India fizz to cola war: Pepsi to bring in $5.5b, Coke $5b

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November 11, 2013

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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Big Bazaar ups its fashion sense

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November 10, 2013

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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Happy hours in quick service restaurants and cafes now

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October 26, 2013

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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Failed malls in India point to soured retail boom

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October 23, 2013

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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Tata opens ‘Star Daily’ outlet in Pune, makes use of UK firm Tescoโ€™s retail expertise and back-end support

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October 17, 2013

Sagar Malviya, The Economic Times Mumbai, October 17, 2013 Barely a week after the world's top retailer Walmart ended its association with Bharti Group, its British rival Tesco has moved a step closer to entering the $450-billion Indian retail market with the Tatas launching a neighbourhood convenience store format modelled on Tesco Express. Tesco Plc, the world's third largest retailer, has a partnership with Tata Group's Trent under which it provides back-end support and retail expertise to the Indian conglomerate's Star Bazaar hypermarkets. Tesco Hindustan Wholesaling, the Indian unit of the British retailer, supplies merchandise including some of its own…

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