MADAME 2022 Wrap: India’s Leading Women’s Western Fashion Brand Launches 18 Exclusive Stores In Last 12 Months

2022 has been an exciting year for women’s western wear brand MADAME. The homegrown brand launched 18 new stores across the country in 12 months, a testimony to MADAME’s growing popularity and acceptance among consumers.

MADAME, the brand under Jain Amar Group, has been trying to cater to the untapped market segment in India through its store expansion strategy.

“Indians love fashion and people living in Tier 2 and 3 cities are equally aware of the global fashion trends. They are looking for brands to offer them western fashion options at affordable prices. MADAME wants to cater to this segment as a commitment to fulfil the fashion needs of modern Indian women across the country. We are satisfied with our performance this year and look forward to further expand in the coming year,” said Akhil Jain, Executive Director of the Jain Amar Group.

With the opening of the two new stores, MADAME now has more than 155 Exclusive Brand Outlets across India. The brand has launched in the states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, and many more. At the same time, MADAME is trying to cater to a larger customer base through its exclusive e-commerce platform – Glamly.com

The brand has also witnessed a 12% YOY growth in sales in the July to September quarter this year. In the October to December quarter, MADAME has achieved a 25% sales growth. The brand is hoping to achieve big number in Q4 of the year.

The brand offers daily, casual, party and quick fashion catering to diverse needs of its customers. Apart from this, MADAME also offers a wide selection of women’s bags, accessories, shoes, etc. The brand’s latest collection is available on popular e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Myntra, Amazon, AJIO etc. For exclusive discounts and offers, customers can also visit nearest MADAME store.

Q3FY23 IT Preview: Soft Quarter; Margin Recovery To Continue

Emkay Global Financial Services has released a note on the earning expectations for the Indian IT companies for Q3FY23. The research house expects revenue growth momentum to likely moderate in Q3 due to furloughs, lower number of working days, deferred spending by few clients, and increased cautiousness among clients amid macro uncertainties.

Emkay Global expects revenue growth of 0.8-3.7% in constant currency QoQ for Tier-1 companies and of -0.4% to 3.4% for mid-cap companies. Emkay Global expects Infosys and HCL Tech to retain their guidance of 15-16% CC YoY revenue growth, 21-22% EBIT margin and 13.5-14.5% constant currency revenue growth, 18-19% EBIT margin for FY23, respectively.

Wipro is expected to guide for 1-3% CC QoQ revenue growth for Q4. Nifty IT index gained ~6% in the last 3-month, largely in line with the broader market indices. Risks of recession and potential cut in FY24 revenue remain; however, margin resilience and weak rupee would limit earnings cut.

Seasonal factors and macro uncertainties to weigh on growth: Emkay Global expects revenue growth momentum to moderate in Q3 on account of furloughs, lower number of working days, deferred spending by few clients, and increased cautiousness among clients amid macro uncertainties and high inflationary environment. Within the coverage, they expect the constant currency revenue growth of 0.8% to 3.7% for tier-1 companies (cross-currency impact of 20-50 bps on reported USD revenue) and of -0.4% to 3.4% for mid-cap firms (cross-currency impact of 10-30 bps on reported USD revenue). Emkay expects the usual seasonality in H2 growth to be amplified by slower decision making and weak discretionary spending due to macro uncertainties.

As per Emkay Global Infosys is likely to retain its 15-16% CC revenue growth and 21-22% EBIT margin for FY23. HCL Tech is also likely to retain its 13.5-14.5% constant currency revenue growth and 18- 19% EBIT margin guidance. Wipro is expected to guide 1-3% constant currency QoQ revenue growth for Q4FY23. Coforge is likely to increase its CC revenue growth guidance to at least 21% (currently at least 20%) while retaining its adjusted EBITDAM guidance of 18.5-19% for FY23. Deal intake is likely to reflect the elongated sales cycle and is more skewed towards cost efficiency and takeout deals.

