Retail inflation for farm and rural workers moderated in July, dropping to 0.77 per cent for agricultural labourers and 1.01 per cent for rural labourers, down from higher figures in June. The All-India Consumer Price Index rose slightly for both groups, while food inflation contracted to -1.56 per cent and -1.13 per cent, making essential commodities more affordable. Based on data from 787 sample villages across 34 States and Union Territories, the figures reflect easing price pressures on rural households. Analysts view the moderation as a sign of relative stability in the rural economy after earlier fluctuations.Read more

Weaver Services, a technology-driven housing finance company, has successfully raised approximately INR 1,482 crore (USD 170 million) in a new funding round. The investment was co-led by Lightspeed and Premji Invest, with additional participation from Gaja Capital. The funding will be used to acquire assets, enhance its technology platform, and expand its services to provide affordable housing finance to self-employed individuals in smaller Indian cities.Read more

Globe Civil Projects has secured a work order worth INR 222.20 crore from the Haryana Cricket Association for building an international cricket stadium at Lohat in Jhajjar district. The project is scheduled for completion within 24 months and marks the company's first step into the sports infrastructure sector. The contract adds to its recent order book growth, including an EPC project last month valued at INR 172.99 crore for the Central University of Punjab. With experience across railways, education, and civic infrastructure, the company is now expanding its reach into new segments.Read more

The Deloitte FICCI report reveals that India's retail market, which stood at USD 1.06 trillion earlier this week, is expected to grow at a 10 percent annual rate to reach nearly USD 1.9 trillion by the end of the decade. Domestic demand, a vital buffer against global shocks combined with rising digital adoption, premiumisation, quick commerce, and D2C growth, is reshaping the landscape. Gen Z's spending power, preference for "Made in India", and strong performance beyond major metros are fueling confidence and innovation across retail and FMCG sectors.Read more

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has ramped up its efforts to recover pending property taxes by sealing and attaching 24 buildings across multiple zones. The civic body's move comes in response to a continued backlog of unpaid dues, despite earlier initiatives such as online payment systems and one-time settlement schemes. The action targets high-defaulter properties and reflects LMC's stricter enforcement measures to improve revenue collection and ensure compliance among property owners.Read more

India's Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) sector is projected for substantial growth, with its assets under management (AUM) expected to surge to INR 21.5 lakh crore (USD 258 billion) by 2030, a more than threefold increase from its current size. This significant expansion is being driven by a surge in India's infrastructure investments and robust government initiatives like the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP). While the InvIT sector is already gaining traction, it has considerable untapped potential across various infrastructure domains, which is expected to attract significant global capital.Read more

Ashar Group has announced the arrival of prominent brands like Lenskart and Clove Dental at its Ashar Arize project, marking a significant boost to Kalwa's retail and lifestyle ecosystem. The 600 sq. ft. outlets are part of a 20,000 sq. ft. high-street retail plaza, featuring units from 300 to 800 sq. ft., excellent frontage, and pedestrian-friendly design. With the retail section now certified for occupation, multiple brands can begin operations immediately. Supported by major infrastructure projects and redevelopment initiatives, Kalwa is evolving into a modern, self-sustaining micromarket, attracting both residents and premium retailers in MMR.Read more

Mumbai-based real estate developer Runwal Enterprises has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of INR 1,000 crore. The IPO, which will be a fresh issue of shares, aims to strengthen the company's balance sheet and fund future expansion plans. This approval, which comes amidst record-high property sales in Mumbai, reflects the company's strong financial performance and its growing presence in the residential and commercial markets.Read more

Mindspace Business Parks REIT has raised INR 550 crore from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) by issuing sustainability-linked bonds, following an earlier fundraising of INR 650 crore through a similar route last year. With this, the total raised under this structure stands at INR 1,200 crore. The issuance carries an eight-year tenure and a 'AAA (Stable)' rating from ICRA. As the first REIT in India to use sustainability-linked bonds under SEBI's ESG framework, Mindspace aims to expand its portfolio of green-certified office spaces across key business hubs in the country.Read more

Honda Motor Co Ltd has established a new subsidiary, Honda Finance India Pvt Ltd, to provide retail financing services in the country. The company plans to offer loans and lease options for its motorcycles and cars, in line with rising demand for vehicle financing. Traditionally, such services in India have been led by local banks and financial institutions. With this move, Honda joins eight other countries where it already operates dedicated financing subsidiaries. The company will soon apply for a non-banking financial company (NBFC) license before starting operations.Read more

At Ficci's MASSMERIZE 2025, Reliance Retail President Ravi Gandhi called for reforms to India's outdated licensing framework for organised retail. He said the current store-by-store licensing model creates repetitive paperwork, delays, and slows expansion. Instead, Gandhi proposed a shift to entity-based unified licensing, where one license could cover multiple outlets under a company, simplifying compliance and improving ease of business. He also suggested moving inspections to after license approval, enabling faster store openings without reducing oversight. With organised retail expanding rapidly to meet evolving consumer demand, Gandhi stressed that modernising regulations is essential to support growth and efficiency in the sector.Read more

