India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
A Datum Intelligence report claimed that ecommerce GMV for the festive season crossed the INR 1 Lakh Cr mark in 2024, as against INR 81,000 Cr in 2023 and INR 69,800 Cr in 2022 After all the buzz around the fight between ecommerce marketplaces and quick commerce giants, how did Amazon India fare in the 2024 festive season sales? For the US-based ecommerce giant, the Great Indian Festival, which ran throughout October this year, the biggest takeaway is that Indian online shoppers are rapidly moving towards premiumisation, and of course, want the convenience of same-day or next-day deliveries. Kishore Thota, Director for shopping experience (India & Emerging Markets) at Amazon India, told inc42 that the demand for premium product categories has unlocked a new insight for the ecommerce marketplace about where the Indian market is heading. Plus, given the prominence of quick commerce today, Amazon India also invested heavily in the delivery experience, which seems to have paid off for the company during this festive season. A Datum Intelligence report claimed that ecommerce GMV for the festive season crossed the INR 1 Lakh Cr mark ($12 Bn) in 2024, as against INR 81,000 Cr in 2023 and INR 69,800 Cr in 2022. This massive leap over 2022 and 2023 shows that even if the total audience base for ecommerce has shrunk (as indicated last year), these customers are making larger purchases and paying premium prices for products in the same categories as compared to last year. This is further validated by the fact that Tier II and III cities led the surge in demand for premium products, according to Datum's report. For instance, smartphones and mobile devices accounted for 60% of the festive season sales this year, which is much higher than what was seen in the last two years. Both Flipkart and Amazon said in an earlier statement that premium smartphones were in demand with people looking for AI-embedded features in the latest smartphones for brands such as Samsung, Google Pixel and Apple. Thota added, "This festive season, Amazon saw several key trends emerge. Non-metro cities played a significant role, with over 85% of customers and nearly 70% of Prime members hailing from tier 2 and 3 cities, highlighting the growing reach of ecommerce across India's heartland. " Amazon India's Thota said that premium smartphones, large TVs and home appliances were hugely popular for Amazon customers, and this was largely fuelled by EMI, no-cost EMI options especially for Tier II towns and beyond. . "Electronics saw strong demand, particularly in laptops, where both non-gaming and gaming variants saw up to a 30% increase in sales, with Intel-powered laptops and premium Intel i7 gaming laptops witnessing substantial growth. Audio products also gained traction, with truly wireless earphones and Bluetooth speakers growing over 50% year-on-year," the Amazon India director told Inc42. Amazon India Marketplace 's FY24 revenue saw a 14.4% YoY jump to INR 25,406 Cr as against INR 22,198 Cr in FY23. The marketplace got an INR 2,500 Cr infusion from its US parent as it looked to strengthen its festive season play, particularly related to fulfilment centres and warehouses. The ecommerce giant relied heavily on the festive season sales this year to scale its revenues and losses still touching INR 3,469.50 Cr in FY24. Cost cutting is a big focus for Amazon India in the run up to next year. The ecommerce giant is reportedly shifting its headquarters in India to a new location in Bengaluru, as part of a cost reduction strategy. The company also saw a leadership change this year with Manish Tiwary stepping down from his role and Amazon India veteran Samir Kumar named as the new country manager for India. There's some scrutiny on the seller side, but for Amazon, the biggest takeaway has been the diversity of sellers on the platform. Thota said seller success was a big outcome for Amazon India and something the company has chased in the past year, as this goes a long way towards establishing it as a channel for merchants. This year, the company claimed to have seen a 70% increase in the number of sellers surpassing INR 1 Cr in sales, and more than 42,000 sellers achieved record single-day sales. Small businesses, including local artisans and entrepreneurs, also saw significant demand from both urban and rural markets, Thota claimed, backed by Amazon Pay and EMI options for customers. In particular, categories such as home and kitchen, household appliances, fashion and beauty drove the business for sellers. Within fashion and lifestyle, for instance, the premium segment saw a 400% increase in sales, driven by watches, fragrance, and jewellery. "Customers enjoyed 60% higher exchange discounts compared to last season, with some discounts as high as INR 80,000. This provided shoppers with significant savings on high-ticket items, especially in categories like electronics, large appliances, and fashion." With quick commerce also entering these categories, the game has shifted to fast deliveries. Amazon is mulling an entry into this space later this year or in early 2025, but it's not clear what the model will be like. Flipkart Minutes, for instance, has blended learnings from running a marketplace with lessons from quick commerce, and has a hybrid delivery model ranging between 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Others such as Swiggy Instamart are moving in this direction. Thota claimed that Amazon's commitment to fast and reliable delivery was clearly demonstrated during the festive period. In the run-up to the festive season, the company partners with India Post to boost its last-mile logistics play. "Over 3 Cr products were delivered within the same day or next day,especially to Prime members. Significantly, Prime members across more than 9,000 pin codes in India received their deliveries within 48 hours of placing their orders." According to Thota and indeed other analysts in the ecommerce space, one of the advantages for ecommerce marketplaces is the service capacity they have built up over the years. Services such as warranty claims, replacements, installations are not yet up to par on quick commerce platforms yet. Thota added that Amazon's end-to-end solutions, including installations and extended warranties on appliances, were made available across over 400 cities with instant installation at delivery offered in 55 cities. These are moats that marketplaces such as Amazon India can count on for the time being in the fight against quick commerce giants Blinkit, Swiggy and Zepto. How long will this advantage persist?