Rupee depreciation and moderation in attrition to help improve margin sequentially: Except for LTIM, EBIT margin is likely to expand by 20-100 bps sequentially for Tier-1 companies and 20- 50bps for Tier-2 companies on account of operating efficiencies, employee pyramid rationalization, moderation in attrition, and rupee depreciation. LTIM margin is expected to be impacted by one-off costs related to merger integration. The EBITM has a further scope of upside in Q4FY23 for most companies on account of flattening employee pyramid, better utilization, sub-con optimization, and weak rupee.

Key monitorables: 1) CY23 IT budget; 2) FY23 revenue growth/margin guidance; 3) deferment or cancellation of projects due to macro uncertainties, high inflation, and supply-chain disruptions; 4) management commentary on the changing nature of deals (cost takeouts vs. business transformation) and potential impact on tech spending from high inflation and economic slowdown; 5) demand trends in key verticals such as BFSI, retail, manufacturing, and communications; 6) segments exhibiting weak demand trends; 7) deal intake/pipeline; 8) pricing environment; and 9) attrition.

Deal intake may moderate a bit amid macro uncertainties: Emkay Global expects the deal intake to reflect the elongated sales cycle and be more skewed towards cost efficiency and takeout deals with a focus on faster ROI projects. Management commentary on the deal pipeline, decision-making cycle, re-prioritization of spending, softness in discretionary spending, and CY23 IT budgets should be important to gauge confidence on near-term growth visibility. Deterioration in the macro situation may drive vendor consolidation and cost takeout deals, which may drive lumpiness and volatility in deal TCV in the coming quarters.

Earnings revision and valuation: Emkay Global expects IT companies to report growth moderation in Q3 on account of seasonal weakness and increasing caution among clients due to macro uncertainties. Client budgets, incremental commentary on the key vertical, deal pipeline composition, and pace of conversion will be keenly observed for assessing the near-term demand outlook. The hiring is expected to moderate due to the focus on improving utilization, deploying freshers post training, and possible demand moderation. Improved talent availability with significant fresher intake over the past few quarters and lower backfilling costs with reduced churn rate should aid in margin recovery. Rupee depreciated by 3% in Q3 against the USD; this along with less severe cross-currency impact in Q3 as compared to Q2 should aid in margin improvement.

Emkay Global has revised their earnings estimates for the coverage universe, factoring in revised forex assumption for H2FY23 (~Rs81.6/$), weaker consumer spending, and lower advertising/promotional spending. Nifty IT Index gained ~6% in the past 3 months, largely in line with broader markets.

Accenture’s results and management commentary have indicated demand moderation in the near term due to deterioration in macros, but management commented that medium-term growth drivers are intact, which should alleviate any structural growth concerns. Risks of recession and potential cut in FY24 revenue growth remain; however, increasing confidence on margin resilience and weak rupee would limit the earnings cut.

Emkay Global rolls forward the target price to December 2023 across their coverage universe. The pecking order is Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, and TCS among Tier-1 players, and Zomato, Mphasis, Birlasoft, Firstsource, and Persistent among mid-caps.

Airtel 5G Plus Expands Its India Business Now Live In Indore

* Promises to offer massive speeds, best voice experience, will work on all 5G smart phones and be kinder to the environment

* No SIM change needed; existing Airtel 4G SIM is 5G enabled

* Existing data plans will work on 5G until roll-out is complete

* Airtel 5G Plus now works on all Android and Apple supported 5G devices

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s leading telecommunications services provider today announced the launch of its cutting edge 5G services in Indore.  

Airtel 5G Plus services will be available to customers in a phased manner as the company continues to construct its network and complete the roll out. Customers with 5G enabled devices will enjoy high speed Airtel 5G Plus network at no extra cost until the roll out is more widespread. Currently operational at Vijay Nagar, Rasoma chowk, Bombay Hospital Square, Radisson square, Khajrana area, Sadar Bazaar, Gita Bhawan, Panchsheel Nagar, Abhinandan Nagar, Patrakar colony, Yeshwant road, Phoenix Citadel mall and few other select locations, Airtel will augment its network making its services available across the city in due course of time. 

