Mumbai, May 19, 2025: The 44th edition of the Knight Frank – NAREDCO Real Estate Sentiment Index Q1 2025 (January–March 2025) report reflects a cautiously optimistic mood among real estate stakeholders. The Current Sentiment Score in Q1 2025 dipped slightly to 54 from 59 in Q4 2024, down from 59 in Q4 2024, while the Future Sentiment Score eased to 56, compared to 59 in the previous quarter. Though both scores, remain in the optimistic zone, signal growing stakeholder caution amid global trade tensions, economic recalibration, and regional volatility. Despite this, positive momentum in commercial real estate and sustained activity in high-value residential segments continue to support sentiment resilience. According to the survey findings, residential outlook leans toward stability amid cautious launch plans. In Q1 2025, 93% of stakeholders expect residential prices to remain stable or improve, while 67% anticipate stability or growth in new launches. Residential sales sentiment, however, has moderated with only 50% expecting it to either improve or stay the same compared to 88% in Q1 2024.

The office segment remains a bright spot, supported by robust leasing activity and stable rental growth. In Q1 2025, 82% of stakeholders anticipate office leasing volumes to either hold steady or increase, while 91% expect office rents to remain stable or rise—signalling sustained occupier confidence and healthy demand.

The quarterly Knight Frank-NAREDCO Real Estate Sentiment Index report captures the current and future sentiments towards the real estate sector, as well as economic conditions and funding availability as perceived by the supply-side stakeholders and financial institutions. A score of 50 represents a neutral view or status quo; a score above 50 demonstrates a positive sentiment; and a score below 50 indicates a negative sentiment.

Sentiments of Developers and Non-Developers

The Developer Future Sentiment Score dropped to 53 in Q1 2025 from 58 in Q4 2024, as developers recalibrate supply strategies amid slowing low to mid ticket size segment demand in the residential sector and rising costs.

The Non-Developer Future Sentiment Score (including banks, financial institutions, and PE funds) moderated to 57 from 60, reflecting a wait-and-watch approach on capital deployment, while remaining optimistic on office and high-ticket size residential segments.

Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, “Q1 2025 marks a phase of strategic recalibration for the real estate sector, shaped by evolving global trade dynamics, softening consumption, and heightened geopolitical sensitivity. Despite these shifts, India’s office market remains resilient, and the continued strength of the premium residential segment affirms the sector’s underlying robustness. As macroeconomic indicators adjust, real estate is displaying its capacity to adapt with stability and long-term potential.”

“Residential market outlook

The residential sentiment in Q1 2025 reflected a clear shift toward stability and cautious optimism. While overall enthusiasm has moderated compared to the highs of 2023 and early 2024, the market continues to show resilience, particularly in higher ticket size segments. Only 22% of stakeholders expect residential sales to increase, marking a notable decline from 73% in the same period in last year. This softening is driven by moderation in demand within the mid and lower ticket-size segments, where affordability concerns and truncated supply led to demand deceleration.

Launch activity has also moderated, with 28% of stakeholders anticipating an increase and 39% expecting stability. Price sentiment remains largely positive, with 93% of stakeholders expect prices to either rise or stay stable. The share of those anticipating a price increase stands at 50%, compared to 82% in Q1 2024, suggesting a shift away from aggressive price growth toward a more measured and sustainable pricing environment.

Hari Babu, President-NAREDCO, said, “While the Knight Frank Q1 2025 Sentiment Index shows a marginal decline in both current and future sentiment scores compared to Q4, this slight dip amidst global uncertainties reflects the strength and adaptability of India’s real estate sector. The industry continues to move forward with optimism and long-term conviction.

The Indian real estate sector is showcasing robust performance in the commercial segment, driven by the demand from Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and tech-enabled enterprises — reaffirming India’s growing stature as a global business hub. On the residential front, developers are adopting a more mature, demand-led approach by focusing on high-ticket projects while rebalancing supply in the mid and affordable segments.

This is a sign of steady evolution. We see this as a phase of mindful progress, where Indian real estate is not just expanding, but doing so with greater purpose and prudence. Government-led infrastructure development and the expansion of real estate in Tier 2 and 3 cities will continue to support the sector. Additionally, the recent repo rate cut by the RBI has boosted liquidity and improved buyer sentiment, giving further momentum to the industry. We remain confident in the sector’s potential and its pivotal role in India’s economic journey.”

