IKEA to roll out 10,000 sq ft compact stores for smaller cities across India in major retail strategy shift
IKEA will launch smaller stores in India. This is a shift in strategy to reach more customers. The stores will be as small as 10,000 square feet. These stores will be in smaller cities and neighbourhoods. Customers can access the full catalogue online. Home delivery and pick-up options will be available. IKEA is also planning expansion in tier II cities.from Business News: Budget 2025, Business News Today, Latest Business News, Stock Markets, Financial News, India Business & World Business News https://ift.tt/aWe9Yof
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the closure of Pakistan's airspace is projected to cost Indian airlines approximately Rs 77 crore weekly. Rerouting flights adds up to 1.5 hours, significantly increasing fuel and operational expenses. IndiGo has already adjusted routes and suspended some services. Other airlines anticipate operational strain, with wide-body operators better positioned to handle the disruption than budget carriers.
India is considering opposing a $1.3 billion IMF loan for Pakistan, citing concerns about terror support and fund misappropriation. The IMF board is set to evaluate the loan and the ongoing $7 billion bailout package.
The Reserve Bank of India has established guidelines for exchanging damaged currency notes, ensuring that individuals don't face financial losses due to soiled, mutilated, or severely damaged notes. Banks are mandated to accept these notes, with refunds depending on the extent of the damage, and severely damaged notes require RBI evaluation.
To enhance security and transparency, NPCI mandates UPI apps to display only verified bank names for transactions by June 30, 2025. This directive aims to curb rising UPI frauds caused by misleading display names, ensuring users see the 'ultimate beneficiary name' from Core Banking System.
New US tariffs are expected to significantly impact India's automotive component sector, potentially reducing operating profits by 10-15%. ICRA forecasts a moderation in revenue growth for FY2026 due to anticipated decline in US exports. Despite these challenges, India aims to leverage its cost competitiveness and is seeking relaxed export controls and enhanced tech access from the US.
Ather Energy has launched its IPO to raise Rs 2,981 crore, featuring fresh equity shares and an Offer for Sale. The IPO proceeds will fund a new factory, debt repayment, R&D, and marketing. Analysts are positive, citing Ather's strong position in the growing electric two-wheeler market, despite reduced government subsidies.
China reduces the minimum purchase for foreign tourists to claim tax refunds. The new limit is 200 yuan. Earlier it was 500 yuan. The maximum rebate limit is now 20,000 yuan. The government aims to increase tax refund shops. They also plan to simplify the refund process. This move is to boost domestic consumption.
Toyota Motor is weighing options, including a partial investment, in a potential buyout of Toyota Industries, a key parts supplier. Reports suggest a $42 billion deal, but Toyota Industries denies receiving a direct proposal. The move could unwind cross-shareholdings and improve corporate governance, allowing Toyota Industries to focus on long-term growth.
Hindustan Zinc Limited plans to enter potash mining in Rajasthan. The company aims to reduce India's reliance on potash imports. Hindustan Zinc will expand beyond zinc, lead, and silver into strategic critical minerals. They secured a gold block in Rajasthan and a tungsten block in Andhra Pradesh. The company reported a significant increase in net profit.
India is set to formally request the US for relaxed export controls and greater access to advanced technologies, similar to that of close allies, under the proposed bilateral trade agreement. New Delhi seeks enhanced access in sectors like telecommunications, AI, and semiconductors, while pushing for tariff reductions on labor-intensive exports.
Maruti Suzuki India reported a slight dip of 1% in its consolidated net profit for Q4 FY25, reaching Rs 3,911 crore. Despite this, the company experienced a healthy rise in revenue, with total income increasing to Rs 40,920 crore. For the full financial year, Maruti Suzuki posted a net profit of Rs 14,500 crore, a 7.
Nestle India reported a 6.5% decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 873.46 crore for Q4 FY25, impacted by food inflation and moderated urban consumption. Despite this, domestic sales grew by 4.2%, reaching a record Rs 5,235 crore, driven by strong performance in beverages and confectionery. The company's board recommended a final dividend of Rs 10 per share.
