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IndiaMART becomes first B2B marketplace in India to register 10 crore users |
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Source: Business Standard, February 27, 2020 |
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Leading B2B marketplace IndiaMART has seen a 10-fold increase in its user base over the past six years to achieve 10 crore registered users on the platform. Nearly 36 per cent of the traffic on IndiaMART comes from metro cities and the remaining 64 per cent from tier one, tier two and smaller towns. |
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Our Case |
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The case “IndiaMART – The Evolving B2B Marketplace” talks about the growth of IndiaMART InterMESH Ltd. (IndiaMART) in the Indian B2B marketplace and the solutions provided by it for the buyers and sellers on its platform. Initially, IndiaMART catered to the needs of the exporters by listing them on its website and creating websites for them. Gradually with the changing economic conditions, IndiaMART gravitated toward the domestic SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). To know more read our case: |
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General Motors' Exit from India – A Wise Move? |
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General Motors to exit Australia, New Zealand in $1.1 Billion overhaul |
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Source: Livemint, February 17, 2020 |
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General Motors Co. said it will leave Australia, New Zealand and Thailand by year-end as it continues to exit poor-performing markets and focus its resources on new technologies like self-driving cars and electric vehicles. The largest US automaker said it will take $1.1 billion in charges mostly in the first quarter, of which $300 million is cash, to cover the costs of leaving those markets. The company will retire the Australian Holden brand, withdraw the Chevrolet brand from Thailand and sell its Rayong plant there to China’s Great Wall Motor Co., GM said in a statement. |
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Our Case |
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The cases “General Motors’ Exit from India – A Wise Move?” and “General Motors' Exit from Europe” talk about the circumstances that forced GM to exit auto markets. GM failed to create a space for itself in the highly competitive Indian auto market that was considered the fastest growing market in the world. GM was also facing tough times since 2000 in Europe with the failure of the Chevrolet and Opel brands. Added to that, the changing European market conditions and excess and idle production capacities forced GM to consider the strategy of divestment from Europe. To Know more, read our cases: |
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General Motors' Exit from India – A Wise Move? |
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General Motors' Exit from Europe |
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Zomato acquires Uber Eats in all-stock transaction |
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Source: The Hindu BusinessLine, January 21, 2020 |
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Food delivery platform Zomato has acquired Uber’s food delivery business -- UberEats -- in India in an all-stock transaction. With this, Uber Eats will discontinue operations in India. It will direct restaurants, delivery partners, and users of the UberEats apps to the Zomato platform, effective from 7 am on Tuesday. However, the deal gives Uber 9.99 per cent ownership in Zomato. |
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Our Case |
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Zomato had to face hard-hitting competition from Swiggy, Foodpanda and Uber Eats. Every firm tried its level best to increase their market share either by giving deep discounts or providing varied offers. In the year 2017, Zomato launched a subscription-based program called Zomato Treats and a premium membership program called Zomato Gold. To know about Zomato’s strategies to tackle threat from the heavily funded rival Swiggy and other players, read our case: |
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“Zomato: Can it win the Battle for Leadership in India’s Food Tech Market?” |
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Reliance Industries topples IOC to become India's largest company |
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Source: Livemint, December 16, 2019 |
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Boosted by its consumer-facing businesses like organized retail and telecom, Reliance Industries ended state-owned Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) 10-year reign as India's largest company, topping the Fortune India 500 list. With a revenue of INR5.81 lakh crore in 2018-19, the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate also became the first privately-held and the only other company to become India's largest corporation apart from IOC for the first time in 10 years, Fortune India said. |
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Our Case |
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Our case study describes the story of Reliance right from its inception (1960) till March 2019. It then elaborates on the growth trajectory of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) under Mukesh Ambani’s leadership. His expert business acumen in expanding his business empire is discussed as also the company’s foray into a plethora of retail businesses through its subsidiary Reliance Retail Ltd (RRL). The case study takes a look at RIL’s journey in the Petrochemical segment and its foray into broadband and internet services through Reliance Jio Infocom (Jio). To know more read our case: |
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“Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Industries” |
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Aadhaar a game changer but concerns on security remain |
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Source: Livemint, December 12, 2019 |
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The rollout of the 12-digit unique identification number Aadhaar has been one of the biggest game changers for India in the past decade. Modelled after the US’s social security number, Aadhaar has now become the world’s largest biometric identification—iris and fingerprint scan, with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) having issued more than a billion cards. The 12-digit unique identity project was, however, criticized over the privacy and security of personal data collected by the UIDAI and over concerns on its compulsory use for availing most services.
