Category: Business

June 22: The Central Government has clarified that there are currently no plans to divest its stake in Cochin Shipyard Limited, reaffirming its commitment to the strategic public sector enterprise.

The clarification comes amid discussions surrounding the government’s disinvestment programme and the future of public sector undertakings. Officials stated that no proposal is under consideration at present for the sale of the Centre’s shareholding in the shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure company.

Cochin Shipyard, one of India’s leading shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, plays a significant role in supporting the country’s maritime, commercial, and defence sectors. The company has been instrumental in delivering a range of vessels and infrastructure projects while contributing to the growth of India’s shipbuilding capabilities.

The government’s position is expected to provide clarity to investors and industry stakeholders, reinforcing confidence in the company’s ongoing operations and long-term development plans.

Market observers noted that the statement underscores the strategic importance of Cochin Shipyard in India’s maritime ecosystem and aligns with broader efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and infrastructure capabilities.

The Centre reiterated that any future decisions regarding public sector holdings would be taken in accordance with policy objectives and prevailing economic considerations.

June 22: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has eased margin requirements for commodity derivatives positions that are backed by the early pay-in of underlying goods, a move aimed at improving market efficiency and reducing costs for participants.

The regulatory change is expected to benefit traders, hedgers, and other market participants by providing margin relief when commodities are delivered in advance against derivatives positions. The measure is designed to better align margin requirements with the reduced risk associated with positions backed by actual goods.

SEBI said the revised framework will help strengthen the commodity derivatives ecosystem by encouraging greater participation and improving the ease of doing business in commodity markets. The move is also expected to support efficient price discovery and enhance liquidity across commodity exchanges.

Industry experts believe the relaxation could particularly benefit producers, processors, and traders who use derivatives markets to manage price risks. By lowering the margin burden on eligible positions, market participants may be able to deploy capital more efficiently while maintaining effective risk management practices.

The decision forms part of SEBI’s broader efforts to modernize India’s commodity markets and create a more robust regulatory environment that balances market growth with investor protection.

Market observers view the reform as a positive step toward deepening participation in commodity derivatives trading and strengthening India’s position as a growing commodities marketplace.

June 22: National Stock Exchange of India has entered into a strategic partnership with Bharat Metal Exchange to support the development and growth of India’s non-ferrous metal derivatives market.

The collaboration aims to enhance market participation, improve price discovery mechanisms, and strengthen the overall ecosystem for trading non-ferrous metal derivatives in the country. Industry stakeholders believe the partnership could play an important role in deepening commodity market infrastructure and expanding risk management tools for market participants.

Non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, zinc, and lead are critical to sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, automotive, renewable energy, and electronics. A stronger derivatives market is expected to help producers, consumers, and traders manage price volatility more effectively.

The partnership is also expected to contribute to greater transparency and efficiency in the metals value chain by encouraging wider adoption of hedging instruments and improving access to market intelligence.

Industry experts note that the initiative aligns with India’s broader efforts to strengthen its commodity markets and support industrial growth through more sophisticated financial and trading mechanisms.

The collaboration reflects growing efforts to build a robust and globally competitive metals trading ecosystem capable of meeting the evolving needs of India’s rapidly expanding industrial economy.

June 22: A recent market outlook suggests that by 2030, consumers in India are likely to spend more on travel, hospitality, and experiential services than on physical goods, reflecting a major shift in lifestyle and consumption patterns.

The report indicates that rising incomes, changing preferences among younger consumers, and increased access to digital travel platforms are driving stronger demand for experiences such as tourism, hotel stays, leisure activities, and curated travel services.

It notes that the growing emphasis on experience-based consumption marks a structural change in spending behaviour, as consumers increasingly prioritise memories, convenience, and personalised services over traditional material purchases.

The travel and hospitality sectors are expected to benefit significantly from this trend, supported by improved infrastructure, expansion of domestic tourism, and greater affordability of travel options. The rise of online booking platforms and digital payment systems has also made travel planning more accessible.

Experts say this shift is being led by millennials and Gen Z consumers, who are more inclined toward experiential lifestyles, including short trips, wellness tourism, and cultural experiences.

However, analysts also caution that economic conditions, inflation trends, and global uncertainties could influence the pace of this transition over the coming years.

Overall, the outlook highlights a long-term transformation in India’s consumption landscape, with services and experiences expected to play an increasingly dominant role in household spending by 2030.

