TKM Temporary Halts Its Bookings For The Hilux Utility Vehicles In India

“The iconic Hilux has been recently launched in the Indian market to cater to the needs of customers seeking an incredible lifestyle utility vehicle. We are delighted with the overwhelming response that the Hilux has received from our customers within a fortnight of its launch. We are grateful to our valued customers for their continued trust and confidence in our brand and our enhanced offerings in this whole new product segment. However, in light of various factors impacting our supply, we are unable to meet the heightened demand. Thus, we deeply regret our temporary halt of bookings for the Hilux with a view to avoid any further inconvenience to our customers. We will continue our best efforts to resume the Hilux bookings at the soonest possible opportunity, with our aim to provide the best customer experience.”

India Witnesses A Demand In Laptop And Computer Repair Services: Just Dial Consumer Insights

* Users are increasingly searching online to avail repair services amidst the third wave of COVID

* Mumbai tops the list for AC and refrigerator repairs and Delhi for cars

* Laptop & computer repair services contribute to 1/3rd of the searches in the repair category

Extended Work From Home (WFH) for working professionals, the continuance of virtual classes for students, and restrictions put in marketplaces due to the third wave of COVID have resulted in increased demand for online laptop and computer repair services that was the top draw among all repair services across India’s 1000 towns and cities, reports the latest Just Dial Consumer Insights. 

As the third wave of COVID grips India, strict restrictions have resulted in the closure of marketplaces across the country and people are resorting to online for laptop and computer repair services. So much so that, demand for laptop and computer repair services contributed to 1/3rd of the online searches for repair services on Just Dial, India’s No.1 local search engine.

Demand for car repair services was almost at par with that of laptops and computers while that for ACs and refrigerators also saw a good uptick as Indians geared up for the forthcoming summer season.

Commenting on the search trends, Mr. Prasun Kumar, CMO, Just Dial, said: “The fear of third wave and the unpredictability due to intermittent lockdown has resulted in more and more consumers searching online to avail repair services for electronic gadgets. The service providers have also moved online as they want to ensure continuation in business despite the challenges around COVID. In these unpredictable times, Just Dial strives for perfect matchmaking to ensure that work goes on as usual for consumers and service providers to drive more business. Our latest data suggests that laptop repair services remain in great demand a contribute to almost 1/3rd of the searches for repair services. Even that Tier-II towns are increasingly getting online when it comes to availing repair services online and its augurs well for the electronics repair industry that according to estimates is expected to touch $20 billion by 2025.”  

Among Tier-I cities, Delhi topped the demand and contributed to almost 32% of the searches for computer repair services as users tuned into the online marketplace due to the restrictions on markets caused by the third wave of COVID.  Mumbai, which was also impacted severely due to the third wave, was second as it contributed to 28% of the demand while Chennai was third. Patna saw maximum demand among India’s Tier-II cities followed by Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Coimbatore.

For car repair services, Delhi again topped the list generating almost 25% of the searches that are being generated from Tier-I cities while Mumbai and Hyderabad were second and third, respectively. Coimbatore topped the list of Tier-II cities generating maximum online searches for car repair services while Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Indore made up the rest of the top-5.

For AC servicing, Mumbai topped the demand generating 30% of the searches from Tier-I cities. Delhi and Chennai were second and third among Tier-I. Visakhapatnam, Surat, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Goa were the top-5 Tier-II states where AC repairing services were in great demand.  

Mumbai also generated maximum searches for refrigerator repair services among Tier-I cities with Delhi and Hyderabad in the second and third place, respectively. Patna, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Coimbatore were the top-5 Tier-II cities that saw maximum searches.

48% Of Consumers Are Confident That The Omicron Scare Won’tIimpact Their Financial Securities: Axis My India – CSI

* Overall household spends have dropped across the essential & non-essential categories

* Over 10525 people surveyed 70% is from rural India while 30% is from urban India

* Essential and discretionary spending increased for 43% and 10% of families respectively – lowest surges in the last 5 months

* Slight dip on expenditure related to health items, net score at -20 as compared to -23 last month

* Mobility remains the same for 89% families, going out for short vacations, malls, restaurants etc. inspite of the Omicron scare.

