DIGITAL COMMERCE
Who is Samreen Kaur? Cricketer Arshdeep Singh proposes to his longtime girlfriend in New Zealand, pics go viral. Check her education and career
Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh proposed to actress Samreen Kaur during their trip to New Zealand. The engagement took place on November 11, and was shared on social media. Samreen expressed her happiness and excitement in her post about their relationship. Arshdeep recently moved from Punjab Kings to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027.
Shyam Prakash Pal: Building the Next Generation of Digital-First Consumer Brands
Shyam Prakash Pal articulates the importance of fostering consumer brands within the rapidly changing digital landscape. He underscores the necessity of creativity, discipline, and collaborative effort in both professional and personal health. For effective leadership, maintaining physical health and mental clarity is paramount. Pal advocates for establishing consistent wellness practices, positioning health as integral to achieving long-lasting success in the business realm.
UAE launches digital ATA Carnet system, becoming first country outside Europe to adopt paperless customs process
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the eATA Carnet system, becoming the first country outside Europe to adopt the digital customs facility. Rolled out on November 9, 2026, with support from Dubai Chambers, the system allows businesses to process temporary imports and exports electronically using digital declarations and QR codes.
Central Asia's biggest state holds mega business meet in USA
The forum was organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of the B20 Summit on Nov. 9. It brought together government officials, national companies, financial institutions and business representatives from both countries, including representatives of more than 100 American enterprises, according to a report in The Astana Times.
India-US hold bilateral talks in New Delhi on Customs and trade facilitation: Govt sources
A US delegation engaged with Indian Commerce Ministry officials to enhance bilateral trade and customs procedures. The discussions took place on November 2-3 and focused on trade facilitation frameworks. Ongoing negotiations are related to the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement aimed at improving market access. Both nations are close to finalizing an interim trade agreement, with few issues left to resolve.
How intelligent commerce is shaping the next frontier of merchant payments
For a decade, the task in India’s merchant payments was to get every shop and website to accept digital money. The value, leaders argued, at GFF 2026, is now moving to identity, risk, credit and growth, and to preparing the checkout for AI agents that may soon shop on consumers’ behalf.
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The next problem to solve: When money arrives, what can merchants do in the meantime?
At GFF 2026, PRISM founder Ritesh Agarwal and Adyen’s Chief Commercial Officer Roelant Prins discussed why, for merchants such as small hotel owners, how quickly money arrives now matters as much as whether a payment is accepted, and why AI is changing back offices faster than it is changing how people buy.

India’s product landscape is changing: Which products are setting the benchmark across technology, finance, and consumer markets?
The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 showcase India's rapidly growing product ecosystem by honoring groundbreaking innovations across diverse sectors such as enterprise technology, financial services, and consumer markets. These awards place emphasis on products that have made a significant market impact, gained customer adoption, and demonstrated exceptional innovation, motivating companies to present their tangible successes and contributions to the industry.

China’s high-tech ports push raises global trade ambitions, sparks security concerns
China is expanding its global maritime influence through AI-powered automated ports, smart shipping technologies and digital infrastructure. While these innovations promise greater efficiency, Western governments fear growing dependence on Chinese systems could create security vulnerabilities, geopolitical leverage and risks to critical global supply chains and international trade networks

Indian organisations on edge as sites fail to Captcha AI intruders
Personal AI agents such as Instinct, Muse, Grokbot and OpenClaw have taken over the consumer internet in the US. But last month, major US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, reportedly flagged AI agents such as Meta’s Muse accessing customer accounts using login credentials voluntarily shared by users laying bare the risks of handing AI agents the keys to consumers’ digital lives.

Karnataka, Uber discuss passenger safety, regulatory issues and urban transport
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge recently met with the Uber India Public Policy team to discuss urban mobility. The discussions emphasized passenger safety, regulatory issues, and improvements in urban commuting services. Kharge mentioned that further engagement with ride-hailing platforms will enhance public transportation. Additionally, initiatives like the Bengaluru Urban Mobility Mission are underway to address traffic management and safety.

Surge in air purifier sales in India as pollution levels rise during winter season 2023
Air purifier sales have increased substantially in India as pollution levels rise and winter approaches. Quick-commerce platforms are experiencing heightened demand, especially from Tier 2 cities. Sales of air purifiers on Amazon have reportedly doubled recently, indicating a surge in consumer interest. Additionally, the overall market for winter appliances is projected to grow significantly this season. Analysts expect online sales to climb further as consumers continue to make purchases.

Diwali 2026 wealth creators: 8 BSE 500 stocks shrug off market weakness, deliver up to 191% returns; do you own any?
Eight BSE 500 stocks more than doubled investors’ wealth since Diwali 2025, led by Aditya Infotech, HFCL and Welspun Corp. As Samvat 2083 begins, brokerages expect earnings-led growth, favouring selective investments across banking, manufacturing, consumption, exports and technology amid valuation concerns.

AvenuesAI Q2 revenue jumps 47% as AI-first fintech transformation gathers momentum
AvenuesAI reported a steady set of second-quarter FY27 numbers, with the company continuing to build momentum behind its broader transformation from a payments gateway-led business into an AI-first financial technology infrastructure platform.

A new era of LPG convenience with Indane ‘XtraLite Now’ and ‘Indane Chhotu’
IndianOil is revolutionizing the LPG market with the introduction of Indane XtraLite Now and Indane Chhotu tailored for contemporary consumers. The 10-kg Indane XtraLite Now features a lightweight and durable design, perfect for stylish kitchens. Meanwhile, the 5-kg Indane Chhotu is ideal for individuals or small households, catering to their modest gas needs.

