launch Balenciaga in India

    Indian retailer Reliance Brands is to launch Spanish fashion label Balenciaga in India.

    The move comes shortly after Reliance signed a deal to bring US luxury jewelry brand Tiffany and Co to India last July, with the first store opening last month in New Delhi.

    The first Balenciaga in India store will open in the Jio World Centre mall in Mumbai.

    Reliance now holds a portfolio of more than 45 international luxury and premium brands.It operates more than 682 stores.

    Balenciaga is a Basque heritage label that was acquired by Kering nearly 20 years ago. It sells in several locations in Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Mainland China. It achieved US$15 billion in sales in 2018.

  • Applebee’s to enter India

    Applebee’s to enter India

    American grill bar & pancake chain Applebee’s will launch its first Indian location in Bengaluru this year.

    The brand will be established in the territory via a partnership with local operator Dine Brands International.

    “India is an important growth market for us,” said Dine Brands president – international Steve Joyce. “As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India represents an opportunity for Applebee’s and we think Indian guests will love our local as well as Western tastes, hand-made to order menu items and signature cocktail bar.”

    “We are the newest Applebee’s international franchisee and will introduce their food and beverage to India,” said Dine Brands international franchisees CEO Rohit Malhotra.

    The firm is expected to open another nine Applebee’s restaurants over a seven-year period.

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  • How Reliance’s JioMart platform will reshape India’s online grocery market

    How Reliance’s JioMart platform will reshape India’s online grocery market

    Reliance Industries has entered India’s online grocery retailing market via a new e-commerce platform JioMart, which started pilot trials last month in Mumbai.

    Through JioMart, it is planning to offer more than 50,000 products and connect 30 million offline retailers with more than 200 million households across the nation.

    The value chain created by JioMart connects local offline retailers on a large scale with its merchant point-of-sale solution, where it provides user-friendly digital platforms for inventory management, customer care services and other services required by the retailers. JioMart plans to bring in electronics and clothing and footwear under its scope in the near future.

    The food-and-grocery (F&G)sector is tipped to be the next business battle for online retailers in India. Retailers, both domestic and international, have been proactive in their approach towards the rapidly growing online F&G sector in a bid to capture a large customer base.

    GlobalData estimates that the online F&G market in India grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 71.2 percent between 2013 and 2018 and is set to grow at a CAGR of 45.5 percent during 2018-2023 as the urban working population is rising in Indian cities and retailers are venturing into non-metro cities. This growth is also supported by the rapidly growing mobile internet and smartphone penetration.

    RIL’s JioMart eyes the massive potential in online F&G retailing, which is estimated to reach US$9.12 billion in 2023. Reliance is known for its disruptive ideas and business approach, and the same can be said for its latest venture, JioMart.

    With its retail wing in cash and carry outlets through Reliance Fresh and Reliance Supermart, and a massive customer base with India’s largest telecom network in the form of Jio, capturing the market is not going to be tough for JioMart.

    As a domestic company, Reliance gets the advantage that Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart miss due to the new e-commerce regulations to safeguard the interests of domestic offline retailers in the country.”

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  • First Tiffany store opens in New Delhi

    First Tiffany store opens in New Delhi

    The first Tiffany India store has opened, located in New Delhi’s upmarket The Chanakya shopping center.

    The 2600sqft store was described as “an important milestone for our iconic brand” by Tiffany & Co CEO Alessandro Bogliolo.

    “As a global luxury jeweler with stores in many of the world’s most important cities, Tiffany’s emergence in New Delhi presents a unique opportunity, particularly given India’s growing luxury consumer base and passion for jewelry,” he said.

    The Tiffany India store stocks the full range of Tiffany’s jewelry collections, hardware, and home & accessories collections.

    Meanwhile, Tiffany & Co shareholders have approved a multibillion-dollar takeover offer by French luxury-goods maker LVMH, scheduled to take effect later this year.

    Tiffany operates more than 300 stores in more than 25 countries, including 80 in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • India’s duty-free purchase limits to be cut

    India’s duty-free purchase limits to be cut

    Proposed changes to India’s duty-free purchase limits may dent the country’s duty-free market growth prospects, says GlobalData.

    The country’s Commerce and Industry Ministry plans to limit duty-free alcohol sales to inbound travelers to one bottle or one liter per person – half the current limit – and to ban all sales of tobacco products.

    The ministry also plans to reduce the value of goods and gifts that a passenger can get into the country without paying import duty which is currently capped at US$712.65 (INR50,000). The government says the move will bring duty-free limits into line with other countries such as the US, China, and South Korea.

    “The proposed changes, if implemented, will negatively impact the duty-free market in India as alcoholic beverages and cigarettes account for a significant share of total duty-free sales,” says Vijay Bhupathiraju, a retail analyst at GlobalData.

    “Drinks is the largest product category sold in the Indian duty-free market with category sales at US$695.7 million in 2018, accounting for 66.8 percent of overall duty-free sales. However, the proposed slashing of the limit on alcoholic drinks to half is forecast to reduce the category sales by nearly 25 percent.

    “On the other hand, tobacco is the fourth-largest product category with its sales at US$64.7 million (6.2 percent share) in 2018. If the proposed plan to completely prohibit inbound tourists from purchasing cigarette cartons at duty-free shops is to be believed, it results in a complete nullification of inbound spending on cigarettes, slashing the category sales by as high as 50 percent,” said Bhupathiraju.

    India is the world’s fastest-growing duty-free market globally, with sales growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.1 percent during 2013-2018 to reach US$1 billion in 2018 and forecast to grow at a CAGR of 19.2 percent to reach US$2.5 million by 2023.