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
Small-cap Stock: Krystal Integrated Services Limited (Krystal) share price rose 5 per cent to ₹779.3 on Tuesday, November 26 after the company announced receiving a ₹106.3 crore contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The contract, valued at ₹1,062.99 million ( ₹106.3 crore), covers three years and involves providing comprehensive attendant manpower services to BMC's Education and Security Departments. This initiative is aimed at improving public sector operational efficiency in Mumbai. Small-cap stock Krystal Integrated Services share was trading in the green, up 3.07 pe ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: A day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the PAN 2.0, the Income Tax Department on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification on the project based on a list of 11 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide taxpayers with a deeper insight into the new system. 1. What is PAN 2.0? PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project of the Income Tax Department for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services. The objective of the project is to enhance the quality of PAN services through the adoption of the latest technology. Under this pr ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday instructed officials to formulate proposals for constructing an iconic Deep-Technology building in the capital city of Amaravati. "I had built Hi-Tech City structure in Hyderabad to promote information technology. Now, it is time to embrace Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the latest technology," he underlined while reviewing the New IT Policy at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister announced that the state government will provide Rs 25 lakh as seed fundin ...Read More >
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Maruti Dzire Pros And Cons: Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the 4th best-selling car in India to date, has entered its 4th generation with enhanced styling, a youthful design, updated features, and a new Z-series engine. It is priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom, pan-India). Now, the question is: should you buy the new Maruti Dzire? To answer this, I took the Maruti Dzire for a spin to understand it from the driver's seat and through real-world experience. Based on my experience, here are the top 10 pros and cons of the Maruti Dzire, to help you make an informed decis ...Read More >
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): The police have identified one of the suspects involved in the ₹5 lakh robbery from PHE contractor Vinay Anand in Gwalior. The suspect, Manish Yadav, a resident of Katihar, Bihar, was captured in CCTV footage and traced to Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Watch the CCTV clip below :- Authorities are now working with local police in Agra to locate and apprehend him. The Crime Branch has been conducting raids in Bihar to locate the gang members. As, it has also been revealed that the same gang was involved in a similar robbery in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The incident According ...Read More >
Mumbai Indians (MI) made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, securing New Zealand pacer Trent Boult for ₹12.50 crore. MI owner Akash Ambani praised Boult’s invaluable skill in swinging the new ball, acknowledging the team’s struggles when he wasn’t playing for them in recent years. The franchise also acquired England’s Reece Topley for ₹75 lakh and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner for ₹2 crore. MI further strengthened their spin department by signing young Afghan talent Allah Ghazanfar for ₹4.80 crore, who has impressed with his performances in international cricket. ...Read More >
The BE 6e, just as its name sounds, stands out as a futuristic, power-packed, and sporty electric Mahindra SUV on Indian roads. The highly anticipated Mahindra BE 6e, an all-electric compact SUV, has been finally launched at an introductory price of Rs 18.9 lakh (ex-showroom). Globally revealed alongside its sibling, the XEV 9e, this born-electric offering from Mahindra seems to be good enough (on-paper) to position itself as India's answer to luxury compact SUVs from global brands. With its futuristic design, a wealth of modern features, and an impressive power output - the highest in its fa ...Read More >
Galaxy S25 leaks show the same charging speeds as S24Listed on FCC, Geekbench, BIS, and 3C sitesThree models: S25, S25', S25 Ultra with 45W charging A recent certification leak shows that the upcoming Samsung flagship phone, the Galaxy S25, may feature the same charging speeds as this year's Samsung Galaxy S24 series. The leak was found on the FCC certification website. The smartphone has previously also appeared on other certification websites like Geekbench, BIS, and 3C. But what does that mean for the consumer? A smartphone showing up on certification websites means that the device's resea ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
