Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Revolutionizes Customer Experience with UPI Payments

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Revolutionizes Customer Experience with UPI Payments

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 9, 2024

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann has recently announced the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, introducing a new level of convenience and security for its customers. This initiative is part of the store’s continuous efforts to modernize and streamline the payment process for its customers.

The Unified Payments Interface, a revolutionary payment technology developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has transformed the digital payment landscape in India. Since its inception in 2016, UPI has enabled instant and interbank money transfers via mobile applications, allowing users to link multiple bank accounts to a single app using unique virtual identifiers.

Established in 2008, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing India’s payment infrastructure. Through innovations like UPI, NPCI has played a crucial role in digitizing the Indian economy, making digital payments more accessible and inclusive for millions of citizens. This transformation has facilitated everyday transactions and significantly advanced financial inclusion on an unprecedented scale.

To celebrate the launch of UPI payments at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a cocktail event was held on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024. The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Jawad Ashraf, Ambassador of India, and Nicolas Houzé, CEO of Galeries Lafayette. This exclusive gathering provided a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between the Parisian department store and the Indian diplomatic community, highlighting the importance of international relations in the store’s commercial and cultural endeavors.

"We are delighted to be the first department store in Europe to offer the UPI payment solution at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. By introducing UPI, we facilitate seamless and secure transactions for our Indian customers and strengthen cultural and economic ties between France and India. As the number of visitors from India is growing, we are proud to offer this innovative payment option, ensuring a convenient and memorable shopping experience. With the opening of our first Indian store in Mumbai in 2025, followed by New Delhi, this initiative becomes even more significant, symbolizing our commitment to reinforcing the ties between our two countries," declared Vincent Sénéquat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann.

image

The integration of UPI payments by Galeries Lafayette Haussmann marks a significant milestone for both customers and the store, highlighting their dedication to leading technological innovation and continuously improving the shopping experience, thereby strengthening customer trust. This initiative cements the department store’s position as an industry leader and underscores their commitment to simplifying transactions by providing payment solutions that meet the demands of today’s consumers.

About Galeries Lafayette: Famous the world over, Galeries Lafayette is France’s leading department store brand. It has dominated the fashion and retail event stage for the past 130 years, offering each visitor a unique shopping experience and ensuring that French and international customers can choose from a constantly fresh range of classic as well as more exclusive brands. Home to fashion & accessories, beauty, lifestyle, as well as a food hall and dining spaces, Galeries Lafayette enjoys a global reputation thanks to a network of 67 stores in France and worldwide, its e-commerce site, galerieslafayette.com, and its factory outlet business Galeries Lafayette L’Outlet.

About NPCI International:

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India. NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India. Currently, there are several countries that seek to establish a real-time payment system or a domestic card scheme. NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing and consulting for building real-time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses. NIPL focuses on transforming payments across the globe through technology and innovation. It will not only enable payments for Indians but also support other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.

Indulge in a seamless shopping experience at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann with the newly integrated UPI payment system, marking a new era of convenience and innovation.


India’s ₹1 Lakh Crore Branded Residences Market Takes Centre Stage at TBRS 2.0

India’s ₹1 Lakh Crore Branded Residences Market Takes Centre Stage at TBRS 2.0

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 12, 2026

India’s branded residences market is entering a new phase, with the sector’s estimated ₹1 lakh crore (about USD 10.5 billion) gross development value set to take centre stage at TBRS 2.0, The Branded Residences Summit, in Mumbai.

The second edition of the summit will take place on 7 and 8 October 2026 at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, bringing together 250 curated delegates, 50+ Indian and global speakers and 19 sessions. The event will also feature the inaugural Branded Residences Awards and the launch of the third edition of the NOESIS branded residences market report.

According to NOESIS, India's branded residences market map currently includes 43 directly brand-licensed projects. Of these, 7 have been delivered, 19 are under construction and 17 have been announced. Further announcements are expected during 2026, while more than 20 additional projects are currently in early feasibility, product planning or brand selection. The category has also moved beyond traditional markets such as Mumbai and NCR. Tier-1 and tier-2 cities and leisure destinations including Goa, Alibaug, Karjat, Igatpuri, Kasauli, Coorg and Rishikesh are now part of the growing branded residences landscape.

