IHCL Expands with 100 New Locations in FY25
Chandigarh, APRIL 16, 2025: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, increases its footprint with 100 new locations, with 74 signings and 26 openings in FY2025, taking its portfolio to 380 hotels.
Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “IHCL in the last fiscal year has clocked a record 74 signings with over 95% of these signings being capital light and resulted in an industry leading pipeline of 137 hotels. This was enabled by IHCL’s strong brand presence across market segments coupled with the sustained demand buoyancy. In alignment with our strategic roadmap Accelerate 2030, a significant share of the signings were in Gateway and Ginger brands, reflective of the fast growing Upscale and Midscale segments in India. This year, we continued to build scale in each of the brands with Ginger crossing a 100-hotel portfolio and Vivanta reaching the 50+ hotel mark.”
She added, “In line with our strategy of growing with the Taj brand in key international markets, we forayed in the cities of Bahrain and Ras Al Khaimah in the Middle East with over 800 keys, strengthening our footprint in the region.”
IHCL’S PORTFOLIO AS ON 31st MARCH 2025
| BRANDS | OPERATING HOTELS | PIPELINE HOTELS | TOTAL | ||||
| Taj | 87 | 42 | 129 | ||||
| Claridges Collection | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||
| SeleQtions | 26 | 16 | 42 | ||||
| Tree of Life | 18 | 2 | 20 | ||||
| Vivanta | 28 | 24 | 52 | ||||
| Gateway | 9 | 22 | 31 | ||||
| Ginger | 73 | 30 | 103 | ||||
| TOTAL | 243 | 137 | 380 |
Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL added, “IHCL opened 26 new hotels in FY25, with Ginger leading the way with 9 hotels across diverse markets including commercial centres of Nagpur and Coimbatore, industrial townships like Jamshedpur, leisure destinations like Srinagar, Udaipur and Diu as well as in state capitals of New Delhi and Goa.
She added, “Building on its legacy, IHCL pioneered new tourism destinations with SeleQtions and Gateway hotels in Diu and expanded its presence in spiritual destinations with a Taj resort in Puri. Undertaking select investments, we opened a 111 key Taj hotel at Cochin International Airport and forayed with Taj brand in state capitals of Dehradun and Patna. Across these 26 new hotel openings, IHCL created over 2,500 direct jobs contributing to local economies and livelihoods.”
Comau enters into a binding agreement to acquire Automha
Turin, New York, Bergamo – April 16, 2025 – Comau has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of Automha, an Italian company operating in the warehousing and intralogistics automation industry, owned by Trasma. The closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent in transactions of this type, including necessary regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2025. Under the terms of the agreement Comau will acquire 100% of Automha shares, paving the way for new opportunities within the rapidly growing warehousing and logistics sector and establishing a further step toward the creation of a forward-focused Italian industrial automation hub able to innovate and compete in multiple markets.
To ensure business continuity, Automha will continue to operate with the same structure, management and strategic vision, keeping people, quality and innovation at its core. Franco Togni will retain his position as CEO while Gianni Togni and Roberta Togni, in addition to continuing in their current roles, will join the Comau Executive Committee to contribute to the ongoing development of both companies.
This binding agreement is coherent with the strategy behind the recent change in Comau’s shareholder structure – whose majority share is now held by One Equity Partners, an international private equity firm – which has allowed Comau to become a standalone company. With this acquisition Comau reconfirms and strengthens its Italian roots and operations, while enhancing its global offer and international presence. In parallel, Automha will be able to scale-up and further develop its business by leveraging an enhanced geographical footprint and in-house technology competencies. Furthermore, given that Comau and Automha are fully complementary, the relationship will strengthen the mutual portfolio of projects.
“Expanding our reach, know-how and technology portfolio through the acquisition of innovative companies such as Automha is a crucial step in Comau’s growth strategy, as defined when we became a stand-alone company and implemented immediately after the closing phase,” said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “In addition to capitalizing on the strong growth potential of warehousing and intralogistics markets, the integration of Automha within Comau will allow us to leverage our combined expertise and resources, to accelerate innovation and growth across a wide range of global industrial sectors.”
