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Think Initial Public Offers (IPOs) are a sure-shot, quickfire method to make a quick buck? If so, then investing in some of India's biggest IPOs to date would have created multiple millionaires. However, if the data is to be believed, 18 out of India's top 30 IPOs by way of size have failed to deliver on the returns front. Recent data from Capitalmind PMS suggests that of all the mega IPOs India has seen in the past 2 decades, only 12 IPOs i.e. stocks of 12 companies have delivered more returns that what you would have received, had you bought and held your investments in Nifty500(which invests in biggest 500 companies by market size). Infact, Paytm (54%), <keyword id="20024191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Power" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Power" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Power">Reliance Power</keyword> (81%), General Insurance Corporation (2%) actually generated negative total returns to date. The only outliers in the list of top 10 IPOs were Zomato (listed in July 2021) and Coal India (listed in April, 2010), which managed to generate excess returns i.e. more than what was generated by Nifty500. While Zomato's total return to date, which is considered a comprehensive gauge of a stock's profitability, stands at 265%, Coal India total returns are a massive 443%. In these cases, had you simply bought and held the Nifty500 index for a similar duration, your returns would've been 73%, and 435% respectively. Also, 5 of the biggest IPOs India has ever seen (Bajaj Housing Finance, Bharti Hexacom, Brainbees, Ola Electric) have come in the last 2 years. In some cases, having stayed put in your index investments would have yielded you far better returns. Consider this, FSN E-Commerce, Nykaa's parent company, listed on the exchanges on November 2021. Its total returns till date have been 2%, while had you invested in Nifty500 index, your returns would've been 53%. Similarly, the total returns to date on Bandhan Bank's stock, which listed in March 2018, was a negative 43%. But, the index has delivered a whopping 163% returns during the same time. Hits and Misses <table class="redcator-table-advance"><tbody><tr><td>Company Name</td><td>Total Returns to Date (In %)</td><td>CNX (Nifty500) Returns (In %)</td></tr><tr><td>Reliance Power (Feb 2008)</td><td>-81</td><td>961</td></tr><tr><td>Zomato (July 2021)</td><td>265</td><td>73</td></tr><tr><td>Gland Pharma (November 2020)</td><td>14</td><td>124</td></tr><tr><td>NHPC (September 2009)</td><td class="se-table-selected-cell">389</td><td>961</td></tr><tr><td>Indian Railways Finance Corporation (January 2021)</td><td>582</td><td>109</td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: CapitalMind PMS <h2>Surge in IPOs? Not really </h2>It is impossible to overlook the sheer number of public offerings seen in the Indian markets over the past 2 years. Around 600 share sale offers have already hit the market since 2023. Out of these, 335 have come in this year, as of October 2024. While over Rs 50,000 crores have been raised by these share sales so far since 2023, only 22% of these funds raises have come from companies who are hitting the market for the first time i.e. bringing out their IPOs. The rest have come from already listed companies seeking to raise more funds. The biggest IPO that India has seen to date, that of <keyword id="19906087" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyundai" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyundai" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyundai">Hyundai</keyword> Motor India, closes for subscription today. With an offer size of Rs 27,870.16 crore, it is 35% bigger than the previous biggest IPO in the country(LIC in May 2022). As of 12:30 pm today, Hyundai's offer had been 87% subscribed, with significant interest from QIBs and employees. At 0.43x, participation of retail investors remained largely subdued. Notably, an IPO is considered cancelled and withdrawn, if it fails to meet the 90% subscription threshold.

Do large IPOs guarantee large returns? Data suggests that 18 of India's biggest 30 IPOs did not generate solid returns

Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

<div type="image" title="Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!" height="900" width="1200" msid="114507055" hostid="261" sizebytes="439216" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Save yourself the trouble of buying physical gold this Diwali, and instead, go digital with Gold ETFs!&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from <keyword id="23657519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="king-midas" source="keywords">King Midas</keyword> to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the <keyword id="6384667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bullion" source="Orion">bullion</keyword>. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind China. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> and <keyword id="4067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="Orion">Dhanteras</keyword> knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure 24k gold, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an <keyword id="19930506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="etf" source="keywords">ETF</keyword> on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2>Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the RBI and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2>Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3- and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the LTCG (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Simply put: Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