* Media consumption remains the same for 54% families - highest in the last five months

* 41% agreed that ads influences purchase behaviour

* 26% surfs internet while simultaneously watching television reflecting the growing trend of multi-screen behaviour

* 67% believe that women are better at financial/investment management as compared to men

* 41% fearful of the security of the financial/personal information entered online

* 50% engage in sports/exercise to remain fit reflecting the growing trend of the Fit-India movement

Axis My India, a leading consumer data intelligence company, released its latest findings of the India Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI), a monthly analysis of consumer perception on a wide range of issues. The month of January reveals highest ‘same consumption’ in the overall household spends indicator as compared to last five months at 33%. In terms of essential items, 43% of the families reflect increase spends while in terms of non-essential items, 10% of the families reflect increase spends. However both essential and discretionary spendings depict the lowest surge in the last five months. A majority of 48% are further confident of their financial health inspite of the new variant of Covid-19. Finally, 89% are going out the ‘same’ for short vacations, mall and restaurants inspite of the Omicron scare.

The February net CSI score, calculated by percentage increase minus percentage decrease in sentiment, was down to +7, from +10 last month in lieu of the observed drop in household spending both across the essential and non-essential categories since the past 3 month, which was further accentuated by the Omicron scare in January.

The sentiment analysis delves into 5 relevant sub-indices – Overall household spending, spending on essential and non-essential items, spending on healthcare, media consumption habits & mobility trends.

This month, Axis My India’s Sentiment Index further investigated the influence of advertisement on purchase decisions, parallel viewing behaviour with reference to television and mobile phones and consumer’s approach to health and fitness. The survey also delved deeper to understand various facets of financial behaviour, these include apprehensions with sharing financials/personal information online, outlook on the impact of omicron on financial security and gender based investment management perceptions.

The surveys were carried out via Computer Aided Telephonic Interviews with a sample size of 10525 people across 36 states. 70% belonged from Rural India while 30% belonged from urban counterparts. In addition 59% of the respondents were male while 41% of the respondents were female

Commenting on the February report, Pradeep Gupta, CMD, Axis My India, said, “The survey captures consumer’s apprehension yet preparedness and confidence to the advent of Omicron. While essential, non-essential and health related increased expenditures witnessed a dip, consumers at the same time have expressed their confidence of not being financially impacted by the 3rd Wave. Moreover, in our attempt to discover consumer information consumption habit, we witnessed a growing possibility of shared space competitiveness between TV and online for influencing ad based purchase decisions. However online space unlike TV is an interactive platform and thereby possess the challenges of ensuring security and safety of data shared by consumers. Overall with the nation’s sentiments resuming back to slow and steady normalcy and more opportunities opening up within the media space, advertisers and marketers are in a sweet spot and should thereby leave no space untouched.”

Key findings:

* Overall household spending has increased for 53% of families which reflects a 6% dip from the last month. Overall spending remains the same for 33% of the families which is the highest in the last five months. The net score has dropped from +50 to +39.

* Spends on essentials like personal care & household items has increased for 43% of the families showcasing a surge in northern and southern part of India, however this is also the lowest surge in the last five months. Spends however remain the same for 33% of the families (same as last month). The net score which was +26 last month is at +20 this month.

* Spends on non-essential & discretionary products like AC, Car, Refrigerator has increased for 10% of families, indicating an even lower percentage than the last 5 months. Expenditure nevertheless remains the same for 83% of the families a surge by 5% from last month. This is majorly reflected in the sentiment of people living in Eastern and Northern part of India. The net score which was at +6 last month is at +3 for the month. 

* Consumption on health-related items more or less remains the same for 44% of the families, while a surge is witnessed among 38% of the families. In comparison to last month, the ‘increase’ consumption indicators represents an overall dip by 2%. The health score which has a negative connotation i.e., the lesser the spends on health items the better the sentiments, has a net score value of -20 as compared to -23 last month

* Consumption of media like TV, Internet, and Radio has increased for 24% of the families, same as last month. Consumption remains the same for a majority of 54% families, the highest in the last five months. This is reflected among 18-25 Year olds of northern part of India. The overall, the Net score of this month is at 2 as compared to 1 for the previous month.

* 89% families said that they are going out the same for short vacations, mall and restaurants as compared to 85% of families last month. Reflecting the view of 89% of the families, this has been the highest percentage in the last five months. However, only 4% of families recorded increase in outgoing activities. The overall mobility score remains the same as last month at -3.

