Retail: Apollo expansion

Apollo to add 1,000 pharmacies in 2 years

The Apollo Hospital pharmacy department is planning for aggressive expansion from April. It is reported that it would add around 1,000 new stores in the coming next two years.

The company has envisaged the amount of Rs 200 crores for its expansion. Apollo has 1,200 pharmacies, of which 70 per cent have broken-even. The profit after tax too would become positive this quarter.

Apollo has 1,200 pharmacies, of which 70 per cent have broken-even. The profit after tax too would become positive this quarter.

The company is positive about the efficiency and sales in the present scenario. It has plans to hive off the pharmacy division but it prefers to wait till the decision on FDI in retail is allowed.

information of people and business

Providing Data Base Services

Getting delicate information on people and businesses that matter is easy now.

How would it feel if you could reach just anybody and everybody? Data Base Services makes it easier, by giving you direct email id and mobile numbers of those you have always wanted to connect with. Better than the local directories and yellow pages whose collection is limited to only addresses and phone numbers.

Scope

The scope of business covers wide spectrum like FMCG, Top Brokerage Companies, Recruiters, Financial Publications, Mutual Fund Companies, Banks, Bollywood, Production House, Marketing firms, World Email Directory, Credit Card Holders, etc. basically, almost all businesses thrive on contacts, so the more the better and what could be more easier than getting it ready made in CDs.

Offer

Accurate and relevant data (at least 80 per cent) with personal email ids and phone numbers and the price starts from 3,000, containing over 5 million business and 50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Minimum Investment

There is no minimum investment for this. But you may be required to invest in man power that would collect data, assemble and put it on CDS. You may even start from home. Amjad Sharif of Data Base Services started with 2 lakh initially that was his own money, and 2 staff, and today he have 12 staff in all. His idea is to reach new prospects and retain existing customers with e-mail & Mobile marketing campaigns with over 5 million business and  50 million consumer e-mail addresses and mobile numbers.

Retail point

Sold online and on order, and also in shops.

Tackling Competition

There is a lot of competition now so one has to really be different to stay in the business. So, how does one get the best deal? One must, before comparing the prices from other data provider compare the following:

1. No. of datas (Quantity)

2. Updated year (coz with year N year data becomes outdated)

3. Discount offered

4. Other facilities, like cash on delivery, direct deposit in bank etc.

Check points

A good solution provider will adhere to the practice of maintaining:

1. Accurate & relevant data

2. Updated data till recent date

3. Bulk mailing software for inbox delivery

Assembling Data

It is better to get the data from the office of the business/person. In some cases, from  Pr agencies( which may not come directly or easily). In case, it is on the net, check that it is updated before including it in your directory base.

Promotion strategy

1. Through sms, email and largely by word of mouth.

The idea seems interesting, if it does at all, then put everything in the right place as discussed above; so that you are raring to go.

India's Growth Potential

India's Growth Potential

Budget 2011-2012 also reflected on the challenges and opportunities in different sectors

The Indian economy has emerged from the slowdown caused by the global financial crisis with remarkable rapidity. The Economic Survey 2010-11 reports the estimated GDP growth for this year at 8.6 percent as against 8 percent in 2009-10. Further, it is estimated that India’s GDP will grow by 9 percent during 2011-12. We are here estimating the key performance indicators and key challenges and outlook of the Economic Survey 2010-11 in three different sectors – agriculture, industry and service:

Agriculture: The sector is estimated to have grown at 5.4 percent in 2010-11 as against 0.4 percent in 2009-10. The agriculture sector in India is at a crossroads with rising demand for food items and relatively slower supply response in many commodities resulting in frequent spikes in food inflation. A holistic approach, simultaneously working on agricultural research, development, dissemination of technology, provision of agricultural inputs such as quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation would help improve productivity levels. Increased capital investment both by public and private sector in a sustained way is required. The set up of an efficient supply chain is important to prevent the volatility in food prices and ensuring adequate compensation for farmers. Investment in horticulture products is essential to enhance the per capita availability of food items and cater to a growing population with increasing incomes. Investments in food processing, cold chains, handling and packaging of processed food need to be encouraged.

Industry: Growth in the industrial sector was buoyant during the first two quarters of the year and moderate for the rest of the year. The IIP data for 2010-11 has exhibited volatility in the current fiscal with growth ranging from 2.7 percent to 16.6 percent on a month-on-month basis. Manufacturing registered a growth of 8.8 percent in 2010-11; similar to the growth in 2009-10. Mining registered a growth of 6.2 percent in 2010-11 as against 6.9 percent in 2009-10 while electricity registered a growth of 5.1 percent in 2010-11 as against 6.4 percent in 2009-10. Looking at the IIP data for past few months, the short term industrial sector is likely to grow at moderate but sustainable rates. Over medium to long term, to sustain double digit output growth, there is need for multifaceted reforms to reduce the vulnerabilities in the sector. Neglect of R&D in new technology and skill development continues to impact the growth in the manufacturing sector. High technology base, skilled manpower availability and ease of credit flow is crucial for growth and enhancing manufacturing competitiveness in the global markets. Further, while manufacturing inflation has so far been benign, persistent high average inflation is leading to increase in input costs and a rise in average wages. Most importantly, capacity addition in core sectors and removal of infrastructure bottlenecks would encourage industrial sector output in the medium to long term.

Services: The services sector registered a growth of 9.6 percent in 2010-11 as against 10.1 percent in 2009-10. This marginal deceleration in growth is mainly due to the slowdown in growth in community services to 5.7 percent in 2010-11 as against 11.8 percent in 2009-10. Trade, hotels, restaurants, transport and communication (together) registered a growth of 11 percent in 2010-11 as against 9.7 percent in 2009-10. Likewise, financing, insurance, real estate and business services registered a growth of 10.6 percent in 2010-11 as against 9.2 percent in 2009-10. Given the myriad activities in services, supporting its growth will require careful and differentiated strategies. It is very important to address the challenge of maintaining India’s competitiveness in sectors like IT/ ITeS and broadening the domestic market for these sectors to increase efficiency. Additionally, increased efforts are required to make forays in globally traded services like financial services, health care, education and accountancy. Further, traditional sectors like tourism and shipping continue to be slow movers. On the regulations front, a more conducive environment for services trade can be created by rationalization of taxes, tantalization agreements, streamlining domestic regulations, technical standards and regulatory transparency.

Further, a portal for services, a services data system and a more focused and coordinated policy approach could help services sector to grow at a consistent rate.