Mumbai: Food delivery company <keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zomato" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Zomato" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> has completed the <keyword id="19901090" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="acquisition" source="keywords">acquisition</keyword> of <keyword id="19898109" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paytm" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paytm" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paytm">Paytm</keyword> subsidiaries WEPL and OTPL for the <keyword id="19922574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="entertainment" source="keywords">entertainment</keyword> <keyword id="20028334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ticketing" source="keywords">ticketing</keyword> business, the company said in its filing with the exchanges. On August 21, the Deepinder Goyal-led company entered into definitive agreements for the acquisition of Paytm's entertainment arms. In its stock exchange filing on August 21, Noida-based Paytm had also confirmed the development. The deal, valued at Rs 2,048 crores on a cash-free, debt-free basis, stands "as a testament to the value" Paytm has created through its entertainment ticketing business, bringing choice and convenience to millions of Indians with its services and scale, the company said in a release filed with exchanges. As part of this agreement, OCL will transfer its entertainment ticketing business to Zomato by transferring OCL's entertainment ticketing business to its 100 per cent subsidiaries, Orbgen Technologies Pvt Limited (OTPL) and Wasteland Entertainment Pvt Ltd (WEPL) and selling a 100 per cent stake in its subsidiaries OTPL and WEPL, which operate the TicketNew and Insider platforms, respectively to Zomato. As per the information provided by the fintech, about 280 existing employees from the entertainment ticketing business will be part of Zomato. Paytm had said that the company wants to focus on the payments and financial services distribution segment. During a transition period (up to 12 months), the movie and event tickets will continue to be available on the Paytm app, as well as on the TicketNew and Insider platforms, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted experience for users and merchant partners. As per Paytm, the company built movie ticketing from the ground up and acquired TicketNew and Insider for a total consideration of Rs 268 crores from 2017 to 2018. Further, additional investments were also made to scale up the business. On Wednesday, after the announcement, the stocks of Zomato opened in green at Rs 256.20. The company in the past six months has delivered a 60 per cent reward to its shareholders. (ANI)

Zomato completes acquisition of Paytm's entertainment and ticketing business

In today’s market, where convenience is the king, it's getting increasingly possible to get almost everything under the Sun home-delivered in urban India. But not the alcohol! Now, major players like <keyword id="19896956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="keywords">Swiggy</keyword>, Zomato, <keyword id="20069203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blinkit" source="keywords">Blinkit</keyword>, and BigBasket are eyeing this lucrative opportunity, ready to transform the way we enjoy our evenings (or feed our vices depending on how one takes it). As regulations offer hopes of loosening with the rising consumer demand, the question on everyone's mind is: will <keyword id="22432889" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="alcohol-home-delivery" source="keywords">alcohol home delivery</keyword> become the new norm? As per the media reports, the quick commerce platforms might soon start delivering low-alcohol drinks like beer, wine, and liqueurs, at least in some parts of the country. A report from the Economic Times reveals that states like New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are thinking about trying out this service. Industry executives say that authorities are currently looking at the advantages and disadvantages of allowing alcohol deliveries. <h2>State authorities collecting feedback</h2>State authorities are reportedly collecting views from <keyword id="22432890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="instant-delivery-platforms" source="Orion">instant delivery platforms</keyword> and spirit manufacturers for assessing the pros and cons of delivering low-alcohol liquors. "This is to cater to a growing expat population, especially in larger cities, changing profiles of consumers who perceive moderate alcohol-content spirits as recreational drinking along with meals, and women and senior citizens who have flagged buying from traditional liquor vends and shop-front experiences as unpleasant," one of the executives told Economic Times. According to the ET report, only Odisha and West Bengal allow home delivery of alcohol at the moment. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Assam also allowed it temporarily, and it was successful despite some restrictions and hurdles. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111758782" title="Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Enthusiasm grows across sectors</h2>Retail industry executives say that online alcohol deliveries have increased sales by 20-30% in West Bengal and Odisha. Although the idea of online home delivery of liquor faced several challenges including political backlash and pressure from physical retail bodies. For now Swiggy and Spencer’s retail delivers spirits in West Bengal. Dinker Vashisht, vice president of corporate affairs at Swiggy said “Online models ensure end-to-end transaction records, age verification and adhere to limits. Further, online tech stacks synchronise with regulatory and excise requirements, ensuring adherence to timings, dry days and zonal delivery guardrails” Beer manufacturers like United Breweries and AB InBev are also interested in this concept, an industry executive told ET. “Beer blends more with grocery shopping, especially for consumers in big cities, and needs to be chilled, which limits its visibility in liquor vends.” In 2020, AB InBev started Beerbox, a platform that listed places delivering alcohol within a 3-4 km range. This was after Maharashtra temporarily allowed home deliveries during the pandemic. Overall, as regulations, consumer demand, and the capacity of online quick-commerce platforms align, the days of cancelling the evening plans to avoid stepping out to buy alcohol might soon be behind us. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/jio-financials-gets-rbi-nod-to-become-core-investment-company/articleshow/111677548.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jio Financials gets RBI nod to become Core Investment Company</a>

