Brands
Rural India tightens purse strings, but swipes right on digital
MUMBAI: Rural India, it seems, is having a bit of a digital dance while keeping a tight grip on its wallet. GroupM and Kantar’s Rural Barometer Report 2025 reveals a nation grappling with the ‘pinch-penny’ reality of rising expenses, yet diving headfirst into the digital deep end.
Forget the quaint image of the village square; rural India is now scrolling, streaming, and swiping with gusto. Seven in ten rural consumers are now online, a whopping 28 per cent jump since 2022. Social media, video content, and instant messaging? They’re the new village gossip, especially among the young and the loaded. But hold your horses, television and newspapers still hold sway with the older crowd, proving that old habits die hard.
Financial anxieties are playing a havoc with household budgets. Three out of four rural Indians are fretting about their finances. Younger, flashier spenders are cutting back on the big toys—durables and vehicles—while the older, thriftier lot are keeping things steady. Personal loans are on the up, suggesting a ‘bit of a pickle’ as folks juggle their cash. But, there’s a glimmer of sunshine; job security optimism is bouncing back..
The government’s PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, especially the free rations, is a ‘real life-saver’, proving that a bit of state-sponsored generosity goes a long way.
GroupM India managing director -OOH solutions Ajay Mehta said: “The Rural Barometer Report is a strategic compass for brands navigating this dynamic landscape. As media habits evolve and digital adoption deepens even in the heartlands, it’s clear that a dual-channel strategy blending the scale of traditional with the precision of digital is essential. At GroupM, we see this as an opportunity for marketers to go beyond surface-level reach and build meaningful, hyper-local engagement. This report not only helps decode rural mindsets but also empowers businesses to craft smarter, more inclusive growth strategies for Bharat’s next chapter.”
Kantar director- specialist businesses, insights division Puneet Avasthi added, “As rural India becomes more connected and conscious, brands must rethink how they engage with this audience. The new rural consumer demands relevance, value, and authenticity. Marketers must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to adopt hyper-local, digitally powered strategies, while still leveraging the trust and familiarity of traditional media.”
Brands must ditch the ‘one-size-fits-all’ claptrap. Rural India wants it real, relevant, and authentic. Go hyper-local, go digital, but don’t forget the old favourites.”
In essence, rural India is a ‘right proper’ mix of caution and connectivity, a ‘digital dynamo’ with a keen eye on the price tag. Brands, take note: it’s time to get your digital act together, whilst still paying homage to the traditional.
Brands
Angel One Q4 profit surges 83 per cent to Rs 320cr
year net profit dips 22 per cent to Rs 915cr as revenue softens slightly to Rs 5,137cr.
MUMBAI: Angel One has just earned its wings in style delivering a blockbuster Q4 that proves the brokerage giant is still flying high even in a cautious market. Standalone revenue from operations for the three months ended 31 March 2026 rose sharply to Rs 1,459cr, up from Rs 1,056cr a year ago. Total income stood at Rs 1,467cr. After all expenses, profit before tax came in at Rs 440cr, while net profit for the quarter surged 83 per cent to Rs 320cr (versus Rs 175cr last year). Basic EPS stood at Rs 3.52 and diluted at Rs 3.44.
For the full year ended 31 March 2026, revenue from operations was Rs 5,137cr compared with Rs 5,238cr in FY25. Total income reached Rs 5,152cr. Profit before tax was Rs 1,272cr, and net profit came in at Rs 915cr (down from Rs 1,172cr). Basic EPS was Rs 10.09 (from Rs 13.00) and diluted Rs 9.85 (from Rs 12.68).
Total comprehensive income for the quarter stood at Rs 321cr, while the full-year figure was Rs 913cr.
The strong quarterly performance reflects robust growth in interest income (Rs 455cr) and fees & commission (Rs 1,000cr), even as the full-year numbers moderated amid a softer overall environment. Finance costs rose to Rs 134cr in Q4 (full year Rs 437cr), while employee benefits stood at Rs 244cr for the quarter (full year Rs 1,067cr).
In a year when many brokers felt the pinch of muted market activity, Angel One has delivered a sparkling Q4 that shows its core broking engine is firing on all cylinders. With the books now closed on FY26, the Mumbai-based player has once again demonstrated that consistent execution and a sharp focus on retail participation continue to pay rich dividends in India’s booming capital markets.