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Our Case |
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Aadhaar has been linked to many Government of India welfare schemes and is used as identity proof to open a bank account, get a passport, etc. However, there have been substantial deliberations over the privacy and security issues related to the Aadhaar project. Aadhaar is considered to be prone to possible system hacks, insider leaks, and tampering of authentication records and audit trails in the absence of proper security policies. To know more, read our case: |
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“Aadhaar Data Leaks: How Secure is the World’s Largest Biometric Database?” |
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IKEA to open three stores in Mumbai, recruit 1,000 people |
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Source: Business Line, November 26, 2019 |
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Home furnishing retailer IKEA plans to open three stores in Mumbai. This would include a flagship store in Navi Mumbai as well as two smaller outlets. It is also looking at recruiting 1,000 people, mainly for the Navi Mumbai store, which is set to open within a year. IKEA India’s larger stores will be spread over an area of more than 45,000 sq m, while the small-format ones will span an area of over 6,500 sq m. |
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Our Cases |
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IKEA has its presence in 44 countries around the globe – in countries like the US, the UK, Russia, the Euro region, Japan, China, Australia, etc. However, it did not enter the Indian market till 2013, though the company had its presence in the country since the 1980s as a sourcing destination for its global stores. After years of lobbying, and negotiating with and convincing the Indian politicos and bureaucrats, on May 2, 2013, IKEA's €1.5 billion investment proposal to set up its stores in India was finally accepted by the local government. To know about issues related to IKEA's market entry strategy and expansion in India, read our case: |
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“Business Model and Competitive Strategy of IKEA in India” |
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8000-strong hotels body to shun Zomato Gold delivery |
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Source: The Economic Times, November 25, 2019 |
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After a boycott on dine-in, food delivery and search aggregator Zomato is now facing the heat on delivery. The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), which has 8,000 members nationally, said it is unanimously boycotting delivery services by aggregator Zomato under its Zomato Gold programme with immediate effect, over allegations of delivery from illegally-run kitchens, steep discounts offered for Zomato Gold members and unavailability of delivery executives. |
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Our Cases |
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Zomato had to face hard-hitting competition from Swiggy, Foodpanda and Uber Eats. Every firm tried its level best to increase their market share either by giving deep discounts or providing varied offers. In the year 2017, Zomato launched a subscription-based program called Zomato Treats and a premium membership program called Zomato Gold. To know about Zomato’s strategies to tackle threat from the heavily funded rival Swiggy and other players, read our case: |
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“Zomato: Can it win the Battle for Leadership in India’s Food Tech Market?” |
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Royal Enfield will return to double digit growth: CEO |
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Source: Livemint, November 17, 2019 |
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Record retail sales in October have given Royal Enfield’s new CEO Vinod Dasari the confidence to ‘call’ the trough in the current cycle, and he expects sales volumes of the popular Bullet bikes to accelerate from here – possibly in double digits. The October turnaround came after sales declined in double digits this year. Dasari said the brand would get back to double-digit growth led by sustained product action and increasing reach, both locally and internationally.