Will alcohol home delivery be a reality soon? Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit smell an opportunity

Amid the ongoing startup gloom comes good news in fintech unicorn <keyword id="19944449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="incred" source="keywords">Incred</keyword> which has posted Rs 109 crore in profit in FY23 as compared to Rs 31 crore in FY22, a more than 3.5 times growth. Incred's revenue surged 77.46 per cent to Rs 866 crore during FY23 from Rs 488 crore in FY22, according to its financials with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The finance cost (interest expenses) was up 62.6 per cent to Rs 356 crore in FY23 from Rs 219 crore in FY22, as the company scaled its operations, according to an Entrackr report. Incred has likely built a loan book of Rs 7,500 crore within the last six years. Late last month, the fintech lender became India's second unicorn of 2023 (the other being quick commerce startup <keyword id="19939134" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zepto" source="keywords">Zepto</keyword>) after raising $60 million from new and existing investors. <keyword id="20112130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="incred-wealth" source="keywords">InCred Wealth</keyword>, the wealth management subsidiary of InCred, led the funding round with investing $36.76 million, followed by MEMG Family Office at $9 million. Ravi <keyword id="20112129" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pillai" source="keywords">Pillai</keyword>, Chairman at RP Group of Companies, and <keyword id="19960548" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-nayak" source="keywords">Ram Nayak</keyword>, Co-Head of Deutsche Bank, invested $5.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. InCred Special Opportunities Fund VCC, Singapore-registered entity of InCred, Varanium Capital Advisors and NABS <keyword id="20112128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vriddhii" source="keywords">Vriddhii</keyword> also participated in the round. With this funding, InCred is now valued at more than $1.03 billion. The firm last raised $68 million in a debt funding round from public sector banks and public financial institutions. <keyword id="19901323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zomato" source="keywords">Zomato</keyword> in 2022 entered into a strategic partnership with fintech lender InCred for "hassle-free" credit facilities. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/mercedes-benz-gls-gets-11-lakh-more-expensive-in-india-after-facelift/slidelist/106637475.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/mercedes-benz-gls-gets-11-lakh-more-expensive-in-india-after-facelift/slidelist/106637475.cms" target="_blank">Mercedes-Benz GLS gets ₹11 lakh more expensive in India after facelift</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/indias-t20-squad-for-afghanistan-show-world-cup-trials-are-on/slidelist/106633092.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/indias-t20-squad-for-afghanistan-show-world-cup-trials-are-on/slidelist/106633092.cms" target="_blank">New and veteran names in India’s T20 squad for Afghanistan show World Cup trials are on</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-10-electric-cars-sale-in-india-in-december-2023/slidelist/106627784.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-10-electric-cars-sale-in-india-in-december-2023/slidelist/106627784.cms" target="_blank">Tata Motors dominates the EV car market in December with Tiago leading the charge</a>

