Cover Story
- The face of the real estate sector is expected to change with implementation of GST and the RERA Act. But will these revive demand?
That Personal Touch
Indians, say remodelling experts, are the most conscious about their vehicle's interiors. Also, almost every buyer wants a height-adjustable suspension so that he can have a smooth ride while off-roading. The future of luxury in India depends on how fast it can penetrate the hinterland. The good news is that small-town consumers are no longer afraid to flaunt their dough The business of luxury retailing is being shaped by a handful of first and second generation entrepreneurs. They are influencing the shoes that members of India's glitterati wear, the bags they carry, the watches that strategically pop out of their cuffs and the cars they drive. Almost all the leading global superbike makers sell in India as well: Ducati, Triumph, Indian, BMW, Moto Guzzi and Harley-Davidson. Indeed there are more brands of luxury bikes available in the country than the run-of-the-mill commuter ones. While PM Modi's attempt to build a global luxury brand so far has been bang on, and he is confident of being profitable by the end of year three, the big question, however, is, whether the global connoisseurs of luxury take him as seriously. Will they prefer a Nirav Modi jewel to a Cartier or a Tiffany? How long will it take for India to create a luxury high-street like Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in New York? It is definitely a distant dream at the moment. The country has just two luxury malls - DLF Emporio in Delhi and The Collection (UB City) in Bangalore.The Rich and Their Uncommon Desires...
Luxury hotels capture the minutest of details about guests. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, for instance, records each detail of guests, including food/beverage preferences, allergies, housekeeping needs and preferred room temperature. Still, there are demands that leave them stumped. Sarda has used design to convey a sense of tradition and heritage, rendering a premium look. The milk is packaged in glass bottles much like it used to be in the good old days, before the poly-pack milk trend began. In the world of auctions, prices for works are dependent on what a collector is willing to pay for them and how far they are driven to bid when competing against other bidders, with new world records broken as a result and benchmark prices established. The high-ceilinged baroque mansions surrounded by acres of manicured lawns shaded by leafy oak trees, which spelt luxury in the colonial era, have given way to a more modern, urban culture of smaller functional spaces defined by gadgets and speed. Indulge in these top-of-the-line gadgets to pamper all your five senses. There's a lot to wear, drink, hear, and keep. Here's a curated list from new launches this year. From aloe vera-treated apparel to anti-microbial bedsheets, wellness moves beyond food and beauty. Over the past couple of decades, the continuing liberalisation of the Indian economy has ensured that the population of rich Indians keeps growing, despite the fluctuations in the global and domestic economic growth rates. A new generation of farms promises to shape the food that top-end restaurants dish out Knowledge of western art is lacking among Indian collectors."Luxury is experiences money cannot buy"
Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO, Pernod Ricard, talks to Anilesh S. Mahajan about the art of wooing consumers with high expectations.The Life and Times of a Fashionista
The book is a fascinating account of how Aldo Gucci built a solid fashion empire, even as his life was mired in controversies. Chandeliers are an interesting example of luxury in the original sense of the term. They went through a phase of becoming common and even old fashioned, but which, in the past 10 years, have regained their artistic and timeless features. The Rich Kids of Instagram have a lavish and ostentatious lifestyle Government's across the globe offer residency rights or citizenship for a sizeable investment in their economies. Spa therapy has become the big trend in the wellness industry for a few years now. What distinguishes a true luxury spa from plain vanilla ones are the special ingredients, trained masseurs and exotic detox packages sourced and offered from around the world.
Game Changer
The Unified Payment Interface, or UPI, takes the payments experience a notch higher. Unlike digital wallets, where money was first loaded to make payments, UPI will allow direct transfers from your savings bank account without disclosing the account details. Indians are growing their wealth faster than the world average. Consumers' desire is spurring huge growth in luxury travel - globally as well as in India. There's more to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Balochistan gamble than just political posturing. The Centre's move to address the liquidity crisis in the construction sector fails to address key issues. The launch of Reliance Jio's cheap data plans will set off a price war. But will it be at the cost of the industry's profitability? After Unitech, Parsvnath Developers tells court about its inability to refund buyers for delayed projects.
Real estate law: Renewing Hope
RERA will lead to a big shift in the coming yearsbut a lot more needs to be doneTax Benefits of Buying and Selling a House
Buying a house is a big purchase, but can reduce your tax outgo in a big way"This 7-year cycle is getting over"
Sanjaya Gupta, Managing Director, PNB Housing Finance, talks to Teena Jain Kaushal and Priyadarshini Maji about the real estate market, interest rate movements and his expectations from the festive seasonReal Estate: Gearing For the Festive Beat
The real estate sector has seen a rise in postive sentiment this year. Will the fervour continue this festive season?
Things to Look For While Buying Property
We bring you a list of checks you must do before zeroing in on a property, whether online or offline.How to register your property?
Getting possession of a property is great, but you will not own it as long as you do not register it in your name.Prime Concerns of Second Hand Deals
If you are considering buying a property from the secondary market you can steal a great deal, but be wary of sales hounds.
