10, Oct 2023
DS Group To Infuse Over Rs 500 Cr to expand its current Hospitality portfolio
New Delhi, October 10th, 2023 – Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG Conglomerate, is set to significantly expand its presence in the hospitality sector with a cumulative investment of over INR 500 crores in the six properties it currently owns. With this investment, the DS Group is poised to achieve a CAGR of 15% in the hospitality segment over the next 2-3 years which is higher than the industry.
As part of its expansion plan, DS Group aims to acquire three new properties over the next three years to make it a total of nine premium properties across the country. The three new properties will be in India’s North and Eastern regions. Upon completing this expansion plan, DS Group aims to have a total of 1500 keys across its hospitality properties thus, reinforcing its position in the hospitality industry. The growth strategy will incorporate a mix of organic and inorganic elements.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, of DS Group, said, “DS Group’s strategic growth vision is aligned to the overarching vision of delivering exceptional, meticulously crafted, and memorable guest experiences to leverage the synergies while aiming to capture new market opportunities. With our valued partners, we are very optimistic about our future and aim to create meaningful value for all our stakeholders.”
The DS Group has been in the hospitality business since 2000. Presently, its hospitality portfolio encompasses six distinguished properties such as The Manu Maharani in Nainital and Namah in Jim Corbett National Park, which are both members of Radisson Individuals, Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati, Crowne Plaza, Jaipur Tonk Road, Holiday Inn Express, Kolkata Airport and the Marriot managed Renaissance Hotel in Bengaluru.
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- By Rabindra
10, Oct 2023
Adore Group Acquired 15-acre land in Sec-84 Faridabad for its Next Luxury Project
New Delhi: NCR’s leading real estate player Adore Group has acquired 15-acre land in Sec-84, Faridabad to develop a luxury real estate project. The premium project with modern architecture will comprise high-rise buildings alongside low-rise builder floors.
Once completed the project will house close to 500 families. It is expected to generate a total saleable value of around INR 700 crores.
“This is for the first time in Faridabad, we will be witnessing a state-of-the-art low-rise housing project with modern amenities. Our projects will have all the modern facilities from swanky clubhouse to international quality swimming and a host of other topline amenities.” Quoted Mr. Jetaish Gupta, Co-Founder & Director, Adore Group.
“The preferences of homebuyers are now changing very fast in Faridabad. There is a visible appetite for premium properties with top-notch amenities and world-class facilities. In this regard, our new offering is aimed at satiating the evolving taste of the homebuyers in the region.’ Further added Mr. Jetaish Gupta.
Located in Sector – 84, the project can be a prudent investment decision as well. The micro market located in the Greater Faridabad region is home to a thriving residential and commercial community. The Faridabad bypass road is just at a distance of 2 km, which makes it well-connected to other parts of NCR. The Bata Chowk metro station is close by ( ~ 6 km). The region has plenty of quality schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities, rendering an improved livability index to the locals. It is also situated at an approachable distance from major commercial catchments of Faridabad.
Starting in 2015, Adore Group is currently a well-known name in NCR’s real estate industry. Hitherto, it has working on more than 20 projects with a cumulative area of over 10 million sq ft.
10, Oct 2023
Cogoport, global trade platform, elevated Hrishikesh Kulkarni as Chief Operating Officer, India
Gurugram, 10th October 2023: Cogoport, a global trade platform, today announced the appointment of Hrishikesh Kulkarni as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). With its headquarters in Singapore and a global presence spanning India, Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Cogoport is at the forefront of technological advancements in global trade.
In his new role, Hrishikesh will be based at the Gurgaon office and will assume responsibility for the growth of Cogoport’s operations in India and collaborating with other international offices to help SMEs globalize their business. He will focus on enhancing operational efficiency to elevate customer experiences and bolster the company’s financial standing through the strategic utilization of technology.
Hrishikesh Kulkarni graduated from IIT Bombay in 2009 and throughout his professional journey, he has leveraged technology to solve customer problems and scale the organizations. Before joining Cogoport, he had experience in driving innovation in fintech, insuretech, and OTT, and in driving efficiency across teams. In his previous role as VP, of Engineering, Hrishikesh has helped Cogoport scale during the uncertain time of COVID-19.
