Cover Story

The man who saw tomorrow
He has a head start in retail, but Kishore Biyani may have already begun to gravitate towards his next big squeeze: Financial services.

Shoppers won't stop
Shoppers’ stop has the experience, but still lacks scale.
Booting up again
A resurgent bottom line has propelled Bata to beef up its retail presence.
Plenty in store
Dabur has spotted a format that fits in well with its core biz, but it’s still experimenting with store sizes.
Next 'bolld' move
Videocon’s retail business is targeting a $3-billion turnover in less than half a decade.
Bull in an India shop
Will being a mall developer prove an advantage for Indiabulls Retail?
The Goliath cometh
Bharti-Wal-Mart is moving cautiously, but it’s been tying up its loose ends—or rather the back-end.
More up its sleeve
Along with hypermarkets and supermarkets, A.V. Birla Group is focussedon family apparel stores.
Footprint for footfalls
With Croma,Westside,Titan and Tanishq stores, and much more, the Tatas have a formidable retail presence.
Hyperactive
Hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, rural business hubs…Reliance is on a retailing blitzkrieg, but is it on the right track?
Retail wars
The retail industry is expected to sink all of $36 billion into various formats by 2013. This would result in an industry with an estimated turnover of $110 billion by 2014. And the big boys are here to stay. However, the obvious and billion-dollar question is: Will all of them be able to co-exist over the longer term?

2008-06-15

Digital

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Editors note

From the editor

Our cover story (Retail Wars) details the plans that the biggest players in the business have for that market and takes a look at what they've already put on the ground. As each of them vies for the largest share of the customer's wallet, get ready to witness India's imminent retail battles.

BT More

From the Isle of the Dodo

Executive Chef Gurpreet Bhatia, who spent the last four years there, tells us the secrets of Mauritian food.

A perfect Accord?

The Accord has been moving up the evolutionary ladder as well, with each successive generation. With more powerful if not larger engines, with more space and luxury features, it has slowly been inching up the luxury scale and the latest Accord is another step in its upward journey.

Munch at will

Dig in. Gorge on all those sinful snacks you have been dying to try out, without fear of losing your abs to flab.

India's most luxurious homes

Private swimming pools, elegant gardens en suite in your 22nd floor apartment, elevators to bring the Merc up to your floor, exclusive health clubs for your family and mini golf courses just in case you feel like swinging the five iron on a Sunday morning—Indian developers are redefining luxury beyond imagination.

Fancy a home abroad

Property developers in West Asia and Mauritius are luring our millionaires to snap up mutli-crore villas in their countries. We lookn at what's on offer.

Let the music play

A lavish dinner or a few glasses of beer may make you smile, but it makes you put on weight as well. Work it off by tapping your feet to some great live music as you have a ball at these cool chill zones.

Bottoms up

On a warm summer evening in Delhi, we checked out some of the best flavoured vodkas you can order at five-star lounge bars in India, and survived to tell you the secrets we learnt.

Lives less ordinary

A 21st century Mata Hari, a budding jazz musician in New York and an Indian boy on a journey of self-discovery: this fortnight, we look at three novels that centre around individuals who find themselves in alien lands.

A cricket buff and and a collector

Gary R. Bennett, MD & CEO,Max New York Life Insurance, has lost 54 kg in two years, loves the good things of life and also believes in karma, for good measure.

A red for your biryani

I was at a ‘serious wine tasting event’—that’s what they call drinking during the daytime these days—when the bulb of inspiration for this column lit in my head. The wine that did it was an Italian red named Bottega Vinai Teroldego Rotaliano DOC 2006.

Cool glares that don't cost the earth

The sun is out again this summer and so, a new pair of shades are in order. Here are the best you can buy under 30K.

Drowned in sound

Interesting cutting-edge artistes have always gone for independent record labels, which allow them greater freedom. We take a look at some of the bigger independent labels.

Drool value: The world's most expensive mansions

Mumbai’s rich and famous are ready to shell out Rs 50 crore for luxury apartments with a 180-degree view of the Marine Drive. Homes in Delhi and Bangalore are closing in on the Rs 20-crore mark as well. But a home that costs over Rs 600 crore? There’s no harm dreaming, is there? Read on to find out about the world’s most expensive homes.