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Our Cases |
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Royal Enfield motorcycle brand was introduced in the Indian market during the mid-nineteenth century. It was highly preferred by rural customers and the government departments like the police and the armed forces. During the late nineties, sales of the brand declined due to a number of factors like poor quality, lack of a proper sales and service network, and weakening of the brand image. In order to turn around the fortunes of Royal Enfield, the management began taking a number of marketing initiatives in the early 2000s. To know more, read our case: |
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“Royal Enfield: Revival of a Cult Brand” |
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Patanjali Ayurved posts INR3,562 crore revenue for April-September |
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Source: Moneycontrol.com, November 19, 2019 |
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Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved said it has achieved a revenue of INR3,562 crore in April-September 2019-20, the highest ever in the first half of any financial year. The Haridwar-based firm has reported a revenue of INR1,793 crore in April-June and INR1,769 crore in July-September in the ongoing fiscal. The company had reported a revenue of INR937 crore and INR1,576 crore in June quarter and September quarter of 2018-19, respectively. |
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Our Cases |
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Patanjali Ayurved priced its products cheaper than its competitors by sourcing raw materials directly from farmers. It wanted to quickly expand its business across the country and reach more customers through establishing exclusive retail outlets, consolidating its online presence, and entering into tie-ups with retail chains. However, some analysts were skeptical about the company’s growth prospects. To know about Patanjali’s growth strategies to face stiff competition in the market, read our cases: |
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“Patanjali Ayurved: Will the Growth Momentum Sustain?” |
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“Patanjali Products: Disruptive Force in the Indian FMCG Market” |
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Aramco declares $1.71 trillion valuation in blockbuster IPO |
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Source: Livemint, November 17, 2019 |
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Saudi Arabia put a value of up to $1.71 trillion on energy giant Aramco in what could be the world's biggest IPO, but missed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's initial target of $2 trillion. Aramco said it would sell 1.5% of the company in a blockbuster initial public offering worth at least $24 billion. The much-delayed offering is scaled down from original plans, but it still rivals the world's biggest listing so far -- the $25 billion float of Chinese retail giant Alibaba in 2014. |
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Our Case |
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The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman, had stunned the world when he declared in early 2016 that Aramco’s worth would be around $2 trillion. A widening fiscal deficit and depleting foreign reserves indicated that it was no longer viable to depend on oil exports to run the nation. There was a need to diversify and the impetus to do so would come from the proceeds of the IPO. But the IPO which would decide the fate of 33 million Saudis would come with its own set of challenges. To know more, read our cases: |
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“SAUDI ARAMCO” |
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“Saudi Vision 2030: A Kingdom’s Blueprint for Economic Diversification – Will the Reforms Succeed?” |
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Apple dominates smartwatch market with 48% share in Q3 |
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Source: Hindustan Times, November 10, 2019 |
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Continuing its lead over competitors like Samsung and Fitbit, Apple Watch maintained first position as its share in the global smartwatch market reached 48% in the third quarter of this year from 45% in the same quarter last year, according to a report by market research firm Strategy Analytics. Global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 42% annually to reach 14 million units in the third quarter of 2019, said the report. |
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Our Cases |
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Released in April 2015, the Apple Watch was the first new Apple device since the iPad. The Apple Watch was a smartwatch that integrated with iOS and displayed notifications like text messages. Apple became the world’s #1 wearables vendor in Q1 2017 with an estimated 3.5 million Apple Watch shipments, 59% higher than the shipments in the same period the previous year. To know more about Apple Watch, read our case: |
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“Apple Watch: A Disruptive Innovation or a Chink in Apple’s Armor?” |
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Microsoft, Nokia collaborate once again after failed $7bn smartphone deal |
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Source: Business Standard, November 6, 2019 |
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After a failed $7 billion acquisition of Nokia's smartphone business five years back, Microsoft has announced a strategic collaboration with the Finnish company to accelerate transformation and innovation across industries with Cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). The new partnership brings together Microsoft cloud solutions and Nokia's expertise in mission-critical networking, to help enterprises and communications service providers (CSPs) transform their businesses. |
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Our Case |
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In September 2013, Microsoft and Nokia, announced that both the companies would enter into a transaction where Microsoft would acquire Nokia’s Devices & Services segment, license Nokia’s patents and license and use Nokia’s mapping services, for US$ 7.2 billion. With the acquisition of Nokia, Microsoft aimed to build on its partnership with the former by accelerating the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. To know more, read our cases: |
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“Microsoft’s Acquisition of Nokia: Will the Gamble Work?” |
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“Microsoft's Strategic Alliance with Nokia” |
