| Consumer 2.0 | Volume no. I, Issue 3, December 2007 | | | Overview: Climbing the aspiration ladder | Indian Consumer's preferences are evolving. With rising incomes and increasing awareness of choices available, she is moving from basic consumer goods to higher priced/branded alternatives that have high aspiration values. This shift in consumption pattern is happening across all income segments. Further this shift is not limited to metropolitan cities and is spreading across tier-II and tier-III cities as well. Even rural India is witnessing this shift in consumption pattern. The New Year brings with it new launches across various product segments especially in the luxury category. International brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit and Puma have reported growth of over 100% since they entered the country a few years back. Riding on this growth, Esprit is going to introduce new product categories soon. The company is launching its sportswear, home furnishing, footwear and cosmetics range to position itself as a lifestyle brand. The hospitality/hotel industry is also witnessing shifts in consumers' preferences. With a boost in domestic tourism, more and more players are entering the segment and coming up with innovative concepts to tap this demand. Real estate developer DLF is coming up with country's first branded residential hotel in association with Hilton Group. Kamat Hotels India Limited (KHIL) recently opened a 60 room VITS hotel in Belgaum and is planning to come up with more hotels at Aurangabad, Nagpur and Pune. Another noticeable symbol of changing tastes and pattern in Indian lifestyle are the vehicles owned or desired by people. Within the biking segment, a niche market for swanky premium bikes is being created. Bajaj, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki all displayed their global models in the recent Auto Expo held in Delhi. Bajaj Auto also announced plans of launching a Kawasaki Ninja 250R and also a range of sports bikes by European sports bike manufacturer KTM. The four-wheeler segment is also not untouched by this trend. Last year, luxury sports car maker Porsche entered India with the 911 Carrera Turbo, the Boxter and its highly rated Cayenne SUV. It is claimed to have got 19 orders in Delhi and 12 in Mumbai within a week of its launch. | 
Source: | Tata Nano, 'small car for big dreams' is in fact a car that has a potential to fulfill the long standing aspiration of millions of households in India to move from a two-wheeler to a four-wheeler. A survey conducted by Invest India Market Solutions (IIMS Dataworks) prior to the launch of Nano, shows that as many as 12.8 million Indian households can be potential buyers for entry-level cars in the years to come and 1.6 million out of them will be in 2008 alone. Banks are also awakening to this phenomenon, with ICICI already chalking out plans to launch an exclusive loan scheme for the car. While the luxury segment would still take some more time to mature in India, nonetheless, there is no denying the overarching 'desire to acquire' of the Indian consumer.
Tata Nano a hit with middle class at pre-launch
As the world awaits the formal rollout of Tata Nano from the Singur factory in West Bengal, car buying dynamics in India seem to be undergoing a subtle change.
Wipro to enter skincare market with Unza brand portfolio
In an attempt to widen its product portfolio, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL), part of Wipro Ltd, is entering the Rs2,700 crore by sales skincare market.
Big Bazaar launches Star Parivaar collection
Big Bazaar, Future Group's flagship retail store, in association with Star India has launched a designer collection of ethnic wear under the brand name Star Parivaar. The Star Parivaar collection draws inspiration from the soaps on Star in a range comprising 250 styles.
TVS banks on slew of launches to drive sales
Taking a cue from Maruti Suzuki India, which has posted the highest sales during this fiscal on the back of new car launches, Chennai-based TVS Motors plans to launch a flurry of models to kick off better growth.
Excalibur, Flying Machine get a leg-up
Arvind Brands, the international licencee for Lee, Wrangler, Arrow, and Tommy Hilfiger, and the owner of brands like Flying Machine, Newport, Excalibur ,and Ruf & Tuf, is beefing up two of its homegrown products this year - Excalibur and Flying Machine.
Ranbaxy launches Chyawan Active
Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) has entered into the Rs 250 crore domestic chyawanprash segment by launching its sugar-free 'Chyawan Active'.
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