On topics of current national interest:

* Axis My India further assessed if advertisement influences consumer’s purchase decisions. Closer to half i.e. 41% agreed that ads are stimulants and thereby drive purchases. This reflects the view of 18-35 YO from northern part of India. However a majority of 57% disagree on the same. 

* Gauging consumer’s view on parallel viewing habits, the survey discovered that 26% surf internet while simultaneously watching television. This signifies that not only are people moving between multiple screens on smartphones, tablets, computers and television, but they are also using multiple screens simultaneously to accomplish tasks. This also unravels a stiff competition between the two mediums to hold onto consumer’s attention for engaging them with information/news, entertainment, advertisements etc. 18-25 year olds, majorly reflects this behaviours.

* The CSI – Survey furthermore captured consumer’s financial sentiment across varied facets.  With regards to financial and personal security, a majority of 41% is apprehensive that the information shared online is not secure. Moreover a bulk of 48% believe that the new variant of the virus – Omicron won’t impact their financial well-being.

*Axis My India survey further delved deeper to understand consumer’s opinion on who manages financials/investment decisions better between the two genders. A massive 67% believe that women are better as compared to men when it comes financial/investment management. This reflects the view of western part of India

* Finally, Axis My India was delighted to report that 50% engages in sports/exercise and other health related activities to remain fit and healthy. PM Modi in 2019 had launched the nationwide Fit India Movement to encourage people to remain healthy and fit by including physical activities and sports in their daily lives.

Linde Moves To Its “New Corporate Office" In Bangalore, India

Linde, the leading industrial gases manufacturer has moved to its new corporate office in Bangalore, India. This state-of-the-art workspace located at Prestige Khoday Tower, Raj Bhavan Road will serve as the registered office for Linde South Asia Services Pvt. Ltd. and Praxair India Private Limited. 

Moloy Banerjee, Head Gases - South Asia, Linde South Asia Services Private Limited said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of our new corporate office in Bangalore. This centrally and strategically located office building will be an important hub for our future operations in India”. 

Linde India Limited and Praxair India Pvt. Ltd. are subsidiaries of Linde Plc. Linde plc. was created in October 2018 by the merger of Praxair Inc. and Linde AG. Collectively, Linde in India is one of the leading industrial gases companies. Linde manages and operates more than 30 production facilities and filling stations across the country and supply a wide range of gases and mixtures and related services including the construction and installation of plants, equipment, pipelines, and associated engineering services catering to the needs of a wide variety of industries.  

About Linde in India 

Linde India Limited and Praxair India Pvt. Ltd. are subsidiaries of Linde Plc. Linde plc. was created in October 2018 by merger of Praxair Inc. and Linde AG. Collectively, Linde in India is one of the leading industrial gases company. Combining Linde Plc’s advanced technology, our deep understanding of our customers’ businesses and strong local expertise in gases and engineering, we are able to provide tailor-made solutions that help our customers to increase efficiency, productivity and flexibility in their operations, while reducing energy costs and safeguarding the environment. We manage and operate more than 30 production facilities and filling stations across the country. We supply more than 20,000 gases and mixtures as well as and provide a range of related services including the construction and installation of plants, equipment, pipelines and associated engineering services catering to the needs of a wide variety of industries. Linde has one of the largest sales and distribution network in the country giving us a wide geographic reach and placing us close to our customers in any part of India. 

Ed-tech Startup Wonderslate Launches Learning-From-Gaming App Prepjoy To Help Aspirants Crack Competitive Exams Pan India

Providing a unique 'learning-from-gaming' experience, leading edutech company Wonderslate has launched first-of-its-kind, fun-filled app Prepjoy to help aspirants crack entrance and competitive exams in Hindi as well as English. The company with a vision of building the largest academic content store with superior learning experience believes in making learning fun and exciting and is offering 3 ways to learn and excel?watch it, read it and play it. The app is useful for current affairs, general awareness, general knowledge, general studies, Indian and global environment, national and international updates, and others.

"The unique learning-from-gaming experience with Prepjoy provides endless opportunities for learners in a fun-filled manner that not only helps them to achieve their career goals but also enhances their knowledge. The content is thoughtfully designed and carefully curated by a team of experts to give users a competitive edge in the exams. It also gives them a chance to daily challenge themselves to track their progress and be a better version. This is a first-of-its-kind experience and we believe that building a platform that makes learning fun and exciting will definitely help aspirants to focus on their growth and goals to achieve the desired results easily," said Mr. Anand Achyut, CEO, Wonderslate Technologies Pvt Ltd.

