QUICK COMMERCE FIRMS
Humble bhujia becomes a recipe for billions of dollars in India's market
A packet of bhujia has come a long way from Bikaner. What began as a family-run namkeen shop in 1937 is now a national snack empire, backed by global investors and preparing for a possible stock market debut. As Haldiram eyes Dalal Street, India's humble sev, bhujia and namkeen are finding a place on the global investment menu. Turns out, there's serious business behind that crunch.
Festive online sales hit Rs 1.4 lakh crore, up 17%, but miss forecasts
The season had been expected to hit a record Rs 1.50-1.55 lakh crore in GMV, up 25-29% from last year. GMV is total value of goods sold by marketplaces before discounts and returns. The festive sale period started on October 8 with the flagship events of Amazon and Flipkart followed by multiple micro-events until Diwali, which fell on November 8.
Online festive sales miss estimates; Munjal steps down as Unacademy CEO
Happpy Thursday! Online festive sales grew, but fell short of expectations amid weak smartphone demand.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Quick commerce delivers huge festive triumph for D2C brands
Beauty brand Pilgrim and healthy snacks brand Open Secret both doubled their sales year-on-year (YoY) during the festive period, driven by purchases on quick-commerce platforms.
Qcomm’s Diwali boost; Energy startups attract funds
Happy Wednesday! Quick commerce powered a strong festive season for D2C brands. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Jensen Huang addresses infidelity in meeting with staff, keeps to business as usual amidst 'spy scandal': Report
Huang was also in the office on Tuesday, and attended meetings even as the company prepares for its quarterly earnings report.
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Nvidia faces deepening scrutiny over China chip ties, CEO affair
The market value of Nvidia has plummeted following troubling accusations against CEO Jensen Huang, linked to his association with Alice Huang, who faces espionage allegations. The FBI is currently investigating whether foreign intelligence agencies have targeted Huang due to this connection. In response, Nvidia's board has begun an internal review to mitigate potential threats, highlighting vital concerns about the company's security measures and governance structure.
Diwali rush lifts rapid delivery orders for last-minute shopping, gifting
Platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon Now and Flipkart Minutes revamped their apps for Diwali, introducing interactive interfaces, gamified rewards and other features to drive consumer engagement and orders.
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.
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.
India Inc lights up Diwali with longer weekends, flexible work and extra pay for festive shifts
Companies across India are making Diwali more employee-friendly through extended holidays, work-from-home options, practical gifts and workplace celebrations. Zepto advanced its holiday, while Hitachi India offered employees a choice of gifts. NoBroker.com organised celebrations involving support staff, and Trev Mobility announced additional payouts for driver-partners working during the festival.
US polls hit tech stocks; Qcomm’s Dhanteras gold rush
US technology stocks took a major beating days after the Democratic Party took control of both chambers of the Congress. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Cybercrime networks shift to smaller, mobile scam operations amid enforcement pressure: FATF
In its report released from Paris, the global money-laundering watchdog said large, fortified compounds where cyber slaves were forced to commit financial cybercrimes are being moved to apartments, houses, hotels and office floors, sometimes rebranding as legitimate outsourcing or marketing firms.
Cybercrime networks shift to smaller, mobile scam operations amid enforcement pressure: FATF
In its report released from Paris, the global money-laundering watchdog said large, fortified compounds where cyber slaves were forced to commit financial cybercrimes are being moved to apartments, houses, hotels and office floors, sometimes rebranding as legitimate outsourcing or marketing firms.
Investors in other markets would be envious of India multiples: Rich Handler, chief executive of Jefferies
Jefferies CEO Rich Handler believes Indian equities remain reasonably valued despite the market correction and says easing long-term capital gains taxes could attract foreign investors. He sees opportunities in India's AI and data centre sectors, argues that global capital outflows reflect external pressures, and believes concerns about an AI bubble warrant a healthy pause rather than alarm.
Dhanteras rush: Quick commerce apps flag high demand, surge charges
The platforms’ home screens were heavily themed around Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festivities, when it is traditionally considered auspicious to buy gold, silver, and utensils. The apps promoted gold and silver coins, steelware freebies, and gadgets, among other things. Lakshmi and Ganesh coins in gold and silver were also advertised.
Rs 10 lakh to invest this Diwali? Why experts favour largecaps and debt for a 5-year horizon
As investors gear up for Diwali, allocating ₹10 lakh thoughtfully is pivotal. Experts highlight large caps and debt instruments as primary focuses, while midcaps and smallcaps demand meticulous evaluation due to their inflated valuations. Gold serves as a protective asset, and involvement in international equities should be limited. Crafting a diversified portfolio built on robust fundamentals is essential for long-term success.
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.
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.
Shiprocket posts maiden profit on strong core business growth
The company swung to a profit of Rs 60 lakh ($63,487) in the quarter ended September 30, from a loss of Rs 20.29 crore a year ago
GPU bidding norms eased; Lenskart CEO on profitability
Happy Thursday! Govt has lowered entry barriers for GPU bidders, but pricing concerns remain. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Premji's deeptech bets; Razorpay gets IPO nod
Happy Thursday! Premji Invest is stepping up its bets on defence and aerospace manufacturing.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Chip startup Agrani Labs looks to raise $108 million from Peak XV, Google, Samsung
Peak XV Partners is leading the round and is expected to contribute more than half of the total funding. Google, HCL Tech, Samsung Ventures and Stargazer, an investment firm set up by Groww's founders, are also expected to participate, the people cited above said.
Giva raises over $100 million led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management
Founded in 2019, Giva focusses on everyday wear and gifting jewellery made from silver, gold, and lab-grown diamonds, sold across online and offline channels. Currently, it has around 425 stores across India and Sri Lanka. By the end of the financial year, it aims to scale to 470-475 stores and plans to have 2,000 in the next four years.
STT Global’s India biz on the block; micro occasions power qcomm
KKR, Singtel, and the Tatas are preparing to sell STT GDC India, a major data centre platform. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Micro occasions fuel demand surge across quick commerce, beauty services
On Myntra Now, overall orders rose about 70% on October 29 compared to regular days. “We saw intent for Karva Chauth starting from October 28, with demand spanning ethnic wear, beauty, and accessories,” said a Myntra spokesperson, adding that in the two days leading up to the festival, demand for kurtas, kurta sets and sarees rose 2.5 times, while red lipsticks saw a 2.1x increase across Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Jaipur, Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
Gen Z rewrites festive gifting with AI-assisted picks, artisanal hampers and self-gifting
Gen Zers are embracing self-gifting while shopping for family and friends. Personalised gifts reflecting interests and lifestyles are becoming the norm during festivals. There is an increasing focus on supporting small businesses and understanding product provenance.
Global FMCG giants find an Indian answer to their Western slowdown
Global consumer giants including PepsiCo, Nestle, Unilever, Pernod Ricard and Coca-Cola are increasingly looking to India for growth as demand slows in the US and Europe. Companies are betting on premiumisation, wider distribution and fast-growing channels such as ecommerce and quick commerce, with several reporting stronger momentum in India than in developed markets.
Unacademy founders plan AI fund; Flipkart’s premium push
Happy Monday! Unacademy’s founders are raising a fund focused on AI and deeptech. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
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