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Top 5 Smart Gadgets That Will Impress Any Tech-Savvy Dad

Fathers day

Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the tech-savvy dads who keep up with the latest trends in technology. If your dad loves gadgets and gizmos, then he’ll surely appreciate these top 5 smart gadgets designed to make his life easier, more enjoyable, and incredibly futuristic.

1. Sony Ult Field 1:

Now share the gift of music with your father with all new Sony Ult Field 1, Featuring a multi-way strap for easy portability, this waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof speaker ensures your father can enjoy music anywhere for longer, thanks to its impressive battery life.

Continue Exploring: India’s luxury market surges as affluent buyers propel growth

2. Nokia G42 5G:

The perfect Father’s Day gift, the new Nokia G42 5G, comes in three stunning colors: So Pink, So Grey, and So Purple. Designed for capturing and sharing memories, its 50 MP triple camera ensures every moment is detailed and vibrant. Available in 4GB/128GB and 6GB/128GB, there’s a perfect option for everyone. Get it on the HMD website, Amazon, or retail stores. For a limited time, the 4GB variant is just 9999 on the HMD website.

3. JBL TUNE 770NC:

For a top-notch Father’s Day gift, consider the JBL TUNE 770NC Adaptive Noise Cancelling wireless headphones. They deliver JBL Pure Bass Sound and boast an impressive 70 hours of battery life, making them perfect for any dad who loves high-quality sound and long-lasting performance.

4. Amazon Kindle 10th Generation:

For Father’s Day, consider this lightweight and compact e-reader, perfect for your book-loving dad. It features a crisp 6″ high-resolution display with adjustable lighting for comfortable reading anywhere, anytime. With double the storage capacity, it can hold thousands of books, magazines, audiobooks, and comics, ensuring he never runs out of reading material. Plus, the long battery life allows for weeks of reading on a single charge, making it a thoughtful and practical gift he’ll truly appreciate.

5. Nokia 3210 4G:

Gift your father a delightful trip down memory lane with the revamped Nokia 3210 4G. This classic phone, redesigned for modern times, now includes YouTube, UPI Scan & Pay, FM radio, an MP3 player , Dual Sim 4G Volte. Plus, it comes with a replacement guarantee. Available in stylish colours like Grunge Black, Y2K Gold, and Scuba Blue, the new Nokia 3210 also features the nostalgic “Snake” game. You can find it on Amazon.in and HMD.com.

These smart gadgets are sure to impress any tech-savvy dad, offering convenience, functionality, and a touch of modern flair. Whether he’s into health tracking, smart home automation, high-quality audio, or immersive reading, there’s a perfect gift here for every dad.

Continue Exploring: Swiss luxury watch retailer TimeVallée opens first boutique in Mumbai

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HUL spearheads palm oil reduction in soaps, targets 25% cut with innovative technology

Hindustan Unilever
Hindustan Unilever

Hindustan Unilever (HUL), India’s largest consumer goods manufacturer, is cutting the use of palm oil and its derivatives in soaps by 25%, as part of a broader plan to counter fluctuations in commodity prices and minimize environmental footprint. This initiative, hailed as a global first by the company, involves pioneering technology developed by HUL over nearly five years, called Stratos. The success of this innovation will see its implementation in other countries by Unilever, with India being one of its key soap markets globally. Lux and Lifebuoy, among others, fall under the purview of this endeavor.

Continue Exploring: Hindustan Unilever shifts focus to bigger brands in pursuit of volume growth

Impact on Product Composition and Quality

The upcoming change will substitute palm oil with a unique blend comprising plant-based polysaccharides, vitamin combinations, and natural fatty acids. This formulation not only enhances the product’s quality but also results in a 25% reduction in palm oil and its derivatives compared to the current content found in grade 1 soap.

HUL dominates the soap market in India, commanding a staggering 38% share of a market valued at INR 24,000 crore.

Ankush Wadehra, Vice President of Skin Cleansing at HUL, explained, “With reduced palm usage, we can achieve significant cost savings, enabling us to reinvest in premium ingredients that enhance the quality of our products.”