India's most luxurious apartments

Private pools, elevators that go straight to your living room, terrace gardens and jacuzzis: luxury apartments in India are getting a makeover like never before. BT More gives you an inside view of the most luxurious apartments that you can buy in the country today.

Bologna catwalk

The famous Ducati bikes are coming to India soon. But they have some good competition as well. Get set for a feast.

It's buy buy time

Here are some cool new products to tempt you with— from watches and shoes to fragrances and priceless porcelain. Go splurge!

All about clubs

Feel like hitting a high fade today? No problem. Tinkle with the weights at the back of the driver, put in a shaft with a higher launch angle and off you go. At least five manufacturers have introduced fitting systems that feature special heads and shafts that can be interchanged using wrenches.

Own your paradise

A large villa overlooking the sea, private pools with jacuzzis... who gives a damn? Go buy your own island.

The rockumentaries

Rock’n’roll and the Blues have always been one of the most visually appealing genres of music. This issue, we take a look at some rock music documentaries that you can now get on DVD.

Humpback trail in Lion country

It’s a scorcher of a summer. But in the Southern Hemisphere, some people are enjoying the chill. Head to the cool climes of South Africa, one of the world’s most preferred destinations, and discover the lesser-known parts of that beautiful country.

Jobs

Legal eagles take wing

Lawyers ride an M&A tailwind.

Go luxe,get hired

Luxury goods purveyors, who see a rich market in India, are hunting for talent.

Trends

Carbon market: Growing biz

India has emerged as the second largest seller of carbon credits in the world, with a 6 per cent market share in 2007. China tops the list with huge 73 per cent share, according to recent World Bank report.

The cost of oil

What you see at the petrol pump is the finished product of a very long journey, and one where lots of cost gets added. We take a look at the journey.

Numbers of note

Rs 44 crore: Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s paycheck for 2007-08, a 45 per cent increase over his remuneration of Rs 30.46 crore in the previous year

Talebearer

The differences between Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia have apparently deepened.

Economy watch

Zooming steel prices are bad news for industry as well as consumers as several industries, like auto, real estate, consumer goods and others that use steel will see a rise in input costs.

YouTube goes local

YouTube has launched its India site targeting local content. This is the 20th country site to be launched by YouTube.

India Inc. wakes up to brand values

They have a ticket to fly

Infrastructure companies and real estate developers, in particular, are acquiring new corporate jets as they expand their footprint across India. Even those who already own aircraft are buying more.

Through the roof

A listing of the 5 most expensive property deals in Mumbai.

Regulations cramping PEs

Private equity investors, who invested $17.13 billion (Rs 68,520 crore) in 339 deals in India in 2007, consider regulatory issues to be the most important barrier to investment, according to a KPMG survey on Private Equity Investing in India.

Instant tip

The fortnight’s burning question. Is the weakening of the rupee the beginning of a longerterm trend?

Old wine, new bottle

The sticking point remains the same as before—the new “discussion text” released last week on trade in agricultural and industrial products requires developing countries to grant considerable access to their domestic market in order to draw minuscule concessions from the rich countries.

Another oil shock

Rising crude prices could derail India’s growth story and cause massive pain all around.

"We need to execute better"

Ronald W. Hovespian, 45, CEO of Novell, an open source solutions vendor, was in India recently to review his company’s operations in this country. He spoke to BT’s Rahul Sachitanand on a range of issues.

Just wondering ...

What has been happening at MTR foods since it was taken over by the Norwaybased Orkla Foods for Rs 354 crore in February, 2007? Well, it seems Orkla is now looking to fine-tune MTR’s product portfolio.

To be precise

“One cannot say each week that the government must take some measures to bring down prices or have some solutions because you must recognise that even in a normal year, prices do rise seasonally between May and September”Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, to Agencies

Current

In the dock

There is a saying at Satyam Computer Services that when it comes to dealing with customers, it is not alchemy but chemistry that works. But what if the equations turn sour and outcomes get toxic?

Setting back the sensex

After January’s panic sell-off which saw the Sensex tumble below the 15,000 mark, the stock market seemed to be recovering modestly on the back of an above-average showing by corporate India.

