BlueStone.com projects West Bengal as a key market for growth

BlueStone.com projects West Bengal as a key market for growth

-          Order books in the state register a 13X rise over number of orders placed in 2012

-          Unveils two new collections Nava & B-Iconicin Kolkata, ahead of Akshaya Tritiya

Catering to the new age consumer with a wide collection of designs and themes, BlueStone.com, India’s leading online destination for fine jewellery, is witnessing steady growth in traditional markets such as West Bengal. A recently concluded analysis reveals notable facts and insights on the sector from the state. The capital city, Kolkata, recorded a 70% growth in revenue in 2016, over the previous year making it one of the Top 6 markets for BlueStone.com.

Key Highlights

·         Kolkata has beenamong the top 6 markets for BlueStone.com in terms of sales in 2016, while the state of West Bengal stood at #7 in the country

·         Contribution to revenue from West Bengal rose by 70% in 2016

·         The top 5 cities in West Bengal from a revenue perspective are Kolkata, Howrah, 24 Paraganas, Siliguri and Durgapur

·         BlueStone has witnessed a 13X growth in number of orders placed in 2016, compared to 2012

·         Some of the remote locations in the state where BlueStone has delivered orders include Nandigram, Anara and Hasimara

·         Majority of shoppers in West Bengal are women in the age group of 28 – 34 years

·         Some of our most popular products in the state include, The Circa Pendant, The Solo Paisley Pendant, Gold Leaf Earring and Twin Wingflow Ring

BlueStone.com is targeting revenue of ₹1000 crore in early 2019 and is expected to achieve profitability around the same time. The USP of the company is its design prowess,which allows it to add almost 250 new designs each month. The company has invested heavily on designs, marketing, technology and logistics in order to strengthen its offerings and widen the customer base. Kolkata and West Bengal is expected to achieve strong growth in the eastern region and be a significant contributor to the growth and profitability of the company.

BlueStone.com also unveiled two new jewellery collections today in the city of joy, called the ‘Nava Collection’ and ‘B-Iconic Collection’, ahead of the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

The Nava Collection, is a unique take on traditional Navratna jewellery drawinginspiration from the art and architectural marvels of Hampi, which was once the epicenter of the Vijayanagara Empire in the south. Keeping the Navratna gemstones at its heart, key pieces in the collection have been designed with specific attributions to some of the most popular monuments from the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nava Collection will be available from a price point starting at 17,000/- INR and up to 1,09,000/- INR.

The B-Iconic Collection has been designed with the BlueStone logo at the heart of the design of each piece. Through an exhaustive design journey, the logo was adapted into creating a unique “jaali”that has been incorporatedinto each piece of the collection. The collection aims at bringing the brand ethos closer to design, thus creating a unique brand identity, that is reflected throughout this gorgeous collection. The collection will be available from a price point starting at 8,800/- INR and up to 1,01,000/- INR.

Pendants, rings, necklaces and earrings make up for the bulk of the new collections.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, Founder & CEO of BlueStone.com, said, “It is extremely encouraging to witness more number of people trying out new jewellery designs online, each passing year. Kolkata ranked among the top 6 markets in sales in 2016 for BlueStone. We see tremendous growth potential in this region and are delighted to launch our latest collections, Nava and B-Iconic. We will continue to build upon our key strength, which is our unique designs and use technology to provide our consumers with a seamless jewellery shopping experience.”

The jewellery market is currently valued at about $ 60 billion and is expected to cross the $ 100 billion mark in the next 4 to 5 years. The contribution of online however is only 0.2 to 0.3% at present and is expected to reach 1 to 2% in the next 4 to 5 years, which is a significant growth, considering the present size of the sector.

About BlueStone.com:

Established in 2011, BlueStone.com aims at revolutionizing precious jewellery and lifestyle segment in India with a firm focus on craftsmanship, quality and user experience. The platform features close to6,000 unique designs from a wide collection of themes to suit every occasion and ships to over 20,000 pin codes across the country. These designs are crafted to perfection with utmost care and are available 24/7 with a 30 Day Money Back Policy and Lifetime Exchanges. Shoppers also experience the ease of luxury shopping from the comfort of their home with a unique Try At Home facility available in 18 cities.

RMS Regrow attains milestone in regenerative medicine with FDA India approval for CHONDRON

RMS Regrow attains milestone in regenerative medicine with FDA India approval for CHONDRON

Is knee replacement now history for young arthritis?