Commenting on the launch, Sujay Chakrabarti CEO, Bharti Airtel, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh said, “I am thrilled to announce the launch of Airtel 5G Plus in Indore. Airtel customers can now experience ultrafast network and enjoy speeds upto 20-30 times faster than the current 4G speeds. We are in the process of lighting up the entire city which will allow customers to enjoy superfast access to High-definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more.”

Airtel 5G Plus will bolster the entire portfolio of services that Airtel offers. In addition, it will allow superfast access to High Definition video streaming, gaming, multiple chatting, instant uploading of photos and more. With this launch, India will get a fillip to economic growth as Airtel 5G Plus revolutionizes education, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, mobility and logistics.

In the last one year, Airtel has demonstrated the power of 5G with a host of powerful use cases that will change the way we lead our lives and do business. From India’s first live 5G network in Hyderabad to India’s first 5G powered hologram to India’s first recreation of a game changing world cup match played at a time when there was no TV coverage to India’s first 5G connected ambulance to India’s first private 5G network with Bosch for boosting manufacturing productivity, Airtel has been at the forefront of 5G innovation.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 500 Mn customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and CPaaS (Airtel IQ). For more details visit www.airtel.com

Schoolnet And YuWaah At UNICEF Partner To Help India’s youth Achieve Their Dreams

Schoolnet India Ltd., a unique, innovative, and leading EdTech company, today announced its partnership with YuWaah at UNICEF to connect Indian young people with aspirational work opportunities and engage them as active changemakers. YuWaah has come together with public, private sector partners and young people to establish a network to catalyze this impact.

YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) at UNICEF is a globally and locally incubated platform hosted with UNICEF as a multi stakeholder partnerships platform. Their aim is to connect around 100 million Indian youth with aspirational economic opportunities for productive lives and future employment, facilitate 200 mn young people to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work.  And engage 300 million young people as active changemakers and create spaces for their leadership development by 2030.

Through the partnership, Schoolnet will take on an active role in supporting YuWaah to meet our common   goals within the larger mandates of respective organizations. Together we will work to leverage the existing mainstreamed initiatives of both organisations at the national and state level. This will enable us to co-create and implement solutions at scale to tackle the employment, skilling, and civic participation challenges faced by young people of India.

Commenting on the collaboration, RCM Reddy, Managing Director and CEO, Schoolnet: “We are delighted to be associated with YuWaah at UNICEF and look forward to a fruitful collaboration that is aimed at giving our youth a better future.  We are optimistic that this collaboration for joint advocacy would enable us to engage with the larger youth ecosystem, resulting in better opportunities for their growth.”

Our collaboration with Schoolnet is aligned on the mission to ensure learning, skilling for young people. We together hope to find the right opportunities for young people on a pathway of better socio economic opportunities added Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of Generation Unlimited, Adolescent/Youth Development and partnerships at UNICEF.

Schoolnet’s focus will be on working with vulnerable populations, including young people with special needs, youth leaving care institutions, migrant youth and victims of child labour, violence, child marriage, trafficking, etc. Schoolnet will also share content, digital tools, and best practices that will aid in bridging the skills gap among India's youth. It will also engage in the amplification of access to career guidance and awareness by leveraging technical expertise and its tools. The two will additionally collaborate on joint advocacy programmes to engage the larger ecosystem working on career guidance and skill development.

About Schoolnet

Schoolnet India Limited (www.schoolnetindia.com) provides a wide range of services for ensuring lifelong learning and skills of school students and youth in alignment with UN SDG 4. As a market leader in EdTech and vocational skilling services since 1997, it has a presence in 400 districts of India and has developed innovative digital and digitally-enabled solutions for teaching and learning.

Through multi-stakeholder partnerships with governments, the private sector, institutions, and international agencies, Schoolnet impacts 25 million students & teachers across 1,00,000 schools.

