FINANCE MINISTER Nirmala Sitharaman has indicated that
the interim budget that she will present on 1 February will be shorn of
“spectacular announcements”, as indeed the vote-on-account on the eve
of a national general election inevitably is. Even so, the hopeful hope that
Sitharaman’s last budget presentation in her current term, will bear good
tidings for select demographics like women, the farming community,
industry and the tax payer. Our package on the Union Budget compiles
voices from industry, think tanks and our own inhouse experts in a bid
to predict the contents of the finance minister’s red tablet pouch. Ashish
Sinha picks up trends from past interim budgets and maps a pattern that
indicates that the upcoming interim budget too may play a pivotal role in
shaping India’s future economic roadmap.

Happy Reading!

BW Businessworld Celebrates India's Most Valuable CEOs

The latest issue features in-depth profiles of India's top corporate leaders, analyses the potential impact of Trump's political return on Indo-US relations, pays tribute to late Dr Bibek Debroy and more

 

BW Businessworld, India's premier business magazine has released its annual Most Valuable CEOs issue, offering profound insights into corporate leadership excellence against the backdrop of significant global political developments and domestic changes.

 

The latest edition navigates through three major themes including the implications of Donald Trump's projected return to the White House for Indo-US relations, a tribute to the late Dr Bibek Debroy and an in-depth analysis of India's most valuable corporate leaders. The assessment of corporate excellence employed rigorous evaluation criteria including total income, turnover and consistency in performance.

 

The cover story, created in partnership with knowledge partner TechSci Research, presents a meticulously curated selection of India's most exceptional corporate leaders who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic acumen in navigating economic uncertainties. Rather than traditional rankings, the magazine offers detailed profiles of these business leaders, highlighting their approaches to sustainable growth and value creation.

 

The edition features extensive coverage of the anticipated shifts in Indo-US relations following the projected political transition in the US. The analysis particularly examines how this political shift could reshape bilateral partnerships across defence, energy, and technology sectors, drawing from Trump's previous tenure's focus on expanded trade volumes and regulatory easements that aligned with India's growth trajectory.

 

On a sombre note, the issue pays tribute to Dr Bibek Debroy, the recently deceased Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Through heartfelt contributions from his mentees and scholarly associates, the edition celebrates Dr Debroy's intellectual legacy, highlighting his multifaceted contributions as a polymath, scholar and former columnist for BW Businessworld.

BW Businessworld's Latest Issue Decodes India's Luxury Market & Festive Economics

The issue explores the concept of responsible luxury and highlights the festive season. It looks at tech impact and the surge across ecommerce, automobiles, jewellery and consumer markets

 

BW Businessworld released its latest issue, delving deep into the transforming definition of luxury in India and the promising festive season outlook. The edition showcases exclusive insights into how luxury brands are adapting to evolving consumer preferences, with a special focus on sustainability and technological integration.

 

A Move Towards Responsible Luxury

The issue stresses the luxury sector's increasing emphasis on sustainability and technological advancement reflecting the evolving preferences of today's well-informed, conscious consumers.

 

The cover story in this edition features Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana speaking about style, luxury and meaningful connections with the audience. The actor emphasises the significance of luxury brands making meaningful commitments, a sentiment echoed by several industry leaders who offer their perspectives on emerging trends.

 

Tech In Hyper-personalised, Sustainable Luxury

The issue also explores how cutting-edge technology is altering the luxury sector. From enhancing customer experience to enabling hyper-personalisation, technology is pivotal in helping brands shape their sustainability journeys. The evolution redefines how brands interact with their customers, making personalisation a cornerstone of the luxury experience. By employing data-driven insights, luxury companies are crafting bespoke experiences that cater to individual preferences, solidifying their success.

 

Second-hand Luxury Market

The issue highlights a significant shift in India's luxury market dynamics, with projections indicating that the second-hand luxury goods sector will reach $1,556.2 million by 2032. Sustainability in luxury is also marked by the growing trend of second-hand luxury goods. Conscious consumers are increasingly favouring the resale of high-end items, prompting major luxury brands to embrace the resale of pre-owned merchandise. By integrating the resale market into their retail strategies, brands are ensuring quality control and expanding their market reach.