“Developers across India are seeing what the right brand does for visibility, buyer confidence and sales momentum,” said Nandivardhan Jain, Founder & CEO, NOESIS Hotel Advisors, the owner-focused advisory firm behind the summit. “The opportunity is not in adding a name to a project. It is in choosing a brand that fits the location and the buyer and keeping the financial model, the product promise and the resident experience aligned.”

The growing interest is also being seen among institutional investors and organised funds. Well-planned branded developments can offer stronger price realisation, faster sales and more predictable cash flows when the product, pricing and positioning are properly aligned. At the same time, investors continue to assess fundamentals such as buyer depth, achievable pricing and delivery capability.

Another important area is the long-term relationship between developers, brands and residents. The licence relationship generally covers development, marketing and sales, while the operating relationship can later move to the residents’ association and continue for several years. This makes decisions around fees, service standards, renewal and exit terms important from the beginning rather than after handover. A well-structured arrangement can help the brand continue adding value to the resident experience and resale positioning even after the final unit is sold.

TBRS was established in 2025 as India’s first dedicated platform for branded residences. Its first edition was held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai on 26 September 2025, bringing developers, global hospitality and lifestyle brands, investors, family offices and advisors together. TBRS 2.0 will expand into a two-day programme with a developer-first approach covering feasibility, underwriting, brand selection, legal structure, sales and operations in the order a project typically develops. The programme will also include a closed-door developers’ masterclass, an expanded global speaker faculty and the inaugural Branded Residences Awards.

Among the international speakers travelling to Mumbai from Singapore, the UAE and the United Kingdom are Daniel von Barloewen (Senior Vice President, Accor One Living & Head of Global Mixed-Use Development, Accor), Gabriel Gn (Global Development Head, Banyan Group), Ramzy Fenianos (Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group), James Snelgar and Jagdish Johal (YOO, London) and Fabio Calorio (Senior Vice President – Brand, Pininfarina).

They will be joined by Indian hospitality and real estate leaders including Anil Chadha (Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited), Atul Chordia (Chairman, Panchshil Realty), Suma Venkatesh (EVP – Real Estate & Development, IHCL), Zubin Saxena (Senior Vice President, Regional Head South Asia, Hilton), Nikhil Sharma (Managing Director & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group), Jaideep Dang (Head of Development, IHG Hotels & Resorts), Kalpesh Mehta (Founder & Managing Director, Tribeca Developers), Navdeep Sardana (Chairman, Whiteland Corporation) and Yukti Nagpal (Director, Gulshan Group), along with further leaders from Oberoi, IHCL–Taj, Marriott International, Hyatt, Olive Hospitality, Sarovar and Mahindra Holidays.

“I said at last year’s summit that India was a key market to watch. Twelve months on, it is one of the key markets to be in. The depth of developer interest, buyer demand, the quality of projects coming forward and the seriousness of the conversations at TBRS convinced me to return. India is a focus area for us as we look at the next decade of branded living,” said Daniel von Barloewen, who is returning to the summit for the second consecutive year.

The summit comes at a time when branded residences are bringing together real estate, hospitality and capital, with each stakeholder having different priorities. Developers are focused on returns and sales velocity, brands on product quality and protecting their names, buyers on delivery and long-term value, while investors look for predictable cash flows.

TBRS 2.0 will focus on these areas through discussions around feasibility, underwriting, legal structures and operating plans that can continue to work after handover.

“It took India close to a decade to deliver its first seven branded residences. Thirty-six more are already under construction or announced,” said Jain. “The sector can learn fast, from global experience and from the projects taking shape here. The time to settle product, brand, capital and contracts is at the planning table, while every decision can still be changed.”

NOESIS is also encouraging developers to attend with cross-functional leadership teams rather than sending a single representative. Since a branded residences project can affect apartment planning, construction costs, common areas, service charges and contractual commitments, promoters, finance, sales, design, projects and legal teams all play a role.