SILICA Winds Up 2022 On A Cheerful Note: Design Quest 2022 Receives A Heartwarming Response

SILICA's annual Design Quest event ended on a high note this year, with a successful run in both Mumbai and Pune with over 3000+ students and parents visiting and taking benefits from the event. The event, which aimed to encourage and educate design students and enthusiasts, featured a variety of sub-events, including a panel discussion with design experts, a guidance seminar, a student design exhibition featuring works by SILICA's 2024 design students, and a design school fair showcasing top design colleges in India.

The student design exhibition, held exclusively in Pune, drew in a large crowd and provided a visual feast for visitors. The exhibition showcased the design works of over 400 students and served as a source of encouragement for the participating students. The events also included a valuable guidance seminar, covering topics such as exam preparation, interview tips, and portfolio building, to help students succeed in their design careers.

The panel discussions, featuring deans and top authorities from top design schools and colleges, architects, and designers, were a highlight of the event. The Q&A portion of the panel discussion provided valuable information to attendees about design careers, placements, exam preparation, and more. The panelists, who were all leaders in their respective fields, were able to offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to attendees.

The design school fair was another major draw, offering attendees the opportunity to explore their college options and receive one-on-one counseling. Choosing the right college can be a daunting task, but the design school fair made it easier for students to make an informed decision. With representatives from top design schools in attendance, attendees were able to get a better understanding of their options and find the college that best suited their needs and goals.

Overall, Design Quest 2022 was a great success and brought valuable insights and guidance to attendees. SILICA received a record number of inquiries following the event, further demonstrating its success. This was the 12th consecutive year for SILICA's Design Quest, and the positive response from attendees only serves to solidify its reputation as a premier event in the design industry.

About SILICA

SILICA Institute is India’s leading design coaching institute and is engaged in providing high quality coaching for entrance exams of NID, NIFT, CEED, NATA and architecture CET at graduate and post graduate level. Over the years, SILICA Institute has trained over 20,000 students for design courses. The premier design coaching institute has built several partnerships to further its mission of spreading awareness about design education in India and abroad. SILICA prepares young aspirants for entrance exams in to Design, Fashion, Architecture, Art & International Design Schools. SILICA has also initiated a new program for art integration in schools called SILICA Junior in line with the NEP 2020. 

Renault KWID Has Emerged As A True Game Changer For Renault In India With 4,25,000+ Happy Customers

Renault, the number one European brand in India, won the 2023 best pre-owned small hatchback car of the year award for Renault KWID by OLX Autos, India’s leading player in the pre-owned automobile segment in collaboration with Autocar India, a leading automotive publication. 

According to Sudhir Malhotra, Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Renault India, “This award is a testimony to Renault KWID’s popularity not only among the new car buyers but also among the customers looking to buy a pre-owned car. Renault KWID has proved its mettle in the most competitive entry level car segment, thanks to its affordability as well as great value offerings, its attractive SUV inspired design and innovative modern features. It is a true game changer for us and an important contributor to our growth in the country. We are extremely grateful for the trust that our customers have bestowed in the brand and would like to thank jury for recognising Renault KWID as the Best Pre-owned Budget car.”  

Built on the pillars of attractiveness, innovation, and affordability, KWID has been a true game-changing product for Renault in India with more than 4,25,000 happy customers. Renault KWID has redefined the entry segment in India led by its contemporary SUV-inspired design language offering high ground clearance, best-in-class features and an economical cost of ownership, which is enabled by its high localisation levels, which also makes it a strong ‘Make in India’ testament. The first-in-class 8inch touchscreen MediaNAV Evolution takes infotainment to the next level with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Video Playback and Voice Recognition – which helps the driver control everything hands-free, fast and easy. The Silver Streak LED DRLs create a striking impression and enhances the SUV style quotient of the car.  

