E COMMERCE
Longer Diwali breaks: companies give employees more time to celebrate
Many companies are providing extended breaks for their employees during Diwali to promote well-being and family connections. Embassy Group is giving its employees a nine-day break, emphasizing a people-first culture. CashKaro is offering six days off to help employees recharge after the busy festive season. Myntra plans to recognize employee contributions with two additional holiday days following its sales period.
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.
Sweet trouble this Diwali: Rs 82 crore worth of food, 1,185 licences come under FSSAI scanner
FSSAI conducted a nationwide inspection drive from September 1 to November 5 to check food adulteration. During this period, more than 3,000 tonnes of non-compliant food products were seized across India. The regulator canceled 52 licenses and suspended over 1,000 licenses in response to violations. Additionally, 10,047 improvement notices were issued to food business operators across various establishments.
FDA suspends 43 food business licences across Maharashtra during Diwali inspections
Maharashtra FDA took action during a special Diwali enforcement drive by suspending 43 food business licenses. Inspections were conducted across seven divisions in the state, which included major cities like Mumbai and Nashik. Violations of food safety requirements led to the suspensions and the seizure of food articles worth Rs 63.09 lakh.
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.
Quick commerce emerges beyond Diwali shopping panic to breathe on the necks of e-commerce giants
Quick-commerce platforms in India are increasingly including fashion, beauty, and gifting items for Diwali shopping. Myntra and Amazon are experiencing significant growth in orders and customer engagement during the festive season. Quick-commerce is projected to account for a larger share of online retail, boosting convenience for consumers. The demand for immediate shopping solutions is prompting a shift in purchasing behaviours.
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14,000+ gold, silver coins delivered per hour: Instamart, Zepto, others record rising orders as Diwali shopping shifts to q-comm
During the recent Dhanteras and Diwali events, consumers turned to quick-commerce platforms for their festive shopping needs. Significant increases were noted in purchases of gold, silver coins, and traditional items. Quick-commerce platforms reported high demand for kitchen appliances, clothing, and home decor. A marked shift was seen in consumers' willingness to shop during unconventional hours for festive essentials.

ETtech Explainer: How House of Nykaa is emerging as a growth and margin driver
On Wednesday, Nykaa announced plans to acquire an 82% stake in Simply Nam for up to Rs 33 crore, bringing the brand into its House of Nykaa portfolio as it looks to tap into consumer segments beyond its core marketplace business.

Emami bets on brand extensions to enter newer consumer categories
Emami is leveraging its established brands like BoroPlus and Kesh King to enter new consumer segments. The company has launched the FromMaa range for baby-care and Kesh King Scalp First for scalp-care. Both product lines are introduced through modern trade and e-commerce channels. Additionally, Emami's strategic investments in newer consumer businesses have shown significant growth recently. These initiatives help diversify the company's portfolio and reach a wider audience.

Nykaa shares in focus as Nomura, Jefferies hike target prices after strong Q2 earnings. Should you buy despite valuation concerns?
Nykaa reported a 207% year-on-year surge in Q2 FY27 net profit to Rs 101 crore, driven by 28% revenue growth and improved margins. Strong performance prompted Nomura and Jefferies to raise target prices while retaining Buy ratings. Motilal Oswal maintained Neutral, citing expensive valuations despite robust growth prospects.

Nykaa Q2 profit more than triples, operating revenue grows 28%
The platform’s gross merchandise value (GMV) grew 30% YoY to Rs 6,151 crore in the September quarter. The beauty and personal care business reported a 25% expansion to Rs 4,454 crore and the fashion segment recorded a 42% increase to Rs 1,674 crore.

Chinese genetic firm Novogene sues US over military designation
Chinese genetic sequencing firm Novogene has initiated legal action against the Pentagon over its military designation. Novogene was added to a list of companies alleged to be supporting Beijing's military as of June. This designation prohibits the Defense Department from directly contracting with these firms, including Alibaba and Baidu. Other Chinese companies have also pursued legal recourse against the Pentagon regarding similar designations.

FICCI makes recommendations to FM ahead of Budget 2027-28, highlights LTCG exemption, TDS relief and faster tax appeals
FICCI has recommended the restoration of long-term capital gains tax exemption on listed shares in Budget 2027-28. The organization highlighted concerns regarding the withdrawal of foreign portfolio investments and the impact of capital gains tax. Additionally, it requested the government to implement lighter TDS rules and resolve backlog issues in tax appeals. FICCI emphasized the need for measures to provide certainty to investors over the long term.