 

Festive Season Powers Economic Growth

A special feature in the issue examines the economic impact of India's festive season, particularly Diwali across various sectors. Retail giants like Flipkart and Amazon foresee record-breaking sales between October and December, with this period accounting for 30-40 per cent of their annual revenue. Similarly, the automobile industry projects a robust 15-20 per cent boost in sales, driven by festive discounts, new model launches and heightened consumer demand.

 

The festive season also brings a golden opportunity for the jewellery market, especially with a renewed interest from young consumers. The period witnesses a frenzy of purchases, driven by cultural and traditional associations with gold as a symbol of wealth and good fortune.

 

The festivities are a boon not just for jewellery but also for industries such as electronics, apparel and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Retailers are capitalising on the active consumer sentiment, with high sales volumes and attractive discounts fuelling growth. The seasonal upswing in business activity serves as a testament to the intricate link between cultural celebrations and economic prosperity in India. The period also traditionally witnesses a bullish trend in the stock market, driven by cultural associations with prosperity and auspiciousness.

AS WE PRESENT THE FOURTH EDITION of India’s Most Sustainable 
Companies (IMSC), we find ourselves in a transformative moment. The 
country’s efforts toward creating a greener, more responsible economy 
are steadily gaining traction. This issue highlights the strides made 
by businesses and the evolving sectors that are driving this change.  A 
prime example is the clean air technology sector  that has been gaining 
momentum  because of  the  focus on sustainable solutions across the globe.

THE PAST DECADE seems to have been a golden phase for innovation, 
bringing to the fore bright, young minds fired by a zeal for entrepreneurship. 
This surge in enterprisers has fostered a dynamic startup ecosystem, 
abuzz with transformative ideas and disruptive technologies. The new 
enterprises that have emerged out of  it are fuelling growth across sectors 
like FMCG, D2C, FinTech and artificial intelligence. 
The startup ecosystem has faced its own set of challenges like a funding 
winter and a shift in investor sentiment, but many new ventures have 
demonstrated remarkable resilience, emerging stronger than before 
f rom the setbacks. Many are more focussed now on sustainability and are 
ready to scale up their operations to greater heights. The re-emergence of 
unicorns and the spate of  initial public offerings (IPOs) by new enterprises 
signal a renewed confidence within this ecosystem. The buzz around IPOs, 
often viewed as the final stamp of  validation for startups, reflects a robust 
belief in the long-term viability of these young entrepreneurial ventures.

ON 10 SEPTEMBER dwindling sales of the world’s largest coffeehouse 
chain, Starbucks, culminated in a change of guard. In India, though, 
the US multinational’s joint venture with Tata Consumer Products, Tata 
Starbucks, is on an expansion mode. Since it opened its first outlet in 
Mumbai in 2012, Tata Starbucks has proliferated to 410 outlets across 60 
Indian cities. Canadian multinational Tim Hortens only entered India 
in August 2022 and is today present at 29 outlets across Delhi NCR, 
Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Punjab. Home-grown coffee shop chain 
Barista is not just coping with the competition, Barista Coffee CEO Rajat 
Agrawal is talking of expansion strategies.

THE RAPID EVOLUTION of the landscape for commerce in India is 
nothing short of remarkable. As we stand at the intersection of technology, 
convenience, and consumer demand, the quick commerce (Q-commerce) 
sector emerges as a game-changer, fundamentally altering how India 
shops for essentials. Companies like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto 
and BBNow are at the forefront, propelling this market to an impressive 
$2.8 billion valuation in 2024, with projections soaring to $40 billion 
by 2030. This exponential growth is driven by the convenience factor, 
catering to the needs of today’s time-pressed, young consumers who seek 
instant gratification. 
This surge, however, comes with its own set of challenges. Established 
giants like Amazon and Flipkart find themselves in a race to adapt to this 
new paradigm, where traditional models struggle to keep up with the 
agility required for instant delivery. The newcomers leverage advanced 
technology, data insights and agile operations to stay ahead, continually 
evolving with the habits of urban millennials. Yet, the path ahead is 
wrought with hurdles. Wage inflation, regulatory changes and the need 
for heavy investments in technology present significant challenges for 
Q-commerce. The initial success, bolstered by cheap labour and generous 
investor funding, may not be sustainable in the long term. Companies 
will need to innovate and revise their strategies to remain profitable, as 
competition intensifies.