·         First company in India to receive a market authorization and sale license for cell therapy product in Indiafor Chondron® ACI

·         Chondron® ACIis India’s first ‘Make in India’ Stem cell success story

·         RMS Regrow is the 1st company in India to offer cell therapy in orthopedic products.

·         Chondron® ACI (Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation) is indicated for the use of articular cartilage defects of the knee, ankle and shoulder joints

The Ministry of Health, India and DCGI have granted Market Authorization for India’s First Cell Therapy Product of India that is Chondron® ACI by Regenerative Medical Services Regrow. Chondron® ACI is indicated for treatment of cartilage defects of the joints. It uses the body's own autologous cartilage cells which are cultured and multiplied for 3-4 weeks at Regrow’sCell Processing Centre. The cultured cells are then implanted into the patient's damaged joint leading to new cartilage regeneration, avoiding the need of early joint replacement.

Speaking onthis, Chief Executive Officer &Managing Director, RMS Regrow, Mr. YashSanghavi said, “We are immensely happy with the FDA approval for Chondron® ACI. We are the first in the country and fourth in the world to achieve this FDA approval.We are creating new age cartilage regeneration procedure which optimizes the chances of healing due to the use of the body’s own cells. Patients can now expect a care free future with this treatment and RMS Regrow offers a perfect PEN solution (P -Permanent, E –Easy, N-Natural biological) to the patients”.

Company Chief Scientific officer &Executive Director, RMS Regrow, Mr.SatyenSanghavi said, “Today,knee pain is the most common ailment in every household.  Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting over 15 million adults every year, with the number likely to escalate to over 60 million by 2025. Knee implants are expensive and the recovery of the cartilage is not fast. Chondron® ACIhas 97% success rate with fast recovery, as observed in over 4-5 lakh cases performed worldwide. RMS Regrow is proud to announce the FDA approval for Chondron® ACI and it is proprietary and patented by RMS Regrow.”

Advantages of Chondron® ACI

·         Regeneration of  cartilage instead of replacing your entire knee

·         Minimally invasive personalized treatment

·         Increased quality of life

·         Resume complete physical activity , including of professional sports

·         Cost Effective

·         Joint preservation providing Long term relief

Chondron® ACI is recommended for patients of 15-65 years age group.  It is imperative for a patient to go through rehabilitation process for a minimum of six weeks. The rehabilitation process is performed in the guidance of the doctor and the physiotherapist. There is also medical insurance reimbursement available with Chondron® ACI.

In India, Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting over 15 million adults every year. There is no specific treatment proven as yet that can reverse the joint damage caused by osteoarthritis. Hence the objectives of Osteoarthritis management are to reduce the level of pain, reduce inflammation, slow cartilage degradation, improve function and reduce disability.

There are about 4-5 lakhs of knee, ankle, shoulder and hip replacement revision surgeries being performed in India annually and the number is only going up every year. An artificial knee will only last about a decade before wearing out. So if you are under 60, you will have to undergo several more ‘revisions’ in your lifetime. Chondron® ACI helps for better solution with effective and fast term results. Similar nature products for Chondron® ACI have been available in use since 2001 in countries such as USA, Europe including UK & South Korea and being reimbursed by their respective Health agencies.

About RMS Regrow:

Regenerative Medical Services Pvt. Ltd. is the first Indian Biotechnology Company established in the year 2009 to introduce cutting edge technology platform for regenerative medicine in India. Vision of Regenerative Medical Services Pvt. Ltd. is to contribute in improving human healthcare by delivering safe and effective patient specific regenerative medical treatment.

The aim of regenerative medicine is to replace, repair or enhance the function of damaged tissue or organs by accelerating and securing natural process with autologous stem cell therapy via minimally invasive techniques without side effects.

The company is headquartered in Mumbai, India and has a best in class Cell Processing Centre (CPC^TMatLonavala. Our lab has been awarded & certified as India’s only Center with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).). The Quality Management System is also certified by ISO 13485:2003 by the British Standards Institute.

RMS has two dimensions Regrow therapy &Babycell stem cell banking.