The financial repercussions of Parliament disruptions are considerable, impacting both public resources and the productivity of the nation's legislative process. However, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have cumulatively functioned for merely 2 hours, with daily disruptions and sloganeering resulting in adjournments. The Rajya Sabha faced disruptions today (December 2) as Vice Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed discontent over sloganeering by Opposition MPs. The protests, which centered around demands for discussions on key issues, forced the Vice Chairman to adjourn the session until 12 ...Read More >
Strikes gain global traction as unions push for fair treatment, sustainable practices, and tax accountability Amazon workers in India and around the world have launched strikes and protests during the busiest shopping weekend of the year -- Black Friday to Cyber Monday. The movement, called "Make Amazon Pay," is backed by UNI Global Union and Progressive International, with the goal of holding Amazon accountable for alleged labor abuses, environmental harm, and disregard for democratic principles. From November 29 to December 2, workers across six continents and in more than 20 countries are ...Read More >
day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the PAN 2.0, the Income Tax Department on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification on the project based on a list of 11 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide taxpayers with a deeper insight into the new system. PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project of the Income Tax Department for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services. The objective of the project is to enhance the quality of PAN services through the adoption of the latest technology. Under this project, ITD is consolidating all processes ...Read More >
Ghaziabad: The police arrested a couple on Wednesday for robbing a pedestrian in Crossings Republik on Nov 15. Wave City ACP Lipi Nagayach said unknown individuals on a scooter snatched a woman's gold chain near Ajnara market in the Crossings Republik area on Nov 15. Once the woman filed a complaint, a case was registered under section 304 (snatching) of BNS, and police teams were formed to probe the incident. "With the help of CCTV footage, manual input, surveillance, and a tip-off, Vivek Pandey (29) and his wife Kirti Sharma (28) were nabbed from Chitrawan society in the Crossings Republik ...Read More >
Amazon India's first Black Friday Sale starts Nov 29, offering huge discounts on electronics, home appliances, fashion, and more. Amazon India is gearing up for its first-ever Black Friday Sale, bringing the globally celebrated shopping bonanza to Indian customers. Starting November 29, 2024, and running until December 2, this five-day event promises incredible discounts across categories like electronics, home appliances, fashion, and more. Top brands such as Apple, Samsung, Sony, and LG are on the roster, making it a prime opportunity to snag premium gadgets and household items at unbeatabl ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has given his approval to the reconstitution of Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, paving the way for govt to prepare a scheme to provide compensation to the construction workers who lost work due to the implementation of GRAP IV provisions. The board was not in place for the last couple of years. While giving his nod to its reconstitution, LG directed that immediate steps should be taken to implement Supreme Court directions to provide subsistence allowance to workers affected due to restrictions on construction activities be ...Read More >
The company's shares, which were priced at just ₹7.75 apiece three years ago, have skyrocketed by an incredible 25,758%, currently trading at ₹2,004. At the stock's peak price of ₹3,169, achieved in early October, the returns were even more astounding, reaching 40,790%. Eraaya Lifespaces has been making significant strides on Dalal Street, with its shares consistently reaching record highs month after month, delivering substantial returns to its shareholders in a relatively short time. The company's shares, priced at just ₹7.75 apiece three years ago, have skyrocketed by an incredible 25,758 ...Read More >
Infosys has announced an average 85% performance bonus for eligible employees in Q2 FY25, reflecting its strong financial performance. The bonus, paid to mid- and junior-level staff, will be credited with the November salaries, with individual payouts varying based on performance. This follows Infosys' impressive 4.7% rise in Q2 net profit and a revenue increase of 5.1%, leading to an upward revision of its FY25 revenue guidance. The bonus payout surpasses the previous quarter's 80%, with Infosys outpacing rivals like TCS. Employees are also awaiting salary hikes, with revisions expected from ...Read More >
In a clear case of medical negligence, a 34-year-old woman died after doctors transferred the wrong blood type at Kakinada Government General Hospital, Andhra Pradesh. On Tuesday, November 26, the deceased, Bhavana Sirisha, was given AB+ blood group instead of O+. A house surgeon mistakenly transferred the wrong blood type. Sirisha, a resident of Palakollu in West Godavari district, was suffering from kidney ailments for the last four years and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Doctors had advised a blood transfusion with 'O positive' group blood due to low hemoglobin levels. The ...Read More >
