AWARENESS IN CONSUMERS
India doesn’t have a savings problem. It has a savings incentive problem
Indian households are saving more than ever. The bigger question now is whether money kept accessible in a savings account can also earn meaningful value while it waits to be used.
Front-of-pack labelling: Food CEOs rush taste tweaks as new rules loom
Packaged food companies in India are responding to regulatory pressures by introducing no-added-sugar and low-salt alternatives. Executives recognize the challenge of maintaining taste while making these healthier options. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India plans a major change in food packaging regulations. These changes could significantly impact the sale of everyday packaged products. Companies will likely expand their product variants to meet health demands.
Group health insurance claims: 5 common claim deductions and disputes employees should know about
Most group plans cover pre-existing diseases from day one, and individual employees are not medically underwritten. Barring a few exceptions, disputes are rarely about whether a claim is admissible. They are mostly about deductions.
Indian economy to grow faster, foreign capital returning to markets: NSE CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan
India's economy is projected to experience faster growth due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and increased foreign interest. The Managing Director of the National Stock Exchange highlighted that the country is managing fiscal pressures effectively. Domestic financial savings have significantly increased, reaching nearly USD 1.4 trillion annually. Furthermore, foreign institutional investors are showing renewed enthusiasm for Indian markets ahead of the new Samvat year.
Karnataka ethanol row: DK Shivakumar alleges excessive blending, promises evidence and documents on Monday
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has backed allegations of excessive ethanol blending in petrol sold in the state, claiming levels exceed the approved E20 limit. He said samples had been collected from 67 locations and an investigation was underway, with a minister set to present evidence and documents on Monday.
The great Indian biscuit battle begins: Can Reliance crack the code?
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd is set to foray into India's competitive biscuit market, with an aim to leverage affordable pricing and a wide variety of products to attract consumers. Industry leaders Britannia and Parle dominate the market, making it challenging for new entrants like Reliance's Independence.
- Go To Page 1

Ex-Ultrahuman executive launches AI ring startup Aina for agentic interactions
The startup said it is positioning the device as an alternative interface to smartphones for everyday interactions with AI systems. It has spent the past 15 months developing the product and is now opening pre-orders globally, with prices starting at $399 (about Rs 36,000), the startup said in a statement.

FSSAI accuses PepsiCo of ‘duping’ consumers by marketing Sting, Adrenaline Rush as 'energy drinks'
FSSAI has told the Delhi High Court that PepsiCo India deliberately markets its Sting Energy and Adrenaline Rush beverages as energy drinks to mislead consumers, despite the absence of prescribed standards for the category. The regulator has opposed the company's request for a 12-month extension to exhaust existing packaging material, citing public health concerns.

Strong balance sheet, domestic focus, and a moat matter more: 5 large-cap stocks with upside potential of up to 24%
The big event the market was waiting for has come and gone. So, is there greater clarity about where the crisis in the Gulf is headed? Not really. While US President Trump acknowledged the war was one of the reasons his Republican party received a drubbing at the hands of the Democrats, he said he would do it again. Which suggests it is unlikely that the uncertainty and volatility in the markets will go away anytime soon.

Planning robotic surgery? Your health insurer may pay only 50% of the hospital bill: Know what to check
Robotic surgery is increasingly covered by health insurance in India, but not without complications. Despite having a high sum insured, policyholders must navigate sub-limits and exclusions that can significantly reduce payouts. Understanding these nuances before undergoing surgery is crucial to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses when the final bill arrives.

Beyond ‘no subscription’, NeoSapien sees a paid future for advanced AI features
The Bengaluru-based AI wearables startup is exploring another funding round in early 2027 but its CEO said there was no pressure to raise capital because its cash burn remained low and capital from earlier round was still in the bank.

Voters deliver embarrassing rebuke to Trump by flipping four GOP-held Senate seats
Voters delivered significant losses to Donald Trump's endorsed candidates in the midterm elections, flipping four Senate seats. This outcome raises concerns for Republican control in Congress and could invite Democratic investigations. Trump's emphasis on his political influence backfired, as voters largely blamed his economic policies for unfavorable conditions. The election results also hinted at a changing political landscape leading to the 2028 presidential campaign.

Premji Invest goes big on strategic output & tech
Premji Invest and Singularity AMC are likely to lead a $30-40 million round in Sanlayan at a valuation of about $200 million, according to the people. Separately, Premji Invest is in advanced talks to lead Hical’s first institutional funding round of $30-40 million, alongside TVS Capital.

After Election Day, Trump stares down the specter of Democratic probes and the race to succeed him
The 2026 US midterm elections could shape the final two years of President Donald Trump's term, with a Republican loss of control of Congress potentially exposing his administration to investigations, legislative challenges and another impeachment push. Democrats have indicated plans to investigate Trump's policies, immigration enforcement, family business dealings and the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

After Election Day, Trump stares down the specter of Democratic probes and the race to succeed him
Donald Trump is facing significant risks in the upcoming midterm elections, which could determine his power. If Republicans lose control of Congress, Democrats may pursue investigations and potential impeachment. Trump has actively campaigned to retain GOP majorities while insisting that the elections serve as a referendum on his leadership. Democratic leaders are preparing to investigate various aspects of the Trump administration if they gain power.