Commenting on Kulkarni’s appointment, Amitabh Shankar, CEO of Cogoport, said, “The company has achieved remarkable growth, surpassing $170 million in revenue with positive EBITDA in less than three years. Hrishikesh’s role will be crucial in enhancing efficiency and driving profitable growth for Cogoport in India. He is an accomplished leader with engineering skills, business vision, and an ability to bring people together. His strategic insights into the role of technology and product in shaping Cogoport’s future in India align perfectly with the company’s new phase of innovation and growth.”
In response to his appointment, Hrishikesh Kulkarni, COO of Cogoport, said, “I am excited to assume this role and apply my expertise to bridge the knowledge and execution gap within the trade industry. My primary goal is to create value for our customers and partners, both on the demand and supply sides. As the COO of the India business, my immediate focus will be on enhancing the customer experience by launching multiple services such as export factoring, pay later and PTL services. I will also focus my efforts on attracting top talent to our team, positioning the right individuals in key leadership roles, fostering managerial growth through training programs and eliminating inefficiencies.
This journey for category creation in the trade commerce industry is not for employees who want to board the boat as a passenger just to see the adventure but rather we need colleagues who would be involved in the journey just like an Olympic boat rowing competition where every rower must put in effort and intensity to move the boat in the desired pace. These efforts will culminate in the development of an enhanced and effective playbook, facilitating network effects for our organization and driving profitable growth further.”
10, Oct 2023
Ambrane Unveils the Largest Made in India AMOLED Smartwatch, Fyre, Now on Flipkart
Delhi, 10th October 2023: Ambrane, the leading Indian lifestyle electronics brand, is proud to announce the launch of its latest and most substantial AMOLED smartwatch, “Fyre.” A harmonious blend of style and functionality, this exceptionally bright smartwatch introduces Bluetooth calling, a spacious 2.04-inch display, and an extensive range of health and fitness features. Backed by a 365-day warranty, Fyre is now available for purchase on Flipkart and Ambrane’s official website. The watch will be available at a special price during the Big Billion Days on Flipkart.
Ambrane’s Fyre smartwatch strikes a balance between fashion & function. It delivers an outstanding user experience with its 2.04-inch AMOLED display, 2.5D curved glass, 368*448 screen resolution, and an impressive 800 nits of brightness. This brightness ensures crystal-clear visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colours, and outstanding visibility even under direct sunlight. The Always-On Display (AOD) takes visual performance to the next level with a lightning-fast 60Hz refresh rate, ensuring seamless and fluid operation. With its premium dial and four elegant colours complemented by comfortable adjustable straps, the Fyre smartwatch levels up every look!
Powered by UniPair™ technology, the Fyre Smartwatch supports Bluetooth calling and comes equipped with built-in microphones for convenient call handling. A user-friendly crown allows for easy navigation through menus and apps. With over 100 customizable watch faces and an IP67 water-resistant design, it is resilient against water and dust exposure.
The Fyre smartwatch boasts support for more than 100 sports modes and an array of health features, including real-time heart rate monitoring, SpO2 monitoring, breath training, sleep analysis, heart rate alerts, and more. Additional functionalities include voice assistance, weather forecasts, camera control, a calculator, music playback control, raise-to-wake, screen time monitoring, and phone and watch locating features. The Fyre smartwatch is compatible with both Google Fit and Apple Health apps.
Mr. Ashok Rajpal, Managing Director of Ambrane India, expressed his excitement, stating, “Fyre embodies everything the modern generation desires. Whether you are a fashion enthusiast seeking style or a fitness aficionado monitoring workouts, Fyre caters to all. At this price, it’s a deal you can’t miss!”
The Fyre Smartwatch boasts up to 5 days of battery life and offers an enhanced user experience with Hindi language support. With this launch, Ambrane bolsters its diverse portfolio of smartwatches in India. The brand is also gearing up to announce its expansion plans in the US market in the near future.
