Business

Radisson & MBD Join Forces to Expand Luxury Hospitality in India


In a major boost to India’s evolving hospitality landscape, Radisson Hotel Group has announced a long-term strategic partnership with MBD Group under a Master Franchise Agreement, aimed at expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio across the country. The collaboration will primarily focus on scaling two of Radisson’s premium brands—Radisson Collection and Radisson RED—at key locations nationwide.

Anchored in global brand standards and governance, the partnership combines Radisson’s international hospitality expertise with MBD Group’s strong foothold in development and operations. While Radisson Hotel Group continues its independent expansion strategy in India, this alliance adds a powerful channel to accelerate growth in one of its most important markets.

As part of this collaboration, the well-known Radisson Blu MBD Hotel in Noida will undergo a significant transformation and be repositioned as Radisson Collection MBD following a comprehensive upgrade. The property, already among the top-performing hotels in Radisson’s India portfolio, will be elevated to align with the luxury standards of the Radisson Collection brand, reinforcing the group’s strategy of upgrading landmark assets alongside developing new properties.

India’s premium hospitality sector is witnessing strong momentum, driven by rising demand for high-end, design-focused experiences. This partnership directly responds to that shift, with both companies aiming to deliver hotels that blend aesthetic refinement with immersive guest experiences. The vision is not just expansion, but the creation of distinctive spaces that reflect both global standards and local cultural narratives.

Over the next decade, the partnership targets the development of 50 co-branded hotels across Radisson Collection MBD and Radisson RED MBD. The strategy will largely follow an asset-light model, with approximately 80 percent of the portfolio comprising managed and franchised properties, while the remaining 20 percent will be owned assets. This approach allows for scalable growth while maintaining operational efficiency and long-term brand value.

The positioning of the two brands within the partnership is clearly defined. Radisson Collection MBD will cater to the luxury segment with a focus on curated, timeless experiences, while Radisson RED MBD will take a more dynamic and aggressive approach, targeting the lifestyle segment with bold, design-driven concepts. Together, they aim to redefine how luxury and lifestyle hospitality is perceived in India.

The partnership also builds on a longstanding relationship between the two groups, spanning over two decades. Rooted in trust, shared values, and a commitment to excellence, the collaboration reflects a deeper vision of shaping India’s hospitality future. With a combined focus on innovation, cultural storytelling, and operational excellence, both organizations are positioning themselves to meet the expectations of modern travellers.

As India continues to emerge as a key global travel destination, initiatives like this are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s hospitality ecosystem. By integrating global expertise with local insight, the partnership between Radisson Hotel Group and MBD Group sets the stage for a new generation of luxury and lifestyle destinations, designed to deliver meaningful experiences while contributing to sustainable, long-term growth in the sector.

Travel

Delhi Hotel Prices Soar to ₹5 Lakh Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026


Hotel room rates across New Delhi have risen sharply ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with some luxury rooms reportedly touching ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night during the peak dates. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, is expected to draw thousands of global delegates, technology leaders, and policymakers, creating unprecedented demand across the city’s hospitality sector.

Hotels across the capital are witnessing near-full occupancy for the summit period. The event has already received more than 35,000 registrations from around the world, leading to a surge in last-minute bookings and steep price increases. Rooms that usually cost between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 per night are now being sold at significantly higher rates due to the demand spike.

Travel portals show that during the peak dates of February 19 and 20, room prices at several five-star hotels are reaching a few lakh rupees per night. In some premium categories, especially luxury suites and club rooms, rates are reportedly crossing ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night. Many of these high-end rooms are either already sold out or available only with strict minimum-stay conditions.

Aloke Bajpai, CEO of travel portal Ixigo, confirmed the surge in prices, stating that several five-star hotels in Delhi NCR are charging more than ₹1 lakh per night between February 16 and 20. Flagship properties such as The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace have increased their tariffs for the summit period, with standard luxury rooms now priced at peak-season levels.

Central Delhi properties are also seeing heavy demand. Hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La Eros, and The Park are nearly sold out between February 18 and 20. According to Ixigo data, a room at The Imperial in Connaught Place on February 17 is priced at more than ₹2.4 lakh per night, while Radisson Blu is charging around ₹1.1 lakh for the same date.

The India AI Impact Summit is being described as the largest among the four global AI summits held so far. It is expected to host participants from more than 100 countries, including 15 to 20 heads of government, over 50 ministers, and representatives from more than 40 global and Indian companies. Around 500 key figures from the global AI ecosystem, including innovators, researchers, and chief technology officers, are also expected to attend.

The summit was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and will mark the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. With the capital preparing to host one of the largest international technology gatherings, the sharp rise in hotel prices reflects the scale and global interest surrounding the event.