“A decrease in TFM (total fatty matter) helps us navigate the swings between both deflation and inflation in commodity prices. Often, our pricing strategies are influenced by market trends in commodities, and by reducing our reliance on them, we are mitigating our exposure to risk,” he explained.

Continue Exploring: Hindustan Unilever’s net profit dips 1.53% to INR 2,561 Crore in Q4 FY24

Palm oil and its derivatives constitute more than 20% of the input expenses for consumer companies like HUL, and are known to be one of the most unpredictable components.

In India, the quality of soap is frequently assessed based on the total quantity of oils and fats utilized in its production, commonly known as total fatty matter (TFM). According to HUL, there’s a common misconception that higher TFM automatically signifies better soap quality. However, the efficacy of a soap is primarily determined by the specific type of fatty matter it contains, rather than just its TFM content.

“We’ve achieved this by optimizing our processes to deliver tangible benefits directly to the consumer,” stated Vibhav Sanzgiri, Executive Director of R&D at HUL.

Continue Exploring: Hindustan Unilever appoints Arun Neelakantan as executive director, customer development

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Nestle India to pay royalty to Swiss parent at current rate of 4.5%

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Nestle
Nestle

Nestle India, a leading FMCG company, will pay a royalty of 4.5 percent to its parent company, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A, as stated in an exchange filing on Wednesday.

The Company stated that the current rate of 4.5 percent, after accounting for taxes, applies to the net sales of products sold under the terms of the existing General License Agreements with the Licensor.

“Approval from members will be requested by the Company every five years, in adherence to the prevailing laws and regulations,” it stated.

Continue Exploring: Nestle India sets sights on 6 Million touchpoints, focusing on volume growth

Shareholder Decision on Royalty Increase

Last month, the company’s shareholders declined its proposal to elevate the royalty payout to its Swiss parent from 4.5 percent to 5.25 percent, net of taxes, over a five-year period.

The company notified the exchanges that 57 percent of its shareholders had opposed the proposal.

Continue Exploring: Nestle India shareholders reject proposal to increase royalty payments to Swiss parent company

Appointment of Sidharth Kumar Birla as Director

Meanwhile, the company’s board has approved the appointment of Sidharth Kumar Birla as an additional director and independent non-executive director.

He will officially assume the role starting from June 12, 2024, serving for a consecutive five-year term.

Furthermore, the board has adjusted the date for the company’s annual general meeting to July 8, for the purpose of deciding on the final dividend payment. If approved, the dividend will be disbursed on August 6, 2024.

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Agritech startup DeHaat sees 40% revenue surge in FY24, cuts losses by half

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Shashank Kumar, Amrendra Singh, Shyam Sundar, and Adarsh Srivastav - Co-Founders, DeHaat
Shashank Kumar, Amrendra Singh, Shyam Sundar, and Adarsh Srivastav - Co-Founders, DeHaat

DeHaat, an agritech startup, reported a 40% increase in operating revenue to INR 2,700 crore in FY24, while reducing its losses by half.

In FY23, the company posted a revenue of INR 1,996.9 crore and a net loss of INR 1,094.4 crore. In comparison, its revenue for FY22 amounted to INR 1,287.6 crore, while the net loss was INR 1,564.1 crore.

Key Drivers of Growth

The company attributed its continued top-line growth to operational leverage and an increased focus on profitability by expanding into high-margin sectors such as exporting sustainable farm produce, food processing, and selling biological agricultural inputs.

In FY25, the company aims to achieve full-year profitability.

Continue Exploring: Agritech startup DeHaat completes its first ESOP buyback, targets full-year profitability in FY25

The Patna-based firm has also announced its first-ever employee stock ownership plan (Esop) buyback programme worth INR 10 crore. The company stated that it has issued Esops to more than 200 people.

“Over the past decade, DeHaat’s unwavering growth and outstanding performance in empowering Indian farmers have solely relied on the commitment and hard work of our team. The Esop buyback program reflects our steadfast dedication to our employees. We are pleased to provide opportunities for wealth creation and nurture a culture of growth within the company,” remarked Shashank Kumar, co-founder, and CEO.