10, Oct 2023
Federal Bank extends UPI for NRIs
10th October 2023, Mumbai: Federal Bank is delighted to announce a groundbreaking development that enhances banking convenience for its NRI clients. The Bank has launched UPI (Unified Payments Interface) integration for NRE clients through its mobile banking platform, FedMobile.
Traditionally, NRE clients have faced challenges when it comes to making payments to merchants, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where POS (Point of Sale) machines may not be readily available. Federal Bank, in its continuous pursuit of providing cutting-edge solutions, has now bridged this gap with the introduction of UPI for NRIs on FedMobile.
Shalini Warrier, Executive Director, of Federal Bank, remarked, “UPI has become synonymous with payments in India and in many countries worldwide. The Indian diaspora should not, in our view, be deprived of the benefits of this unique payment capability. The introduction of UPI for NRIs on FedMobile will enable our valued NR customers to transact seamlessly. We believe this will further strengthen our commitment to “Digital at the fore, human at the core.”
10, Oct 2023
Westside collaborates with designer brand Saaksha & Kinni to launch exclusive home décor collection for the festive season
10th October 2023, Bangalore— In a bid to bring exquisite, fresh, and exclusive collection to its customers during the festive season, Westside, one of India’s leading and fastest-growing retail chains in India, has collaborated with ace designer duo Saaksha & Kinni for an exclusive home décor collection. The collaboration stands as a tribute to Westside’s remarkable 25-year journey of setting trends, inspiring lifestyles, and bringing joy to customers. It represents a celebration of our unwavering dedication to delivering quality, comfort, and style to every household.
The foundation of this collaboration lies in the harmonious fusion of design perspectives. Known for their signature style that pays an ode to tradition by blending it with new-age sensibilities, Saaksha & Kinni’s collection will showcase an avant-garde assortment at Westside stores. The Westside x Saaksha and Kinni Festive Home Range includes three captivating prints meticulously crafted by Saaksha and Kinni’s collaboration offers a diverse range of products, including bedsheets, cushion covers, napkins, tableware, and accessories such as tote bags and kimonos. This collection, which embodies a seamless blend of artistic expression and functional aesthetics, will be available exclusively at Westside stores.
Speaking about the new collaboration, Ms. Lyndsay Smith, Head of Westside Home said, “Westside is delighted to collaborate with Saaksha & Kinni to present a curated edit of home to our valued customers this festive season. This synergized effort not only underscores our mutual dedication to quality but also reflects our commitment to providing exceptional shopping experiences that explore innovative concepts, ultimately reshaping the fashion and lifestyle landscape for our customers. We look forward to this collaboration.”
The Mumbai-based designer-duo, Saaksha & Kinni, added, “We are so excited to be able to collaborate with one of the giants of Indian retail space. Westside is not only one of the leading stores in India, it is also changing the shopping landscape of India and when given the opportunity to collaborate with their homeware department, we felt our prints would lend themselves perfectly to the Westside aesthetic.”
Celebrating its 25-year journey, Westside, India’s iconic fashion brand, remains dedicated to its legacy of timeless style. The brand aims to evolve and adapt by embracing the contemporary and has taken a step in that direction through their collaboration with the vibrant and youthful brand, Saaksha & Kinni. Westside X Saaksha & Kinni Festive Home Range will be available at 24 Westside stores, spread across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Surat, Dehradun, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Guwahati.
10, Oct 2023
Sleepyhead Introduces Innovative “Tilt” and “Play” Sofas to Elevate Festive Living Spaces
Bengaluru, 10th October 2023: Sleepyhead, a leading home lifestyle brand and rising star in the world of comfortable and innovative furniture solutions, introduces its latest innovations, the “Play Sofa” and “Tilt Sofa” with fun and unique campaigns. These sofas are the perfect choices to revolutionize your living space with their extraordinary flexibility and creativity. The launch showcases Sleepyhead’s commitment to innovation in the sofa category.
