Author: Neel Achary

Vincom Retail Hosts Global Partner Forum, Unveils Vision for Experiential Retail Growth

Ho Chi Minh City, March 23 (BNP): Vincom Retail hosted a large-scale partner forum titled “The New Era – Partnering to Shape the Future” in Ho Chi Minh City on March 20, bringing together over 500 domestic and international stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and collaboration opportunities in Vietnam’s evolving retail landscape.

The event saw participation from leading global and regional brands including UNIQLO, MUJI, Decathlon, Pandora, Starbucks, and Central Retail, alongside prominent Vietnamese brands and retail chains.

At the forum, Vincom Retail highlighted the rapid transformation of shopping malls into integrated lifestyle destinations, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward immersive experiences and social engagement rather than conventional purchasing.

Outlining its strategic roadmap to 2030, the company said it aims to position itself as a leading retail real estate developer and operator in Asia. The strategy focuses on building world-class destinations, expanding its international footprint, and fostering a global ecosystem that enables new retail concepts to enter Vietnam.

As part of its product strategy, Vincom Retail is advancing two core models: Vincom Mega Mall, positioned as a large-scale “shoppertainment” hub, and Vincom Collection, a “retail-tainment” concept integrating shopping with tourism through experiences centred on play, discovery, dining, and relaxation.

A key highlight was the introduction of a “super destination” model at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, which will feature 15 next-generation retail complexes. Initial projects such as Vincom Mega Mall Can Gio and Vincom Collection Cosmo Bay are expected to deliver immersive, sustainable, and nature-integrated experiences.

Industry leaders at the event underscored the importance of partnerships in driving growth. Representatives from brands such as Dookki noted that collaboration with Vincom Retail has enabled expansion and innovation in Vietnam’s competitive F&B sector.

Vincom Retail also reiterated its role as a key platform connecting international and domestic brands, supporting market entry, scaling operations, and enhancing customer experiences.

Currently, Vincom Retail operates 90 shopping malls across Vietnam with a total gross leasable area of 1.9 million square metres, along with 5,500 shophouses spanning 31 provinces and cities. The company partners with more than 1,000 brands and ranks among Southeast Asia’s largest retail real estate developers by scale.

The forum concluded with a focus on strengthening long-term partnerships and leveraging emerging “super destinations” such as Can Gio to drive the next phase of Vietnam’s retail growth.

The House of Lakmē and p é r o Close Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI with a Grand Finale Showcase

Mumbai, Mar 23: Lakmē unveiled its latest beauty statement, the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, at the Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI Grand Finale in collaboration with celebrated design house p é r o. Closing the season at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the showcase translated Lakmē’s beauty vision onto the runway, celebrating the modern working individual who moves seamlessly between ambition and moments of well-earned escape. Joining the runway, Aneet Padda embodied the confident and expressive spirit of the Lakmē woman. 

The runway further explored this duality through a narrative of balance and self-expression. It celebrated individuality, ease, and the quiet confidence of those who navigate ambition and moments of pause with equal intent. 

Translating this spirit onto the runway, p é r o’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Out of Office, reimagined the everyday office as a metaphor for routine and escape. From fluorescent-lit desks to distant horizons beyond frosted windows, the collection balanced minimalism and restraint, focusing on purity of form, texture, and tone through handcrafted elements and a serene aesthetic.

Sunanda Khaitan, CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, HUL, highlighted the seamless blend of beauty and fashion through Lakmē’s collaboration with p é r o for the finale saying,  “At Lakmē, we continue to celebrate the many dimensions of the modern working woman – her ambition, her individuality, and her well-earned moments of pause. With the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, we wanted to bring this idea of balance to life on the runway. Partnering with p é r o felt like a natural choice, as Aneeth’s thoughtful, craft-led design philosophy beautifully captures this sentiment, translating the spirit of moving from hustle to holiday into a runway story that feels joyful, expressive, and authentic.” 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to present p é r o Fall Winter 2026, Out of Office as the closing runway presentation at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI’s Grand Finale. To have people attend our “metaphorical” office on a Sunday, was truly special. The space served as the perfect portal transforming the mundane into an anticipated escape for everyone present. Suspended between structure and levity, the collection juxtaposed seamlessly with the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, becoming an effortless extension and expression of the modern woman-one who’s always on the move”, said Aneeth Arora, Founder of p é r o from Lakmē Grand Finale collection showcase. 

