Articles 11 to 20 of 45
LVMH's Tikka Singh: In the Luxury Market, the Middle Class Is the Game Changer
Tikka Shatrujit Singh, chief representative in Asia for French multinational LVMH (Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton) and advisor to the chairman of Louis Vuitton, has spearheaded the entry of the luxury brand in India. The high-end leather goods and fashion house currently has four stores in the country. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Singh notes that affluent customers in India are very similar to wealthy customers worldwide. The real game changer in the luxury market in India, he says, is the aspiring middle class.
Wal-Mart India’s Raj Jain: ‘You Can’t Monetize All Your Investments Just on Cash-and-Carry’
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, entered the India market in 2007 with a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises in a business-to-business wholesale cash-and-carry format. With foreign direct investment expected to be allowed in multi-brand retail in India soon, Raj Jain, president of Wal-Mart India and managing director and CEO of Bharti Wal-Mart, sees huge opportunities for growth. In an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton, Jain noted, “you can’t monetize all your investments just on cash-and-carry.”
India's Luxury Market: Unlocking Consumers' Taste for the Finer Things
Five years ago, the press predicted that the Indian luxury market would be booming by now. But that potential has not yet been realized; India accounts for only 1% to 2% of the global luxury market. But analysts are still upbeat. They say that the Indian market for high-end goods will quadruple in the next five years. But what needs to be done to realize that potential? What has been holding India back? These questions were addressed at a panel on the Indian luxury consumer at the Wharton India Economic Forum.
Will Food Channels Whet the Appetites of Indian Television Viewers?
Channels dedicated to food are the latest additions to Indian television. These networks are looking to cash in on a growing interest among Indians in new ways of experiencing food, along with the population's rising levels of affluence. Though the interest level is there, experts say Indian food networks will need to find the right mix of strong and unique content that educates and entertains in order to be successful.
Capturing India's Percolating Coffee Market
With its young population and growing economy, India is an attractive market for global coffee retailers like Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. But the going may not be all that smooth, say experts. Newcomers will have to contend with existing players who are expanding fast, as well as high real estate costs and a manpower shortage.
Changing Habits: Finding a New Recipe for Success in India's Food Markets
Nestle's Maggi, which has ruled the instant noodles market in India for more than two-and-a-half decades, is finding new competitors nibbling at its share. Analysts say that this is not only about noodle wars; it is also reflective of changing food habits in India, driven by multiple factors such as a younger demographic profile, higher disposable incomes and wider global exposure. In order to succeed, experts note, companies will need to see how they can best appeal to consumers' expanding palates and wallets.
Nitin Paranjpe of Hindustan Unilever: Remaining 'Relevant and Contemporary' to Indian Consumers
Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the US$4 billion Indian subsidiary of the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, has had a long presence in India, and its brands are household names among Indian consumers. In recent years, however, the marketplace has become increasingly competitive with both Indian and global players jostling for a share of consumers' wallets. Nitin Paranjpe, CEO and managing director of HUL, says that given the enormous opportunity that India presents, competition is inevitable. HUL's top priority, he notes, is to grow the market and ensure that its brands remain relevant and contemporary.
Prime Focus CEO Namit Malhotra: Tapping a Strong Global Appetite for Visual Effects
Mumbai-based visual entertainment services firm Prime Focus contributed a tenth of the special effects in James Cameron's blockbuster film Avatar. Riding on that success, it wants to spread its wings globally by leveraging its Indian base, says its founder and global CEO Namit Malhotra in an interview with India Knowledge@Wharton.
Rebranding the Rupee: Will a New Symbol Help India Raise Its Currency?
The Indian rupee has fallen on hard times. Now, the government is making efforts to improve its status, if not its value. Essentially a branding exercise, the process has already faced its share of problems. Why does India think a new rupee symbol will gain currency? And what would it mean for the country?
Going 'Glocal': Can Lenovo's Marketing Hub in India Reach Consumers Worldwide?
Three years ago, Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo challenged the concept that branding and advertising have to be country and culture specific. Today, its centralized global marketing hub in Bangalore produces promotional material for 60 countries. Is Lenovo's model a fleeting experiment, or is it a strategy whose time has come? And can it be applied to other industries?