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“Nokia-Microsoft Alliance: Joining Forces in the Smartphone Wars” |
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Microsoft Introduced 4-Day Work Week in Japan, Productivity Jumped by 40% |
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Source: CNN-News18, November 5, 2019 |
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A growing number of smaller companies are adopting a four-day workweek. Now the results of a recent trial at Microsoft (MSFT) suggest it could work even for the biggest businesses. The company introduced a program this summer in Japan called the "Work Life Choice Challenge," which shut down its offices every Friday in August and gave all employees an extra day off each week. The results were promising: While the amount of time spent at work was cut dramatically, productivity — measured by sales per employee — went up by almost 40% compared to the same period the previous year, the company said in a statement last week. |
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Our Case |
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Microsoft had a strong organizational culture which supported work / life balance and helped boost employee morale. The company also had a well-planned employee retention strategy which was considered among the best in the industry. It offered various benefits to its employees including health insurance, ESOPs (employee stock ownership / option plans), flexible working hours, discounts on several products and services. The company also promoted corporate diversity. To know more, read our cases: |
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“Microsoft Corporation: Best Practices in Human Resource Management” |
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“Employee Motivation and Retention Strategies at Microsoft Corporation” |
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“Microsoft India's HR Practices” |
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Lack of safety regulator slows down ambitious Pune-Mumbai, India Hyperloop project |
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Source: Livemint, November 4, 2019 |
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The ambitious Pune-Mumbai Hyperloop project that seeks to become the first operational high-speed Hyperloop line in the world is faced with a regulatory problem. More precisely, it is yet to find a regulator for itself, who can oversee construction and safety aspects as it races to beat cities like New York, Abu Dhabi and Mexico City that are also working to build their own lines. In 2018, the Maharashtra government approved Virgin Hyperloop One-led consortium’s plans to develop a high-speed line between Mumbai and Pune. |
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Our cases |
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Hyperloop is a proposed pod transport system that would operate inside a near-vacuum tube and travel at high speed. The Hyperloop idea resembles magnetically levitating capsules which are sent at high speeds through low-pressure tubes, thereby potentially reducing transport time. Despite claiming its transport benefits for people across regions, Hyperloop has been facing challenges with regard to its basic design, efficiency, and cost. To know more, read our case: |
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“Hyperloop: Reinventing Transportation” |
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Saudi Arabia kick-starts IPO of world's largest oil company |
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Source: The Economic Times, November 3, 2019 |
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Saudi Arabia's state oil company kick-started its initial public offering (IPO) on Sunday, announcing its intention to list on the domestic bourse as the kingdom seeks to diversify and create the world's most valuable listed company. Aramco did not give a time frame or say how much of the company it would sell, but sources have told Reuters the oil company could offer 1%-2% of its shares on the local bourse, raising as much $20 billion-$40 billion. |
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Our Cases |
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The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman, had stunned the world when he declared in early 2016 that Aramco’s worth would be around $2 trillion. A widening fiscal deficit and depleting foreign reserves indicated that it was no longer viable to depend on oil exports to run the nation. There was a need to diversify and the impetus to do so would come from the proceeds of the IPO. But the IPO which would decide the fate of 33 million Saudis would come with its own set of challenges. To know more, read our cases: |
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“SAUDI ARAMCO” |
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Lack of safety regulator slows down ambitious Pune-Mumbai, India Hyperloop project |
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Source: Livemint, November 4, 2019 |
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The ambitious Pune-Mumbai Hyperloop project that seeks to become the first operational high-speed Hyperloop line in the world is faced with a regulatory problem. More precisely, it is yet to find a regulator for itself, who can oversee construction and safety aspects as it races to beat cities like New York, Abu Dhabi and Mexico City that are also working to build their own lines. In 2018, the Maharashtra government approved Virgin Hyperloop One-led consortium’s plans to develop a high-speed line between Mumbai and Pune. |
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Our Case |
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Hyperloop is a proposed pod transport system that would operate inside a near-vacuum tube and travel at high speed. The Hyperloop idea resembles magnetically levitating capsules which are sent at high speeds through low-pressure tubes, thereby potentially reducing transport time. Despite claiming its transport benefits for people across regions, Hyperloop has been facing challenges with regard to its basic design, efficiency, and cost. To know more, read our case: |
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“Hyperloop: Reinventing Transportation” |
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Facebook agrees to pay UK fine over Cambridge Analytica scandal |
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Source: India Today, October 30, 2019 |
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Facebook has agreed to pay a 500,000 pound fine for breaches of data protection law related to the harvesting of data by consultancy Cambridge Analytica, Britain's information rights regulator said. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced questioning by U.S. and EU lawmakers over how the political consultancy obtained the personal data of 87 million Facebook users from a researcher. |