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.

Nykaa Q2 Results: PAT soars 207% YoY to Rs 101 crore, revenue up 28%; co to acquire 82% stake in Simply Nam
Nykaa reported a 207% year-on-year profit surge to Rs 101 crore in Q2FY27, with revenue rising 28% to Rs 3,006 crore. Beauty and fashion businesses accelerated growth, while quick commerce, owned brands and strategic acquisitions strengthened expansion.

Allcargo Logistics Q2 Results: Co posts Rs 19 crore profit; revenue rises 3.4%
Allcargo Logistics Ltd reported a positive shift in financial performance during the September quarter of FY27, achieving a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 19 crore. This demonstrates a year-on-year growth alongside a 3.4 percent increase in operational revenue. With the festive season on the horizon, the company anticipates further demand, focusing on enhancing capacity utilization and reinstating volume growth in the upcoming months.

Bata puts its best foot forward on profits as inventory shrinks, distribution expands
Bata India is banking on distribution expansion and tighter inventory management to drive growth, as adjusted profit before tax surged 31.4% year-on-year in Q2 FY27, outpacing revenue growth of 7.5%. The footwear maker has expanded its key retail outlet network 2.6 times and targets 5,000-plus outlets by Q3 FY27.

China's 'Lipstick King' touts AI tokens in first for Singles' Day festival
The launch is the first time AI token packages have been offered as a significant consumer product category during Singles' Day, the world's largest shopping festival originally held on November 11 each year.

Adam Robinson did not believe in Silicon Valley rules. He built successful business without Venture Capital money before death in a Florida plane crash
In a heartbreaking tragedy, technology entrepreneur Adam Robinson and his family lost their lives in a plane crash in Florida. The incident involved a Learjet en route to the Bahamas, carrying nine individuals, near Mar-a-Lago. Co-founder of Robly and creator of GetEmails, Robinson achieved remarkable success in email marketing without the aid of venture capital, leaving behind a profound legacy in the industry.

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.

New GST norms to simplify pan-India expansion for D2C brands
Among a set of changes approved by the 57th GST Council meeting on October 8, are new rules that allow brands to declare an ecommerce platform's warehouse as their local principal place of business (PPO) starting November 1, subject to conditions.

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.

GST reforms: Easier registration for small e-commerce sellers, faster refunds to take effect Nov 1
Simplified GST registration processes will benefit small sellers using e-commerce platforms without physical presence in multiple states. The GST portal will offer user-friendly interfaces and clearer documentation requirements for registration applications. Automatic sanctioning of full refund claims for excess balance in electronic cash ledgers will expedite the refund process. Flexibility in post-supply discount taxation will support industries with volume-based incentives and trade schemes.

Meesho expects stronger Q3 growth due to change in festive sale timeline
The first day of Meesho's annual flagship sale, the Mega Blockbuster Sale, saw orders growing about 75% YoY. Its transacting customers increased by about 60% YoY.

Blue Dart launches International Parcel Connect for SMEs, D2Cs
This service will enable e-commerce, D2C brands, and SMEs to connect with global customers. With options that cater to both premium and budget-conscious shipping needs, it accommodates parcels from 50 g to 11 kg, ensuring enhanced tracking.

IndiaMART bets on AI to sharpen its edge, but warns of uncertain returns
IndiaMART InterMESH Ltd reported a 9.8% increase in net profit for the second quarter of 2026. The company has integrated artificial intelligence into over 20 operational functions, enhancing various processes. AI models such as ChatGPT and Claude are utilized to optimize operations and improve efficiency. Revenue for the quarter increased by 9.7%, reaching ₹429 crore, reflecting growth in the standalone business.

Tata Motors, Amazon partner to deploy 3,000 electric trucks for ecommerce logistics
Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy flagged off the initial fleet of trucks. "I congratulate Tata Motors and Amazon on this significant collaboration to deploy 3,000 electric trucks across Amazon's transportation network in India," Kumaraswamy said.

Tata Motors, Amazon partner to deploy 3,000 electric trucks for e-commerce logistics
Flagging off the fleet, Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said that while electric passenger vehicles and two-wheelers have made encouraging progress, the electrification of commercial transportation is equally important.
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