The Hyundai Tucson has received 5-star rating on the Bharat NCAP crash test and has become the first Hyundai SUV to do so. The most premium SUV offered by the South Korean manufacturer joins the Mahindra and Tata SUVs in the list of 5 star SUVs offered in India. The Hyundai Tucson scores 30.84 out of 32 in the adult occupant protection. It has scored 41 out of 49 in the child occupant protection. It received OK in the side pole impact test. The model of Hyundai Tucson that was tested by the Bharat NCAP was the top-spec 2.0-litre petrol-AT Signature variant. The particular variant gets six air ...Read More >
In a miraculous turn of events, a seven-year-old boy who was kidnapped from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district more than 30 years ago has reunited with his family. IMAGE: Raju was kidnapped when he was seven-year-old from Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district. Photograph: ANI Now 38, Raju shared his ordeal and said that after being abducted in September 1993, he was handed over to a truck driver who took him to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. "The kidnappers kept me in a room located in the middle of a barren area, where I was forced to take care of sheep and goats. Each night, I was chained and locke ...Read More >
Uber has launched India's first Shikara ride on Srinagar's Dal Lake, offering a unique and scenic experience. This new service allows passengers to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lake while riding in a traditional Shikara boat. Booking is easy through the Uber app, with rides available daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. This initiative aims to boost tourism in the region while providing locals with a new way to experience the lake. With Uber's entry into the Shikara market, visitors can now enjoy a blend of modern convenience and traditional charm on Dal Lake. ...Read More >
During Tuesday's trading session, the shares of a global leader in glass-lined equipment surged nearly 3 percent to Rs. 1,247.5 on BSE, after a foreign portfolio investor (FPI) bought shares worth a total of around Rs. 167.4 crores in the company via a bulk deal. With a market capitalisation of Rs. 5,524 crores, at 02:19 p.m., the shares of GMM Pfaudler Limited were trading in the green at Rs. 1,228.7, up by nearly 1.4 percent, as compared to its previous closing price of Rs. 1,211.3. As per the latest block deal available with the NSE, foreign portfolio investor Amansa Holdings Private Limi ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Coworking firm Incuspaze, which provides managed flexible office spaces to corporates, is looking to raise USD 25 million (over ₹210 crore) to expand its business across major cities before planning to launch its Initial Public Offer (IPO). Established in 2016, Incuspaze has a presence in 44 locations across 18 cities with a total portfolio of 40 lakh square feet. "We plan to add another 2 million (20 lakh) square feet in our portfolio by the end of December 2025," Incuspaze founder and CEO Sanjay Choudhary told PTI. In view of the growing demand for flexible workspa ...Read More >
The XEV 9e is fast and even in the lower range mode feels smooth along with lots of performance.Source : Somnath Chatterjee Electric cars are different and Mahindra has thrown everything at their new range of EVs in terms of a new electric architecture along with specifications normally seen on luxury cars. The XEV 9e based on the Inglo platform is the bigger and more premium EV which starts at Rs 21.9 lakh while coming with two battery pack options- 59 and 79kwh. The 79 kwh battery pack means 656 km range and 284 bhp which means 0-100 km/h is just 6.8 seconds. The big XEV has lots of road p ...Read More >
Cybercrime is quickly increasing in India, with reports surfacing daily about victims losing large sums of money to scammers. These scammers often use tactics like threatening a "digital arrest" to instill fear and pressure individuals into transferring money. They typically operate from foreign countries to evade capture by law enforcement. The Indian government, including Prime Minister Modi, is actively raising awareness about these scams. Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a warning to the public regarding international fraud calls. They advised people to be caut ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBSAT 2024, the proctored online aptitude test conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, is MBA aspirants' gateway to premier MBA, PGPM offered at nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses. With applications closing in the third week of December, this is the perfect time for the candidates to secure their future with IBS and explore its Rs. 10 crore scholarship program. IBSAT is designed to reduce the stress on aspirants unlike CAT, XAT as the test does not have negative markings or sectional time limits, allowing candidates to foc ...Read More >