AS WE CELEBRATE India’s 78th Independence Day, we find ourselves 
at a pivotal juncture in our nation’s economic journey. India’s dream 
of becoming a $10 trillion economy is not just an ambitious goal but a 
significant milestone on the global stage. Achieving this vision requires 
more than just robust policies; it demands stability, discipline and the 
unwavering commitment of those who safeguard our financial systems – 
our chartered accountants (CAs), international consultancies, particularly 
the Big Four firms and local leaders. These economic guardians are 
essential to ensuring that India’s growth is sustainable and resilient

IN A MASTERFUL BLEND of fiscal prudence and growth impetus, Union
finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has charted out a promising course
with her budget proposals for the 2024-25 financial year. The Union
Budget ensures fiscal consolidation even as it lays the groundwork for
robust economic expansion. The Economic Survey 2023–24 projects a
real GDP growth of 6.5-7 per cent for FY 2025, buoyed by a confluence
of global and domestic drivers. I am confident that our readers will get
a deeper insight into the budget through our easy-to-understand, yet indepth
features, columns and expert analysis. A pivotal aspect of this budget
is the government’s commitment to a fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent,
an improvement from the 5.1 per cent outlined in the previous interim
budget, with an ambitious aim to drop below 4.5 per cent by FY 2025-26.
This decisive step fortifies the nation’s economic resilience against global
financial uncertainties.

At a juncture when financial inclusion is pivotal to a nation’s growth, India’s transformation into a fintech powerhouse is a giant leap toward a progress that includes all. The fintech revolution is not confined to urban markets or affluent sectors but cuts across all socioeconomic strata and geographies, demonstrating the inclusivity that is at the heart of it. India’s pioneering efforts, notably with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and subsequent initiatives such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), highlight the country’s commitment to large-scale digitisation and innovation. The future will unfold many more wonders.

ACCORDING to the Indian Meteorological Department, this was
our second warmest year in 122 years. Agricultural productivity and
animal husbandry have borne the brunt of the relentless heat and the
monsoon brings some relief. This issue of BW Businessworld explores
the consequences of India’s harshest and busiest summer, examining
the impact it has had on businesses and consumers alike.
The high temperatures did see certain sectors such as consumer
durables, FMCG, retail, quick commerce and power, achieve remarkable
growth, breaking records effortlessly. We delved into these sectors and
spoke to industry leaders who spent the last few months meeting high
summer demands. B. Thiagarajan of Bluestar, K. J. Jawa of Daikin,
Panasonic Life Solutions India’s Manish Sharma and Pradeep Bakshi
of Voltas share insights on their businesses and also on how the industry
was impacted by the summer sales wave.

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi made history on 10 June when he
strode through the corridors of South Block on Raisina Hill. He became
the second Indian prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to step into a
third term. At his first Cabinet meeting the prime minister of the world’s
largest democracy set the tone of his government’s stance, by signing
the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi and by approving three crore
rural and urban houses as part of the PM Awas Yojana. The two decisions
reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ‘Four Castes’– the
Garib (poor), Mahilayein (women), Yuva (youth) and Annadata (food
growers).
Later in the evening when Rashtrapati Bhawan released the list of
key ministries and portfolios, it was quite evident that the Modi 3.0
government was committed to both continuity of the policies of the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and to the dynamics of coalition
politics. Prime Minister Modi retained key Cabinet portfolios to ensure
that the economic reforms that his government had initiated over the
past decade were sustained. It was a clear message to the Opposition
that the momentum of the reforms were unimpaired. As S. Ravi writes
in his column in this issue, ‘Continuity, Balance and Transformation’
were among the key expectations from the NDA.
 Happy reading!