“When we invested in Comau, we saw a clear path forward to help the company expand strategically and gain scale. M&A is a main driver for this, and we identified warehouse, logistics and handling automation systems as a significant opportunity for this business,” said Ante Kusurin, Partner at One Equity Partners. “The acquisition of Automha is a move toward diversification of Comau’s operations and further taps the company into industrial automation trends improving productivity across many industries. We are excited for the opportunity ahead of us as these two complementary companies join forces.”
“In Comau we have found a partner who shares our values of quality, innovation, and commitment to customer success,” added Franco Togni, Founder of Automha. “This new chapter represents not only a moment of growth for Automha but also a continuation of the journey that began in 1979. I look forward to the future that lies ahead, knowing that together with Comau, we will continue to build excellence, expand our global impact and to reach a proper size to keep a leading position in a market that is increasing competitiveness and project dimensions.”
MAPIC India’s Retail Maha Kumbh Concludes with 1000+ Delegates
New Delhi, April 16, 2025: MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit, the Maha Kumbh of Retail, witnessed leaders, innovators, and changemakers from the retail and retail real estate sectors to celebrate the spirit of collaboration and drive the industry forward. The one-day event held on 15 April 2025 at JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi, brought together more than 1000 delegates, 60 speakers and over 150 brands under one roof, to share insights on major growth sectors and ever evolving consumer mindsets, providing a deep dive into the future of luxury and retail in India.
The Cushman & Wakefield report, launched at Mapic India Shopping Centre Summit 2025, highlights that India’s retail real estate is undergoing a premiumisation shift, with 70% of the upcoming 12.3 MSF Grade A mall supply by 2026 being Superior Grade. These malls, already 63% of India’s 61.5 MSF stock, are driving 29% rent growth since 2019 and reshaping brand mix with F&B, beauty, and athleisure.
This year MAPIC set new benchmarks by expanding the participation of global brands, Indian startups, D2C pioneers, and retail enthusiasts-creating a gathering that reflects the sheer dynamism of India’s retail sector. The key speakers who shared their insights were Pushpa Bector, Senior Executive Director and Business Head, DLF Retail; Bijit Nair, Senior Director – Direct to Consumer (DTC), Adidas; Arjun Singh Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group; Shibu Philips, Director, Shopping Malls LULU Group; Pramod Arora, CEO, PVR INOX Limited; Harsh Bansal, Co-Founder, Unity Group and Vegas Mall; Dr Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi, Founder & Chairperson, NAREDCO Mahi (Under the aegis of Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs); Samim Sekh, Deputy Chief Architect, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC); Abbas Jabalpurwala, CEO, Timezone India; Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Malls and more.
Talking about the Summit, Mr. Umang Gupta, Country General Manager of RX India said, “India’s economic momentum is increasingly evident in the dynamic growth of our retail and real estate sectors. From major metros to the heartlands, consumers are driving a consumption-led economy, embracing both domestic and international retail brands. MAPIC has always been more than just an event—it’s the Mahakumbh of the industry, where brands, developers, and stakeholders unite to shape the future. This year’s MAPIC Shopping Centre gathering saw an inspiring mix of retail and D2C brands come together, creating valuable conversations and collaborations. With MAPIC INDIA just around the corner in September, I’m looking forward to an even larger celebration of progress and partnership in Mumbai”.