On MTN's trail

Bharti’s out of the race, but is R-Comm in? Analysts are skeptical that Ambani can pull off a deal for now. But there was little clarity at the time of writing of what lay ahead. MTN, for its part, was still in play.

Not the beetle, but small it is

With plans to introduce the Jetta, a Honda-Accord/Toyota-Camry-sized car in a few months, Volkswagen is beefing up its dealer network.

Clear air turbulence

Will rising costs claim one of India’s new airlines, much like they did back in 1996 when East-West, Damania and ModiLuft folded up in the space of a few months?

Quagmire? no, legal mire

With increasing pressure on the Indian government to open up the legal services sector, a heated debate is on about the virtues of liberalising the market. The general feeling seems to be that India is not yet ready for international competition.

BRIC under stress

The BRIC firms, however, remain confident about their business prospects (they expect growth in business, revenues, profits, and pricing power) over the next 12 months.

Not an open and shut case

After weeks of suspense and drama, Bangalore’s new international airport at Devanahalli, 33 km from the city, has come to life, but the old airport has not ended its life as yet; it has been put on a ventilator for the next three months.

Blazing a trail

Cognizant has galloped into the Fortune 1000.

Niche play medicine

Drug firms are doing what it takes to differentiate them.

Bridging the Gulf

The Tatas and Birlas are once again in a telecom alliance.

Himalayan trek

Will the Tatas’ foray into mineral water travel well?

Bricster's Banter

John Thain, Chairman & CEO, Merrill Lynch, was in Mumbai recently, where he let on that “there’s a lot of wealth being created in India”, even as he pointed out that Merrill was very much on the mend in the US.

Comic relief

ACK Media hopes to tap the large captive audience in India for these titles and then look beyond to a sizeable diaspora, many of whom have grown up on these comics.

Editorial

Gaining momentum

Psephology is a difficult job at the best of times and in the most homogenous of states. In India— with all casteist, religious, ethnic and regional fault lines—it is doubly so.

Retail's pain point

India Inc.’s first flush of romance with organised retail is now getting tempered by the realities that often crop up in a long-term relationship.

Increase petrol prices, subsidise other fuels

For a beleaguered UPA government, increasingly under fire from the Left and the Opposition over galloping inflation, the sharp rise in global crude oil prices couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time.

Letters

Good for the game

IPL is an outstanding success. Top overseas cricketers playing alongside homegrown stars in a spirit of camaraderie is a sight to behold, especially in the backdrop of a surge in sledging and other on-field controversies. IPL has certainly benefitted cricket. But the business tycoons who have invested millions in their teams will have to wait a little longer to break even and make profits. They will also have to constantly innovate to make profits every year. 

Printed Circuit

Are you game?

Nokia is making sure that it gets its N-Gage gaming platform right the second time around.

Features

Now, it's time to get cracking

Key reforms are stuck with states because the onus of implementation lies with them, and not the central government. But the laggard states have to get moving if they want their share of the country’s economic bonanza. BT's Shalini S. Dagar reports.

Their other empire

Quietly, Malvinder and Shivinder have built a clutch of businesses from healthcare to financial services that is already worth more than a fifth of their flagship, Ranbaxy. How big can their non pharma empire get? BT's Shalini S. Dagar finds out. Ranbaxy Laboratories: Clinical precisionGoing for growth: Malvinder Mohan Singh

India's best manufacturing hubs

The sheer amount of manufacturing activity taking place in small towns of India is mindboggling. Shops are being set up at breakneck speed and there is massive expansion. Where are these clusters located, and can they really deliver on their promise? Here is what Business Today discovered.

How Sanjay Lalbhai is reinventing Arvind

Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Shrenik Lalbhai has chalked out an aggressive growth plan for brands and retail, which is expected to change the face of his company over the next two-three years. BT's Anand Adhikari finds out whether he is on the right track.

In This Issue

The big A

Big is Anil Ambani’s media brand and the name seems to define his ambitions in the sector. The world’s sixth-richest man, with a networth of $45 billion (Rs 1.93 lakh crore), will now be pumping in a billion dollars into razzmatazz’s ultimate pilgrimage, Hollywood—producing 10 movies over a period of 18 months.

