MAM
Amid an era of volatility “The Resilient Consumer” is adapting to change: Accenture survey
Mumbai: More than half (65 per cent) of consumers in India believe they are currently living with uncertainty, and one in ten expect it to last at least five years, according to new research from Accenture. The research is the latest in a series of consumer surveys that Accenture has been conducting to test the pulse of consumer outlook and sentiment since the start of the pandemic that has propelled an “Era of Volatility”, where an ongoing state of uncertainty is spurring people to change behaviours suddenly and often in unexpected or contradictory ways.
“The Resilient Consumer”
The survey – of more than 10,000 consumers in 16 countries including India — found that despite lasting uncertainty, the “resilient consumer” is adjusting to continued disruption by seeking out ways to protect and control what’s important to them. In addition, the majority appear bullish about their financial situation, with 88 per cent of consumers in India expecting their disposable income to stay the same or improve in the next 12 months.
Resilient spend categories
A strong indication of consumer resilience is their intention to spend more. When asked how their expected spend will change over the next six to 12 months, respondents in India said they plan to spend more across 11 of 15 categories – such as wellness, clothing and apparel, beauty, and essentials like healthcare and groceries.
Accenture in India managing director and lead – strategy & consulting Vineet R Ahuja said, “Our survey reiterates the optimism of Indian consumers that is reflected in their purchase decisions across categories. To stay relevant and in step with evolving consumer demands, companies need to effectively use data and analytics to provide meaningful personalised offerings in real-time especially in an era of volatility. This consumer-centric approach requires a continuous reinvention strategy to stay agile and build forward-looking capabilities.”
Health is a top priority for Indian consumers and 79 per cent intend to maintain or increase spend on wellness in the next one year. 94 per cent of consumers in India are willing to provide their personal data with at least one kind of company in exchange for meaningful health and wellness products and services with 87 per cent of consumers interested in personalised offerings.
After a year of strong growth for the travel industry, 70 per cent of consumers in India plan to sustain or increase their current spending on leisure travel in the next year, with 76 per cent planning leisure travel and nearly half (46 per cent) planning two or more leisure trips in the coming year. This signals that consumers still see travel as an essential part of their lives.
Companies must anticipate and proactively prepare for sharp and sudden shifts
A separate Accenture macroeconomic analysis warns that the persistence of inflation, high interest rates, and growing income and employment uncertainty, could further test the resilience of consumer spending in the coming months.
The consumer pulse survey highlights that consumers with resilience are not naïve about the state of the world. 67 per cent in India say that challenges in recent years have created opportunities for them, and 77 per cent are trying new experiences or adopting new habits to improve their lives.
Resilient consumers, resilient values
The environment is a top concern for Indian consumers with 57 per cent saying they are more or equally concerned about the environment than they are about their personal finances. The survey also shows nearly all consumers in India (90 per cent) have increased sustainable shopping behaviours in the last 12 months, such as only buying what they need, taking their own bags to the store, buying better quality goods that last longer, repairing or upcycling what they have, and buying reusable or refillable products.
Brands
HCLTech delivers Rs 24 dividend as revenue hits Rs 1.3 lakh crore
IT giant delivers solid growth for shareholders with a major payout despite navigating global market shifts.
MUMBAI: HCLTech has clearly found the right code for financial success, proving that its operational strategy is more than just a quick fix for the digital age. The technology titan’s board of directors officially signed off on their year-end deliberations on 21 April 2026, revealing a set of annual results that suggest the company’s growth trajectory remains well-buffered against economic volatility.
The primary highlight for investors is the declaration of an interim dividend of Rs 24 per equity share (on a face value of Rs 2) for the 2026–27 financial year. Shareholders will not have to wait long for the processing of these funds; the record date is set for 25 April 2026, with payments scheduled to be completed by 5 May 2026. This follows a total dividend of Rs 54 per share already distributed during the 2025–26 fiscal year.
The consolidated annual results show a company operating at a high frequency across its global markets. Total revenue surged to Rs 130,144 crore for the year ended 31 March 2026, a significant jump from the Rs 117,055 crore recorded the previous year. Net profit remained robust at Rs 16,652 crore for the full year, despite a slight dip from Rs 17,399 crore seen in 2025. Quarterly performance also reflected steady momentum, with Q4 revenue reaching Rs 33,981 crore and net profit at Rs 4,490 crore, compared to Rs 30,246 crore in revenue during the same period last year.
The company’s diverse service portfolio played a balanced role in this financial performance. IT and Business Services remained the primary engine, contributing Rs 96,094 crore to annual revenue. Engineering and R&D Services showed strong growth, climbing to Rs 22,056 crore for the year, while HCL Software maintained a consistent stream of Rs 11,994 crore.
It was not entirely smooth scrolling, as the company had to account for specific financial hurdles. HCLTech faced a one-time impact of Rs 956 crore due to the New Labour Codes. Additionally, total expenses for the year rose to Rs 108,616 crore. This was largely driven by employee benefits, which reached Rs 74,143 crore, a figure that reflects the ongoing high costs of securing top-tier tech talent in a competitive market.
On the standalone front, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 10,024 crore for the year. However, the final quarter saw a standalone loss of Rs 900 crore, which the company attributed to a material Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (BAPA).
Despite the rise in costs, HCLTech’s financial “cache” remains substantial. Total assets grew to Rs 116,258 crore as of 31 March 2026, compared to Rs 105,544 crore a year earlier. The company’s cash and cash equivalents stood at a healthy Rs 8,195 crore at year-end, providing ample bandwidth for future investments and expansion.
As the global tech landscape continues to shift, HCLTech appears to have the right architecture to maintain its performance, ensuring that for its investors, the future remains highly user-friendly.
