CATEGORIES

GOLD: RESILIENTLY STRONG PERFORMER

GOLD surged more than 20 per cent in 2024, continuing its outperformance of the past two years. Indeed, gold yielded better returns than the Nifty and the BSE Sensex during the same period. Gold prices in the domestic market rose 26 per cent in 2024, touching an all-time high of Rs 79,700 per 10 gm.

TRANSITIONING TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH BY 2025

INDIA'S green growth and transition in 2025 will be shaped by its commitment to sustainable development, economic growth and addressing climate change and materiality issues. As one of the world's fastest-growing economies, India struggles to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. In this context, integrating clean technologies, carbon markets, and green policies is not just about economic expansion but also about addressing global environmental justice.

INSPIRING GROWTH STORIES

IN 1994, we embarked on a mission to build the breakfast cereal category in India. Now, 30 years later, we are present in 40 million homes annually. Our growth has inspired many national and regional players to enter this category over the years, but we continue to be the market leaders with a 70 per cent market share. Our journey has been built on one simple principle: providing the 'best in class' nourishment to 'nutrition-seeking, time-starved' consumers without compromising on taste. This year, we applied this principle to renovate our top two brands, Kellogg's Muesli and Chocos, with positive initial results.

THE YEAR OUR DEVICES BECOME US

In 2025, the convergence of Al, advanced wearables and on-device processing is set to revolutionise human-technology interaction. With major tech players making bold investments and strategic moves, the stage is set for a year of groundbreaking innovation and intense competition

FROM AI TO MENTAL HEALTH: A YEAR OF PROGRESS IN INDIAN HEALTHCARE

India's AI healthcare market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach US$ 1.6 billion by 2025

ULTRA LUXURY TO DRIVE GROWTH

THE YEAR 2024 has been transformative for the luxury and ultra-luxury real estate market in India. Historically, transactions exceeding Rs 100 crore were rare, typically limited to iconic bungalows in elite areas like Lutyens' Delhi, Malabar Hill, or Colaba in Mumbai. However, 2024 witnessed a notable shift, with several Rs 100 crore-plus deals involving apartments and penthouses in high-rise condominiums. This trend highlights a broader understanding that the intrinsic value of a property is influenced by factors beyond just size and location.

$3 BILLION AND COUNTING

By aligning with India's priorities of digitisation and addressing grassroots challenges, Microsoft is positioning itself as a key enabler of the country's Al ambitions

INDIA'S HIDDEN HALF: THE PARADOXES SHAPING A NATION'S FUTURE

IN INDIA, LUXURY high-rises cast long shadows over bustling streets where children sell tea to make ends meet. This coexistence is both a formidable challenge and a unique opportunity for the world's most dynamic and complex economy. The story is neither linear nor simple; its coexistence of wealth and poverty, tradition and modernity, defines its unique identity.

ANCHORING INDIA'S GLOBAL ASPIRATIONS

INDIA'S aspiration to become a developed economy by 2047 is well within reach, with the logistics sector emerging as a cornerstone of the nation's economic progress. Over the years, it has driven growth across diverse industries and sectors. As 2025 approaches, the significant progress made in 2024 marks a defining period, showcasing transformative advancements in sustainability, infrastructure development, and digitalisation. These developments reinforce the critical role of logistics in driving India's progress toward its ambitious $5-trillion economy target by 2027.

EXPECT ROCKET GROWTH

GOVERNMENT spending is expected to play a significant role going ahead in 2025. It was pushed to the backseat in 2024 which was mostly an election year. In the second quarter (April-June) of 2024, the entire government machinery was engaged in preparing for and conducting the Lok Sabha polls. This was followed by assembly elections in states like Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. During this period, for the most part, the model code of conduct was in force, forcing the government to refrain from announcing and executing major projects including the infrastructure push. As a result, we saw the gross domestic product (GDP) plunging to a 7-quarter low of 5.4 per cent during Q2 (July-September) 2024.

LEADING THE WAY: INDIA'S GREEN TRANSITION AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

AS 2025 unfolds, India stands at a defining moment, asserting its role as a resilient economic leader and an emerging global hub. This is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to green growth and sustainable development -the key drivers for environmental health and long-term economic stability. Notably, India aims to be net zero by 2070, having pledged to achieve 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. The country ranks fourth globally in renewable energy capacity, supported by a 36.5 per cent CAGR in solar over 11 years.

ANOTHER COP DROWNS IN BAKU'S CASPIAN SEA

COP-29 AT BAKU has come to an end and, like the earlier 28, it has not achieved much. Barring some agreements on energy storage and transmission grids there's very little to celebrate in the face of ever increasing climate disasters.

MANIFESTO FOR INDIA: STEERING THE NATION TOWARD 2025

AS INDIA MARCHES toward its vision for 2047, the year 2025 is a critical fulcrum. It is not just another point on the timeline; it is the year that will shape the trajectory of the next two decades, carving the path for a nation that seeks to balance rapid economic growth with the challenges posed by climate change. Policy decisions henceforth will influence greatly whether India rises to the challenge of becoming a global powerhouse that leaves no one behind or whether it falters under the weight of unresolved inequalities and environmental threats. In this manifesto for India in 2025, we envision a nation that thrives in harmony with its people and the planet - an India where the future is as inclusive and green as it is prosperous.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

THE year 2024 is a milestone for Voltas as we celebrate 70 years of enriching lives and transforming the industry. This remarkable journey reflects our enduring impact and inspires us to continue driving innovation and excellence in the years to come. As we conclude 2024, we have navigated a dynamic landscape marked by unprecedented technological and environmental transformations. We achieved a remarkable milestone with our highest-ever air conditioner sales of over two million units in FY24 as well as CY24, driven by strategic innovations that address the complexities of changing weather patterns.