Fintech unicorn Incred logs Rs 109 cr profit in FY23, revenue up over 77%

The e-commerce market in India is projected to increase significantly to over USD 300 billion by 2030 as the country's <keyword id="20107419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-economy" source="keywords">digital economy</keyword> is set to reach a whopping USD 1 billion by the same year. According to <keyword id="19918506" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Invest-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Invest India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Invest India">Invest India</keyword>, India's online shopper base will be the 2nd largest globally by 2030, with nearly 500-600 Mn shoppers. Even now, India has the 2nd largest Internet user-base globally with 881 million users. India is moving towards becoming a dominant force in global e-commerce by 2030, driven by a growing digital economy and an expanding internet user base. The data from the investment promotion and facilitation agency Invest India from shows India taking the lead in <keyword id="19957108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-shopping" source="keywords">online shopping</keyword>, the e-commerce sector in India is valued at USD 70 billion at present. This makes up for just around 7 percent of the total retail market in the country. However, several factors are likely to contribute a bright future outlook for the sector. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Growing internet penetration and digital economy" comment="subhead" text="Growing internet penetration and digital economy">Growing <keyword id="20707509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-penetration" source="keywords">internet penetration</keyword> and digital economy</cmsannotation> Internet penetration across has seen substantial growth, with over 60% of the Indian population (918 million) using the internet by September 2023. Further, an estimated 87 percent of Indian households are projected to have internet access as early as 2025. The time spent accessing the internet via mobile devices has also increased by 21 percent compared to 2019. The affordability of data prices in India is a key factor, with one gigabyte of data priced at around USD 0.17 (Rs 13.5), encouraging a large portion of the population to go online. <keyword id="21457667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-data-traffic" source="keywords">Mobile data traffic</keyword> has tripled from 2018 to 2023, demonstrating the growing dependence on <keyword id="19979951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-platforms" source="keywords">digital platforms</keyword> for diverse requirements. It is projected that by 2026, 1.18 billion people across the country will have access to smartphones, over 80% of India's population. The increasing number of smartphone users along with higher average data consumption per user, boosts the digital economy. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a major player in digital payments, handling transactions worth USD 1.5 trillion in 2022. There has been a significant increase in the availability of local language and mobile-first content, with about 73 percent of India's internet users utilizing Indian languages. As a result, there is an estimated regional language user base of 540 million, creating a market worth USD 53 billion. Digital infrastructure like UPI, eKYC, and Aadhaar has cut down the consumer onboarding time by 80 percent, enhancing the digital experience. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is another notable initiative by the Government of India, launched in 2022. It aims to provide equal opportunities to MSMEs to thrive in digital commerce and democratize e-commerce. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A transition along with growth" comment="subhead" text="A transition along with growth">A transition along with growth</cmsannotation> In FY 2022-23, Government e-marketplace (GeM) registered its highest ever Gross Merchandise Value of $2011 Bn, shows data from Invest India. The projected growth in online shoppers in India is substantial, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22 percent to 88 million in rural India and 15 percent to 263 million in urban India from 2019 to 2026. There is a notable transition towards rural-focused value e-commerce, with more than 60 percent of demand anticipated to come from tier 2-4 towns and rural India by 2026. Government programs such as the National Logistics Policy are designed to streamline deliveries to remote areas, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of logistics. The quick commerce market in India's hyperlocal mobility sector is also projected to grow exponentially to achieve a market size of USD 5.5 billion by 2025. Leading companies like Swiggy and Zomato are at the forefront of the market, while startups like Zepto are also gaining substantial market share. <keyword id="20873923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-commerce" source="keywords">Social commerce</keyword>, a new trend that uses social networks and digital media to connect buyers and sellers, is also projected to achieve a market size of USD 70 billion by 2030, with small video applications gaining significant popularity. Significant mergers and acquisitions have been observed in the e-commerce sector, with companies such as Zomato and PhonePe making strategic decisions to enhance their positions. Government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, BharatNet Project, and the implementation of Goods &amp; Service Tax (GST) have been instrumental in shaping India's digital economy. (With inputs from ANI)