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Our Cases |
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Facebook became a popular social media company with about 2.19 billion monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2018. However, the company's continuous growth was marred by security concerns. In March 2018, Facebook was caught in a major data breach scandal in which a political consulting firm – Cambridge Analytica – pulled out the personal data of more than 87 million Facebook users without their consent. The data was allegedly used in favor of the US Presidential candidate, Donald Trump and also it was found that the data was misused to influence the Brexit referendum results in favor of the Vote Leave campaign. To know more read our case: |
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“Facebook–Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal” |
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Flipkart logs loss of INR3,837 crore in 2018-19 |
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Source: The Economic Times, October 28, 2019 |
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Flipkart India, the B2B arm of Walmart-owned Flipkart, has registered a higher loss of INR3,836.8 crore during 2018-19 as compared to the previous financial year, according to regulatory documents. The unit had posted a loss of INR2,063.8 crore for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, documents filed by Flipkart India to the corporate affairs ministry showed. Flipkart India's revenue from operations, however, saw a 42.82 per cent jump to INR30,931 crore in 2018-19 from INR21,657.7 crore in the previous financial year, it added. |
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Our Case |
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Faced with a fund crunch, heavy losses, tough competition, a management churn at the top, and tougher government regulations, Flipkart found itself in the middle of a storm with the imminent possibility of it ceding the top slot to rival Amazon in the online retail market in India. To know about the strategies Flipkart adapted to improve sales, stemming market share losses to Amazon, and sustaining its dominant position in the Indian e-commerce space, read our cases: |
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“Flipkart in Trouble?” |
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“Flipkart: Can it Ride out the Fund Crunch?” |
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Ambani one step closer to create India's Alibaba with $24 billion holding firm |
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Source: Livemint, October 28, 2019 |
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Billionaire Mukesh Ambani moved a step closer to creating an e-commerce giant for India, unveiling plans to set up a $24 billion digital-services holding company that would become the main vehicle in his ambition to dominate the country’s internet shopping space. The board of Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd. approved a proposal to plow ₹1.08 trillion ($15 billion) into the fully owned subsidiary, which will in turn invest that amount in Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. |
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Our Case |
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In the Forbes’ ‘Billionaires – The Richest People in the World 2019’ list published on March 5, 2019, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), was ranked 13th. RIL started its journey in the Petrochemical segment and then entered into broadband and internet services through Reliance Jio Infocom (Jio). The company also announced ‘New Commerce’ platform which poses challenges to leading e-commerce players like Amazon Inc. and Flipkart, already popular in India. To know more, read our case: |
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“Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Industries” |
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AirAsia India to increase fleet size to 29 by year-end, says COO Sanjay Kumar |
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Source: Livemint, October 22, 2019 |
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Budget carrier AirAsia India will increase its fleet size to 29 aircraft by December-end, as it aims to increase frequencies to metro cities and prune unprofitable routes in the upcoming winter schedule, said Sanjay Kumar, chief operating officer of the airline. AirAsia, a joint venture between Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd and Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad, has 23 aircraft and will induct two aircraft in the next fortnight, he added. |
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Our cases |
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In February 2013, Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad (AirAsia), Asia's largest budget carrier, launched a regional airline in India in association with Tata Sons Ltd (Tata Sons), India's largest conglomerate, and Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd (Telestra). AirAsia India was managed by AirAsia and operated from Chennai. It was a low cost carrier and targeted tier II and tier III cities in India. To know more, read our case on AirAsia India: |
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“AirAsia: Asia's Largest Low Cost Airline's Foray into India” |
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Xiaomi Says It Has Sold Over 100 Million Redmi Note Phones globally |
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Source: Republic TV, October 17, 2019 |
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Xiaomi has sold over 100 million Redmi Note devices globally since 2014 – which is when the first Redmi Note came into being. Clearly the Redmi Note has been a global bestseller around the world – especially in India where the lineup has become kind of synonymous with affordability and reliability. And over the years, Xiaomi has only upped its game. |
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Our Cases |
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Beijing-based Chinese electronics company, Xiaomi Inc. was founded in April 2010 by Lei Jun (Jun) in association with his friend Bin Lin (Lin), a former Google and Microsoft executive. Xiaomi was known to produce cheap smartphones with a nice build quality. Xiaomi followed a unique business model where it sold its smartphones at cheap prices and later took advantage of the revenue streams generated by selling its software such as apps, cloud computing, and games. To know more, read our case: |