Awards and Recognition:

o   39th Skoch Award for India’s Best SME’s in the year 2015

o   Product Innovation Award by Asian Confederation of Businesses & Starts of the Industry

o   Worldwide Achievers Healthcare Excellence Award by Govt of India in the year 2013

o   ET Now Leaders of Tomorrow in the year 2011 and 2012

o   Featured on CNBC show, Young Turks in the year 2012

o   2015 Leaders Awards - Healthcare Innovator Enterprise of the Year (Biotechnology)

o   GMP, ISO 13485:2013, GLP & accredited by BSI for Laboratory since 2010

o   In house R&D Unit is certified by Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology

Seafarers get tax exemption from Ministry of Finance

Seafarers get tax exemption from Ministry of Finance

Accepting the long-pending demand of India’s leading merchant navy Unions, The Maritime Union of India (MUI) and the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI); the Ministry of Finance, Government of India has finally granted income tax exemption to Indian seafarers sailing aboard foreign ships outside India for more than 182 days a year.

Through Circular No. 13/2017, signed by Mr Subhash Jangala, Under Secretary, Department of Revenue, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT); the Ministry of Finance has issued a clarification regarding liability to income-tax in India for a non-resident seafarer receiving remuneration in NRE (Non Resident External) account maintained with an Indian bank.

Mr. Amar Thakur, General Secretary, MUI, said, “This decision is a huge boost for over 1.3 lakh Indian seafarers, as tax-free income has always been an added attraction for Indian merchant navy workforce, which contributes around $40 million annually to our country’s exchequer.”

“Income tax exemption to Indian seafarers will certainly strengthen the Centre’s ‘Maritime Agenda 2020’ aimed at increasing the global share of Indian seafarers to 9% from7% currently,” said NUSI General Secretary Mr Abdulgani Serang.

A judgement delivered by the Kolkata income tax tribunal in August 2016 mandated Indian merchant navy workforce to pay taxes in India, which shattered the morale of Indian seafarers. Both, MUI and NUSI jointly challenged the tribunal’s decision in August 2016 in the Kolkata High Court through Messer Dave & Padvekar Associates and Advocates.

Thereafter, representatives of MUI and NUSI sought Centre’s intervention in the interest of Indian seafarers through a series of meetings in New Delhi with CBDT Chairman Mr Sushil Chandra, Union Shipping Minister (Minster of State) Mr Mansukh Mandavia and Union Finance Minister (Minister of State) Mr Arjun Meghwal along with advocate R S Padvaker, Ex Judge ITAT and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Mr Gajendara Singh Shikhawat.

Dry off in Style with Bombay Dyeing Denim Towels

Dry off in Style with Bombay Dyeing Denim Towels
Bombay Dyeing expands its product portfolio in Bath Linen through the introduction of the Denim Bath Linen Collection

Bombay Dyeing, a part of the Wadia group has been a pioneer in the home textile industry, in India since 1870. Market leaders in both bed and bath linen products, Bombay Dyeinghas recently launched their own Denim styled Bath Linen Collection which includes Towels, Bath Mats and Bathrobes under the ‘Aspero Denim’ brand.

The Aspero Denim Bath Collection is specially crafted keeping in mind the needs, fashion trends & aesthetic requirements of the ultimate Denim lover. These 100% cotton towels are available in fast moving Denim colours mainly Navy Blue, New Port Blue, Carbon Black, Bottle Green, Maroon and Rust.

Trendy yet aspirational, these soft by touch & rugged by look Denim towels will surely add ‘swag’ to your Bath Linen Collection. Aspero Denim Towels come in a complete ensemble of Bath, Hand, Face, Gym (Shoulder) Towels along with Bathmats & Bathrobes. They are designed to give your bathroom a unique and stylish ‘Denimlook &feel’.

The Aspero Denim range is available across the Bombay Dyeing retail stores and major home textile stores of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. So don’t miss a chance to dry off in style with Bombay Dyeing Aspero Denim Bath Collection.

The product price ranges from Rs.299/- to Rs.2099/-

About Bombay Dyeing

Bombay Dyeing Retail is part of the Wadia Group of Companies, a very well respected business house in India. As a leader in Bed, Bath & Coordinates segment, Bombay Dyeing Retail has amassed millions of loyal customers from India and abroad. Over a period of 137 years the brand legacy has been built with immense care and commitment to superior quality, innovative portfolio of products to cater to diverse styles, preferences and usage occasions.

The company has multi-channel presence consisting of Distributors, MBOs, Modern Trade Partners, Ecommerce Market Places and Company Owned Retail Stores in High streets of major cities in India. Bombay Dyeing products are sold across more than 5000 stores across India and have also been a preferred gifting option by large corporates for decades.