Lakmē’s GenZ face, Aneet Padda said, “Walking the Grand Finale for The House of Lakmē with p é r o was truly special. It felt like stepping into a story that’s both grounded and freeing at the same time. There’s a quiet strength in the way this showcase reimagines everyday routines into something more expressive and personal. For me, it wasn’t just about walking the runway for Lakmē, it was about representing a mindset that values individuality, fluidity, and finding your own rhythm between work and escape. Lakmē celebrating this story of the modern working woman is incredibly empowering.” 

The Grand Finale marked a vibrant culmination of the season, bringing together Lakmē’s beauty innovation and p é r o’s craft-led storytelling in a showcase that celebrated woman who move with confidence, purpose, and a deep sense of self.

Adyen Expands Partnership with Cathay Pacific, Extends Direct Acquiring to India and Key Global Markets

Singapore, March 23 (BNP): Global financial technology platform Adyen on Monday announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, extending direct acquiring services across multiple international markets, including India.

The enhanced collaboration, which builds on a partnership that began in 2014, now covers markets such as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and most recently, India. The development marks a significant milestone in Cathay Pacific’s global commerce strategy, with Adyen playing a central role in streamlining the airline’s payment infrastructure.

Adyen said its direct acquiring capabilities are aimed at improving transaction performance by increasing authorization rates, lowering payment processing costs, and enabling revenue growth across geographies.

In India, where the solution was recently rolled out, Cathay Pacific has reported a 10 per cent increase in authorization rates since implementation, the company said.

Kinto Chan, General Manager, Sales and Distribution at Cathay Pacific, said the partnership supports the airline’s focus on delivering a seamless and secure customer experience while expanding into key markets.

Adyen’s President for Asia Pacific, Warren Hayashi, said the collaboration is designed to simplify global payment complexities and enhance conversion rates, thereby supporting Cathay Pacific’s commercial growth worldwide.

The expanded partnership underscores the growing importance of integrated payment solutions in the aviation sector as airlines seek to optimise digital transactions and improve customer experience across markets.

West Asia Crisis Puts India’s Energy Strategy to the Test, Accelerates Shift to Resilient Supply Chains

New Delhi (BNP Analysis): The ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have once again exposed the vulnerabilities—and emerging strengths—of India’s energy and supply chain architecture. While immediate disruptions have been contained, the situation is fast becoming a stress test for the country’s long-term economic resilience.

At the heart of the government’s response lies a familiar concern: energy security. With the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global oil flows—under strain, India has moved to stabilise domestic fuel availability through high refinery utilisation and adequate stockpiling. For businesses, this has translated into short-term stability in fuel supply, helping avoid the kind of volatility that can ripple across manufacturing, logistics and consumer markets.

However, the calibrated rationing of natural gas for industrial and commercial users signals an underlying constraint. While priority allocation to households and transport ensures social and economic continuity, industries dependent on gas-based inputs may face cost pressures or supply adjustments if disruptions persist. This could particularly affect sectors such as ceramics, glass, fertilisers and city gas-dependent enterprises.

The pressure on commercial LPG supply further highlights India’s dependence on imports for key energy inputs. The government’s move to increase allocations and prioritise essential sectors—such as hospitality, food services and healthcare—offers temporary relief. Yet, for businesses, especially MSMEs and urban service providers, the episode reinforces the need to diversify energy sources and invest in alternatives like piped natural gas (PNG) and electric systems.

In fact, one of the most notable policy signals emerging from the crisis is the accelerated push towards PNG adoption. By streamlining approvals, incentivising connections and nudging commercial establishments to shift away from LPG, the government appears to be using the disruption as a catalyst for structural transition in urban energy consumption.

The fallback on kerosene and coal as supplementary fuels, while effective as a short-term buffer, also underscores the trade-offs between sustainability and supply security. For energy-intensive industries, this raises important questions around compliance costs, emissions targets and future regulatory alignment.

Beyond energy, the government’s focus on preventing hoarding and ensuring last-mile supply stability carries direct implications for market confidence. Strong enforcement actions and the activation of monitoring mechanisms across states are critical to avoiding artificial shortages, price distortions and speculative behaviour—factors that can quickly disrupt business operations.

From a logistics standpoint, India’s maritime ecosystem has so far demonstrated resilience. With port operations running smoothly and shipping routes being actively monitored, trade flows have remained largely unaffected. This continuity is particularly crucial for export-import dependent sectors, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods.