Office market outlook

The office sector continued to display strength in Q1 2025, backed by robust occupier demand and rental resilience. 82% of stakeholders expect leasing activity to either increase or remain stable, driven by sustained expansion from Global Capability Centres, third party IT services firms, and flex space operators. While only 24% foresee an increase in new office supply, 41% anticipate stability, reflecting developers’ calibrated approach amid high office space absorption. Rents remain on a firm footing, with 91% of respondents expecting them to stay stable or rise.

In Q1 2025, 55% of stakeholders expect economic momentum to either improve or remain stable, down from 91% in the same period in last year. The moderation reflects concerns over global trade volatility, and recent cross-border developments. However, the Reserve Bank of India’s consecutive repo rate cuts in February and April are expected to support consumption and investment, providing a foundation for economic recovery in the months ahead.

Funding sentiment remains steady, with 79% of stakeholders expecting availability to either improve or remain unchanged. While 35% foresee improved access, slightly lower than the previous quarter, the recent rate cuts have enhanced liquidity and reduced borrowing costs.

Mumbai, May 19, 2025: Vietnam’s leading new-age airline Vietjet and Boeing have announced an agreement to transfer up to 50 Boeing 737 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand—marking a strategic initiative to strengthen aviation and tourism connectivity between Thailand, Vietnam, as well as other countries in the region. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the latter’s first official visit to Vietnam.

Under the agreement, Vietjet will allocate 50 aircraft from its existing order of 200 Boeing 737s to Vietjet Thailand. The first deliveries are scheduled for October 2025. This move will significantly expand Vietjet Thailand’s domestic and international flight network, particularly enhancing connections between Vietnam and Thailand.

“We are pleased to partner with Vietjet and Vietjet Thailand to expand Boeing 737 operations in Vietnam and Thailand,” said Penny Burtt, President of Boeing Southeast Asia. “Together, we aim to connect communities and drive economic development, paving the way for a prosperous future in Vietnam and the dynamic growth region that is Southeast Asia.”

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet, stated at the event: “The transfer of 50 modern and efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable aviation development in the region. We are determined to implement the ‘Three Connects’ Strategy between the two countries – encompassing supply chains, businesses, and localities.”

As part of the agreement, Boeing will also provide Vietjet Thailand with comprehensive technical support, including pilot, maintenance and engineer training, and product services—ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the new fleet in Thailand.

This new agreement marks a new milestone in the robust and effective cooperation between Vietnamese, Thai, and U.S. enterprises, with shared priorities in digital transformation, sustainable development, and narrowing development gaps among member states.

Vietjet currently operates 10 India-Vietnam routes, offering a total of 78 flights per week—making it the airline with the most extensive flight network between the two countries. These routes connect New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru with Vietnam’s key destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

Vietjet Thailand, established in 2014, is a new-age joint venture airline of Vietjet in Thailand, symbolizing the success of ASEAN aviation economic cooperation. Over more than a decade of development, Vietjet Thailand has continuously expanded its fleet and flight network, becoming one of the most dynamic airlines in the Thai market—highly regarded by both local passengers and international travelers in the Land of Smiles.

Headquartered at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok), Vietjet Thailand currently operates 33 domestic and international routes, connecting Thailand’s economic and tourism hubs with Vietnam, Japan, China, India, Cambodia, and other destinations across the region. The airline has served more than 30 million passengers, making significant contributions to tourism, trade, and ASEAN regional cooperation, particularly between Vietnam and Thailand.

Mumbai, 19 May, 2025: Tata CLiQ Luxury, India’s premier luxury lifestyle platform, has launched a social media campaign featuring Twinkle Khanna, author, entrepreneur, fomer actor, and columnist, as a part of The Big CLiQ Sale, which has never-seen-before offers on leading premium and luxury global and Indian brands. The video captures Twinkle Khanna‘s candid shopping confessions, like the FOMO frenzy, the cart abandonment anxiety, luxury justification syndrome and the feeling of her house turning into a warehouse with all the open delivery boxes lying around.