IPO-bound BRND.ME’s Villain enters new category to tap a multi-billion fragrance market
BRND.ME is diversifying its Villain fragrance brand into the unisex market. The release of two new Eau de Parfums, named Muse and V-Code, marks a significant milestone in meeting the preferences of the younger Gen Z audience that favors inclusive scents. Supported by strong distribution and a powerful online presence, this expansion signifies BRND.ME's ambitious plans for an IPO and further global reach.

Cashfree opens checkout to AI agents, leaves final say with shoppers
Cashfree has introduced Checkout for Agents, allowing AI agents to assist with online payments. This feature utilises WebMCP technology to simplify the checkout process for AI shopping assistants. Customers still maintain control over final payment authorisation and sensitive information is protected. While AI agents currently represent less than 1% of checkout traffic, Cashfree aims to enhance their efficiency. The company limits agent access to sensitive payment steps to ensure security.

Unilever to take India playbook to Africa, Vietnam, Pakistan and Bangladesh to drive growth
Unilever plans to use its India business as a blueprint for growth in Africa, Vietnam, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The company aims to replicate India's distribution network, category-building strategy and ability to serve consumers across income groups in these underpenetrated markets. India contributes $6.3 billion, or around 16%, of Unilever's revenue.

Bengaluru woman calls customer care to seek Rs 441 refund for ill-fitting clothes, loses Rs 1.05 lakh
A Bengaluru woman lost Rs 1.05 lakh while trying to get a Rs 441 refund for ill-fitting clothes after contacting a fake customer care number found online. In a separate incident, another woman lost Rs 98,000 while seeking a replacement for a damaged curd packet ordered through Blinkit.

Reliance’s FY28 growth story rests on 5 triggers. New energy is just one
In the upcoming years, Reliance Industries is set to thrive, propelled by five strategic business initiatives. The focus remains on robust growth in the oil-to-chemicals sector, pivotal for ongoing profitability. Transitioning from investments to growth, Reliance Retail is primed for success, while Jio is expected to benefit from improved pricing strategies.

AI shopping agents could threaten Amazon and Walmart's ad business
Retail powerhouses Walmart and Amazon are also the world's two largest retail media businesses, dominating the estimated $74.4 billion in US retail media spending with a combined 88% share of that market, according to projections from data firm Emarketer. But digital assistants could soon disrupt that business.

Retailer Zalando launches AI shopping agent as margins squeezed
Zalando has launched its inaugural AI shopping agent, aiming to refine its online retail experience significantly. This innovative platform enables users to shop across various online stores using intelligent AI assistants. Although shares dropped by 5%, the company saw a revenue uptick of 5.1% in Q3. However, the gross profit margin decreased due to heightened investment in technology and infrastructure as competitors embrace AI amid rapid industry transformation.

JioHotstar launches StreamToCart Ads, enabling in-stream shopping through Instamart
Introducing a game-changer in digital advertising, JioHotstar has launched StreamToCart Ads, an interactive format that merges streaming with online shopping. Viewers can now browse and directly add products to their shopping carts without interrupting their viewing, consequently boosting user engagement. Advertisers are empowered to monitor user behaviors from impressions to purchases, optimizing their marketing strategies.

India, EU discuss FTA implementation ahead of December signing
In an effort to advance their free trade agreement, India and the European Union held pivotal discussions led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, who visited Brussels for dialogues with prominent EU officials. Central to the talks were customs cooperation and trade facilitation, deemed critical for the agreement's efficacy. Additionally, industry stakeholders from the diamond sector were engaged to harness opportunities within India's expanding market.

Reliance Industries eyes growth boost from O2C, retail and Jio businesses
Reliance Industries has reported a significant growth in revenue and profits for the September quarter. The oil-to-chemicals segment has led this growth while retail segment profitability faced pressures from digital commerce investments. Jio Platforms also reported double digit revenue and profit growth, aided by increased average revenue per user and subscriber additions. Rising inflation and a shift in festive demand to the December quarter may impact future retail earnings.

Reliance Retail says profit margins will improve from next year as its online business investments pay off
With ongoing investments in ecommerce, Reliance Retail expects better Ebitda margins. The company is enhancing dark stores to ensure quicker delivery times and adapting retail spaces to cater to online shoppers. Although recent reports indicate a decrease in net profit, digital commerce still surged by 42%. Jeyandran Venugopal, the chief executive, expresses assurance in maximizing current assets for growth while steering clear of extravagant competitor expenditures.

When my AI bargains with your AI: The next great bazaar may be where our agents haggle for milliseconds
AI agents are evolving from simple task execution to negotiating on behalf of users in commerce. These agents can analyze data efficiently, enabling faster negotiations and potentially better deals. Businesses are already preparing for AI-to-AI negotiations, which may reshape the landscape of commerce. While this could benefit consumers, it may also create disparities based on the sophistication of agents.

Reliance Retail Q2 profit takes a hit on Qcomm push
Reliance Retail Ventures reported a significant drop in net profit, down 24.5% year-on-year to ₹2,619 crore in the last quarter. Despite this, revenue improved by 5.8% to ₹80,220 crore, largely driven by a surge in grocery sales. The company's profitability was affected by strategic investments and evolving festive season patterns, alongside rising finance costs stemming from increased borrowing and interest rates. Focus remains on improving transactions and business model adaptation.

Reliance Retail Q2 Results: Revenue up 6%, but late festive season, digital spends hit profit
Reliance Retail Q2 Results: The company's gross revenue increased 6.4% YoY to Rs 91,716 crore in Q2FY27, compared with Rs 86,169 crore in the year-ago period. The growth came despite the absence of major festive occasions during the quarter, with the festive calendar shifting to the December quarter.
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