India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030

<ul><li><keyword id="967069" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="thrive" source="Orion">Thrive</keyword> provides a self-service tool that enables restaurants to create their own direct-ordering platform in under 10 minutes, regardless of their location in the country. </li><li>According to projections, the online food delivery market in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is expected to grow rapidly at a rate of approximately 35%. </li><li>The partnership is expected to provide <keyword id="6385848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coca-cola-india" source="Orion">Coca-Cola India</keyword> with access to potential business opportunities and improve its digital consumption offerings.</li></ul>Coca-Cola India has acquired a 15% minority stake in Thrive, an Indian foodtech platform. This marks the first time the beverage giant has invested in an Indian startup. Since the pandemic hit, restaurants have had to adapt to a new normal. Hashtag Loyalty, a company in the customer engagement and retention technology for retail and hospitality businesses, realised that the situation wasn't going to improve anytime soon, and that they needed to make changes. To better understand how the new normal was shaping up, they spoke to both their customers and their customers' customers. Their research revealed several insights, including that health is now a top priority, delivery is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and emotional loyalty is more important than ever. With these insights in mind, Hashtag Loyalty launched Thrive, an all-in-one restaurant-ordering platform that includes delivery, pickup and table ordering with built-in marketing features. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Letting restaurants create their own direct-ordering platform" comment="subhead" text="Letting restaurants create their own direct-ordering platform">Letting restaurants create their own direct-ordering platform</cmsannotation> Thrive, established in 2020 by Hashtag Loyalty co-founders <keyword id="11169609" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="dhruv-dewan" source="Orion">Dhruv Dewan</keyword>, Karan Chechani and Krishi Fagwani offers restaurants an alternative to partnering with food delivery giants like <keyword id="830092" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="zomato" source="Orion">Zomato</keyword> and Swiggy. “The biggest problems faced by restaurants in the online-ordering ecosystem in India include high commission rates charged by delivery aggregators, lack of control over customer data, and difficulty in competing with larger, established players in the market,” reads a LinkedIn article posted by the company. It aims to change this. Thrive provides a self-service tool that enables restaurants to create their own direct-ordering platform in under 10 minutes, regardless of their location in the country. The company has developed an all-in-one SaaS (software as a service) solution that aids restaurants in creating their own ordering experiences, allowing them to save up to 30% of their revenue and own their customer data. Restaurants partnering with Thrive can establish their own delivery network and gain access to customer data, which sets them apart from competing aggregators. Moreover, Thrive says it charges a notably low commission fee of only 3% per transaction, giving restaurants the opportunity to earn higher profits. Thrive has expanded its services to more than 10,000 restaurants across India. Thrive raised $2.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Jubilant FoodWorks Limited in December 2021. Before that, in November 2020, it had raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-Series A round led by Whiteboard Capital and Ahimsa Capital. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The Coca-Cola partnership" comment="subhead" text="The Coca-Cola partnership">The Coca-Cola partnership</cmsannotation> The partnership with Coca-Cola India will help Thrive enhance consumer experience by allowing them to order their preferred beverages alongside their desired meals from Thrive's affiliated restaurants. According to projections, the online food delivery market in India is expected to grow rapidly at a rate of approximately 35%, reaching a gross merchandise value of around $18 billion and accounting for about 18% of the total food service industry by fiscal year 2025. This will be driven by an increase in users from 20 million to 60 million. Coca-Cola India's investment in Thrive is expected to provide the company with access to potential business opportunities in this growing market and improve its digital consumption offerings.

Coca-Cola India invests in foodtech platform Thrive, which aims to change the way you order your meal online

Top VC firm <keyword id="136147" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sequoia-capital-india" source="Orion">Sequoia Capital India</keyword> has sold 17.2 crore shares of <keyword id="830092" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="zomato" source="Orion">Zomato</keyword> in two tranches in the open market, lowering down its stake in the online food aggregator to 4.4 per cent from earlier 6.41 per cent. In a fresh filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (<keyword id="35140" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bse" source="Orion">BSE</keyword>), Zomato said Sequoia Capital India sold some 6.7 crore shares in the September 6-October 14, 2021 period and 10.5 crore shares between June 27-August 25, 2022. The stock sales were performed by <keyword id="14821825" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sequoia-capital-india-growth-investment-holdings" source="Orion">Sequoia Capital India Growth Investment Holdings</keyword> I and <keyword id="13302083" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sci-growth-investments-ii" source="Orion">SCI Growth Investments II</keyword>, according to Zomato. <keyword id="10639596" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sequoia-capital-india-investments-iv" source="Orion">Sequoia Capital India Investments IV</keyword> also received 45,153,346 incremental equity shares on August 10 owing to the acquisition of quick-commerce delivery platform Blinkit, which further has a lock-in period of one year. Sequoia Capital India joins a list of private market investors like Delivery Hero, Moore Strategic Ventures, and <keyword id="526777" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tiger-global" source="Orion">Tiger Global</keyword>, which have sold their shares in Zomato in the past months, either in open market or via block deals, as the online food delivery platform's stock gets hammered. On Friday, Zomato shares closed around Rs 61.85. Earlier this month, ride-hailing platform Uber sold its 7.8 per cent stake worth over $390 million in Zomato. Uber, which suffered around $707 million loss in its Zomato investment in the first half of this year, sold its share in the food delivery aggregator via a block deal on stock exchanges that has been bought by several global and Indian VCs. The Zomato block deal was executed at Rs 50.44 per share equivalent to 612 million or 7.8 per cent of total outstanding shares. In a statement to IANS, Zomato had said that "We are a public company and are not privy to what our shareholders are doing with their shares". According to the company, the losses for Blinkit are coming down every month -- from Rs 2,040 million (about $26 million) in January 2022 to Rs 929 million ($12 million) in July. The 10-minute delivery platform was acquired by Zomato for Rs 4,447 crore (about $568 million). SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indices-end-marginally-higher-after-a-volatile-trading-session/articleshow/93802735.cms">Indices end marginally higher after a volatile trading session</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-uks-new-scale-up-visa/articleshow/93799259.cms">Here’s everything you need to know about UK’s new Scale-up visa</a>

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