Speaking during the MAPIC Shopping Centre Summit, Ms. Ashna Gemini Sharan, Portfolio Director of MAPIC India, said “MAPIC India has been the trusted hub for retail and real estate leaders, and this year marks the 21st edition of MAPIC in India, continuing a legacy of over two decades connecting shopping centres and retailers. We kicked things off with our Shopping Centre Roadshow, uniting top mall owners—DLF, Brigade, Prestige, Rahejas, and more—from every region of the country. Over 100 retailers joined the day-long event packed with sessions on retail disruption, D2C brand growth, funding trends, and innovation. The day concluded with awards celebrating excellence in retail. It’s only the beginning. All of this builds momentum toward our flagship event—MAPIC India 2025—on 16–17 September at Jio, where 200+ brands and 2000 delegates will converge to shape the next era of retail. ”
The one day event served as a dynamic think tank, bringing together industry leaders for a powerful exchange of insights and ideas. It featured a series of thought-provoking panel discussions with prominent voices from the worlds of retail, real estate, fashion, and startups. The day kicked off with an inspiring keynote address by Pushpa Bector, setting the tone for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Panels like Disrupt or Be Disrupted, featuring V-Mart, SNITCH, and Chaayos discussing AI, innovation, and Tier 2/3 expansion. What’s Thriving, What’s Failing with Ambience Group, Cinépolis, and Adidas analyzed shifting retail trends. Spiritual Tourism with LULU Group, PVR INOX, and Madame examined retail growth in spiritual hubs. Connecting Brands, Malls, and Mobility Hubs with DMRC, Wow Momo, and Vegas Mall focused on retail in transit hubs. DTC discussions featured The Souled Store, SNITCH, and Pacific Malls, while entertainment and Women Rule Retail panels included DLF, Timezone, Fablestreet, and Clovia.
An Advisory board meeting with leading retail and real estate stakeholders like PVR INOX, Anarock, Lacoste, WOW Momos, Infinity Malls, Pacific Malls, Accenture, JLL, NIFT, NAREDCO, The Nut Lounge, to name a few, was held at MAPIC India Shopping Centre Summit, which was the curtain raiser for the September event, which is scheduled for 16th & 17th September 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
The one-day event was concluded with the MAPIC India Shopping Centre Awards for the 27 awards categories.
SOCOMEC India and IFCCI continue their CSR initiative with the launch of Project EMPOWERPATH
New Delhi, 16th Apr 2025: Socomec India in collaboration with Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) has launched a game-changing CSR initiative – Project EMPOWERPATH – to uplift unserved communities. This innovative project will focus on Digital Literacy Training, Technical Skills Development, Health & Management Awareness for High-Risk Groups (FSW/HRG) and After-School Academic Support for Children of HRG & Female Sex Workers (FSW).
As part of the three-year collaboration with IFCCI, Socomec has pledged to refurbish and renovate school buildings in Noida and Gurugram. These efforts created physical infrastructures that foster a positive and conducive learning atmosphere.
On its latest CSR initiative, Meenu Singhal, Regional Managing Director of Socomec Greater India, said, “We are happy to collaborate with IFCCI for project EMPOWERPATH – an initiative that aligns with our mission of manufacturing of UPS and energy management solutions while ensuring that our skill development programs create a workforce that meets industry demands. By providing access to these initiatives, we are not just creating job opportunities—we are transforming lives and empowering individuals to take charge of their future. Together with IFCCI, we are helping marginalized communities unlock their potential and thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.”
This project will empower 120 individuals with essential digital skills and 120 others with industry relevant technical skills to enhance employability and financial independence. EMPOWERPATH will promote well-being through behaviour change sessions, counselling, hygiene education and mental health support to 500 individuals belonging to High-Risk Groups. After school academic support will be given to 80 children of High-Risk Groups and Female Sex Workers, strengthening their educational foundations.
“At Socomec, we are deeply committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities,” said Nida Khanam, Head of Human Resources at Socomec Greater India. “Through our partnership with IFCCI, the EMPOWERPATH initiative focuses on equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive—whether it’s through digital literacy, technical skill development, or academic support for children from high-risk groups. We’re also prioritizing the health and well-being of High-Risk Groups by addressing mental health, hygiene, and behavior change. With over 800 individuals set to be impacted in Dwarka and Najafgarh, this is a meaningful step towards sustainable, community-led progress—and we look forward to expanding this initiative to other regions in the near future.”
Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI), said:
“We are delighted to partner with Socomec on the EMPOWERPATH project, supporting education for children of High-Risk Groups, promoting health awareness, and fostering youth skill development with our NGO partner, Indian Society for Applied Research & Development (ISARD). Aligned with key UN SDGs, this initiative empowers underserved communities, creating opportunities for a brighter future.”
Together, Socomec and IFCCI are equipping individuals with essential skills, health awareness, and educational support, bridging critical gaps and preparing them for sustainable careers in an evolving job market.
Venkateshwar International School Launches ASPIRE and CASEL to Integrate Socio-Emotional Learning Among Students
New Delhi, 16th April 2025 – Venkateshwar International School (VIS), Sector 10, Dwarka, launched two Socio-Emotional Learning programmes for the holistic development of students. It has introduced ASPIRE for Classes 1 to 5 and CASEL (Collaborative Activities for Socio-Emotional Learning) for Classes 6 to 12 for the current academic year to encourage students to become responsible, reflective and adaptable individuals.
In this new technology era, everything is accessible for children, necessitating the need to imbibe moral values and empathy in them. VIS has taken this initiative, keeping in mind the significance of learning in the developmental stages of children.
As part of the programme, ASPIRE focuses on early emotional literacy, empathy, and confidence-building in younger children through storytelling, role-play, and collaborative activities. It emphasizes nurturing emotional intelligence, social awareness, and positive peer interactions among primary students. Similarly, CASEL, supports adolescents in managing emotions, making responsible decisions, and flourishing in social and academic settings. The program encourages cultural responsiveness, digital awareness, and real-life contextual learning, preparing the students to cope with real-world issues efficiently.
Dr. Manisha Sharma, Principal of Venkateshwar International School, said, “In today’s fast-evolving world, academic excellence must go hand-in-hand with emotional intelligence. With ASPIRE and CASEL, we are not just teaching skills — we are nurturing hearts, building resilience, and preparing students to lead with empathy and purpose. These initiatives are a testament to our belief that education is the art of igniting a mindful, compassionate, and courageous generation,” said Dr. Sharma
JIRS Hosts 23rd Chubu Industrial Delegation
Nagarsheth Group Unveils ‘Nagarsheth Heritage’—A Boutique Development Celebrating the Timeless Charm of Diu
National, 16th April 2025: The Nagarsheth Group presents Nagarsheth Heritage—a luxurious boutique development stylishly combining age-old architectural refinement with tastefully crafted living quarters. Located on a sprawling 5-acre property in the heart of Diu, this ready-to-move-in complex celebrates the merchant culture of Gujarat, revitalized through the eyes of contemporary living and resilient community spirit. It is a new generation in heritage-inspired residential development.
Conveniently located within nearby distance of Diu’s most popular landmarks—Gangeshwar Mahadev Mandir, St. Paul’s Church, and the historic Diu Fort—Nagarsheth Heritage offers a rare opportunity to live amidst the whispers of the past. The project includes more than 150 semi-furnished row homes, bungalows and apartments, along with bespoke boutique commercial space. Every home is designed to reflect the coziness of modern living, coupled with traditional aesthetic details. The development is also enriched by contemporary amenities like exclusive parking, landscaped spaces, and overall security— making Nagarsheth Heritage an unparalleled proposition in luxury heritage living.
“At Nagarsheth Group, we see Diu not just as a destination, but as a rich heritage landscape with immense potential for cultural and economic revitalization,” said Dhaval Upendrakumar, Founder, Nagarsheth Group. “With our long-standing connection to this part of the country, we aim to revive its historical heritage while making it a future-focused investment destination. Nagarsheth Heritage is the beginning of this odyssey—synthesizing the old town’s traditional Portuguese architecture with modern engineering to save the essence of the past.”
Nagarsheth Heritage is ideal for discerning homeowners, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. A boutique homestay, an artist’s workshop, a heritage café, or a serene weekend retreat, the project offers versatile spaces for fulsome, experiential usage. This project is a standard for the preservation and reimagining of heritage. With the age of mindful travel and mindful living, Nagarsheth Heritage presents a rare chance to invest in a legacy—personal and historical.