Established in 2012 by Shashank Kumar, Amrendra Singh, Adarsh Srivastav, Shyam Sundar Singh, and Abhishek Dokania, DeHaat offers a variety of services to farmers. These include direct market access, quality inputs, and expert agricultural advisory.

Operational Reach and Network

Operating across 12 agrarian states in India, the company boasts a network of more than 11,000 DeHaat Centers and 503 farmer producer organizations (FPOs), serving over 1.8 million farmers.

In April, it was reported that DeHaat had joined the ranks of business-to-business supply chain and market linkage service providers venturing into launching their own consumer brand.

Continue Exploring: Agritech startup DeHaat forays into consumer market with Honest Farms brand

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Costa Coffee reports 49% surge in revenue to INR 152 crore in FY24, adds 67 new stores

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Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee, the British coffee chain, saw a 49% increase in operational revenue in India, reaching INR 151.8 crore, according to Devyani International Ltd‘s annual report. Additionally, its gross profit rose to INR 116.6 crore, marking a 45% growth compared to the previous year.

Devyani International Ltd (DIL) holds the master franchise for Costa Coffee, a brand owned by the global beverage giant Coca-Cola.

In 2023-24, the company added 67 new stores in India, bringing its total to 179.

Continue Exploring: India a priority market for Costa Coffee: CEO announces plan to open 50 new stores annually

Financial Growth Metrics:

“In FY24, revenue from operations reached INR 151.8 crore, up from INR 101.8 crore the previous year, marking a 49% growth driven by store expansion. Gross profit increased to INR 116.6 crore from INR 80.4 crore the previous year,” the report stated.

However, the average daily sales per store declined to INR 32,710 in FY24, compared to INR 35,085 the previous year.

Future Outlook and Strategy:

The company stated that it expects performance to improve as the new stores stabilize and reach maturity.

DIL is rapidly expanding the Costa Coffee network in India, fueled by the growing young population.

“Moving forward, our focus is on adding 60-70 new units annually,” it stated, further adding, “As we persist in building the brand and capitalizing on business opportunities, we are confident in shaping a stronger future.”

According to DIL, India’s coffee culture is flourishing more than ever before.

“We are accelerating the expansion of Costa to cater to a larger consumer base, having incorporated 67 net new units in FY24, the highest in any year. With this growth, we have more than tripled our store count over the last two years, increasing from 55 stores to 179,” it stated.

DIL is extending Costa Coffee’s reach into high-traffic areas, including airports.

“With the domestic travel market flourishing, airports are bustling with activity, making them ideal spots for our premium coffee. Our presence at these locations perfectly matches the high demand and premium experience that travelers seek,” it stated.

Costa Coffee competes with Starbucks in the rapidly expanding Indian market. Starbucks operates through a 50:50 joint venture with Tata Consumer Products, while Barista also competes in this space.

“Our strategy involves exploring new channels and experimenting with various venues. The objective is to discern what resonates with consumers, understand their demands, and integrate successful approaches into our standard business operations,” it explained.

DIL also manages Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains such as KFC and Pizza Hut in India, along with the home-grown QSR chain Vaango.

DIL is promoted by RJ Corp Ltd, which also promotes Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL), PepsiCo’s bottling partner.

Continue Exploring: Costa Coffee teams up with easyJet for in-flight refreshments

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KFC delights fans with new Honey BBQ Saucy Nuggets

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Honey BBQ Saucy Nuggets
Honey BBQ Saucy Nuggets

KFC, the renowned American fast food chain, has introduced Honey BBQ Saucy Nuggets to its summer menu for 2024, alongside wallet-friendly everyday meal offers.

The new addition to the menu, based on consumer feedback, is now available nationwide from June 10th at all participating restaurants in the US.