With her signature sass and effortless elegance, the video showcases Twinkle indulging in an unfiltered shopping spree. She admits that while sale season is the best time to shop, no one ever told her how to do it, so, naturally, she did everything wrong. What follows is a series of shopping confessions she might never live down. Blending humour and relatability, she highlights that while she may have gone a bit overboard, it’s the little bit of drama that makes shopping more thrilling. The video wraps with Twinkle inviting shoppers to channel their inner drama and indulge in extravagance at The Big CLiQ Sale by Tata CLiQ Luxury, as it’s the perfect time to shop given there are no limits and no rules, just great finds!

With up to 50% off, shop from leading premium and luxury global and Indian brands across categories like apparel, beauty, accessories, footwear, home, jewellery, watches, and more only at Tata CLiQ Luxury’s The Big CLiQ Sale, which is on till May 27, 2025.

Chennai, 19^th May, 2025 – Organic India has been delighting consumers for over 25 years with its authentic organic products. The Organic India brand is widely recognized as a pioneer in offering organic products in India, including the launch of Tulsi Green Tea and a unique assortment of herbal infusions featuring exotic ingredients like Hibiscus and Chamomile, as well as supplements made with real, whole herbs. 

Organic India sources high-quality ingredients directly from thousands of farmers, creating a positive impact on both their livelihoods and the planet through eco-friendly farming practices.  

In 2024, the brand was acquired by Tata Consumer Products (TCPL) to strengthen its health and wellness portfolio. This acquisition is expected to significantly expand Organic India’s distribution by leveraging TCPL’s extensive retail footprint across India and globally.

Organic India has now partnered with legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, a global icon known for his dedication, authenticity, and consistency in a career spanning over 25 years. His determination to excellence and integrity mirrors with the brand’s unwavering commitment to deliver high-quality, trusted, organic products. With this natural alignment of shared values and vision, Organic India aims to deepen consumer trust, inspire brand love, and reinforce its position as a pioneer and one of the most trusted organic brands in the country.  

Organic India focuses on sustainable living with a wide range of offerings in Herbal Supplements, Tea & Infusions, and Organic Packaged Foods in the health and wellness space.

Chennai, May 19, 2025: IndusInd Bank today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AIC STPINEXT, a special purpose vehicle of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This partnership is designed to provide early-stage start-ups and MSMEs with essential financial solutions, mentorship, and structural support, leveraging the combined strengths of both organizations to nurture innovation and sustainable growth.

Under this collaboration, IndusInd Bank will deliver a range of tailored banking solutions to support early-stage start-ups associated with STPI/STPINEXT, empowering them at every stage of their journey. The Bank will offer a specialized Current Account product with no quarterly average balance requirement, making it easier for start-ups to manage their finances.

Additionally, the Bank will offer support such as expert guidance, and conduct workshops around financial management including banking basics, equity infusion, ESOPs, segment-based funding etc. To further support operational efficiency, the Bank will offer payroll and attendance management services to early-stage start-ups at no cost.

This MoU reflects the shared commitment to empower start-ups and accelerate entrepreneurship by providing the right resources, mentorship, and financial tools needed for sustainable growth. Together, both organizations aim to build a vibrant ecosystem where new ideas can thrive and contribute to the nation’s progress.

A graduate in entrepreneurship from NMIMS and an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Mumbai course, she fuses business acumen with creativity. Her approach to design is grounded in minimalism, functionality, and contemporary aesthetics. A strong believer in the subtle power of fabrics to give meaning to spaces, Ina draws on neutral tones and timeless textures to create spaces that resonate with discerning buyers. She truly brings D’Decor’s credo of “Live Beautiful” to life by unleashing new design possibilities through global trend forecasts, integration of indigenous art forms like Kantha and Kalam Kari, and technological experimentation through cutting-edge softwares. 

Under Ina’s creative direction, D’Decor’s catalogue has scaled to over 20,000 SKUs and Sansaar’s to over 1,500 SKUs. She has conceptualised and developed cohesive collections across a wide range of verticals, including rugs, bedding, and trimmings – each one rooted in storytelling, informed by meticulous research, and underpinned by material innovation. Most notably, the brands’ brand-new collections of biodegradable upholstery are the brainchild of Ina Arora.

Beyond product, Ina champions an inclusive, healthy workplace – introducing women-centric policies such as maternity benefits, flexible weekends for young mothers, and a Sexual Harassment Committee, while also heading D’Decor’s CSR efforts to give back to the community.

