Zahra Khan, Sapna Agarwal, MINT Mumbai, November 12, 2013 Marks & Spencer (M&S) on Monday said it expects to have 80 stores in India by 2016, making the country the largest international market by stores outside of the UK. Marc Bolland, chief executive of London-based Marks and Spencer Group Plc, said India is the retailer’s new “priority market” and a “key sourcing hub”. “We also want to expand to attractive tier-II cities like Surat and Kanpur, and aim for more than 80 stores by 2016,” he said in an interview, adding, “China used to be the priority international market, but…
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Meghna Maiti, KR Sudhaman, Financial Chronicle Mumbai/New Delhi, November 11, 2013 PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are in a competition of another kind, both saying on Monday they would invest huge amounts in India. If they do come about as promised, investments amounting to a total of $10 billion will come in from the two cola giants by 2020. Elections or no elections, PepsiCo’s India-born chairperson and CEO, Indra Nooyi, said the firm would invest $5.5 billion (Rs 33,000 crore) in India by 2020 to more than double its capacity here. “We are not guided by elections. We are guided by the…
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Raghavendra Kamath & Sayantani Kar, Business Standard Mumbai, November 10, 2013 Shikhar Dhawan has often twirled his much-coveted handlebar moustache after his blazing international cricket performances. But he will now be seen flaunting his moustache in ads for Fashion at Big Bazaar (FBB), Kishore Biyani's flagship clothing brand sold in his hypermarkets. The yet-to-be-launched promotional campaign for FBB's winter collection replaces the earlier Desh badla, bhesh badlo (new attire for a new nation), featuring cricketer M S Dhoni and actor Asin. The close-to-Rs 200 crore budget for FBB's promotions would mean the audience will soon see a lot more of…
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Nupur Anand, DNA - Daily News & Analysis Mumbai, October 26, 2013 Happy hours, a concept limited to liquor, is finding its way into quick-service restaurant and cafe chains. Dominos, the pizza chain, is giving buy-one-get-one free offer, while fine-dine restaurants such as Blue Frog in Mumbai are offering 50% discount during lunch time. Costa Coffee has also been running a happy hour programme post 7 pm. Devangshu Dutta of Third Eyesight said though this concept originates from bars, other retailers are also increasingly using it to drive footfalls. “No doubt there is a slowdown and consumer sentiment has been…
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Agence France Presse Mumbai, October 23, 2013 The Centre One shopping mall on the outskirts of Mumbai is gloomy and bereft of customers, even during India's annual festive and wedding season when retailers traditionally cash in. "Business is dull, usually weak," said one bored-looking fashion salesman. The shopping centre's empty look is no exception. In the past decade, supermarkets and malls have spread across India's large cities and towns, fuelled by fast economic growth and excitement about middle-class buying power. A "Malls in India" report released by Images Research last month found 470 shopping centres were operational this year, up…
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