The aviation and mobility dimension, however, presents a more complex picture. Airspace disruptions in parts of West Asia have necessitated rerouting of flights, potentially increasing operational costs for airlines and travel time for passengers. For businesses with a significant workforce presence in the Gulf, this could translate into logistical challenges and higher travel expenses in the near term.

The large-scale movement of Indian nationals back home also has economic implications. While remittance flows may not see an immediate impact, prolonged instability in the region could affect labour markets and income streams linked to the Gulf economies.

Strategically, the current crisis is likely to accelerate India’s efforts to diversify both energy sources and trade routes. Investments in alternative energy infrastructure, expansion of gas networks, and exploration of new import corridors are expected to gain urgency. At the same time, businesses may increasingly factor geopolitical risk into supply chain planning and procurement strategies.

In the final analysis, while India’s immediate response has ensured stability, the West Asia crisis serves as a reminder that resilience is no longer optional—it is a competitive necessity. For corporate India, the message is clear: agility in energy use, diversification of supply chains and alignment with evolving policy directions will be key to navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

Centre to Launch 7th Round of Critical Mineral Auctions to Boost Resource Security

New Delhi, Mar 23 (BNP): G. Kishan Reddy will on Monday launch the seventh tranche of auctions for critical and strategic mineral blocks, in a move aimed at strengthening India’s mineral security and supporting emerging sectors such as clean energy and advanced technologies.

The launch will take place in the presence of Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, the Ministry of Mines said.

Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, tungsten, vanadium and titanium have become increasingly important amid the global shift towards clean energy and high-tech manufacturing. However, their limited availability and concentration in select geographies pose challenges to stable supply chains.

To address these concerns, the government amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in August 2023, identifying 24 minerals as critical and strategic. The amendment empowers the Centre to auction mining leases and composite licences for these resources, while revenues are allocated to the respective state governments.

The ministry has so far conducted six rounds of auctions, successfully allocating 46 mineral blocks, indicating strong industry interest and growing investor confidence in the sector.

In the upcoming tranche, 19 mineral blocks across multiple states will be offered under mining lease and composite licence categories. These blocks include a range of minerals vital for industries such as renewable energy, fertilisers and strategic manufacturing.

Officials said recent regulatory reforms have further improved the auction framework by enhancing transparency and reducing delays in operationalisation. Changes in rules have streamlined processes such as upfront payments, performance security and issuance of letters of intent, while also allowing insurance surety bonds as an alternative to bank guarantees.

The auctions will be conducted through a transparent, online two-stage ascending forward bidding process, with successful bidders selected based on the highest revenue share offered.

Coal Gasification Crucial for Energy Security, Industrial Growth: G. Kishan Reddy

New Delhi, Mar 22 (BNP): G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday said coal gasification will play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s energy security, reducing import dependence and supporting industrial growth, while addressing the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.

Speaking to industry leaders, experts, start-ups, researchers and policymakers, the minister said India’s rapidly expanding economy requires a balanced energy strategy that aligns growth with sustainability. He noted that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the country is witnessing strong progress across manufacturing, infrastructure, digital connectivity and innovation.

Highlighting India’s vast coal reserves of nearly 400 billion tonnes—among the largest globally—Reddy said coal currently accounts for about 55 per cent of the country’s energy mix and nearly 74 per cent of electricity generation. With annual demand at around one billion tonnes and expected to rise significantly by 2047, he underlined the continued importance of coal even as India pursues its Net Zero emissions target by 2070.

Describing coal gasification as a transformative technology, the minister said it converts coal into syngas, which can be used to produce cleaner fuels, chemicals, fertilisers and hydrogen, enabling more efficient and sustainable utilisation of domestic resources. He also pointed to India’s heavy dependence on imports, including crude oil, natural gas, methanol and fertilisers, stressing the need to enhance energy self-reliance.

Reddy said the government has launched the National Coal Gasification Mission with a target of achieving 100 million tonnes of gasification by 2030. An incentive scheme worth ₹8,500 crore has been introduced to support projects across the public and private sectors, with investments exceeding ₹64,000 crore already in the pipeline.

He also highlighted advanced technologies such as Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) for their potential to utilise otherwise inaccessible reserves while reducing environmental impact.

Calling for greater collaboration among industry, academia, start-ups and research institutions, the minister said coal gasification spans multiple sectors, including power, oil and gas, and fertilisers. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investments through supportive policies, streamlined approvals and incentives.

Expressing confidence in India’s capabilities, Reddy said the country is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in clean coal technologies while advancing energy security, sustainability, and self-reliance.