Karnataka, June 22: Chinese Wok, India’s leading Desi Chinese QSR brand from Lenexis Foodworks, has achieved a significant expansion milestone with its entry into its 50th city across India. The milestone has been marked by the launch of the brand’s first outlet in Belagavi (Belgaum), further strengthening its presence across South India and taking its regional footprint to 89 stores.

The launch also expands Chinese Wok‘s Karnataka network to 38 outlets, reinforcing the state’s strategic importance within the brand’s cluster-led growth strategy. Over the past decade, Chinese Wok has grown from a single-city operation into a national QSR brand across 50 cities, playing a key role in organising and scaling India’s Desi Chinese category. Belagavi, one of North Karnataka’s fastest-growing Tier-II markets, offers strong potential driven by rising demand for organised dining, a growing young population and increasing preference for affordable, flavour-forward food experiences.

Speaking on the milestone, Arvind R P, Chief Executive Officer, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “Our entry into the 50th city is an important milestone in Chinese Wok‘s growth journey and reflects the increasing consumer acceptance of the Desi Chinese category across India. Over the years, we have focused on building a scalable and disciplined expansion model that combines strong unit economics with a consistent consumer experience. Belagavi is a natural addition to our network as we continue strengthening our presence across Karnataka and South India. Looking ahead, our focus remains on accelerating growth across emerging markets while building deeper category leadership through accessibility, affordability and innovation.”

South India continues to be one of the company’s strongest growth regions, driven by a large urban consumer base, an active dining-out culture and growing demand for organised QSR experiences. With 89 stores across the region, Chinese Wok remains committed to deepening its regional presence through a cluster-led expansion strategy that supports sustainable long-term growth.

The Belagavi outlet, designed as a high-street format catering to both dine-in and takeaway consumers, will offer Chinese Wok‘s signature range of Desi Chinese favourites. Expected crowd favourites include the Value Woks starting at ₹99, Hakka Noodles, signature Kurkure Momos, the newly launched Cheese and Schezwan Fries and a variety of meal combos designed for families and groups.

As Chinese Wok continues its expansion across India, the 50–city milestone underscores the brand’s ambition of building the country’s most accessible, scalable and culturally relevant Desi Chinese QSR platform.

June 22: The European Union is reportedly concerned over China’s expanding economic and logistical footprint in key Spanish ports, amid broader debates on strategic infrastructure control and supply chain security across Europe.

According to a recent report, increasing Chinese investment and operational involvement in port infrastructure has raised questions among European policymakers regarding long-term strategic implications for critical trade gateways in the region.

The developments come as European economies reassess the role of foreign investment in essential infrastructure, particularly assets linked to shipping, logistics, and international trade routes. Concerns have been raised about potential dependencies and the influence of external stakeholders in strategically important locations.

Spain’s ports play a vital role in Europe’s maritime trade network, serving as key entry and exit points for goods moving between Europe, Asia, and other global markets. Any shifts in control or influence over such infrastructure are being closely monitored by EU authorities.

Officials are reportedly evaluating regulatory frameworks and security considerations to ensure that foreign participation in critical infrastructure aligns with the bloc’s economic and strategic interests.

While investment in port infrastructure is seen as important for modernization and efficiency, the balance between openness to foreign capital and safeguarding strategic autonomy remains a key policy discussion within the EU.

The report highlights ongoing geopolitical and economic tensions surrounding global infrastructure investment and the increasing scrutiny of cross-border strategic assets.

June 22: Metro Brands Ltd., one of India’s footwear retailers, today announced the appointment of Atul Sinha as President – Core Business.

Sinha brings over two decades of leadership experience across retail, consumer goods and brand management, with deep expertise in sales, merchandising, category management, marketing and business strategy. He has a proven track record of building and scaling consumer businesses, driving profitable growth and delivering superior customer experiences across omnichannel environments.

In his new role as President – Core Business at Metro Brands Ltd., Sinha will lead the strategy and growth of the company’s Metro and Mochi Shoe stores. He will focus on strengthening brand equity, deepening consumer engagement and driving operational excellence across channels for this division.

Commenting on the appointment, Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands Ltd. said,

 “Atul brings a unique blend of expertise across brand building, merchandising, retail operations and customer experience. Having successfully scaled large consumer businesses and led transformation across multiple functions, he will play a key role in sharpening the execution and positioning of our Metro and Mochi banners, accelerating performance and advancing our consumer proposition across the portfolio.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Atul Sinha, President – Core Business, Metro Brands Ltd. said,

“Metro Brands Ltd.’s strong brand legacy and deep understanding of the Indian consumer have created a solid foundation for long-term growth. I look forward to partnering with the team to further strengthen the core business, elevate consumer experiences and unlock new growth opportunities across markets and channels.”