Prepjoy gives a platform to its users to read about daily current affairs and keep testing themselves with the unique Current Affairs Game. On the app, they can play it as a challenge to see how much they actually learned to constantly improve and grow by accepting and excelling at various levels. They can also track and flaunt their success and challenge people from all over the country to see where they stand on their current affairs knowledge. They can take daily quizzes in the form of a fun-filled game and win the tasks, get points and badges to flaunt success on the leader board.

It provides an immersive and interactive learning experience for the preparation of entrance exams of banks, SSC, railways, civil services, MBA IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, LIC AAO, UIIC AO, NICL AO, RBI Grade B, RBI Assistant but also for many other government recruitment exams. Everything is meticulously curated and carefully selected by a team of experts, keeping the exam needs in mind. Moreover, watching content seamlessly on the platform helps users to remember and understand things better. With the best user experience and interface, the learners can read and watch content on daily affairs, bookmark and save important articles for later and prepare by dates to boost exam preparation. All the above for free of cost with no hidden fees and charges.

With A Purpose To Liberate Individuals To Pursue Their Aspirations, SBI Life Embarks On Brand Reimagine Journey

* Inspiring consumers to pursue their own individualistic aspirations while simultaneously fulfilling family’s needs, the private life insurer unveiled the brand’s evolution towards becoming an ‘enabler’ for its customers beyond a mere security provider

The pandemic has inevitably reshaped the consumer attitude towards buying insurance. Rather than being a ‘security provider’ individuals now expect life insurance to be an ‘enabler’ that will help them fulfil their aspirations and secure their family’s financial future. Recognizing the need to cater to changing consumer mind-set, SBI Life Insurance, one of the most trusted private life insurers in the country, unveiled its reimagined ‘Brand Identity’, which is a unique expression of the brand’s core belief i.e. ‘Independence in thinking’.

Brand consultancy ‘Chlorophyll’ has closely worked with SBI Life on the rebranding exercise. Deciphering the changing societal value system, consequent evolution of individual attitudes and accordingly align the iconic brand SBI Life, to address and serve the changing aspirations of new India.

SBI Life’s brand line has also been redefined to ‘Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye’ which showcases the insurers’ unique attempt at enabling individuals to explore their own ‘wants’ while securing the ‘needs’ of their loved ones. SBI Life’s brand assets have also been redesigned aligning with the insurer’s unique identity, combining the strong lineage of the parent brand identity with a modern wordmark ‘Life’.

The new SBI Life brand symbolizes individualism and enables individuals to strike a balance between their own wants and their family’s needs, which sits perfectly with the lives of today’s consumer. This re-imagined ‘Brand Identity’ features vibrant colour scheme and fonts, an inspiring brand line and a bold ‘L’ shaped brand device which denotes both ‘Life insurance’ and ‘Liberation’.

A new sonic brand identity has also been devised to create a deep multisensory experience, thereby amplifying the overall brand experience for all stakeholders. The musical logo (MOGO), which is a delightful symphony encapsulating modern and forward-looking sounds was developed by ‘BrandMusiq’. SBI Life has also launched a heart-warming digital video showcasing how individuals are embracing life in pursuit of individual aspirations without compromising on familial responsibilities.

Link to the video: https://youtu.be/OVX0F82PpOY

The digital video encapsulates the emotions of a young man who taking a step towards one of the most decisive milestone in life, of getting married. The video describes the seven vows he promises to take with his partner along with a vow for himself, to retain his individualistic identity. One of the vow talks about sharing all his belongings with his better half, along with a vow to self, to continue pursuing his aspirations.

Speaking about SBI Life’s re-imagined brand identity, Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communications and CSR, SBI Life said, “Brand SBI Life is not limited to a re-imagined identity or a TVC, fundamentally it is an entire belief system that we all live by, it is an experience that our customers and stakeholders remember us for. Our extensive research comprising countless conversations with consumers, business partners, employees and other stakeholders have indicated to a new evolving individualistically determined India. The consumer of this new India, expects insurance to be an enabler, in their pursuit of individualistic ambitions, which is way beyond the role of a mere financial tool. Aligning SBI Life’s brand journey to the evolving consumer attitude in the new India, we’ve undertaken a strategic rebranding exercise, where we envisage brand SBI Life to play the role of an ‘enabler’ for the consumer to follow their own individualistic aspirations, while simultaneously taking care of the needs of their loved ones.” He further added, “The brand’s core i.e. ‘Independence in thinking’ is our anchor, that guides all of our actions, behaviour and communication with our stakeholders. With the re-imagined brand SBI Life, we hope to serve the needs of our consumers and fuel aspirations of the new India.” 