AS WE GO TO PRESS, counting is on of the results of the national general
elections of the world’s largest democracy. The National Democratic
Alliance (NDA) that bravely contested with two negative trends going
against it – namely joblessness and periodic spurts in inflation –seems
to be set to form government again, riding high on the charisma of
Narendra Modi. But anti-incumbency trends are more than evident,
as regional parties like the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh, show mesmeric gains.
The I.N.D.I.A alliance is a formidable second to the leading NDA at the
time of writing and both the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty are plunging.
We address the menace of inf lation in our cover story, Investing
Strategies to Tame the Inflation Monster. Inflation, described as the
“unseen robber” by Margaret Thatcher, erodes the value of money over
time. Investing strategies of tax-paying Indians therefore, need to be
smart. Our detailed analysis offers clues for combatting a price spiral
through diversified investments, emphasising the power of equities
and mutual funds.

THIS SPECIAL issue contains our annual feature on India’s Most Respected
Companies. We track strong and resilient India Inc.’s narrative as it
bounced back from the challenges posed by a pandemic and the slowdown
that followed. The 2024 list of India’s Most Respected Companies has been
prepared in collaboration with TechSci Research, at the end of a perception
survey of leading listed companies, based on their overall performance in
the 2022-23 financial year. We don’t just assess the financial performance
of the companies, but also delve into their ethos.

Do read our in-depth report on the splendid growth of India’s
construction equipment industry, thanks to the strong government-led
investment in infrastructure projects. This trend is expected to continue
through the second-half of the current fiscal. We also bring to you a
special package on India’s Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) market which
hurtles towards three-fold growth and a cumulative turnover of $100
billion by 2025. This landscape is being fired by disruptive innovation.
Powerhouses like Nykaa, SUGAR, Lenskart, boAt and many others, aren’t
just challenging traditional industries, they are redefining them.
Challenges lurk around this glorious path too. Fast moving consumer
goods (FMCG) giants for instance, are now acquiring D2C startups in a
bid to stay relevant. Even amidst this consolidation, D2C brands continue
to attract both funding and celebrity engagement. As pioneers like
Mamaearth and Nykaa lead the way in raising equity through initial public
offerings (IPOs), the D2C sector is poised to reshape and redefine India’s
retail landscape. Of course, we also bring to you all our regular columns
and features. Happy reading!

AT BW BUSINESSWORLD, championing the cause of women entrepreneurs
has always been a cornerstone of our editorial ethos. In this issue, we
celebrate the remarkable strides made by women across diverse sectors in
India’s entrepreneurial landscape.
From pioneering tech startups to preserving traditional crafts, women
entrepreneurs are not just breaking stereotypes but also driving substantial
economic and social impact. Their talent, resilience and innovation are
shaping the future of business in India.

Happy reading!

MARKETING, COMMUNICATION, media and creativity are subjects that
are very close to my heart, for I have not only seen this sector first-hand
for more than two-and-a-half decades but am also an intrinsic part of
it. This issue, therefore holds a special meaning for me. In this edition,
where we continue to delve into the transformative effects of technology
across various sectors, we spotlight the dynamic world of marketing and
advertising that is pivotal in shaping consumer perceptions. This sector is
undergoing a rapid evolution with the integration of generative AI. The past
year has been particularly insightful. Despite a slowdown in several sectors,
including among Indian startups, companies like boAt and Noise have
boldly increased their advertising expenditures. This trend underscores
the broader realisation among marketers that robust investment in brand
building is critical, especially in times marked by global challenges and
uncertainties. It’s a strategic move that aims to solidify market presence
and ensure long-term business success.

GLOBAL LEADERS who see India as a land of opportunities, take into
account greener pastures and the emerging sectors that are creating
unprecedented growth avenues. In this special issue, we delve into an
extraordinary and burgeoning segment of the Indian economy that merges
ancient traditions with avant-garde technology – the Spiritual Tech sector.
Encompassing a wide array of services – from astrology and faith tech to
numerology and temple tourism – this sector has witnessed a significant
boom, with the market for spiritual services in India catapulting to $58.6
billion in 2023. Powered by revolutionary technological innovations like
online darshans, this market not only sustains India’s cultural essence but
also offers immense potential for startups. Spiritual tech services could
grow to a market size that goes beyond $127 billion by 2032.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, I had found myself in sole charge of Sydney, who my
wife Niti and I consider our third offspring after Prarthna and Prasann.
Caring for our family’s golden retriever had been a shared task till then, so
I discovered to my surprise that her lifestyle was certainly more enviable
than mine and many I know. I was amazed at the amount of time, money
and attention that goes into pet care. When I mentioned this at the office,
I learnt that I was among the very few not fully aware of the passion with
which pet parents in India care for their charge. I was enlightened. Like
many pieces of a puzzle coming together, I could clearly see all the dots
connecting, to create an emerging pet care industry in India.
At BW Businessworld, we are keen to explore new sectors. Driven by
various reasons, new opportunities are arising on the horizon, opening
doors for young entrepreneurs, creating jobs and eventually contributing
to India’s growing economy. One of the first we deep dive into is the Indian
pet care industry. In this case, much credit can be given to pet parents
and the passion with which HNI (high-net-worth individual) households
spend on their pets.