Delhi's municipal bodies are moving towards major property tax reforms aimed at bringing clarity, fairness, and ease for taxpayers. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has suggested shifting from the old "rateable value" method to a unit area-based system, where tax is linked to property size, age, and condition. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has recommended limiting retrospective assessments to seven years and ensuring physical surveys before issuing new bills. Both civic bodies are also pushing to replace imprisonment and harsh fines with monetary penalties, reducing legal strain for property owners across the city.Read more

Infrastructure and EPC firm Vikran Engineering is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on August 26, aiming to raise INR 772 crore. The IPO, which will close on August 29, has a price band of INR 92 to INR 97 per share. The proceeds from the fresh issue, amounting to INR 721 crore, will be primarily used to fund the company's working capital needs, crucial for its large and growing order book. This public issue comes as the company reports strong financial performance, with revenues growing by over 16% in the last fiscal year. The IPO is a strategic move to leverage India's robust infrastructure development and capitalize on the government's significant capital expenditure in the sector.Read more

Omaxe Ltd, a prominent real estate developer in India, has reported a consolidated net loss of INR 185.77 crore for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26. This marks a significant increase from the INR 146.98 crore loss reported in the same period the previous year. The company's total income declined to INR 298.03 crore, down from INR 385.23 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Despite these financial challenges, Omaxe continues to expand its portfolio, having recently acquired 450 acres of land in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for a township development project valued at INR 1,200 crore. Additionally, the company secured INR 500 crore in funding from Oaktree Capital Management to support its ongoing and future projects.Read more

EFC India, a provider of managed office infrastructure and design services, has begun trading on the National Stock Exchange after being listed on BSE. The move is expected to improve liquidity, strengthen investor trust, and widen the company's reach. In its recent quarterly results, the firm reported nearly 200% profit growth, with operating revenue more than doubling. Seat capacity crossed 60,000, supported by rising demand from sectors such as IT/ITeS, BFSI, and e-commerce. With a strong order book, including a new INR 57 crore fit-out contract, the company is positioned for steady expansion.Read more

Inox Wind Ltd. has announced a record-breaking performance for the first quarter of the fiscal year, posting its highest-ever profit after tax of INR 97 crore. The robust financial results were driven by a 32% year-on-year surge in revenue, reaching INR 863 crore, and strong operational execution. The company successfully executed 146 MW of projects during the quarter and maintained a diversified order book of approximately 3.1 GW, ensuring strong revenue visibility for the next two years. The positive results, combined with a recent corporate merger and the commissioning of new manufacturing units, highlight the company's strengthened position in India's expanding wind energy market.Read more

KVN Properties, a new real estate firm founded by former Prestige Estates CEO Venkat K Narayana, is in discussions to raise INR 1,000 crore from Kotak Realty Fund. The proposed fundraise, to be secured through the issue of debentures, is aimed at acquiring a portfolio of land parcels with development potential across India. The company, which has already finalized joint ventures with leading developers like Puravankara and Assetz Group in Bengaluru, aims to have a land bank with a gross development value (GDV) of over INR 4,300 crore. The fund will enable KVN Properties to capitalize on the strong demand in India's residential and commercial real estate sectors and expand its footprint through a joint development model.Read more

Gem Aromatics Ltd, a maker of special ingredients for consumer and personal care products, saw its INR 451 crore public offering get fully bought up on its first day of bidding on August 19. The public offering, which has a price range of INR 309 to INR 325 per share, received bids for 1.03 times the shares on offer, with a lot of interest from both individual and institutional investors. The company plans to use the money mostly for paying back debt and for general company needs. This good demand shows investor trust in the specialty chemicals sector, a key part of India's growing economy, and Gem Aromatics' strong market spot as a specific type of player with many different clients, including industry leaders like Dabur and Colgate-Palmolive.Read more

The initial public offering (IPO) of Shreeji Shipping Global Ltd, a provider of dry bulk cargo solutions, received a healthy subscription of 2.13 times on its first day of bidding on Tuesday. The INR 411-crore share sale saw robust interest from non-institutional and retail investors, with the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) portion also fully subscribed. The IPO, which has a price band of INR 240-252 per share, is a fresh issue with no offer-for-sale component. The company plans to use the largest part of the IPO funds to purchase "supramax" dry bulk carriers. This strategic investment is intended to expand its fleet and take advantage of the growing maritime logistics sector in India. The public can subscribe to the IPO until August 21.Read more

In a major enforcement drive, the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has suspended the registrations of 4,812 housing projects across the state and frozen their associated bank accounts. This decisive action was taken against developers who failed to provide mandatory construction updates or apply for project extensions, despite having been issued show-cause notices months ago. The move is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and financial discipline in the real estate sector while protecting the interests of thousands of homebuyers.Read more