MAM
CES 2016: Technology is enabling a super-connected consumer journey
MUMBAI: Advances in data-driven technology are creating the foundations for a super-connected consumer journey, offering marketers new opportunities to create powerful, seamlessly integrated brand experiences. This is ZenithOptimedia’s key insight from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016.
At this year’s CES, a multitude of new technology was being exhibited, and while there was huge variety in terms of form and function, a common thread was apparent: the sophisticated use of data in order to provide utility or entertainment for consumers. And many of the tech companies developing these new types of technology were taking time to explain to delegates how their products and services took their place in the emerging, highly-connected technological ecosystem.
The Internet of Things promises a wealth of new data connection points, with each technology platform or application playing its part in creating a new highly-connected consumer journey, mapped out with engaging experiences and time-saving functionality.
This new highly-connected consumer journey starts with the mobile consumer, and there was an array of new devices on display at CES to enable mobility and to satisfy the needs of the mobile consumer. Once again, wearable devices – that connect online and are linked to other platforms and devices – where everywhere at CES. Of note, Fossil announced that it is rolling out 100 connected devices this year. Many of the wearables were focused on health and fitness. For example, Huawei’s Honor Band Z1 helps you track your fitness, performing tasks such as counting your steps and keeping a record of how you sleep.
The car will become an increasingly important platform in the new connected consumer journey. Several hi-tech connected cars were unveiled this year. VW unveiled two connected and all-electric concept cars of the future: the e-Golf Touch and the Budd-e microbus, which will perform functions such as letting you know if a visitor is at the front of your house or what’s in your fridge. BMW’s Open Mobility Cloud is a true vision of the car’s rightful place in The Internet of Things. BMW’s new technology shows how the car can be seamlessly integrated into the connected home, enabling the driver to control things such as lighting, heating and appliances from within the car.
Toyota announced at CES that it was stepping up its Toyota Research Institute efforts to develop artificial intelligence that can help cars communicate with each other without human interaction. It also displayed some of its new concept cars that are powered by Hydrogen. And Mercedes-Benz showed off its brand new Touch Pad steering wheel mounted sensors that allow the driver to effortlessly toggle through menu options for two HD screens.
The ‘connected home’ is central to the Internet of Things and will play a key role in the integrated experiences brands can offer consumers. A wealth of new smart and connected household appliances were on display at CES, such as Samsung’s new Family Hub fridge, and Whirlpool’s new Smart Washer and Dryer, which integrates Amazon Dash functionality to enable easy, automatic restocking. The development of the Internet of Things means that the home has been identified as a new battleground, and the data collected by our household purchases and our conversations with our devices will be just as valuable as data collected from the Internet. So, Google’s Nest and its Weave platform is now in direct competition with Amazon and its Alexa platform.
In terms of the ‘connected home’, arguably the most important – and talked about – announcement at CES this year came from Netflix, which is adding 130 countries to its streaming service, making it available all around the world. This is a huge step by Netflix as it looks to become the dominant global internet TV service.
Robotics will play an increasingly important part in the automated home and in connecting consumer experiences. There were more robots on display at CES this year than ever before. There was much hype about Segway’s partnership with Intel to create a hoverboard butler. And Double Robotics has brought out a new version of its telepresence robot – an iPad incorporated into a mobile robot which live streams back to the user.
And, critical to the success for brands in this new highly connected consumer journey will be having the payment facilities that best meet the needs of the mobile consumer. Mobile payment will play a key role in converting seamless consumer experiences into sales. Samsung used CES this year to announce that its Samsung Pay facility, currently available in South Korea and the US, would be launching in Australia, Singapore and Brazil. And Coin announced that it is teaming up with MasterCard to help companies integrate mobile payment into their wearable devices.
ZenithOptimedia chief digital officer Stefan Bardega said, “Many of the exciting technology products and solutions on display at CES this year indicate that we are on the verge of new era of highly connected consumer experiences, fuelled by data and empowered by the Internet of Things. In some instances, companies from different industries are now working collaboratively to develop new technologies and to drive connectivity. All of this is good news for marketers looking to create valuable brand experiences that deliver ROI.”
Brands
Trent posts Rs 19,701 crore FY26 revenue, profit rises to Rs 1,968 crore
Q4 profit at Rs 455 crore; margins improve, net worth climbs to Rs 7,703 crore
MUMBAI: Retail therapy seems to be working for Trent Limited as much as for its shoppers. The Tata Group retail arm reported a steady performance for FY26, with revenue from operations rising to Rs 19,701.41 crore, up from Rs 16,668.11 crore in FY25. Total income for the year stood at Rs 20,075.87 crore, reflecting continued momentum across its retail formats.
Profit before tax came in at Rs 2,511.54 crore for the year, compared to Rs 2,076.62 crore a year earlier. After accounting for taxes of Rs 543.72 crore, net profit rose to Rs 1,967.82 crore, marking a clear improvement from Rs 1,584.84 crore in FY25.
For the March quarter, the company reported revenue of Rs 4,936.64 crore and total income of Rs 4,997.71 crore. Profit before tax stood at Rs 576.46 crore, while net profit came in at Rs 454.75 crore, up from Rs 349.92 crore in the same quarter last year.
On the cost front, total expenses for FY26 rose to Rs 17,538.54 crore, driven by higher stock purchases of Rs 11,170.44 crore and increased occupancy costs at Rs 1,652.69 crore. Employee benefit expenses also edged up to Rs 1,222.04 crore, reflecting continued expansion.
Operationally, the company maintained stable efficiency metrics. Operating margin improved to 11.88 per cent from 11.29 per cent, while net profit margin rose to 9.99 per cent from 9.51 per cent. The interest service coverage ratio stood strong at 16.76, indicating comfortable debt servicing capacity.
Trent’s balance sheet also strengthened during the year. Net worth increased to Rs 7,702.80 crore from Rs 5,914.40 crore, while total assets expanded to Rs 12,225.71 crore. The debt-to-equity ratio improved to 0.33 from 0.38, signalling a more balanced capital structure.
Cash flow from operations rose to Rs 2,630.19 crore, compared to Rs 1,668.26 crore in the previous year, even as the company continued to invest in expansion, with capital expenditure and investments weighing on investing cash flows.
With consistent growth across revenue, profitability, and margins, Trent’s FY26 performance suggests a retailer scaling steadily ringing up gains not just at the checkout, but across the balance sheet.