Continue Exploring: Chizza fever hits U.S. as KFC announces debut of unique pizza-inspired dish

Flavor Profile of the Honey BBQ Sauce

The Honey BBQ sauce boasts a delightful blend of sweetness, smokiness, and tanginess, crafted with brown sugar and honey to perfectly balance the zing of tomatoes and spices.

This is the first time KFC Nuggets will feature the Honey BBQ flavor.

Honey BBQ Saucy Nuggets have been added to KFC’s existing lineup of Korean BBQ and Honey Sriracha Saucy Nuggets.

The Korean BBQ sauce provides a blend of sweet and savory umami flavors, while the Honey Sriracha sauce offers a sweet and spicy experience.

Pricing and Delivery Options

For just $5.99, customers have the opportunity to indulge in a 10-piece meal at participating KFC locations, though prices may fluctuate and be higher in specific states and on third-party ordering websites.

KFC is additionally offering complimentary delivery on Sundays throughout the summer for orders placed via KFC.com and the KFC app.

Furthermore, KFC has introduced the “Taste of KFC” value menu, featuring daily deals priced at under $5.

The menu includes a $4.99 Meal for One, consisting of two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a biscuit, as well as a $20 Family Meal featuring six pieces of chicken, four sides, and four biscuits. Side choices encompass coleslaw, mac and cheese, and sweet corn.

Nick Chavez, the Chief Marketing Officer of KFC US, expressed, “Due to demand from our customers, we’re introducing our beloved Honey BBQ sauce to accompany our nuggets. Our guests have shown great enthusiasm for our Saucy Nuggets, and we’re thrilled to introduce new flavors to our offerings.”

Continue Exploring: KFC India unveils four refreshing beverages to beat the scorching summer heat!

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Papa John’s brings back beloved Cheesy Burger Pizza to US menu!

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Cheesy Burger Pizza
Cheesy Burger Pizza

Papa John’s, the American pizza chain, is bringing back its Cheesy Burger Pizza for the summer of 2024 due to popular demand from customers.

The pizza features dough topped with a special burger sauce, beef, tomato, dill pickle, and mozzarella.

It comes with a side of the brand’s signature garlic sauce and pepperoncini.

Continue Exploring: Papa John’s inks deal with Bajco Group to open 50 new restaurants across the US

New Additions to the Menu:

To enhance the pizza experience, Papa John’s has introduced two fresh additions: the Cheesy Burger Papadia, available at $6.99, and the Cheesy Burger Papa Bites, priced at $4.99.

Official Release Date:

Papa Rewards members received exclusive early access to the Cheesy Burger Trio lineup. For all other customers, it will be accessible starting June 13, 2024.

Kimberly Bean, the Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Menu Strategy at Papa John’s, expressed, “The Cheesy Burger Pizza has remained a beloved favorite for over a decade, and our fans have consistently communicated their desire for its return.”

“While competitors focus on the burger, we prioritize pizza and remain steadfast in our dedication to delivering precisely what our fans desire – pizza.”

Continue Exploring: Papa John’s reports 34% drop in attributable net income for Q1 2024

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Taj maintains its position as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand for the fourth consecutive year

Taj

Taj, the iconic brand under the umbrella of Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), has once again secured its position as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand, as announced by Brand Finance. According to the ‘Hotels 50 2024’ annual report by the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, Taj stands out as one of the most formidable and valuable hotel brands globally.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of IHCL, expressed his delight, stating, “It is with immense pleasure that we witness the iconic brand Taj being honored once again as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand, especially in its landmark 120th year. This recognition, marking four consecutive years of acknowledgment and thrice as number one globally, underscores Taj’s century-old legacy of pioneering destinations, establishing global standards, and exemplifying Indian hospitality on a global stage. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering trust and affection of our guests and the dedicated commitment of our colleagues in providing genuine and heartfelt service, which truly embodies the essence of Taj.”

Continue Exploring: IHCL to launch over 50 new hotels in next two years

He emphasized, “With a track record of rapid yet mindful expansion, Taj is committed to spearheading the advancement of a sustainable and inclusive future within the hospitality sector.”