Prior to joining Metro Brands Ltd., Sinha served as Chief Operating Officer at CaratLane, where he oversaw key functions including sales, merchandising, category management, marketing and international business. Earlier, he held leadership roles across category management, marketing and sales at Hindustan Unilever Limited. Sinha holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Chennai, June 22 : TenderCuts, India’s first omnichannel fresh meat and seafood brand, has announced the launch of its newest and largest meat & seafood store in Chennai. Spread across 2,100 sq. ft., the new store is designed to offer customers a comprehensive and convenient shopping experience with an extensive selection of fresh seafood, chicken and mutton all under one roof.

The store has been designed to accommodate a wider assortment of meat and seafood products and includes facilities for customised cutting and processing. TenderCuts through this new store design places emphasis on freshness, quality and customer satisfaction. 

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Sasikumar Kallanai, Co-founder & CEO, TenderCuts, said,

“The launch of this store is part of our broader expansion strategy. We see continued demand for organized retail meet. This flagship retail further enhances our reach in Chennai and supports our efforts to make fresh meat and seafood products more accessible to consumers. As part of our long-term plans, we intend to open 40 stores by next 8 to 9 months.”

Marking the launch, TenderCuts hosted a unique Thiruvizha-inspired celebration that brought together the spirit of community and local culture. The opening of the Madanandapuram, Porur, destination marks a significant step in TenderCuts’ ongoing mission to bring fresh, high-quality meat and seafood closer to consumers across Chennai.

Nestlé Professional, the Out-of-Home business unit of Nestlé India, has expanded its footprint in the travel segment with the opening of a new NESCAFÉ kiosk at Thrissur Railway Station in Kerala. This is Nestlé Professional’s first kiosk as a part of its partnership with Indian Railways. It aims at introducing premium branded catering experiences at railway stations and enhance passenger convenience through trusted food and beverage offerings.

Talking about the association, Mr. Saurabh Makhija, Head, Nestlé Professional said

 “Indian Railways touches the lives of millions of Indians every day and has earned a place of immense trust in the hearts of consumers across the country. Being associated with such an iconic institution is a matter of great pride for us. With the launch of our NESCAFÉ outlet at Thrissur Railway Station, we are delighted to bring travellers a comforting and familiar experience through quality coffee and trusted food and beverage offerings during their journeys.”

Mr. Jinraj Adyanthaya, Sales Head, Nestlé Professional, added,

“Railways is a very important channel for Nestlé Professional, given its scale and ability to connect with millions of consumers on the move every day. This new initiative with Indian Railways will enable us to further expand our presence across the network while bringing a wider range of Nestle’s food and beverage offerings to consumers on the move. 

We intend to participate in as many tenders as possible across railway divisions throughout India under this initiative, helping us strengthen our footprint in the travel segment and make our trusted brands more accessible to consumers. All outlets will be operated through Nestlé-authorized operators to ensure consistent quality, service, and consumer experience

Located within one of Kerala’s busiest railway stations, the outlet offers travellers access to a range of hot and cold coffee beverages along with a curated selection of food options. Designed to deliver quality, convenience and consistency, the outlet aims to cater to the evolving preferences of consumers seeking reliable refreshment options while on the move.

The launch further strengthens Nestlé Professional’s commitment to creating meaningful out-of-home consumption occasions and making trusted brands accessible across consumer touchpoints. It also builds on the growing Retail ONE network, which has crossed 1,000 kiosks across India, spanning educational institutions, healthcare facilities and travel destinations.

June 22: Ambuja Cements has partnered with UK-based Leilac to develop and scale up commercial solutions for low-carbon cement production, marking a key step toward reducing emissions in one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.

The collaboration aims to advance carbon capture and reduction technologies that can be integrated into cement manufacturing processes. The focus is on enabling scalable solutions that support large-scale deployment of cleaner production methods in the future.

Cement production is a major contributor to industrial carbon emissions, and the partnership reflects growing efforts within the sector to adopt more sustainable practices without compromising production efficiency or quality.

Under the initiative, the two companies will work together on developing technologies designed to capture and reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, with an emphasis on commercial viability and industrial-scale application.

The move aligns with the global transition toward greener industrial operations and highlights increasing industry participation in climate-conscious innovation and decarbonisation efforts.

Experts note that such collaborations are becoming more important as companies face rising pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to reduce environmental impact while maintaining competitiveness.

The partnership is expected to support long-term advancements in sustainable cement production and contribute to broader climate goals across the construction and infrastructure sectors.