With the sector expanding across established cities as well as emerging and leisure destinations, TBRS 2.0 aims to bring these different stakeholders together around the decisions that can shape the next phase of branded residences in India.


Mahindra Group Announces Strategic Focus on Holidays and Lifespaces

Mahindra Group Announces Strategic Focus on Holidays and Lifespaces

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 12, 2026

Mahindra Group has announced a dedicated strategic focus on its Holidays and Lifespaces sectors, with an aim to accelerate growth and create stronger operational synergies between the two businesses.

The move comes as several of the Group’s businesses have recorded strong growth over the last five years. The Group identified these businesses as its “Growth Gems”, with several already surpassing the expected 5X growth during the period.

Mahindra Lifespaces has been one of the standout businesses within this group. Since FY20, its residential pre-sales have grown 5X, from around ₹700 crore to around ₹3,500 crore.

The business has also seen a sharp rise in its gross development value (GDV), increasing from ₹8,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore in the last three years. This puts the business on track to achieve 14X pre-sales growth during this decade. Its Industrial segment has also performed strongly, while the overall business has moved from losses to profits of around ₹300 crore in the previous financial year.

Meanwhile, Mahindra Holidays has continued to expand its position in the hospitality sector. With more than 3 lakh vacation ownership members, the business remains a leader in the segment and has added more than 1,700 rooms. The company is now moving beyond vacation ownership and expanding into leisure hospitality, with an ambition to become one of India's leading hospitality players. It recently launched Mahindra Signature Resorts, marking its entry into luxury hospitality.

image

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, said, "Both Holidays and Lifespaces businesses have tremendous potential. As we move into the next phase of growth, we have been evaluating how to harness the synergies between them to further strengthen the growth trajectory. In this context, we are pleased to announce a dedicated strategic focus on Holidays and Lifespaces sectors aimed at accelerating growth and realising operational synergies across these identified Growth Gems.”

image

As part of the new structure, Amit Sinha, the current MD & CEO of MLDL, will be appointed as CEO-Holidays and Lifespaces Sector, from a future date to be determined. Sinha will move into the new role once a new CEO is appointed at Mahindra Lifespaces. The leadership and reporting arrangements for the relevant businesses will be aligned as part of the implementation of the new sector structure.

The new focus is expected to bring the two businesses closer together as Mahindra Group looks to build on their existing momentum and unlock further growth opportunities across real estate, leisure and hospitality.


WelcomHeritage Signs New Hospitality Project in Jawai Rajasthan

WelcomHeritage Signs New Hospitality Project in Jawai Rajasthan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 12, 2026

WelcomHeritage, a joint venture between ITC Hotels Ltd. and Jodhana Heritage Resorts Pvt. Ltd., has signed a new hospitality project in Jawai, Rajasthan, with Mr Dushyant Malhotra, Director, Diya Global Fusion LLP.

The project adds to Jawai’s growing hospitality landscape as the destination continues to attract interest for its luxury and experiential tourism potential. Known for its leopard habitat, rugged granite landscapes and wilderness experiences, Jawai is emerging as an important destination for travellers looking for a different side of Rajasthan.

The agreement was facilitated by The AstraLuxe Advisory, a growing luxury hospitality advisory firm in India, under the leadership of Mr Devendra Thakur, Founder, The AstraLuxe Advisory. The firm helped bring the project stakeholders together and facilitated the brand association between WelcomHeritage and Diya Global Fusion LLP.

Commenting on the development, Mr Devendra Thakur, Founder, The AstraLuxe Advisory, said: "Jawai is rapidly emerging as one of India's most compelling luxury experiential destinations, and we are delighted to have facilitated this association between WelcomHeritage and Diya Global Fusion LLP. We look forward to seeing this development evolve into a distinctive hospitality offering for Jawai."

Mr Dushyant Malhotra, Director, Diya Global Fusion LLP, also expressed confidence in the partnership and the project's potential to support the region's growing hospitality ecosystem. The association with WelcomHeritage is expected to introduce a heritage-inspired hospitality experience to Jawai while further adding to the destination’s position on India's luxury and experiential travel map. 

The project is now moving through the next stages of planning and development and is targeting an opening by the end of 2027.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.