MAM
SOKTAS opened its first outlet in Bengaluru, styling the city to remain always ahead
Mumbai: Soktas, a luxurious cotton fabrics brand by Grasim Industries, part of Aditya Birla Group, today announced the opening of its first-ever exclusive brand outlet in India at Jayanagar, Bengaluru. The store was inaugurated by Kannada Cinema actor and director Darling Krishna and Domestic Textiles COO Jasvinder Kataria, Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Group.
Jasvinder Kataria, shared his excitement saying, “The launch of SOKTAS’ first ever exclusive retail outlet in Bengaluru is a significant milestone for us. Our fabrics are not just textiles; they are expressions of elegance and sophistication. We are thrilled to bring a world of premium luxury cotton fabrics to the city’s fashion-forward men. With our Turkish heritage and unwavering commitment to quality, SOKTAS is set to redefine the way Bengalureans experience fine fabrics.”
Soktas is poised to redefine the world of fashion with its exceptional range of premium cotton shirting fabrics, made with 100 per cent premium cotton and natural blends. Each piece of fabric is meticulously created using super-fine, high-quality yarns, resulting in an impeccable finish and a luxurious feel. Encompassing over 1000 square feet of space which is spread across two levels, the outlet in Jayanagar is designed to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience, showcasing an exquisite range of fabrics that cater to diverse fashion preferences and providing bespoke solutions for every custom tailoring need.
While inviting Bengaluru to shop at Soktas, actor Darling Krishna shared, “As an actor, I have always been captivated by the spirit of Bengaluru. The city consistently stays ahead in all fields ranging from sports to technology to entertainment. Now, there will be a brand in Namma Bengaluru that shares my vibe of being ahead in life. I am thrilled to personally experience Soktas and its exceptional range of luxurious cotton fabrics and elevate my style game.”
Kataria further added, “With this inaugural store, we lay the foundation for an ambitious plan to establish Soktas as the go-to brand for bespoke solutions, preferred by today’s discerning and fashion-forward men. What makes this moment even more electrifying is the launch of our new brand campaign, ‘Always Ahead.’ This campaign embodies our commitment to constant reinvention, pushing boundaries with limitless possibilities in patterns, textures, and designs, echoing the spirit of our ambitious and discerning consumers who appreciate life’s finer things. The Soktas Man challenges conventions, values quality and sophistication, and embraces individuality in style choices.”
SOKTAS believes in responsible sourcing and ethical practices, ensuring that every fabric tells a story of quality and consciousness. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its certifications, including GOTS, OEKOTEX, and ISO–9001.
SOKTAS sells through 3000 multi-brand premium fabric retail outlets across India. The grand opening of SOKTAS’ exclusive outlet in Jayanagar promises to be a landmark event in the world of luxury fabrics offering its customers multi-weave patterns such as premium jacquards, fil-coupe jacquards, and clip dobby fabrics, among others. Visit SOKTAS, Shop No. 22/136, ninth Main Road, third Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560011 to experience the touch of luxury that is SOKTAS.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