Apart from the Nagarsheth Heritage project, The Group would like to throw light on Branco Royal. This venture is committed to the celebration and rejuvenation of colonial-era architecture, with a focus on the Indo-Portuguese style that is an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage. With the Branco Royal, the Group has visualized the building of a township of Indo-Portuguese style villas—each a reflection of enduring elegance and offering contemporary comfort. This upcoming development is reflective of the Group’s focus on delivering sustainable, long-term value by way of meaningful design and development.
The vision of Nagarsheth Group is in consonance with the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji and Hon’ble Administrator Shri Praful Patelji in achieving the larger cause of developing
India’s Union Territories as successful, self-contained ecosystems that honor their heritage while embracing the future.
Sterling Accuris Acquires Gujarat Pathology Lab
New Delhi, April 16, 2025: Sterling Accuris Diagnostics, one of the fastest growing chains of NABL accredited pathology laboratory in India with a leading presence in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh announces the acquisition of Gujarat & Maha Gujarat Pathology Laboratories, a leading pathology service provider in Ahmedabad. This acquisition is poised to significantly increase the footprints of Sterling Accuris across the length and breadth of Ahmedabad and add value to service excellence across the diagnostics landscape.
Sterling Accuris is a strong, customer-centric brand known for providing ethical and market-appropriate pathology diagnostic services. It offers reliable, accurate, and dependable solutions to individual patients, hospitals, and corporates. Gujarat Pathology Laboratory has been serving Ahmedabad since 1998 and offering a comprehensive range of diagnostic services from Hematology, Biochemistry, and Immunology to Molecular Biology. With a network of 8 laboratories and more than 20 collection centres across Ahmedabad, it has served nearly 20 lakh patients so far.
Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Managing Director of Sterling Accuris said, “Gujarat Pathology Laboratory has been serving Ahmedabad for the past 27 years, with a strong presence and reputation in the market. Our acquisition of Gujarat Pathology Laboratory will enable us to serve a larger patient base in Ahmedabad by leveraging their strengths in the B2C segment. This collaboration will not only strengthen our service network but also enhance the reach and quality of diagnostic services we offer across Ahmedabad & Gujarat.”
Mr. Ankush Gupta, CEO of Sterling Accuris said, “The diagnostic market in India is growing rapidly. According to recent research, the pathology segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14% between 2025 and 2030. Gujarat Pathology Laboratory is our fourth acquisition in the last two years. Acquiring Gujarat Pathology Laboratory is a strategic move that aligns with our growth vision, and I am confident this will elevate Sterling Accuris to new heights.”
Dr. Niraj Kothari, Founder, and Vishnubhai Patel, Co-Founder of Gujarat Pathology Laboratory, along with Mr. Navinbhai Patel, Founder of Maha Gujarat Pathology Laboratory, welcomed the acquisition, stating: Sterling Accuris brings a strong and established presence in the diagnostics market, and we see this partnership as a valuable opportunity to scale our services. Gujarat Pathology has a solid foundation in Ahmedabad, and with this acquisition, we will be able to leverage the high-end technology available with Sterling Accuris. This collaboration will enable us to offer a wide range of diagnostic tests, helping us expand our reach and improve accessibility.
Since its inception in 2015, Sterling Accuris has grown exponentially, establishing a strong presence with 75+ laboratories and over 300+ collection centres across India. To maintain its patient centric approach and be more customer friendly, Sterling has incorporated various platforms including multilingual chatbots, interactive and user friendly mobile apps, highly informative and easily accessible websites as well as a state of the art customer care centre with a dedicated single point contact to make our varied range of services accessible to the end user. It is noteworthy that Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia is an investor in Sterling Accuris Wellness Private Limited.
Godrej Industries’ Chemicals Business acquires Business of Savannah Surfactants Limited
Chandigarh, April 16, 2025: Godrej Industries’ Chemicals Business today announced the completion of a Business transfer with Savannah Surfactants Limited, with the acquisition of their Food Additives Business. As a leading player in Oleochemicals, Surfactants, Specialities and Biotech sectors, this transaction will help the company expand its product offerings to the Food & Beverages Industry globally.