CAN INDIA RECLAIM ITS GROWTH MOMENTUM IN 2025?

India's projected GDP growth of 6.6 per cent during FY 2025, the lowest in four years, may signal concerns about the nation's economic trajectory, but optimism hinges on several factors to drive momentum, making 2025 a year for economic recalibration and reboot

Celebrate the Old Year

AS WE PARTY AND SING - most appropriately over a Scotch whiskey! - Auld Lang Syne (Scottish for \"old times sake\"), we think back at the year gone by. It's time to introspect on the challenges, tribulations, and problems of the year, but even more so to celebrate the successes, joys, and happy moments of the year; days of satisfying work and of friendships grown or renewed; new friends, places, and perspectives. Even as we wish each other a happy New Year, welcoming its arrival with song and dance, we should celebrate the passing of a year, the end of 366 days of happiness and good cheer.

BUILDING INDIA'S FUTURE

India's 2024 economic growth was driven by advancements in trade, infrastructure, telecom, green energy, and manufacturing, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and efficiency, with plans for enhanced reforms and investments in 2025

Bihar Business Connect 2024: A Landmark Summit Garnering 1.8 Lakh Crore Investments

The Bihar Business Connect 2024 has undeniably positioned the state as a promising investment destination. By Team BW

AVIATION ON A GROWTH PATH

ICRA estimates an increase in domestic air passenger traffic to 164-170 million in FY2025, reflecting a YoY growth of 7-10 per cent over 154 million in FY2024. During 8M FY2025 (April-November 2024), the domestic air passenger traffic stood at 107.5 million, with a YoY growth of 6.7 per cent, partly impacted by the severe heat waves and other weather-related disruptions. The international passenger traffic growth for Indian carriers expanded and was healthier at 15.9 per cent in 7M FY2025 (April-October 2024). This momentum is expected to continue for the balance part of FY2025 as well. ICRA has a 'Stable' outlook on the Indian aviation industry, a reflection of the continued growth in domestic and international air passenger traffic.

Weathering Storms, Winning Battles

THE INDIAN AUTO sector has so far demonstrated the resilience of a Bollywood hero. Auto retail clocked a 9.1 per cent growth in 2024, according to the latest report of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India (FADA). Two-wheelers (2W) zipped ahead with 10.7 per cent growth, while three-wheelers (3W) and passenger vehicles (PV) followed close behind at 10.4 per cent and 5.1 per cent, respectively. Tractor sales pulled a modest 2.5 per cent increase, but commercial vehicles sales (CVS) stalled at 0.07 per cent. It wasn't all smooth roads.

Technology, AI Driving Warehousing Sustainability

Anshul Singhal on how Welspun One is rapidly transforming Grade-A logistics and industrial parks across India, offering integrated fund development and asset management for large-scale warehousing solutions

DECODING RETAIL'S NEXT FRONTIER

As brands pivot towards omnichannel ecosystems and startups challenge legacy frameworks, the focus sharpens on experiential retail, sustainability and data-driven personalisation.

SORORITY OF WOMEN OF METTLE

Awinter afternoon in mid-December found quite a crowd at the Oxford Book Store on Connaught Place, as bibliophiles congregated at a corner to listen to three women authors, diverse in their passions, but drawn together by an urge to tell their story.

THE LEGACY OF THE AMARNATHS

IN NOVEMBER 2017 the management committee of the Delhi Cricket Association named the eastern stand of the Feroze Shah Kotla ground the Mohinder Amarnath stand.

PUTTING THE POWER IN THE POWERHOUSE

The Asus ExpertBook P5 is powered by an 8-core 8-thread Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor that clocks a maximum speed of 4.8 GHz, but it does not have hyperthreading. It is light weight, with a smooth glass touch pad. The laptop almost has all the I/O ports you could possibly need in a business laptop, making it an extremely lucrative option for professional computing, says

"We must be aware of our energy and water consumption"

BW Businessworld caught up with actor, philanthropist, and climate warrior BHUMI PEDNEKAR to chat about climate change and more.

"Cooking is a passport to the world"

In conversation with renowned CHEF MANJIT GILL, Advisor at Kikkoman India and President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA). As the former Corporate Chef of ITC hotels, Chef Gill has helped shape iconic restaurants, such as the Bukhara, Dum Pukht, and Dakshin. He has had the privilege of serving former American Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George Bush, and the French, Canadian, British and German premiers. In 1992, Chef Gill had the opportunity of being invited to cook for Prince Charles and Lady Diana, at the Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ministry of Tourism in 2007.

Strengthening Middle Management for Organisational Resilience

WHAT HOLDS AN organisation together in chaos? Is it visionary leadership, cuttingedge strategies, or robust technology?

The Retail Trailblazers

A look at companies that are making a positive impact on India's growing retail sector with their future fit business and marketing strategies.

Driving Conscious Consumerism

VIDIT JAIN, Co-founder of Kindlife, is leading the charge in revolutionising the intersection of technology and conscious consumerism.