MAM
ICFAI Business School’s seminar on retail marketing on 28 February
MUMBAI: The next edition of ICFAI Business School’s seminar series titled Metamorphosis takes place on 28 February at the Nehru Centre in Worli, Mumbai. It will look at the emergence of organised retailing. Indiantelevision.com is the official media partner for the event.
Globally, organised retailers create and market private label or store brands. Store brands are visible across product categories – grocery, packaged food, apparel and even homecare items. For the customer, store brands most often mean products of reasonable quality at lower prices, while for the retailer; private labels translate into better margins, greater clout with the manufacturers and the ability to fill value gaps in the consumers’ requirements.
Industry sources feel that the private labels can be tailored to suit various regional tastes, and in the long run, these labels can themselves become major independent brands. In developed markets, these store brands pose a substantial threat to the established big brands. In India, while store brands are still at the infant stage, there is a tremendous growth opportunity as size of operations is becoming critical for volumes, customer patronage and marketing capabilities. The seminar would examine the threat of private labels to the established brands and its impact on both, the organised retailers and the big brands.
Issues that the seminar would endeavour to address include whether retailers need the ‘big brands’ to maintain footfalls and the consequences of taking on the ‘big brands’. It will look at the challenges that the retailers face as well as the expected backlash. The seminar will also scrutinise the advantages that ‘big brands’ enjoy over private labels. The speakers include Shoppers Stop CEO B S Nagesh, Pantaloon CEO Kishore Biyani, Retailyatra.com CEO Parag Bhise
Brands
ABD Maestro bags Distiller of the Year at Icons of Whisky India 2026
ARTHAUS campaign win adds sparkle as firm marks first anniversary
MUMBAI: ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers, has been named Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky India Awards 2026, capping off a milestone first year for the company.
The recognition comes as ABD Maestro completes one year of operations, having built a portfolio of ten brands across categories and expressions, in line with rising consumer appetite for premium, globally benchmarked spirits.
Held in Gurugram, the 15th edition of the Icons of Whisky Awards honoured excellence in innovation, craftsmanship and leadership across the whisky industry. ABD Maestro emerged as the only Indian company to win the title alongside six international players, underscoring its growing global standing.
Adding to the wins, ARTHAUS Blended Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded ‘Campaign Innovator of the Year’, highlighting its differentiated positioning and engagement strategy in India’s competitive premium Scotch segment.
ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd. managing director Bikram Basu said, “India’s super premium whisky landscape is evolving fast with consumers showing a clear preference for globally benchmarked expressions. Being named ‘Distiller of the Year’ in our first year, and as the only Indian company recognised alongside international players, is a defining milestone.”
He added that the recognition reflects the strength of the company’s portfolio and its commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and quality.
The twin honours mark a strong start for ABD Maestro, reinforcing its ambition to shape India’s luxury spirits landscape while strengthening the country’s presence on the global whisky stage.