Vishal Sharma, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Industries (Chemicals) said,” We are glad to have completed this transaction at the start of the fiscal year. This acquisition is in line with our vision and strategy to grow in a profitable and sustainable manner. The Savannah business will be part of our Speciality chemicals sector. The addition of this Food Additives Business will expand our speciality offerings and build a larger speciality business going forward.”
Located at Goa, Savannah Surfactants Limited has a manufacturing capacity of 5,200 MTPA of finished products.
Amazon India Expands Smartchoice to Tablets
Bengaluru, April 16, 2025: Amazon India today announced the expansion of its Smartchoice program to tablets, following strong success in the laptop category. The program simplifies device selection through expert-curated recommendations based on specific customer needs and usage preferences. Tablets represent a high-growth category for Amazon India, with 26% year-over-year growth in 2024.
“The Smartchoice program, designed by working backward from customer needs, has significantly elevated the purchasing experience, earning exceptional feedback for its clarity and precision,” said Zeba Khan, Director, Consumer Electronics, Amazon India. “Customer insights reveal that buyers often feel overwhelmed by the variety of options available across consumer electronics and technical specifications. This program addresses this challenge by transforming how customers shop for laptops and tablets. Instead of comparing complex specifications, customers can now select devices based on their intended use, ensuring they choose the ideal device for their specific needs—validated by experts and delivered at exceptional value.”
Key Benefits of Smartchoice:
- Curated Selection for Every Use Case: Devices matched to your needs
- Top-Rated Performance: Highest rated devices in their category
- Expert Recommended: Validated by third party experts
- Excellent Value: Competitive prices with added benefits such as No Cost EMI, Bank discount, and more
The Smartchoice program categorizes devices based on distinct consumer needs—from everyday use and education to entertainment, professional applications, and gaming. For each category, an independent technical agency establishes performance benchmarks that products must meet. The curated selection features top-rated tablets from leading brands including Samsung, Lenovo, Asus, Honor, Acer and HP.
Since its introduction for laptops, the Smartchoice program has grown threefold in sales and contributed to 30% growth in premium laptop purchases in 2024. Some of the popular devices available under the Smartchoice program on Amazon.in:
- Lenovo Tab Plus: Dive into the visual luxury with Lenovo Tab Plus, featuring a flexible and durable design for extended usage. This device offers features such as Octa JBL Hi-Fi speakers, an 11.5-inch display, an 8.0 MP front camera with face unlock, an 8.0 MP rear camera with autofocus, and much more. Get this on Amazon.in for INR 20,998
- Acer Swift Go 14 Built-in AI PC Premium Laptop: With refined design, Acer Swift Go 14 comes equipped with next gen Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor, 1440p QHD webcam, privacy shutter and a 44% larger multi-control touchpad and more, making this device a perfect fit for your daily use. Get this on Amazon.in for INR 92,990
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Experience smooth picture quality with an adjustable screen to make every motion feel true to life. This device comes with features such as an 8 MP Rear Camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide front Camera, Dual Speakers by AKG, a Weatherproof & Durable Tablet, an S Pen with IP68, and more. Get this on Amazon.in for INR 34,999
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5: This device comes with features such as 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 9 hours battery life, 16GB RAM, 1.74 cm thin display and more. Get this on Amazon.in for INR 63,990
- HP Victus, 13th Gen Intel Core i7: Enhance your gaming and visual content creation experience with HP Victus. It comes with a 15.6” FHD display with a micro-edge bezel, 16GB DDR4 RAM, temporal noise reduction, 70W battery ensuring extended hours of unplugged gaming. Get this on Amazon.in for INR 90,990
- ASUS Vivobook 15: Experience the powerful performance with Asus Vivobook 15, equipped with features such as Intel Core i5-13420H Processor 2.1 GHz, a 15.6-inch display, DDR4 16GB RAM and more.