DEAR READER,
Our annual issue on Most Influential Women is a celebration of Indian
women who are inspiring change and progress. The power list features
achievers driving sustainable growth across India and beyond. There is
always a buzz of excitement across our offices when we start on this project.
Advisory board members and editorial leads send in recommendations,
heated debates ensue and finally, the list is drawn up. The thing about such
a list is that there is seldom space enough to acknowledge all the inspiring
women leaders India has. That said, let’s look at our list this year.

DEAR READER,
Fiscal 2022-23 was a challenging year for the world and for India because
of uncertainties that arose from heightened geopolitical tensions and the
impact they had on trade relations and investment flows. Even so, India
Inc. powered through – showing great resilience. We map the India growth
story in our annual BW Real 500 rankings, in partnership with TechSci
Research, that has selected only listed organisations based on their total
income generated in the 2022-2023 fiscal.
Some findings of this study stand out. First, the top 15 companies account
for nearly 71 per cent of the cumulative income generated by the top 50
companies and almost 50 per cent of the total income generated by all
500 companies in the list. Secondly, the top 50 companies accounted for
over 70 per cent of the total income generated by all the 500 companies.
However, the top five companies in the BW Real 500 list could generate a
combined total income of Rs 38.7 lakh crore, a significant drop from the
FY2022 numbers of Rs 100.34 lakh crore, clearly reflecting the global
headwinds. Reliance Industries (RIL) continued its great run, emerging
as India’s largest and most profitable private sector company once more.  Happy reading!

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, the story of wearables, smartwatches and
true wireless audio has been nothing short of remarkable. The category’s
narrative is about growth but the bigger takeaway is how homegrown
brands lead and dominate. The likes of Apple, Samsung and Oppo were not
able to dent the market shares of home-grown boAt, Noise, Boult Audio,
Fire Boltt and their ilk. The ‘Make in India’ story is prominent, reiterating
that when the right people identify a market gap and provide a solution that
works, they are likely to succeed.
Against this backdrop, it is interesting to note that a category that grew
nearly 35 per cent in the preceding year is expected to grow in single digits
in 2024. This may not sound very positive but if you look at the details, you
can see the natural progression. If one observes how the category leaders
are behaving, for example, the multi-X growth in the likes of advertising
expenses or research & development, one can see that these players are
eyeing a bigger pie. They plan to build the category further and find a new
consumer base to be able to overcome the setback anticipated this year,
as our cover feature illuminates. Who could elucidate this strategy better
than the founders of Noise, Amit and Gaurav Khatri? Noise remained
bootstrapped for nearly a decade before accepting its maiden investment
from a global conglomerate like Bose. For those who know the space, this
is signal enough that Noise is going all out as the challenger brand in the
true wireless category. Our cover interview captures Amit and Gaurav’s
thoughts on their long-term growth plan.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST stock exchange on Wall Street has now had
the longest initial public offering (IPO) winter since 1980. The New York
Stock Exchange saw a meagre 154 firms debut with their primary offers
of shares in 2023, from a whopping 1,000 IPOs in 2021, primarily owing
to the high-interest rates that have dashed hopes of high valuation of
stocks. The Indian capital markets belied the trend, as our cover story
revealed in July 2023, showing how IPOs were beginning to flock back
to the markets after a barren spree in 2022.

Happy Reading!