Business

Vedanta Delivers India’s Largest Employee Equity Grant in Manufacturing Worth ₹2,500 Crore


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

New Delhi, January 19, 2026: Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology conglomerate, has delivered one of the largest employee equity initiatives in Indian manufacturing, creating a cumulative financial impact of nearly ₹2,500 crore through Employee Stock Option (ESOP) grants over the past five years.


The latest ESOP 2025 grant alone accounts for stock options worth over ₹500 crore, benefiting nearly 1,200 first-time recipients, including freshers. Vedanta’s ESOP programme is among the most inclusive in the country, covering nearly 40 per cent of its workforce across plants, functions and career levels.

With more than two decades of consistent ESOP administration, employee ownership has become a core part of Vedanta’s organisational culture. Notably, the programme extends equity participation to early-career professionals, with eligible freshers receiving allocations amounting to nearly 30 per cent of fixed pay over a standard three-year vesting cycle—making Vedanta one of the few Indian conglomerates to offer ESOPs at this level.

A defining feature of Vedanta’s ESOP structure is the allotment of shares at a deeply discounted price of Rs.1, among the lowest ESOP pricing in India. This approach reinforces shared ownership while minimising upfront investment for employees. With Vedanta’s share price touching all-time highs, the ESOP programme has enabled thousands of employees to achieve key life milestones such as home ownership, higher education, vehicle purchases and long-term financial security.

The ESOP 2022 vesting cycle delivered over 80 per cent appreciation in share value, generating more than ₹300 crore in wealth for employees, highlighting the strong link between organisational performance and employee rewards.

The programme reflects the vision of Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal to democratise wealth creation, accelerate career progression and provide equitable financial opportunities, particularly for young professionals and women. The performance-linked ESOP structure recognises sustained contributions in priority areas such as automation, digitalisation, AI-driven innovation, operational excellence and sustainability.

By extending equity ownership to engineers, plant teams and middle management—groups traditionally excluded from such rewards—Vedanta is redefining compensation practices in Indian manufacturing and reinforcing its belief that employees should directly share in the value they help create.

Business

Deepinder Goyal Steps Down as Group CEO of Eternal Ltd.; Blinkit’s Albinder Dhindsa Takes Charge


In a significant leadership transition, Deepinder Goyal has stepped down as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Ltd., the company disclosed in a regulatory filing. Albinder Dhindsa, currently the Chief Executive Officer of Blinkit, has been appointed as the new Group CEO with immediate effect.

The move marks a key moment for Eternal Ltd., which oversees multiple consumer-facing businesses in India’s rapidly evolving digital and quick-commerce ecosystem. Goyal, a prominent entrepreneur and co-founder figure in India’s startup landscape, will no longer hold the group CEO position, though the company has not detailed any further changes to his role at this stage.

Albinder Dhindsa, who has led Blinkit through its transformation into a major quick-commerce platform, is widely credited for scaling operations, strengthening unit economics, and navigating intense competition in the hyperlocal delivery space. His elevation to the group CEO role signals Eternal Ltd.’s focus on operational execution and sustainable growth.

Industry observers see the leadership change as a strategic decision, particularly as quick commerce and integrated digital platforms become central to the company’s long-term roadmap. The regulatory filing did not cite reasons for the transition, nor did it outline immediate strategic shifts.

Further details are expected as the company clarifies leadership responsibilities and outlines its future direction under Dhindsa’s stewardship.

Business

HDFC Bank Reports 8.9% Growth in Net Revenue for Q3 FY26; Net Interest Income Rises 6.4%


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Mumbai, January 17, 2026: The Board of Directors of HDFC Bank Limited approved the Bank’s financial results prepared under Indian GAAP for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025, at its meeting held in Mumbai on Saturday. The financial statements have been subjected to a limited review by the statutory auditors of the Bank.


For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, the Bank reported net revenue of ₹458.7 billion, registering a growth of 8.9 per cent compared to ₹421.1 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Net interest income (interest earned less interest expended) for the quarter increased by 6.4 per cent to ₹326.2 billion from ₹306.5 billion in the same period last year. The Bank’s core net interest margin stood at 3.35 per cent on total assets and 3.51 per cent on interest-earning assets.

Other income (non-interest revenue) for the quarter amounted to ₹132.5 billion. Fee and commission income rose to ₹92.3 billion compared to ₹81.8 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Foreign exchange and derivatives revenue stood at ₹14.3 billion, marginally higher than ₹14.0 billion reported a year earlier. Net trading and mark-to-market gains surged to ₹9.3 billion from ₹0.7 billion, while miscellaneous income, including recoveries and dividends, was ₹16.6 billion compared to ₹17.9 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 were ₹187.7 billion. Excluding the estimated impact of ₹8.0 billion related to employee benefits under the New Labour Code, operating expenses stood at ₹179.7 billion, compared to ₹171.1 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Bank’s core cost-to-income ratio for the quarter was 39.2 per cent.

The results reflect HDFC Bank’s continued focus on sustainable growth, operational efficiency and disciplined cost management amid evolving economic conditions.