Offering enhanced passenger comfort, it features first-in-class reverse parking camera with guidelines that helps to park even in the tightest spots along with Electrically Adjustable ORVM. In terms of performance, the KWID 0.8L boasts best fuel efficiency of 22.25 KM/L in 0.8L segment, as per the ARAI Testing Certification. Renault KWID has a cost of maintenance as low as just 35 paise/km and comes with a comprehensive manufacturer warranty for 2 year / 50,000 km (whichever is earlier) with an extension option upto 5 years and an Easy-Care package to take care of maintenance needs, enabling customers to enjoy an unparalleled brand ownership experience and peace of mind. 

Renault KWID is compliant with all the current safety requirements for the Indian market and even goes beyond to protect both passengers and pedestrians. It includes several active and passive safety features like dual front Airbags, ABS and EBD, Seat Belt Reminder, Overspeed Alert, Reverse Parking Sensors and Driver side Pyro & Pre-tensioner with Load Limiter which are standard across all variants. It also comes equipped with Seat belt Pyrotech and load limiter as a standard feature. 

The Renault KWID strongly resonates with the ideology of the ‘Make in India’ program, which advocates making globally competent products for India and the world by co-opting Indian expertise and skill. The car has seen strong recognition among customers and industry experts, winning 33 awards by several media platforms. Available in both 0.8L and 1.0L SCe powertrains with Manual and AMT options, Renault KWID has been instrumental in the growth of the Renault brand across the country.  

ABOUT RENAULT  

Renault India Pvt. Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of Renault S.A.S. France. Renault India cars are manufactured in the manufacturing facility located in Oragadam, Chennai, with a capacity of 480,000 units per annum. Renault India also has a widespread presence of close to 500 sales and 530 service touchpoints, which include 250+ Workshop on Wheels locations across the country, with benchmark sales and service quality. 

TECNO PHANTOM X2 Launched In India With The World’s First 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G Chipset

·         TECNO PHANTOM X2’s pre-booking begins today. Lucky 300 pre-booking customers will receive a free upgrade to PHANTOM X3 (T&C apply) 

·         TECNO PHANTOM X2 becomes the first and only smartphone in India to offer Dimensity 9000 5G Chipset in the sub 40K segment

TECNO, an innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 global markets, today launched PHANTOM X2 in India, which marks its entry into the premium smartphone category. Last month, the global launch of the PHANTOM X2 series with the theme ‘Beyond the Extraordinary’ took place in Dubai, UAE. Priced at INR 39,999, TECNO PHANTOM X2 will be available on both Amazon as well as offline retail touchpoints.  Pre-booking of the new PHANTOM smartphone starts today, 2nd Jan and will be on sale from 09 January 2023. Lucky 100 pre-booking orders on Amazon and 200 on retail touchpoints will receive a free upgrade to PHANTOM X3 when the phone is slated to launch in India.

PHANTOM X2 is crafted for the zillennials who are keen to possess a smartphone that compounds aesthetically appealing designs with top-notch technology, supreme user experience and faster processing. The smartphone comes in two splendid colours - Stardust Grey and Moonlight Silver. The smartphone was recently awarded the globally revered LOOP Design Award, which is a prestigious Architecture and Interior Design award.

The new PHANTOM X2 Series is a state-of-the-art premium smartphone series that brings TECNO’s latest technological breakthroughs to fruition. The premium smartphone pioneers the amalgamation of advanced technology and uniquely crafted design by introducing unprecedented features to the country. TECNO PHANTOM X2 brings the highly progressive and best-in class double curved AMOLED and a segment-leading 64MP RGBW(G+P) OIS rear camera for a polished photography escapade.

Sharing details about the newly launched Phantom X2, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, TECNO MOBILE India, said, “As the demand for premium experiences grow, even we grow. We continue to challenge the status quo of the industry, with the aim of redefining the high-end experience in an ambitious yet accessible way. TECNO PHANTOM X2 is powered by the outstanding MediaTek Dimensity 9000 5G chipset, which is built on 4nm fabrication and runs at 3.05GHz. The smartphone sets new benchmarks in terms of power, performance, and energy efficiency. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor also has a host of innovations in camera and graphics to help make the PHANTOM X2 a superior gaming and multitasking smartphone with immersive experiences for TECNO customers.”