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“Xiaomi: Reinventing the Smartphone Business Model in China” |
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Uber to deactivate surge pricing during odd-even scheme in Delhi, India |
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Source: Livemint, October 16, 2019 |
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Cab aggregator Uber will deactivate surge pricing during November 4-15, when the odd-even scheme will be rolled out in Delhi, India. The odd-even scheme has been proposed as part of a slew of measures to combat high level of air pollution in Delhi, caused due to stubble burning in neighbouring states during winters. Uber often charge higher or surged prices when the demand is high. |
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Our Case |
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Uber is known for revolutionizing land transportation costs with its surge pricing, which required riders to pay more during periods of heavy demand. The company’s surge pricing strategy aimed to encourage more drivers to pick up riders and to control the available supply to customers who valued the service the most. Uber’s surge pricing strategy had always been a critical driver of its success and also the source of much controversy. Many complained that the ride-sharing company took advantage of rush hours by compelling passengers to pay more to get their ride. |
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“The Economics behind Uber's Surge Pricing” |
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Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter Launch on 16th Oct 2019 |
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Source: RushLane, October 13, 2019 |
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Bajaj has recently announced that it will launch a ‘special’ product at an event named ‘Hamara Kal’ on October 16. Though the company wasn’t forthcoming with further details of the product in question, industry observers believe that it is going to be an electric scooter. While the brand name Urbanite has been associated with the upcoming EV, it is also being reported that the Pune-based two wheeler giant may choose to bring back one of its older iconic nameplates. The Chetak nameplate with successful history and strong nostalgia qualifies as a top candidate. The new Bajaj e-scooter could be called as Chetak Chic. |
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Our Case |
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The scooters produced under the Chetak brand dominated the Indian two-wheeler market from the early 1970s to the early 1990s and helped Bajaj Auto become a leader in the industry. As the Indian Two-wheeler Industry was deregulated and welcomed competition in the 1990s, Bajaj Auto began to face a threat from foreign players. Realizing the changing dynamics of the Indian two-wheeler industry and the deficiencies at Bajaj Auto, Rajiv Bajaj began to develop a new strategy for the company. To know more read our case on Bajaj Chetak: |
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“Bajaj Auto Ltd's Brand-Centric Strategy” |
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Forbes India Rich List 2019: Mukesh Ambani retains top position for 12th straight year |
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Source: Business Today, October 11, 2019 |
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Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani (Mukesh) has once again bagged the number one spot with $51.4 billion net worth on Forbes' list of richest Indians for the year 2019. This is the 12th consecutive year that Ambani has topped the list despite being a 'challenging year' for the Indian economy. Ambani's wealth swelled to $51.4 billion this year. |
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Our cases |
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In the Forbes’ ‘Billionaires – The Richest People in the World 2019’ list published on March 5, 2019, Mukesh, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), was ranked 13th. Also in 2019, Mukesh topped the list of ‘The World's Richest Sports Team Owners 2019’ published by Forbes. The business empire that Mukesh had built over the decades helped him grow his wealth tremendously – from US$ 19.3 billion in 2016 to US$55.2 billion in 2019, an increase of more than 150%. To know more, read our case: |
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“Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Industries” |
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IndiGo to lease eight A321neo planes from CDB Aviation by January 2020 |
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Source: Livemint, October 10, 2019 |
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With an eye on expanding its international presence, IndiGo, country's largest domestic airline, will add eight Airbus A321neo aircraft on lease from Ireland-based CDB Aviation by January next year. The airline took delivery of one A321neo from the leasing company, thus taking its A321neo fleet to seven aircraft. The A321neo planes typically have a longer range and can carry slightly more passengers than the A320 planes operated by the airline and is used by airlines around the world to operate on medium-haul international routes as well on domestic routes. The A321neo LR (Long Range) aircraft can also be used to fly on certain long-haul routes but with layover for re-fueling. |
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Our Case |
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Indigo was introduced as a Low Cost Carrier in the market by Rahul Bhatia in 2006. It faced government barriers and still managed to emerge as one of the fastest growing airlines in India with a market share of 37% as of February 2015. Being a customer-centric airline, it combined the use of technology, sale and lease back agreements, bulk purchase of fleets, quality training of its staff, and high operational efficiency to create a competitive synergy better than that of other players. To know more, read our cases: |
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“Indigo Airlines- Meandering through the Public Policies on the Success Runway – Can it Fly Higher?” |
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“IndiGo - India's Most Profitable Low Cost Carrier” |
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Aramco’s Long-Delayed Mega-IPO Is Finally Set to Hit the Market |
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Source: Bloomberg, October 10, 2019 |