As the festive and sale season approaches, Sleepyhead recognizes the surge in demand for stylish and practical furniture. The “Tilt” and “Play” sofas are meticulously designed to cater to these evolving consumer needs, offering versatility, customization, and space-saving solutions. These sofas are more than just pieces of furniture; they are invitations to reimagine and personalize living spaces, bringing a touch of playfulness and innovation to homes.
The Tilt Sofa: Innovative Transformation for Versatile Living
The Tilt Sofa, a cutting-edge innovation from Sleepyhead, offers a unique feature that sets it apart in the world of furniture. Its key feature allows it to seamlessly transform from a traditional sofa to a lounge or sofa-bed structure by tilting the headboard backward. This ingenious design not only provides proper legroom but also creates an ideal setting for various activities, from lounging during movie nights to cozy date nights with your loved one. The Tilt Sofa is the perfect solution for those who are challenged by limited living space and don’t have room for multiple recliners or massive L-shaped sofas and ottomans. It’s a versatile and space-saving addition that enhances comfort and functionality in any living area.
Tilt’s campaign “Toggle to tilt your world”, brilliantly demonstrates the versatility of their innovative sofa through a series of split-themed videos. Each video portrays two contrasting sides of a person’s home and mood: one regular and one tilted. In a standout video, a man dressed formally sits upright on a Tilt sofa, engaged in a virtual meeting. He nods and smiles, saying, “Yes, sir! It will be done.” After the meeting, he switches to a relaxed mode, donning a hoodie and boxers, and grabs a bowl of popcorn. He reclines on the sofa’s right edge and playfully mocks his boss with, “Get it done over the weekend! Definitely Not!” This clever portrayal highlights Tilt’s sofa adaptability, effortlessly transitioning from work to relaxation.
The Play Sofa: Your Canvas for Creativity
The Play Sofa’s easy-to-detach segments enable effortless configuration changes to suit any mood or occasion. Sofa Play is a modular wonder as it can be rearranged like LEGO. With vibrant pop colours to mix and match, different arm heights, and multiple-seater options it one of a one-of-a-kind sofa in the segment and another groundbreaking innovation from Sleepyhead. So whether hosting a movie night, enjoying a cozy evening, or seeking a quick nap spot, the Play Sofa adapts effortlessly.
To celebrate the Play Sofa’s launch, Sleepyhead is unveiling an engaging social media campaign “Just can’t stop playing”, inspired by the creativity of Lego. Friends and family can come together to customize this Lego-like sofa, reflecting their unique personalities and moods. Each sofa segment can be customized with the same or different colors, allowing individuals to personalize their sofa as they see fit.
Mathew Joseph, CEO and co-founder of Sleepyhead, expressed his enthusiasm for the innovative ‘Play’ and ‘Tilt’ Sofas, stating, “These sofas truly set us apart in the category, reflecting our commitment to delivering furniture solutions that cater to evolving customer lifestyles. The launch is perfectly timed for the festive season, a peak period for marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart, where consumers seek versatile, stylish, and functional furniture. These sofas’ remarkable flexibility and ability to transform into half beds offer unprecedented customization and practicality, enhancing living spaces just in time for celebrations.”
Deepti Karthik, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer of Sleepyhead, emphasized, “Sleepyhead’s new ad campaigns, especially the one inspired by Lego for our Play Sofa, are more than just advertisements; they’re a celebration of fun and creativity. We firmly believe that furniture should encompass not only comfort but also the essence of being cool and customizable. Our Play Sofa perfectly embodies this belief, and our ad campaigns echo the same spirit. It’s about redefining your space with a playful touch and a sprinkle of innovation. We invite you to join us in making your living room the trendiest and most enjoyable place to be!”
The campaigns highlight the intrinsic playfulness of the festive season in India, embodied by Sleepyhead’s versatile Play and Tilt Sofas, which offer unparalleled customization and practicality. This launch aligns perfectly with the upcoming festive and sale season, allowing customers to enhance their living spaces just in time for celebrations. Moreover, the brand has recently ventured into the omnichannel segment and is constantly expanding its furniture and furnishing portfolio. Recent additions include motorized recliners, dohars, headboard cushions, and an extended range of bedsheet designs, providing a wide array of quality home products.