Beach resorts at sea

The West Bengal Directorate of Tourism has included the Mandarmoni- Purushottompur Beach in its Beach Circuit Tourism. However, the place not only lacks road infrastructure, it doesn’t even have electricity. To top it all, the state government’s stand on the coastal regulation zone has left Mandarmoni hoteliers puzzled. Ritwik Mukherjee takes stock.

Schools of hope

In its otherwise dismal track record in education, the Government of India’s Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are proving to be the passport out of poverty for thousands of underprivileged children. BT's Kapil Bajaj talks to some of the alumni. In slideshow: Success stories from JNV

People

Winning ways

Lynn de Souza, Chairman and CEO, Lintas Media Group; Infosys’s N.R. Narayana Murthy; Grover Wines’ Karishma Grover; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon; Jandhyala Harinarayan of IRDA and former Joint Managing Director of Max India, B. Anantharaman.

Special

How we did it

How we did i arrived on the list for the large, mid-size and small companies.

India's fastest growing small companies

Companies with revenues less than Rs 1,000 crore that grew the fastest in 2007.

India's fastest growing mid-sized companies

Companies with revenues between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 2,000 crore that grew the fastest in 2007.

India's fastest growing companies

Business Today presents an annual listing of India Inc.'s fastest growing large, mid-size and small companies based on their revenues.

Money

The ABC of stock lending

Although stock lending has yet to gather momentum, it promises long-term investors a chance to make an extra buck from idle shares.

Bullish on India

The country’s growth story remains intact, says a new report.

The final lap

US64 bonds will soon mature. It’s time for bond holders to look at other options.

The fight against inflation

The price rise is pushing household budgets over the edge and is threatening to derail long-term savings targets. What’s worse, the monster doesn't look like going away in a hurry.

Securing their future

Higher education is not out of bounds for your children as banks are ready to finance their dreams. Here’s how to fund their education.

Top Mind

Say Tata to web attacks

A service from the Tata Group that monitors web traffic to prevent a DDoS attack.

Policy Watch

Easier FDI norms planned

Foreign investors have, in the past, sought the removal of this stipulation, arguing that it prevented them from making investments in the country. Several FDI plans have been blocked due to Press Note 1.

No consensus on GST

Fresh differences have cropped up between the Centre and the states over the proposed goods and services tax (GST).

Wrangling over 3G services

The rollout of the 3G network may not happen until late 2009. The reason: the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) just can’t seem to agree on anything.

News Maker

Billy Bowden

Necessity, in Brent Fraser “billy” Bowden’s case, was, indeed, the mother of invention, as rheumatoid arthritis made him invent the crooked finger signal that has spelt doom for many a batsman in international cricket.

Noted

Inked: By Ranbaxy, an agreement with the US-based Merck for discovery and clinical development of antiinfective drugs. Ranbaxy will be paid an undisclosed sum upfront, and will potentially receive over $100 million (Rs 430 crore) per drug on achieving various R&D and regulatory milestones. Ranbaxy CEO & MD Malvinder Singh said the returns will start flowing to the company from this (second quarter) itself.

Deal Watch

Deal watch

Every month, we bring you a listing of the biggest deals struck by Indian companies in India and abroad. Our partner: global professional services firm Ernst & Young. Here are the deals that were struck in May 2008.

Back of the Book

Dream factories

Sriperumbudur is humming with change as scores of telecom and electronics majors are employing increased number of women—who constitute over 40 per cent of the workforce. They, in turn, have become dream weavers for their families, thanks to their work. Business Today's Nitya Varadarajan reports.

Book

The global elite

A riveting read on how the rich and the powerful are shaping our world today.

Event

"Networks are key"

With business goals constantly changing, organisations have to optimise their network capabilities to achieve operational excellence.

Treadmill

How to stay energetic all day

Summer is the perfect time to get fit, lose weight and start taking care of your health—and it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Find out how.

Four for the shoulders

This is one routine that tends to get short shrift in the strength training sections of gyms. While most men tend to focus a lot on chest exercises, like the ever popular bench press, or on building their biceps and triceps, the shoulder muscles are often dealt with cursorily.

Cover Story

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