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had only just started his rise to global notoriety when he stunned the global business community in early 2016 by promising to sell shares in the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the state oil producer. Now, after several false starts, the initial public offering of Saudi Arabia’s crown jewel—Aramco, which pumps 10% of the global crude oil supply from abundant fields under the kingdom’s desert—is finally going ahead. The government is set to make a formal announcement in late October, and the superlatives are likely to follow thick and fast: the biggest-ever share sale, the world’s most valuable company, the largest dividend payments in history. |
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Our Case |
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The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman, had stunned the world when he declared in early 2016 that Aramco’s worth would be around $2 trillion. A widening fiscal deficit and depleting foreign reserves indicated that it was no longer viable to depend on oil exports to run the nation. There was a need to diversify and the impetus to do so would come from the proceeds of the IPO. But the IPO which would decide the fate of 33 million Saudis would come with its own set of challenges. To know more, read our cases: |
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“SAUDI ARAMCO” |
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PepsiCo India wins US award for saving more than 17 billion liters of water |
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Source: Livemint, Oct 8, 2019 |
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The United States named PepsiCo India for the 2019 Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), recognizing its efforts to save more than 17 billion liters of water through community water programs and positively impacting 60,000 community members. PepsiCo India has been named the global ACE winner in sustainable operations in the multinational enterprise category for its sustainable farming initiative in India, a media release said. |
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Our Case |
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Faced with various criticisms on the social and environmental fronts, PepsiCo adopted the ‘Performance with Purpose’ strategy in 2009 under the leadership of its CEO Indra Nooyi (Nooyi). This strategy was based upon the philosophy that the company’s financial performance should go hand in hand with its responsibilities toward society and the environment. The new sustainable development program contained 47 commitments that PepsiCo made toward society and these were divided into four broad areas: Performance, Human Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, and Talent Sustainability. To know more, read our case: |
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“Sustainable Development at PepsiCo” |
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Cipla hits 52-week low as USFDA issues 12 observations for Goa facility |
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Source: Moneycontrol.com, September 30, 2019 |
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Shares of Cipla touched 52-week low of INR 425, falling 3% in the early trade on September 30 after company received 12 observations for its Goa facility in India. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted a cGMP inspection at company's Goa manufacturing facility from September 16-27, 2019. The inspection ended with 12 observations, none of which are related to data integrity. |
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Our Case |
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Cipla is a leading Indian pharmaceutical company operating in India and across the world either directly or through subsidiaries or joint ventures. From being a domestically focussed company in the early 1990s, Cipla has transformed itself into a multinational company with its share of revenues from international operations increasing from 10% in the early 1990s to 60% during the fiscal year 2017-18. Of the major objectives Cipla planned to achieve during the fiscal year 2018-19, improving its operational performance was one key short-term motive. To know more about Cipla, read our cases: |
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“Operational Performance of Cipla Limited-An Overview” |
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“Liquidity Analysis of Cipla Limited” |
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Grofers aims $1 billion revenue by year-end, to add 700 kirana stores |
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Source: Business Today, September 29, 2019 |
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India-based online grocery platform Grofers plans to clock USD 1 billion in revenue by the end of the year, on the back of strong growth in both its online and offline businesses. Softbank-backed online grocery firm also aims to add 700 kirana stores to the network. Grofers founder Saurabh Kumar said that the distribution expansion to offline kirana stores earlier this year has helped in increasing penetration of the G-brands, adding that the offline model has bolstered the company's business. |
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Our Case |
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Grofers was named Onenumber when it was launched and the name was changed to Grofers in December 2013. From 2017, Grofers re-launched its operations in 5 out of 9 cities, expanded its product categories (2017), launched its own label, “Grofers” (2018), began bringing local kiranas under the Grofers brand (2018), and modified its supply chain by adding 6,500 local service partners, to solve the pick-up and distribution problems (2018). Grofers recorded revenues of Rs 10 billion in FY2018, amidst losses of Rs 2.58 billion. To know more, read our cases: |
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“Grofers` Growing Ambition in Online Grocery Market in India” |
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“Grofers: Will the Hyper Local B2C Model Survive?” |
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India's Mars mission Mangalyaan completes 5 years |
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Source: livemint.com, September 25, 2019 |
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The Mangalyaan mission, which was initially meant to last six months, has completed five years of orbiting Mars and is likely to continue for some more time, says ISRO chief K Sivan. In the last five years, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), India's first interplanetary endeavor, helped India's space agency prepare a Martian Atlas based on the images provided by the orbiter. |
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Our Case |