AT THE END OF A YEAR described as one of the bleakest in recent history,
an outlook report of the International Monetary Fund had stated, “The
worst is yet to come, and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession.”
A consensus emerges that 2023 has been able to overcome the financial
challenges on its path. The global economy has shown resilience,
notwithstanding geopolitical tensions, as has India’s domestic economy.

Do read our interview with someone I see as a global leader, Mr Piyush
Pandey. His work across the last four decades have impacted advertising,
influenced public opinion and made a difference. Piyush transitions into
an advisory role at Ogilvy but we expect more from this super leader in
the times ahead. The marketing and advertising sector per se is gearing
up for a busy 2024 as we see home-grown agency RK Swamy prepare for
its IPO. This issue also features the next generation of marketing leaders
in one of our special initiatives.
Of course, we also bring to you all our regular columns and features that
you look forward to. We wish you a Happy New Year!

NOVEMBER IS KNOWN to be the best month to be in Dubai, when its
skies are clear, the sea breeze is balmy and temperatures hover around a
pleasant 25 degrees Celsius. On the last day of November 2023, the throng
there was 70,000 strong from the 200 nations that took part in the United
Nations Climate Conference, COP28. Metaphorically heat had been
building up over a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change summit being hosted by the oil and gas rich United Arab Emirates
(UAE). The irony of the beneficiaries of the fossil fuel market joining forces
with climate activists and environmentalists to work toward a transition
to a world fueled by green energy was not lost on most.

AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, dictionaries come up with the word of the
year. This year, while Cambridge Dictionary announced ‘hallucinate’ as
the word of the year, Collins Dictionary chose the more apt – ‘AI’. Artificial
intelligence has created more buzz this year than any other development.
Seminars and reams of newsprint for columns and articles have been
devoted to it. Apart from AI two other terms are defining the world of work
and business – VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity)
and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear and Incomprehensible).
As a management institute honcho we interviewed for this special
B-School edition says, “The biggest risk for corporates, including Fortune
500 CEOs, is uncertainty, as business cycles are constantly changing.
Thus, the biggest challenge for B-Schools is preparing talent to navigate
uncertainty and volatility, and to be resilient.” This is the theme that has
influenced BW Businessworld’s rankings of B-Schools in 2023. The top
order of rankings remains largely unchanged, comprising mostly firstgeneration
IIMs and top-notch private B-Schools. Several new-generation
IIMs and private institutes agile enough to mould and remould their
curriculum to industry requirements are, however, also knocking at the
doors of the elite club. New-age programmes, mentoring by industry
experts, faculty projects and executive management programmes whose
learnings are ploughed back into the flagship MBA programmes, and
longer internships are some of the new measures that B-Schools have
introduced to stay relevant.
 Happy reading!

INDIA’S GROWTH STORY has so far defied oil price shocks and the
consequent spikes in prices of essentials, geopolitical doldrums like the
persisting Russia-Ukraine war and the vagaries of nature like floods and
storms. The major stock markets in India, the BSE and the NSE, have so
far saluted this epic-in-the-making and then suddenly in October, share
prices of companies in key sectors like banking, telecommunications,
metals, utilities and healthcare began to slide. What portends to be a
trend comes on the eve of a scheduled deluge of initial public offerings
(IPOs) of companies big and small.


Happy reading and Happy Diwali!
ANNURAG BATRA
 anurag.batra@businessworld.in
WHICH WAY ARE STOCK
PRICES HEADED?

THE LUXURY MARKET has been growing since Covid, despite the 
uncertainties around the globe. Reports suggest that the consumer base 
of the luxury market will expand from about 400 million people in 2022 to 
500 million by 2030, by when its market size too is slated to swell three-fold. 
The market itself will evolve, weaving in personalisation, convenience and 
sustainability as it copes with consumer preferences. 

Of course, we also bring to you all our regular columns and features that 
you look forward to. Happy reading.