Taj’s Remarkable Growth:

According to the Hotel 50 2024 report from Brand Finance, Taj has achieved a remarkable 45% surge in brand value, reaching USD 545 million, solidifying its position as the world’s strongest hotel brand. With an enhanced Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.9 out of 100, Taj earns the prestigious AAA+ rating, the highest accolade for brand strength bestowed by Brand Finance. Additionally, Taj emerges as the world’s second-fastest-growing brand, marked by significant revenue expansion and a notable increase in brand strength. Taj’s BSI score escalated by over three points, showcasing exceptional performance across various brand strength indicators including familiarity, consideration, recommendation, and reputation.

The report highlights the brand’s robust sustainability initiatives under IHCL’s ESG+ framework, Paathya, which delineates both short and long-term objectives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Continue Exploring: IHCL expands partnership with CG Hospitality, sets sights on 25 hotels in Indian sub-continent by 2025

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Jewellery retailer Gargi by PNGS to open its 25th shop-in-shop outlet in Andhra Pradesh

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Gargi Fashion Jeweller
Gargi

Gargi, the fashion jewellery retailer by P N Gadgil & Sons (PNGS), is gearing up to unveil its 25th shop-in-shop (SiS) outlet within Shoppers Stop in Andhra Pradesh.

The 24th SiS outlet of the retailer will be inaugurated on Thursday in Cyberabad, Hyderabad. Subsequently, the 25th store will be opened on Sunday in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. By the end of the weekend, all 25 SiS stores will be up and running.

Gargi’s Remarkable Growth in FY 2024

The retailer noted a surge in yearly sales, marking a 76.07% increase to INR 50.48 crore in FY 2024.

Continue Exploring: PNGS Gargi Fashion Jewellery sees 76% surge in annual sales in FY24

Gargi is renowned for its fashion jewellery crafted from brass and 92.5 sterling silver. Recently, it introduced its diamond collection. The retailer has a presence in several Shop-in-Shop stores of Shoppers’ Stop in Mumbai, Nashik, and Bengaluru, along with five exclusive outlets in Pune and two franchise stores— one in Nashik and another in Vashi (Mumbai).

In December 2022, the company made its debut on the stock exchange. It showcases a diverse portfolio of over 15,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) and witnessed remarkable growth in its inaugural year, recording a sixfold surge in revenue. Operating across 24 locations, including twelve major metro cities spanning six states of India, the company has yielded over 1700% returns to its investors over the past 13 months.

Continue Exploring: Gargi expands its presence in Pune with a second store opening, showcasing exquisite diamond collection

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Mamaearth strengthens retail presence in India through Reliance Retail partnership

Mamaearth

Honasa Consumer Limited, the proprietor of the rapidly expanding personal care label Mamaearth, has announced that its products are now available at over 1,000 Smart Bazaar and Smart Point stores across India. This expansion, achieved through a partnership with Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd., signifies a major advancement for Mamaearth as it strengthens its foothold in brick-and-mortar retail.

Renowned for its dedication to delivering safe, natural, and toxin-free products, Mamaearth has garnered a devoted customer following due to its innovative offerings. The collaboration with Reliance Retail is geared towards expanding the accessibility of Mamaearth’s products to a wider audience.

Continue Exploring: Mamaearth parent Honasa Consumer achieves profitability for full fiscal year FY24

Varun Alagh, Co-Founder and CEO of Honasa Consumer Limited, expressed, “At Honasa, we strongly believe in being present wherever our consumers prefer to shop for the brand. Our collaboration with Reliance Retail further extends our commitment to making toxin-free, safe products available to a broader spectrum of consumers. With our presence in over 1,000 stores now and the rising demand for Mamaearth products, we aim to sustain growth and expand our reach through this partnership.”

This partnership aims to facilitate consumers’ access to Mamaearth’s diverse range of products, reinforcing the brand’s core promise of providing toxin-free beauty products crafted from natural ingredients.

Continue Exploring: Mamaearth parent Honasa Consumer plans merger of two subsidiaries to eliminate cost duplication and enhance efficiency

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