With a rare blend of creative intuition and strategic foresight, Ina Arora has established herself as a force to reckon in the furnishings industry. Her ability to balance aesthetic integrity with commercial impact, while nurturing a culture of empathy and innovation, sets her apart as not just a product head, but a catalyst for meaningful change.

Kolkata, May 2025: In celebration of International Tea Day on 21st May, Tess at Hyatt Centric Ballygunge invites guests to a week-long Afternoon Tea Experience, available from 18th to 25th May, from 3 PM onwards.Thoughtfully designed to capture the joy of slow afternoons and elevated snacking, this special curation offers a refreshing twist on traditional high tea—with vibrant, contemporary flavours and handcrafted treats.

The Afternoon Tea includes two elegantly crafted tasting platters for guests to choose from, each offering a delicious blend of savoury and sweet indulgences. The vegetarian menu includes delicately seasoned tofu bao buns and creamy avocado on sourdough open toasties, while the non-vegetarian version features Sichuan chicken bao buns paired with the same creamy avocado toast. Both platters are completed with a trio of indulgent desserts: a rich Belgian chocolate pastry, a moist banana tea cake, and a silky Biscoff cheesecake. Each platter is complemented by a selection of handpicked teas, from floral infusions to robust, aromatic blends—carefully chosen to enhance every bite.

Speaking on the same, Glen Dsouza, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata shares, “At Tess, we believe in creating experiences that bring people together over good food and meaningful moments. Our Afternoon Tea, curated specially for International Tea Day, is a celebration of that spirit—crafted with care, flavor, and a touch of indulgence. We look forward to welcoming our guests to slow down, sip, and savor the charm of unhurried afternoons.”

•  Venue:  Tess, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata
• Date: 18th May – 25th May
• Time: 3 pm onwards
• Price:  Vegetarian Platter: INR 699 plus taxes
• Non-Vegetarian Platter: INR 725 plus taxes
• Address: 17 Garcha 1st Lane, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
• For Reservations:  6292307616

Mumbai, 17^th May 2025: Eurogrip Tyres, India’s leading tyre manufacturer, displayed its high-end 2-wheeler tyres at the 17^th edition of Feria 2 Ruedas (F2R) International Motorcycle exhibition held at Plaza Mayor, Medellin, Colombia.  This high impact commercial event in the two-wheeler industry in South America is being held from 15^th to 18^th May 2025.

On the participation, P Madhavan, Executive Vice-President – Marketing & Sales, TVS Srichakra Ltd, said, “Eurogrip is focussed to deliver innovative products for the global markets. Latin America is a priority market for us, and F2R Expo is a promising platform to engage with our target audience. We are looking forward to interesting business opportunities arising from this expo. Such specialised industry tradeshows add exceptional value to our quest in becoming a leading global tyre brand delivering world class tyre technology.”

The lineup features a premium selection of sport touring, off-road, and trail tyres, including high-performance models such as the Roadhound, Protorq Extreme, Trailhound STR, Climber, Bee Connect, Terrabite DB+, and Badhshah LX.

The Feria de las 2 Ruedas (F2R) has been Latin America’s premier motorcycle industry event for over 17 years. Held annually in Medellín, Colombia, the fair serves as a dynamic platform for business, innovation, and development within the motorcycle industry. It also offers enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the latest trends and updates in the sector.

Eurogrip Tyres boasts of a diverse range of tyres that are designed in Milan, Italy and are tested globally to meet the highest standards. Its robust design and best-in-class tyre technology are helping the brand expand its footprints across the globe.

Eurogrip’s stall is N24 in the Tented Pavillion at the F2R Expo.

Mumbai, India ,16th May 2025: Shiprocket, India’s leading eCommerce enablement platform, has launched the country’s first Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server for eCommerce Shipping. This breakthrough innovation allows AI agents to directly handle key operations—from checking shipping rates to tracking orders—using a single line of instruction.

This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of agentic eCommerce, giving businesses the ability to automate and execute actions across the eCommerce stack using natural language commands or AI assistants, eliminating the need for traditional dashboards or APIs. With a single, natural-language prompt, businesses can now create, track, or manage shipments, no dashboards, no APIs, just intent. Shiprocket’s newly launched MCP makes this possible by enabling AI assistants, whether internal tools or automation bots, to directly interact with Shiprocket’s platform. From real-time tracking to scheduling a pickup, commerce operations can now be triggered through voice or text commands.