About SBI Life Insurance:

SBI Life Insurance (‘SBI Life’ / ‘The Company’), one of the most trusted life insurance companies in India, was incorporated in October 2000 and is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001.

Serving millions of families across India, SBI Life’s diverse range of products caters to individuals as well as group customers through Protection, Pension, Savings and Health solutions.

Driven by ‘Customer-First’ approach, SBI Life places great emphasis on maintaining world class operating efficiency and providing hassle-free claim settlement experience to its customers by following high ethical standards of service. Additionally, SBI Life is committed to enhance digital experiences for its customers, distributors and employees alike.

SBI Life strives to make insurance accessible to all, with its extensive presence across the country through its 947 offices, 18,498 employees, a large and productive individual agent network of about 135,902 agents, 64 corporate agents, a widespread bancassurance network of 14 partners, more than 29,000 partner branches, 110 brokers and other insurance marketing firms.

In addition to doing what’s right for the customers, the company is also committed to provide a healthy and flexible work environment for its employees to excel personally and professionally.

SBI Life strongly encourages a culture of giving back to the society and has made substantial contribution in the areas of child education, healthcare, disaster relief and environmental upgrade. In 2020-21, the Company touched over 4.30 lakh direct beneficiaries through various CSR interventions.

Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange ('BSE') and the National Stock Exchange ('NSE'), the company has an authorized capital of ` 20.0 billion and a paid up capital of ` 10.0 billion. The AuM is ` 2,568.7 billion.

For more information, please visit our website-www.sbilife.co.in and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

(Numbers & data mentioned above are for the period ended December 31, 2021)

Muthoot Finance Donates Fully Automatic Electric Wheelchairs To Persons With Special Abilities

Muthoot Finance, India’s largest gold loan NBFC donates fully automated electric wheelchairs worth Rs. 45,000 each, under the patronage of Muthoot Snehasancharini Project to an identified group of persons with special abilities in Bangalore. The initiative was taken in a bid to improve the lives of specially-abled people especially belonging to the financially weaker section of the society.

Mr. K. J. George, MLA, Sarvagnanagar inaugurated the ceremony and distributed the wheelchairs in an event held at Association of People with Disability (APD) in Lingarajapuram, Bangalore. The event was presided over by Mr. George M Alexander, Deputy Managing Director, Muthoot Finance Ltd. Mr. George M George, Deputy Managing Director, Muthoot Finance Ltd addressed the audience as the Chief Guest of the event.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. George M Alexander, Deputy Managing Director said, “Muthoot Finance has always strived to be a responsible corporate entity and our CSR initiatives are primarily focused on community services helping the needy and underprivileged sections of the society. With an intent to empower differently abled people and make them more independent and mobile so that they can pursue their dreams, we are currently donating fully automated electric items of mobility equipment and this effort is ongoing. As a responsible corporate citizen, our endeavour is to help build a society that is accessible, inclusive and unbiased and hence we have chosen this cause of providing equal opportunities for the specially-abled citizens. By organizing the event this time in Bangalore, we are also now planning to extend the scheme to other states of Southern India and further empower more people through this initiative.”

The Snehasancharini project had begun in the year 2019, when Muthoot Finance had donated artificial legs to 101 people in Ernakulam. Prior to Bangalore, Muthoot had conducted similar wheelchair donation programs under Snehasancharini Scheme in Ernakulam and Trivandrum, Kerala and the plan is now to expand this scheme to other states of South India.

About Muthoot Finance  

Muthoot Finance is the flagship company of The Muthoot Group which has 20 diversified business divisions. Muthoot Finance is India’s largest gold loan NBFC and India’s No.1 Most Trusted Financial Services Brand, according to the Brand Trusted Report. It is a reputed ‘Systemically Important Non-deposit taking NBFC’. As part of the core business, Muthoot Finance provides loans secured against household gold jewellery at highly affordable rates and amazing product features. Globally, the Group has presence across, USA, UK, UAE, Costa Rica, Nepal and Sri Lanka. For more details visit: www.muthootfinance.com