10, Oct 2023
Manappuram Finance inks MoU with JCB India
Thrissur: Manappuram Finance India Ltd (MAFIL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with construction equipment manufacturer JCB India Ltd to finance the latter’s range of equipment and engineering products. The agreement was signed by Kamal Parmar, Head, of Vehicle and Equipment Finance, Manappuram Finance, and JCB India representative the other day. As per the agreement, the finance options will be available across the country. The pact will go a long way in helping both sides increase their business volumes.
“We are pleased to announce the signing of an MoU with JCB India for financing a range of their construction equipment. This MoU will lead to higher volume growth for both partners. It will help both companies to leverage each other`s strengths in the respective markets”, said Mr V.P. Nandakumar, MD and CEO of Manappuram Finance.
“This agreement with JCB India opens up our network of branches to expand their dealership footprint across India and is an integral part of our efforts to diversify our portfolio offering by making a foray into new verticals to spur growth. It is indeed a major step to boost our business of construction equipment finance,” he added.
10, Oct 2023
ZEE Tamil celebrates 15-year milestone with reimagined consumer experience, paying tribute to Tamil Nadu’s cultural ethos
Chennai, 10th October 2023: Staying at the forefront of the ever-evolving entertainment landscape, Zee Tamil, one of India’s leading Tamil general entertainment channels, has today unveiled its new design interface that captures the heart and soul of Tamil Nadu. The marigold-inspired design is reflective of the cultural ethos of the region. Rooted in its brand promise of ‘Manadhal inaivom, maatrathai varaverpom’ (Bridging hearts and welcoming change), Zee Tamil’s transformation paves the way for embracing change while connecting with today’s confident, vibrant consumer.
Zee Tamil’s strategic evolution of its on-screen TV experience optimizes information delivery for maximum business impact. Supported by cutting-edge Neuroscience, this intelligent design system captivates consumer attention, enhancing memorability and viewer retention of tune-in details. It solidifies platform recall and amplifies brand partners’ visibility, offering a unique value proposition.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer – Content SBU, ZEE said, “Zee engages the many Bharats and its aspirations through content brands that are rooted in culture. The refreshed Zee Tamil brand design is an ode to the strength and dynamism of the Tamil viewer. The “marigold” inspired design is a vibrant expression of the auspicious new beginning that the channel seeks to provide through its inspiring content, nudging positive actions, and inspiring outcomes. Zee Tamil’s transformative endeavor will further strengthen the ZEE network commitment to consistently design and deliver extraordinary experiences to our viewers.”
Speaking on the channel’s business strategy, Mr. Ramanagirivasan, Chief Channel Officer – ZEE Tamil said, “Over the past 15 years, Zee Tamil has built a robust audience connection through content crafted with a profound understanding of consumer sentiments. This bond is a testament to the deep emotional resonance we share with our viewers. In the last 1 year, the strategic overhaul of our prime-time fiction programming has resulted in a substantial surge in viewership share in Tamil Nadu (U+R), from 17% to an impressive 23%. We aspire to carry forward this momentum by not just delivering engaging content but also enhancing consumer experience through our innovative tech-forward approach.”
Zee Tamil’s new design world centres around the core thought of ‘Vibrance’, embodying the growing inner strength and confidence of the Naya Bharat that is charting new territories like never before. This unique design approach is brought to life through the visual metaphor called the ‘Circle of Spark’ that ignites life’s most defining moments through inspiring stories and aspirational characters.
In sync with the larger campaign thought, ‘Ungal manam virumbum maatram, indhe ini aarambam’, which translates to ‘A good start to the change your heart desires’, the channel will embark on this new journey by reaching out to 1 lakh women across temples in Tamil Nadu and offering them prasadam along with marigold flowers. Further, viewers of Zee Tamil can also look forward to two exciting new shows – Naladamayanthi and Sandhya Ragam starting from Oct 9 in prime time.