    Bhupathiraju says if the proposed changes are enacted, India’s duty-free retailers need to diversify their offerings to include essential product categories such as cosmetics and toiletries, food, and jewelry and watches to offset lost sales in liquor and cigarettes.

    “The move is also a jolt to non-aviation revenues for airports, impacting the overall growth of airport retail in an otherwise fast-growing airport retail market.”

  • Bangladesh – DHL Express named Best Workplace in Asia for 2019

    Bangladesh – DHL Express named Best Workplace in Asia for 2019

    DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has been named the Best Workplace in Asia for 2019 by Great Place to Work (GPTW), the global people analytics and consulting firm are known for its annual Best Workplaces list.

    “We are extremely honored to be recognized as the leading employer and best-practice workplace in Asia Pacific,” said Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express, Asia Pacific.

    “It is important that our employees are always motivated and engaged because they determine the success of our company. We treat our employees the way we would like them to treat our customers, by fostering a culture of authenticity, responsibility, dignity, performance, and results. This award is a testament to the passion and energy that each one of us brings with us to work every day to make DHL a special place to be.”

    DHL Express received GPTW’s prestigious award for the fourth time since 2016, naming it the Best Workplace in Asia in 2016 and 2017 as well as the runner-up in the same category in 2018. This year’s honor came amid positive recognition of its workplace culture across 15 countries and territories in Asia Pacific.

    DHL Express garnered commendable scores on both the Trust Index and the Culture Audit, which canvassed direct feedback from employees to determine workplace levels of fairness and equity, diversity and talent development.

    “DHL’s success as an organization hinges on the unique background, experiences, and perspectives that each of our employees brings. Our strength in respecting and empowering the individual ensures everyone works together as a tightly-integrated whole to strive for exceptional performance,” said Mateen Thiruselvaam, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, DHL Express, Asia Pacific.

    “Feedback mechanisms like the annual Employee Opinion Survey make sure that everyone is heard, and enable us to assess and fine-tune our culture so that we constantly reach toward and extend beyond our full potential.”

    In 2018, DHL won a total of 50 awards for its workplace culture, bringing the total number of awards won from 2014 to 192.

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  • Indian fashion star Sabyasachi Mukherjee seals deal with H&M

    Indian fashion star Sabyasachi Mukherjee seals deal with H&M

    H&M has collaborated with Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee to launch a new collection this year.

    The Sabyasachi x H&M collaboration themed “Wanderlust” will feature apparel for men and women, jewellery and accessories. “Taking cues from India’s rich textile, craft and history, the collection mixes modern and traditional silhouettes with a nod towards athleisure and glamping,” the company said in a statement.

    “H&M gives us the opportunity to spread the Sabyasachi aesthetic to a wider audience in India and worldwide,” said Sabyasachi Mukherjee. “Having done couture for the majority of my career, it is very exciting to bring that finesse of craft to ‘ready-to-wear’ and create whimsical and fluid silhouettes that bring relaxed sophistication to everyday life.”

    The new collection will be available in stores across India as well as selected flagship stores around the world on April 16, under the label Wanderlust.

    Prior to H&M, Sabyasachi has collaborated with other international designers and brands including Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, Pottery Barn, Balmain and Versace.

    Sabyasachi Mukherjee launched his eponymous label in 1999. The designer has 5 flagship stores across India and has also founded Sabyasachi Art Foundation, a tribute to his artist mother.

  • Mercedes-Benz India Announces Its Line-Up For 2020 Auto Expo

    Mercedes-Benz India Announces Its Line-Up For 2020 Auto Expo

    Mercedes-Benz India has announced its line-up for the 2020 Auto Expo, for which the company has planned a range of products, services, and future technology. Among the product line-up at the pavilion, the Stuttgart-based carmaker will also have some of the upcoming models set to be launched in India this year. That includes the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, the AMG GT 63 S 4 door coupe, and the new-gen GLA, among other models. The company will also showcase its first electric SUV for India, the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC Edition 1886, which is slated to be launched in April 2020.

    The new A-Class sedan will be one of the key products to be introduced in India in 2020 and will mark the entry of the new-gen A-Class range in India. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC 4 door Coupe, on the other hand, is also an important product for India, and we were the first ones to drive it. In fact, the car is the world’s fastest series production four-seater and will rival the Porsche Panamera. The new-gen Mercedes-Benz GLA only makes its global debut in December 2019 and is also set to be launched later this year. The EQC 1886, on the other hand, is the forerunner of Mercedes-Benz’s new product brand ‘EQ’ for electric mobility globally.

    Talking about the company’s Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “As leaders in the luxury car industry, our investments at the Auto Expo firmly reiterate Mercedes-Benz’s confidence in the long-term prospect of the luxury car market and the bullishness of its customers; it also underlines our responsibility to drive the industry and provide a positive stimulus to the market. Inspired by our mantra of “Restless for Tomorrow”, the Mercedes-Benz pavilion will be a perfect embodiment of modern luxury, future technology, and progressiveness, all of which are synonymous with the Three-Pointed Star”.

    The Mercedes-Benz pavilion at the Auto Expo 2020 will also have sedans like the new E-Class, MB Certified C-Class, and something from Mercedes-Maybach on display. In addition to the GLA, the company will also showcase the new-gen GLE and GLS, along with a bunch of AMG models like – AMG G 63, AMG A 35 Sedan and AMG C 43 Coupe. Mercedes-Benz will also showcase its flying car concept, the Volocopter, at the auto show. The carmaker will also showcase a bunch of digital innovations like – an e-commerce marketplace for sale of MB cars, collections, MBUX interactive exhibition, what3words and more.

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