Haiwaan OTT release: When and where to watch Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar’s neo-noir crime thriller
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s neo-noir thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan, arrived in theatres on September 11, 2026. A remake of the Malayalam film Oppam, it follows visually impaired Shyam Rane, who must protect a retired judge’s daughter from a revenge-driven killer. Reports suggest SonyLIV streaming, but an official OTT date remains unconfirmed.

The business of running a hospital: Balancing profitability, patient trust and scale
A hospital’s financial health depends on more than occupancy and revenue, requiring a careful balance of cost control, cash flow and patient trust.

Govt mulls giving Cert-In enforceable powers to mandate patching
Last month, two critical flaws in the PHP programming language, discovered with the help of AI, created worldwide panic as hackers targeted the vulnerabilities millions of times, and led to governments including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan taking down public websites. PHP powers 69.3% of websites worldwide.

Reliance Consumer expands Independence biscuit portfolio with nine variants
Reliance Consumer Products Ltd will launch an expanded Independence biscuit portfolio consisting of nine variants. These products aim to cater to evolving consumer preferences in Tamil Nadu and other markets. The new range will include unique offerings such as Power Up biscuits, combining milk, glucose, and protein. Increased production capacity is expected to enhance distribution through various retail channels.

Consent managers search for viable revenue model as registration nears
Consent managers are intended to help individuals manage, review and withdraw consent for the processing of their personal data, and they're required to be registered with the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI). A consent manager is data-blind, and processes metadata, consent artifacts, and cryptographic routing instructions.

Fintechs fortify cyber defences; Logistics cos in the speed lane
Happy Monday! Fintechs are stepping up security as AI-powered cyberattacks become more sophisticated. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Beauty & personal care brand Hyeglo Beauty raises Rs 7 crore funding led by Sauce
The direct-to-consumer (D2C) will use the funds for research and development (R&D), new product launches, brand building and hiring, as it looks to expand its portfolio, founder Kanupriya Ahluwalia told ET.

Black Friday 2026: Could buy now, pay later offers leave shoppers facing a bigger financial headache after the holidays?
Black Friday shopping can lead to manageable but potentially harmful financial consequences for consumers, particularly with buy now, pay later services. Many shoppers may face pressure to spend beyond their means during the holiday season, resulting in debt. This type of financial arrangement may seem attractive initially, but it can complicate budgeting for essential expenses. Additionally, shoppers often overlook the cumulative cost of multiple repayments while planning their purchases.

Electric two-wheeler sales hit record 2.24 lakh units in October on festive demand, new models
TVS Motor retained its leadership in October, nearly doubling registrations to 60,433 units and expanding its market share to 27% from 20.6% in the same month last year. Hero MotoCorp also gained ground, with its share rising to 13.4% from 10.9%, while Bajaj Auto maintained its market share at nearly 22%.

New-age beauty brands enjoy revenue glow-up
New-age beauty and personal care brands in India demonstrated impressive revenue growth in fiscal year 2026. Companies like Foxtale and Innovist achieved significant increases, doubling and tripling their sales figures. In contrast, older brands such as Sugar Cosmetics experienced revenue declines due to intensified competition and a lack of product innovation. Many newer brands focus on niche market segments and specific consumer problems to attract customers.

Atomberg gets Sebi nod for IPO; plans Rs 450 crore fresh issue
The Mumbai-based company filed its draft IPO papers in August. ET had reported in July that Atomberg was preparing for an offering of Rs 1,500-2,000 crore. The final issue size will depend on the price band, which has not yet been announced.

Gen Z brands are breaching the last citadel of legacy consumer firms
India's Gen Z and D2C brands are challenging FMCG giants like Hindustan Unilever, ITC and Marico by expanding into kirana stores. New-age brands captured 21.7% of India's kirana market in H1 FY27, up from 14.8% a year earlier. As digital-first brands breach traditional distribution networks, legacy FMCG companies face growing competition for retail shelf space and consumer loyalty nationwide.

Omron Healthcare eyes Chennai as global manufacturing hub, targets 3 million BP monitors by 2028
Omron Healthcare has commenced full-scale production at its new facility near Chennai for blood pressure monitors. The company aims to produce three million monitors annually by 2028 for the Indian market. Initially, all produced devices will serve local consumers to address cardiovascular health challenges. Omron is also working towards increasing domestic sourcing of components to support local manufacturing initiatives.

Dashverse shuts DashReels, seeks $40 million for AI push
The Bengaluru and San Franciscobased startup is pitching its businessto-business software platform, Frameo AI, to prospective investors as it moves away from acquiring and monetising viewers through its own app. The proposed fundraise is at an early stage, the people said.
Load More