In the wake of the brand refresh, Zee Tamil’s annual awards show, Kudumbha Viruthugal, is set to make a remarkable international debut. In an unprecedented move, the show will now extend its invitation to Tamil fans worldwide. For the Tamilian diaspora across the globe, their connection to Tamil content serves as a vital link to their cultural heritage and entertainment. Select fans from various regions will win an extraordinary opportunity to meet their beloved stars in person.
The consumer experience-led brand refresh and the fresh content line-up coupled with all these exciting initiatives undertaken by Zee Tamil further propels its growth story and reaffirms the channel’s commitment to bridging hearts and welcoming change in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
9, Oct 2023
Zebra Technologies in collaboration Qualcomm Demonstrates Generative AI on its Devices
Delhi, India – Oct 10, 2023 – Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people has successfully demonstrated a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) large language model (LLM) running on Zebra handheld mobile computers and tablets without needing connectivity to the cloud.
This breakthrough empowers Zebra partners and customers to unlock exciting productivity gains that will shape the future of work across industries from retail to warehouse and logistics to hospitality and healthcare. On-device execution of GenAI LLMs has the potential to empower front-line workers with new capabilities so they can deliver new outcomes for their end customers.
On-device AI can offer additional personalization as well as enhanced privacy and security as data remains on the device. It also drives faster performance and lower costs as GenAI searches on the cloud can be expensive. A whitepaper published by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. suggests that GenAI-based search cost per query is estimated to increase by ten times compared to traditional search methods. By removing the need to utilise the cloud, costs can be reduced.
“Zebra’s devices are powerful platforms with cutting-edge software and AI models which we’re driving forward with our partner ecosystem to solve customer challenges and add value,” said Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies. “We’re taking GenAI to the mobile edge on-device and applying it to areas such as voice AI, computer vision, and machine vision software powered by deep learning as well as task and workflow software using orchestrated AI.”
Potential use cases for LLMs include improving associate effectiveness by enhancing their product and customer service knowledge, acting as an efficient internal communications tool by answering employee queries on things like store policies, collecting and analysing feedback from associates to identify areas of improvement, enhancing productivity and increasing job satisfaction levels.
LLMs also have the potential to elevate the customer experience by powering personalized shopping assistants that could provide product recommendations, integrating shopping experiences across in-store, online, and mobile platforms as well as potentially enabling fully voice-activated shopping.
Zebra’s TC53/TC58 and TC73/TC78 mobile computers and ET6x Series tablets powered by Qualcomm Technologies – together with Zebra’s asset visibility and intelligent automation solutions – deliver elevated data insight, analysis and recommendations, problem solving, planning and creativity. Front-line workers can utilize a smaller on-device model, even in rural, built-up and underground working environments where connection to the cloud may not be possible. Alternatively, users may switch to a cloud-based app or web browser GenAI tool via Zebra’s Wi-Fi 6/6E and 5G enabled devices.
“On-device generative AI is unlocking new and enhanced experiences across industries,” said Megha Daga, Senior Director, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Qualcomm Technologies’ goal is to drive the transformation of industries, and we are doing that beginning with mobile devices. Zebra’s demonstration is showcasing the type of transformation we aim to achieve.”
This innovative solution from Zebra using a platform from Qualcomm Technologies reduces memory requirements and is built upon a wide array of open source and third-party models which are a significant part of Zebra’s strategy to deliver effective on-edge AI solutions across multiple industries.
“Zebra recognizes the importance of ethical and responsible AI,” said Andrea Mirabile, Director of AI Research, Zebra Technologies. “We are committed to ensuring our AI initiatives are aligned with federal guidance on accountability, ethical purpose and transparency and help set the standard related to delivering solutions to end-users. We also support the Business Roundtable AI Road Map and policy recommendations for responsible, appropriate, and ethical AI development and deployment.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Zebra’s AI research team has successfully implemented a GenAI open-source model on its mobile computers and tablets powered by Qualcomm® processors.
GenAI on-device provides a range of new capabilities across industries to better engage associates and elevate the customer experience, as well as provide enhanced privacy and security, faster performance and lower cost.
This breakthrough empowers Zebra, its partners and customers to unlock new frontiers of productivity gains for front-line workers with new use cases that will shape the future of work.