Key USPs of TECNO PHANTOM X2

·         The world’s first 4nm Dimensity 9000 Processor

Dimensity 9000 means superior 5G speeds and next-gen multitasking ranging from brilliant gaming technology, professional-grade imaging and videography to advanced AI and computing architecture. 4nm super-power efficient Dimensity 9000 has all the features, speeds and feeds to satisfy the most discerning tech enthusiast. D9000 has the world’s first ultra-Core Arm Cortex-X2 at 3.05GHz for immediate responsiveness in any app. Its HyperEngine 5.0 gaming technologies ensure users smooth gameplay without suffering connection drops, FPS jitter, input misses or gameplay hiccups. With 3GPP Release-16 standard 5G Modem technology, 3CC Carrier Aggregation (300MHz), 11 5G bands and Dual Sim Dual active multimode for interruption-free connectivity and other enhancements that give users a more personalized connected experience based on their usage patterns.

·         Segment-leading extraordinary 64MP RGBW(G+P) OIS Ultra Clear Night Camera

Experience exemplary low light photography with Phantom X2 by the extraordinary 64MP RGBW+ (G+P) sensor, which allows 200% more light to the sensor for bright photos. Optical image stabilization ensures stable photos/videos even with shaking hands. Wide P3 colour Gamut, 3D-Lut and 7th Gen IMAGIQ 790 ISP produce brilliant photos on each click. Redefines the video shoot expertise with Super Hybrid Image Stabilization, Dual Video, Video Filters, Video HDR, Video Bokeh, 4K Time-lapse, 960FPS Slow Motion and more. Its 32MP HDR Selfie Camera outperforms in every selfie with many user-attractive modes.

·         Extraordinary curved AMOLED display for truly brilliant vision

6.8” FHD+ Flexible AMOLED with 8+2bit display produces numerous accurate colours and with P3 wide colour gamut, it provides vivid viewing experiences. 120Hz Refresh rate and 360Hz Touch Sampling rate provide a buttery smooth experience. Certified by TUV SUD A rating for 36-month display fluency to maintain the smoothness for three years as it was on day one. This beautiful beast is protected by segment-leading Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for unparalleled safety.

·         Extraordinary Uni-body Double Curved Symmetric Design

Phantom X2 has the best-in class 3.5D Moon Crater Inspired Design for a slimmer Camera module. The design follows the dazzling stained glass process for a super-premium look and has AF Nano coating with CNC Metal middle frame for a sleek and intriguing look. Its 71° ergonomic golden grip angle design makes it easy to hold for longer durations.

·         Segment best 5160mAh High Capacity battery for mammoth usage

Phantom X2 provides an exceptional power backup of 25 days of standby time and 23 hours of video playback time. Charge rapidly with the in-box 45W Charger of Phantom X2 and in approximately 20 minutes of charging time one has a 50% battery charge.

About TECNO

TECNO is an innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 countries and regions across five continents. Since its launch, TECNO has been revolutionizing the digital experience in emerging global markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. Today, TECNO has developed into a recognized leader in its target markets, delivering state-of-the-art innovation through a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals. By creating stylish, intelligent products, TECNO inspires consumers worldwide to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com; https://www.tecno-mobile.in/.

About PHANTOM

PHANTOM is a premium technology sub-brand of TECNO. Born in response to the growing global demand for high-end smart products, PHANTOM creates premium, stylish, bold devices that stand at the vanguard of innovation. As a pioneering international technology brand, PHANTOM empowers consumers to become pioneers and creators, enhances business and entertainment, and encourages new ways of thinking and doing with a spirit of modern individuality. Infused with the brand’s signature flare, PHANTOM’s products are a source of inspiration for its audiences to be the leaders of change, to seek the extraordinary in their everyday lives and to elevate every experience to an unforgettable moment. To learn more about PHANTOM, visit www.mobile-phantom.com.