The European Union has fined Apple and Meta for violating the Digital Market Act (DMA), imposing penalties of 500 million and 200 million euros, respectively. Apple is penalized for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside the App Store. Meta faces fines for forcing users to consent to personalized ads or pay to avoid them.
The World Bank has lowered India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 to 6.3%, citing global economic headwinds and domestic policy uncertainties. The IMF also revised its projection downward to 6.2%. Across South Asia, growth projections have been broadly reduced, with the region expected to grow at 5.8% in 2025.
The US and India have finalized terms for negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement, aiming for reciprocity and new market opportunities. Discussions seek to address practices detrimental to US workers, with the US Trade Representative highlighting a serious lack of reciprocity in the current trade relationship. Both nations reported substantial progress towards a mutually advantageous trade agreement.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has stepped down as Chairperson and Board of Trustees member after 55 years. The WEF board has appointed Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe as interim Chairman and formed a committee to find a permanent successor. The board acknowledged Schwab's contributions in establishing the WEF as a platform for global cooperation.
China has strongly condemned growing US pressure on its trading partners, pledging to retaliate against actions harming its interests. Washington is reportedly urging allies to reduce trade with Beijing for tariff exemptions, which China views as coercive. Beijing insists on equality in trade talks and warns against protectionism, emphasizing its resolve to defend its rights amidst escalating tariffs.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) announced a 19% revenue increase, reaching Rs 27,350 crore for FY25. The company achieved a record annual order inflow of Rs 92,534 crore, boosting its total order book to Rs 1,95,922 crore. BHEL commissioned 8.1 GW of power capacity, demonstrating its commitment to infrastructure development and operational excellence.
Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, predicts a financial crisis. He cites rising debt and struggling retirement funds as indicators. Kiyosaki advises people to invest in gold, silver, and Bitcoin. He believes these assets will increase in value. He also cautions against relying solely on traditional pensions. Kiyosaki emphasizes the importance of financial education and proactive planning.
Indian markets concluded the week with significant gains, fueled by returning foreign investment and easing inflation. The Sensex and Nifty surged over 6% in four sessions, boosting investor wealth substantially. A favorable monsoon forecast and the RBI's accommodative stance further contributed to the market's positive momentum.
Infosys reported an 11.7% year-on-year drop in net profit for the March quarter, landing at Rs 7,033 crore, despite surpassing its full-year revenue guidance. While annual revenue increased by 6.06% to Rs 1,62,990 crore, the company projects a revenue growth of 0-3% for FY26. The board has proposed a final dividend of Rs 22 per share.
NITI Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam projects India to surpass Germany and Japan, becoming the world's third-largest economy within three years. He envisions India potentially reaching the second position globally by 2047, with a USD 30 trillion economy. Subrahmanyam emphasized India's demographic advantage as a stable supplier of working-age individuals amid global population decline.
Indian benchmark indices surged for the fourth consecutive session, with the Sensex soaring over 1,500 points and the Nifty50 closing above 23,850. The rally was fueled by strong buying in financial stocks, driven by positive sentiment from US-Japan trade talks and weakening dollar.
Escalating US-China tensions could force US investors to divest $800 billion in Chinese equities, causing market volatility. India, with minimal trade exposure to the US, emerges as a potential manufacturing alternative, attracting foreign investment and benefiting from companies seeking to de-risk amid the trade war, despite facing structural challenges.
Google suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts and removed 247.4 million ads in India in 2024 due to policy violations. Globally, over 39.2 million accounts were suspended and 5.1 billion ads were taken down. The company implemented over 50 improvements to its LLMs and suspended 700,000 accounts, leading to a 90% drop in scam ad reports.
Gold prices have soared to unprecedented levels, reaching Rs 98,100 per 10 grams in the national capital, fueled by escalating trade tensions between the US and China. This surge is further supported by a weakened US dollar and positive outlooks from major banks, citing inflows into gold-backed ETFs and sustained central bank buying.
Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal envisions India surpassing Brazil and China to become the world's second-largest iron ore producer, leveraging its substantial 33 billion tonnes reserves. India's iron ore production saw a 3.5% increase, reaching 236 MMT during April-January 2024-25. This growth could significantly boost the economies of states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
China has cautioned the U.K. government regarding British Steel. This follows the U.K. authorities' recent takeover of the company. China urges fair treatment of Jingye Group, the Chinese owners. They fear undermining investor confidence. The U.K. government has appointed a new executive team. Their goal is to maintain steel production at the Scunthorpe plant.
Global markets surged following President Trump's temporary tariff exemption on electronics, boosting tech stocks and investor confidence. European and Asian markets saw significant gains, with the DAX, CAC 40, Nikkei 225, and Hang Seng Index leading the rally. Despite easing trade tensions, analysts warn that prolonged friction between the US and China could still trigger a global economic slowdown.
Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the Rs 14,000 crore PNB scam, has been arrested in Belgium following renewed extradition efforts by Indian probe agencies. After evading authorities since 2018, Choksi was detained from a hospital where he was receiving medical treatment. Indian agencies are completing extradition procedures, while Choksi may seek relief on medical grounds.
During a holiday-shortened week, five of India's top ten companies saw their combined market valuation increase by ₹84,559.01 crore, even as the broader market experienced a slight decline. Hindustan Unilever emerged as the top gainer, while Reliance Industries maintained its position as the most valued Indian company. TCS experienced the steepest drop in market capitalization among the decliners.
Foreign Portfolio Investors have withdrawn a significant Rs 31,575 crore from Indian equity markets in April, influenced by global uncertainties arising from US tariffs. This outflow contributes to a total of Rs 1.48 lakh crore withdrawn in 2025. Experts suggest that India's strong fundamentals and potential for growth may attract FPIs back once global market turbulence subsides.
India supported a global carbon tax on shipping. The UN agency, IMO, passed the measure to cut ship emissions. Ships must use cleaner fuels or pay a pollution fee. The tax aims to generate funds for decarbonizing the shipping sector. Some nations opposed the move. Technical details are yet to be finalized.
India's semiconductor industry is poised for significant expansion. A UBS report projects a doubling of end-demand revenues by 2030. The market is expected to grow at a 15 per cent CAGR. Localisation efforts will contribute substantially to revenue. India's talent pool and supportive policies are key drivers. Multinational companies are diversifying supply chains, benefiting India.
Central Europe is grappling with a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, leading to mass animal culls and border closures among Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Originating in Hungary, the highly contagious virus has spread rapidly, prompting disinfection efforts and border restrictions. Amidst economic concerns and investigations into the outbreak's cause, affected farmers face significant challenges in rebuilding their livelihoods.
Gold prices in India surged to a record high of Rs 96,450 per 10 grams, driven by strong demand and escalating US-China trade tensions. Global spot gold reached USD 3,237.39 per ounce, fueled by safe-haven demand amid economic uncertainty. Analysts predict a continued bullish trend for gold due to geopolitical instability and central bank diversification away from the US dollar.
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has surpassed 22 crore investor accounts, adding 2 crore in just six months. As of March 31, 2025, unique registered investors stood at 11.3 crore. Maharashtra leads in investor accounts, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Over the past five years, the Nifty 50 Index delivered a 22 per cent annualised return.
Indian equity markets surged on Friday, mirroring a global rebound and fueled by value buying across sectors. The Sensex soared over 1244 points, while the Nifty 50 climbed more than 400 points, driven by positive domestic cues and expectations of steady inflation. Experts suggest long-term investors consider selective buying in financials and pharmaceuticals.
Donald Trump paused tariffs on most nations but increased levies on China. China retaliated and called for mutual respect in dialogue. The trade war threatens global supply chains and economic stability. Xi Jinping prepares for long-term confrontation, reducing reliance on the US. Both countries face economic pain, but neither leader is willing to back down. The situation is a deadlock.
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