ECOMMERCE IN INDIA has achieved an astonishing level of growth, demonstrating
the outstanding leadership and resilience of major players like Amazon India
and Flipkart. The enthusiastic embrace of digital platforms, the diverse array of
products on offer and the evolving preferences of consumers – from small towns
to mega metropolises – have been among the myriad factors that have driven this
persistent expansion. This remarkable digital journey of the Indian marketplace
is truly a cause for celebration.
Our cover story in this issue tells the story of one of the country’s largest tech
and ecommerce players, Amazon India. With over 100,000 employees, Amazon
stands out as a mega employer in the private sector. It is committed to digitising
10 million small businesses, facilitating $20 billion in ecommerce exports, and
generating two million direct and indirect jobs through the country. Manish
Tiwary, Vice President and Country Manager of Amazon India’s consumer
business, tells us that Amazon has already made significant strides towards these
goals, having digitised over 6.2 million small businesses, enabled cumulative
exports worth $8 billion, and created over 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs
in India.

WE LIVE IN EXCITING times, when India is literally reaching for the moon
and mars and conquering the universe with its innate goodwill. For India
now, every step needs to be measured, to ensure that we do not slip from
a trajectory built assiduously over a decade. Every economic, political or
even geopolitical leap has traditionally been saluted by the nation’s vibrant
stock markets, as investors, foreign, domestic and retail, demonstrate
their confidence in the fundamentals of the economy. This exuberance
percolates through the bourses, where the share of retail or small investors
have grown exponentially with the rise in disposable income of the salaried
classes. A tremendous maturity in the financial markets while this suggests
in a country where household savings have traditionally been ploughed
into gold or landholdings, memories of the massive bull run and the stock
market debacle of 1992, is bound to haunt many.

INDIA, AS A SHINING STAR in the global economy, has witnessed the rise
of million-dollar, sustainable, and large-scale businesses. From far-sighted
pioneers like Sanjeev Bhikchandani and Dr A. Velumani to contemporary
titans like Binny Bansal and Mithun Sacheti, the journey of wealth creation
has been diverse and dynamic. These entrepreneurs share a common goal:
to forge unmatched, revenue-generating, and fundamentally sustainable
Indian enterprises. As we traverse the timeline of Indian businesses
and entrepreneurial leadership, it becomes clear that the strategies and
approaches to business have evolved significantly, leaving us to ponder the
future course for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
In the last three years alone, wealth creation in India has been nothing
short of spectacular. The mavericks of the business world have not only
built thriving enterprises but have also set the stage for newer, bolder exits,
be it through cash deals, as we saw recently with CaratLane, founded by
Mithun Sacheti, or initial public offerings (IPOs). This evolving narrative
presents a compelling blueprint, poised to transform India into a nation
of entrepreneurs. As we look ahead, the future of India’s entrepreneurial
landscape is set to be an exhilarating voyage, fuelled by innovation, vision,
and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

We hope the issue has some interesting takeaways for our readers.

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BW Businessworld  Cover - July 13, 2024 Edition

July 13, 2024

BW Businessworld  - July 13, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - June 29, 2024 Edition

June 29, 2024

BW Businessworld  - June 29, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - June 15, 2024 Edition

June 15, 2024

BW Businessworld  - June 15, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - June 1, 2024 Edition

June 1, 2024

BW Businessworld  - June 1, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - May 18, 2024 Edition

May 18, 2024

BW Businessworld  - May 18, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - May 04, 2024 Edition

May 04, 2024

BW Businessworld  - May 04, 2024

BW Businessworld  Cover - April 20, 2024 Edition

April 20, 2024

BW Businessworld  - April 20, 2024

BW Businessworld is a fortnightly magazine that has been published since 1975. It is one of the most popular business magazines in India, and it is known for its in-depth reporting and analysis of the Indian business world. It also features interviews with leading business leaders and entrepreneurs. It's a guide to the ever-changing business landscape.

In every issue, you'll find:

* In-depth analysis: Get the latest insights on the big trends that are shaping the business world.
* Expert interviews: Hear from the thought leaders who are shaping the future of business.
* Case studies: Learn from the successes and failures of other businesses.
* Industry reports: Get the lowdown on the latest developments in your industry.
* And more: BW Businessworld also features articles on a variety of other topics, such as leadership, innovation, and technology.

BW Businessworld is a must-read for anyone who wants to make sense of the business world. It is the only magazine that provides comprehensive coverage of the latest trends and insights, from the perspective of the world's leading business thinkers. 

Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve!

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BW Businessworld - January 27, 2024

BW Businessworld - January 27, 2024

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