Designed for the next generation of eCommerce operations, the MCP Server delivers:

●       Faster execution – Instantly perform logistics actions, reducing manual effort and delays

●       Seamless integration – Connect effortlessly with AI tools or enterprise systems

●       Hands-free operations – No dashboards or human intervention needed

●       Enterprise-grade security – Built on Shiprocket’s trusted, scalable infrastructure

Once integrated, AI agents can estimate delivery timelines, check courier rates, track orders, create or cancel shipments, assign couriers based on smart rules, list pickup addresses, or schedule pickups—all with a single line of instruction. Imagine asking:

●       “What are the courier options and delivery times from Delhi to Bangalore for a 0.5 KG COD package?”

●       “Create a new prepaid order for Order ID 456789 and schedule a pickup from our warehouse.”

●       “Track the latest status of Order ID 12345 and notify the customer if delayed.”

The MCP Server integrates effortlessly with modern AI ecosystems, enabling businesses to embed intelligent commerce actions within the tools they already use:

●       Claude and Cursor: Developers can connect the MCP Server to AI assistants like Claude and Cursor, enabling natural language interactions or voice commands for tasks such as order tracking, shipping rate calculations, and courier selection.

●       Zapier: Through Zapier’s MCP integration, businesses can link Shiprocket‘s logistics capabilities with over 7,000 applications, facilitating automated workflows without the need for complex coding.

Commenting on the launch, Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of Shiprocket, said: “At Shiprocket, we’re building not just for scale, but for the future. Our MCP Server launch marks a transformative shift from manual workflows to autonomous operations powered by AI. This is how we enable millions of businesses to work smarter, respond faster, and scale effortlessly. This is more than just an integration, it’s a new interface for eCommerce. We’re enabling a world where AI doesn’t just support business decisions, it executes them.”

Mumbai, May 16, 2025 – In a bid to bolster its retail business and offer an expanded suite of products and services to its customers, SBM Bank India has entered into a partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd. This Strategic Bancassurance Alliance will enable the Bank’s customers to develop well rounded financial plans to achieve their financial goals.

SBM Bank India aims to be a comprehensive financial hub for its customers, offering a diverse suite of retail banking services, including savings and current accounts, term deposits, forex, remittance solutions, insurance, investments, cards, lending, and other financial products. These offerings cater to a wide range of clients, including SBM Private, Wealth, Digital, and Asset-focused customers. The Bank follows a two-pronged strategy—expanding its brick-and-mortar branch network, while leveraging digital banking channels to strengthen its market presence.

This tie-up will enable the Bank to cater to its customers a diverse set of solutions ranging from term insurance, long-term savings and wealth creation products to effectively planning for income on retirement.

Mr. Amit Palta, Chief Product and Distribution Officer at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance welcomed the collaboration, stating “We are happy to partner with SBM Bank India and believe it is a step towards our goal of making life insurance solutions easily accessible to customers. Also, it fortifies our position as being the most customer and distributor friendly life insurer in the country.”

“By combining our innovative, future-ready insurance solutions with SBM Bank’s diverse customer base that include retail & NRI customers, corporates and institutions—we are enabling broader access to comprehensive financial protection across the country.”

“We are committed to delivering solutions that truly support customers through their life’s key milestones. This partnership enables us to offer financial protection and long-term value, empowering individuals and families to pursue their future goals with confidence, security and peace of mind.”

“Various technology solutions implemented have enabled us to provide a seamless and hassle-free buying process to customers. Besides, our claim settlement ratio of 99.3% in FY2025, with an average turnaround time of 1.2 days is the best in the industry.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Nikhil Rajadhyaksha, Head – Retail Banking, SBM Bank India, said, “Through this strategic partnership, we are committed to expanding financial security and offering a comprehensive suite of insurance solutions tailored to evolving customer needs. With insurance penetration in India at 3.7% in 2023-24, well below the global average of 7%, there is substantial scope for market expansion. By combining ICICI Prudential Life Insurance’s innovative product portfolio and digital expertise with SBM Bank’s vision of becoming a financial supermarket, we aim to deliver seamless, customer-centric solutions that enhance financial well-being and empower individuals with greater financial protection.”