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With the success of its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, India became the first country to succeed in its maiden attempt to reach Mars. However, what captured the attention of the international media was the shoestring budget in which the mission was accomplished. At US$74 million, the budget was less than what was spent on the Hollywood movie ‘Gravity’, released the same year. To know more about MOM, read our case: |
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“India’s Mars Orbiter Mission: Triumph of Frugal Engineering” |
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Lupin shares decline on USFDA observations for Tarapur facility |
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Source: Moneycontrol.com, September 23, 2019 |
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Shares of Lupin fell more than 1% in early trade on September 23 after the company received three observations from USFDA. USFDA has carried out inspection at its Tarapur manufacturing (API) facility. The inspection was carried out between September 16 and September 20, 2019. At 0932 hrs, Lupin was quoting at INR749.50, down INR6.60, or 0.87 percent on the BSE. |
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Our cases |
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Headquartered in Mumbai, Lupin made significant investments in R&D, infrastructure, exports, herbal markets and other therapeutic segments to compete effectively with domestic and global pharma majors. On November 7, 2017, the Lupin stock hit a 52-week low of INR846.20 when the pharma major informed the NSE and the BSE about the warning letter it had received from the USFDA. Following the steep decline in the stock price, the company's market valuation eroded by INR78.66 billion. Concerned over Lupin Ltd margins, most of the brokerage houses cut their target price on the stock. Investors were left wondering whether they should sell the stock, hold it, or buy more. To know more, read our case: |
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“Lupin Stock: Risk Return” |
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Amway aims up to 12% of India business from consumer durables segment |
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Source: StocksMarket.in, September 23rd, 2019 |
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Amway India is expecting its consumer durables business to contribute around 12% to the company's overall turnover in the next two to three years as the direct selling firm is carrying portfolio expansion plans in the segment. Amway India, as part of expansion of its product portfolio, also announced foray into emerging home air purifier segment and aims to clock sales of around INR100 crore in the next 12 to 18 months. Besides, the company is planning to enter the water purifier segment and is working on the project. |
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Our Cases |
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Amway India commenced its operations in the country in 1998 and became the first company in the Indian direct selling industry to use a combined strategy of direct selling and multi-level marketing (MLM), called the ‘Amway Business Model’, to sell its products. To know about the challenges faced by the company in India, primarily due to the lack of a clear definition of ‘direct selling’ and absence of a regulatory framework, read our case: |
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“Amway India-From Direct Selling to Omni Channel Business Strategy” |
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OnePlus to set up 8 pop-up stores in India |
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Source: The Economic Times, September 19, 2019 |
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Chinese premium smartphone maker OnePlus is going to set up eight pop-up stores in as many cities to support sales and create buzz ahead of the launch of its latest smartphone. These pop-up stores will be rolled out from September 27 in Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The company said pop-up stores have been a part of the OnePlus launch culture since its initial days and have become synonymous with the brand in India. |
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Our Case: |
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Following its launch in India in December 2014, OnePlus sold close to one million smartphones in the country by the end of 2015. However it has a long way to go to catch up with market leaders in India, including home grown players and Chinese smartphone brands that offer high-end phones at affordable prices. To know about the company’s strategy in India, read our case: |
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“OnePlus: The Chinese Smartphone Start-up Targets India” |
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Our Other Case |
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“OnePlus: A Chinese Tech Start-up Aiming to Disrupt the Global Smartphone Market” |
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“Economics of OnePlus” |
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Vodafone Idea jumps 16% as company still number one in user base |
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Source: Livemint, September 19, 2019 |
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Shares of Vodafone Idea Ltd surged as much as 16.5%, its biggest jump in one month, after data by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed the company continued to reign as the top telecom operator in India on the basis of total number of subscribers. The latest subscriber data, released by TRAI, showed Vodafone Idea leading with 38 crore subscribers, followed by Reliance Jio with 33.98 crore, and Airtel with 32.85 crore users. |
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Our Case |
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Reeling under intense competition and the changing dynamics within India’s telecom sector, Idea Cellular Ltd. and Vodafone Group Plc.’s Indian arm announced on March 21, 2017, that they had decided to merge in a $23 billion deal. The merger would create India’s largest telecom company by subscriber base and revenue market share and the world’s second largest mobile telecom operator. Reportedly, the combined entity would boast of about 400 million customers, a 35% customer market share, and a 41% revenue market share, overtaking market leader Bharati Airtel Limited and posing a strong threat to new entrant Reliance Jio. To know more, read our cases: |
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“Can Vodafone-Idea Emerge as India’s Top Telecom Provider?” |
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“Idea – Vodafone Merger: Consolidation in the Indian Telecom Sector” |
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