Cover Story

Multi-channel retailing is the future: Kishore Biyani
Probably 60 to 70 per cent online business is from three-four cities. We operate in 244 cities. I don't know if there is a comparison at all, says Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani.

Kishore Biyani recasts his strategy. Can he outsmart rivals?
The reborn Future group is banking on two big breaks from the past: one, it will depend heavily on white-label FMCG to offer the cheapest and best groceries in its shops. Second, to allow customers to shop from anywhere and take deliveries anywhere as well.

2015-06-07

Digital

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Cover Story

Gold's status as preferred investment option falls

The recovery in the US economy, a strengthening dollar and surging equity markets weighed on gold, resulting in a sharp drop of 18 per cent in the yellow metal prices between September 2013 and March 2015.

Investment returns likely to be muted in 2015

As the euphoria of the Modi government taking over subsides, investment returns are likely to be muted in 2015. Asset allocation premised on riding the next wave in a not-too-distant future is the key.

Focus

India Inc's overseas investment fell to 10-year low in 2014/15

India Inc's overseas investment fell to a 10-year low in 2014/15, a sharp drop from the heady years of 2008/09 when companies were aggressively pursuing global ambitions.

Debate: Is an independent Public Debt Management Agency needed?

Shankar Raman, Larsen & Toubro CFO and Aditya Birla Group's Chief Economist Ajit Ranade debate on whether India needs an independent Public Debt Management Agency.

Oil price spike may not hit FM Arun Jaitley's Budget math

What is a bit more worrying, though manageable, is the rise in the import bill. India imported crude oil worth $138 billion in 2014/15. If this figure rises, trade and current account deficits will widen, pressuring the rupee.

Is the RTI Act being made dysfunctional, asks Shailesh Gandhi

Eternal vigilance is the price for democracy. We have a very useful tool to make our democracy meaningful and effective. It will work if we struggle to ensure its health, writes Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner.

Markets likely to be volatile in short to medium term

The key triggers for the market in coming months are the monsoon, the RBI's monetary policy, April-June corporate earnings and important bills pending in Parliament including on GST and land acquisition.

Corporate

Ronnie Screwvala is taking a shot at uncharted, unheralded businesses

Post-UTV, the entrepreneur wants to be a team player.

Behind the cult, crazy ways of Housing.com CEO Rahul Yadav

The 26-year-old, in a matter of weeks, fought a public battle with a venture fund and a media house, sent his resignation to the board and then pulled it back.

People

Newsmakers: J Jayalalithaa, Nikesh Arora, KV Kamath and more

She is the ultimate comeback heroine. Whenever political pundits have written her off, Jayalalithaa Jayaraman has managed to bounce back from the brink.

Leadership

Four steps to reboot reactive talent agendas

Talent is the scarcest resource in business and it's time to invest in the talent economy for growth. Here are four steps to reboot reactive talent agendas.

Book

Book review: The Crown Prince, The Gladiator & The Hope: Battle for Change and Capital Conquest: How the AAP's Incredible Victory Has Redefined Indian Elections

Both Ashutosh's and Saba Naqvi's books on the Aam Aadmi Party experiment - while riveting - suffer from being too close to the subject, writes Sandip Ghose.

Book review: The Business of Belief by Tom Asacker

The Business of Belief is an impactful book on beliefs not just for business people, but for everyone.

Technology

Xiaomi Mi Band or Goqii: Which smartband should you buy?

Buying a fitness band will be based on your individual needs. Here's a sneak peak into Xiaomi Mi Band and Goqii. Take your pick.

Aeroguard Clean Air Glo makes purifying indoor air easy

The Clean Air Glo has a compact size and is affordable at Rs 1,390 but works well in small areas only.

Review: BlackBerry Leap is a mix of the company's old devices

Overall, the phones performance is good. But not everything is great.

Features

Investing in social entrepreneurs a sound business sense

These firms provide money to social entrepreneurs who, with their projects, meet the critical needs of people.

Wind energy sector is flying high again. Here's why

With the accelerated depreciation tax benefit and generation-based incentives restored, the wind energy sector is flying high again.

How child labour is being kept under wraps in India

Cut to Kailash Nagar in East Delhi where some 50,000 children are engaged in thread cutting of jeans. They get 40 paisa per piece for thread cutting and 75 paisa for packing. These children don't work in any factory or production unit, neither do they go to fetch work.

Real Estate

Buying a house? Here's how to check if builder can be trusted or not

While builders give a whole long list of reasons for these delays, in the end the burden is borne by buyers. So, it's up to them to do due diligence before buying.

Be careful when going for discount schemes offered by realty developers

Calculate the discount as a percentage of the cost. Only if the discount is significant should you go for it.

Stocks

IPO market struggles to sustain euphoria of stock exchanges

The primary market's shortcomings remain, despite the runaway success of VRL Logistics and Inox Wind's IPOs.

Leadership Spotlight

DDB Mudra Group is a work in progress, says CEO Madhukar Kamat

DDB Mudra Group's CEO and MD Madhukar Kamat talks about his company's transformation from an Ahmedabad-based advertising agency to a globally aligned communications company.

Expert Speak

When it comes to investing, people like playing safe: PFRDA Chairman Hemant Contractor

Hemant G. Contractor, Chairman, PFRDA, talks to Money Today about making the National Pension System more attractive, among other things.

Trends

Social networks are changing the way we travel

This rise of a tribe of travellers who document their journeys every inch of the way on social media is set to impact the travel economy in a big way.

Money Today

It's the right time to buy a house; bargain hard for discounts

Experts say it is the right time for end users to get into the market as buyers may get a good deal due to low demand.

Investors switch to equity, debt funds to cash in on stock market rally

While equity funds have done even better with the category average returns ranging from 35% to 75%, debt MFs also gave 25% returns, compared to gold funds losing 9% during the last one year.

National Pension System has miles to go before it succeeds

The National Pension System (NPS) is a low-cost, tax-efficient retirement savings product. Its fund management charges are as low as 0.01 per cent - much lower than mutual funds.

Interviews