Business
Wealth outlook: India set for multi-trillion-dollar expansion; MoSL sees $12 trillion value boost ahead – The Times of India
India is poised to enter a decisive phase of economic expansion that could redefine long-term wealth creation, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services’ 30th Wealth Creation Study, which projects a sharp acceleration in the country’s economic and consumption landscape over the next 17 years, ANI reported.The study draws a parallel with the last growth cycle, when India’s GDP expanded fourfold from $1 trillion in 2008 to $4 trillion in 2025, and says a similar trajectory could take the economy to $16 trillion by 2042. Unlike the previous phase, which added $3 trillion in absolute GDP, the next leg is expected to add $12 trillion, signalling what the brokerage terms a much stronger wealth-effect that could significantly lift consumption, investment and corporate profitability.A major pillar of this expansion is expected to be the financial services ecosystem, with cumulative household savings estimated at $47 trillion over the period. Banks, NBFCs, insurers, AMCs, wealth managers, capital market platforms and other intermediaries are expected to play a central role in channelling these savings into productive financial assets as households move further towards formal wealth creation avenues.Per capita income, currently around $2,600, is projected to quadruple to $10,400 by 2042, pushing millions of Indians into higher consumption brackets. The study says this transition will strengthen discretionary categories including white goods, food-tech platforms, quick commerce, healthcare, travel, telecom and allied services, accelerating the shift from necessity spending to lifestyle-driven consumption.On automobiles, MoSL highlights significant headroom for growth. Penetration levels of cars, SUVs, two-wheelers and three-wheelers remain well below those of peer economies with similar income levels. As affordability improves and financing deepens, ownership ratios are expected to rise across cities and semi-urban markets.Real estate is also set to be a key beneficiary, with strong demand expected for credible developers, particularly in the premium and luxury segments. Rising household wealth, better affordability and higher preference for quality housing are likely to sustain sectoral momentum.Overall, the study notes that the next 17 years could mark a step-change in India’s economic and wealth trajectory. With expansion taking place on a much larger base, the impact of the wealth-effect is expected to be far deeper than previous cycles, creating long-term opportunities across financial services, consumption-led industries, automobiles and real estate.
The annual tradition of “Dry January” turned into “Damp Monday” at one supermarket, with shoppers returning to alcohol consumption in the middle of the month.
Waitrose said that the month was “not so dry after all,” identifying January 12 as “Damp Monday” after sales of wines, beers, and spirits surged by 11 per cent compared to the week before.
The grocer noted a “significant softening” of the Dry January trend over the past five years, suggesting a more balanced “Damp January” approach is now prevalent.
While alcohol sales in January 2022 were 42 per cent lower than other months, this year saw a reduced drop of just 25 per cent.
Notably, Argentinian and Chilean wine sales experienced a considerable boost last month, rising by 25 per cent and 27 per cent respectively compared to the previous year.
Compared to this time last year, searches on Waitrose.com for “Argentinian wine”, “red wine” and “Chilean wine” were up 300%, 63% and 18% respectively.
Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of beers, wines and spirits at Waitrose, said: “Damp is the new dry, as we’re seeing customers move away from the ‘all-or-nothing’ mentality and instead look towards more mindful, ‘damp’ moderation rather than quit entirely.
“This shift sees the likes of a luxury Argentinian Cabernet sitting comfortably alongside premium non-alcoholic spirits as sophisticated sips, proving that the modern palate values flavour profiles and social connection over the buzz alone.
“No doubt the no and low trend skyrocketed in 2022 as the result of the ‘pandemic reset’ transitioning out of the final lockdowns, as well as the ‘sober curious’ movement going mainstream on social media.
“Now, 2026 is the ‘lifestyle’ year, with customers finding balance as part of a more tempered, year-round approach to drinking.”
Data reported by The Spirits Business trade publication from early this year suggested that while 58% of the UK public aimed to cut back, a significant portion – roughly 31% – had opted for a “damp January” – reducing intake rather than cutting it out entirely.
Business
Budget eases PF, ESI deduction rules for employers, allows relief for delayed deposits – The Times of India
In a move expected to bring relief to employers and reduce routine tax disallowances, the finance bill has proposed a key change to the treatment of employees’ provident fund (PF), ESI and similar contributions, allowing deductions even where there is a delay in deposit, provided the amount is deposited by the employer entity with the relevant welfare fund authorities before the due date of its Income-tax return.At present, employers can claim deduction for employees’ PF and ESI contributions only if the amounts are deposited within the strict timelines prescribed under the respective welfare laws. Even a minor delay permanently disqualifies the expense for tax purposes, a position that had been settled by the Supreme Court (SC) after years of litigationUnder the proposed amendment to Section 29 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, the definition of “due date” for claiming deduction of employees’ contributions is set to be aligned with the due date for filing the income-tax return by the employer entity.Explaining the shift, Deepak Joshi, a SC advocate said employers are currently held to a rigid standard. “The law, as interpreted by the SC, meant that if employee contributions were not deposited within the due date under the relevant welfare fund laws, no deduction was allowed — even if the payment was made before filing the income-tax return,” he said.“The proposed amendment substitutes the definition of ‘due date’ to mean the due date of filing the income-tax return. The positive impact is that even if there is a slight delay in depositing employees’ contributions, so long as the amount is deposited before the return-filing deadline, the employer will be allowed the deduction,” Joshi added. Experts view the move as part of the government’s broader effort to soften compliance rigidities and reduce avoidable litigation.
Baby boxes are being delivered to expectant families in some of Wales’ most deprived areas.
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