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.
Hyderabad: Gifting stores across the city have seen a sharp drop in corporate Diwali orders this year, with companies slashing budgets and scaling down on festive spending. Retailers report that while the season remains busy, the mood is far more restrained compared to previous years.Traditional favourites such as sweets, diyas, and dry fruits continue to find a place in corporate hampers, but in smaller quantities. Silver coins, once a Diwali staple in bulk orders, almost disappeared this year. "Silver coins and premium dry fruit assortments used to be the highlight of most corporate hampers. This time, companies are sticking to essentials and keeping it simple," says Shreyas U, a manager of a gifting store in Jubilee Hills.Healthy and practical alternatives are replacing luxury items. Stores say demand is growing for shelf-stable and health-oriented products such as dry fruit bars, sugar-free sweets, granola mixes, and herbal teas. Electronics and utility-based items such as Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and smart bottles are also holding their ground.The biggest shift, however, has been in budget size. Retailers say the average spend per hamper has dropped sharply, from 4,000-5,000 last year to just 1,000-2,000 this year. "Companies are cutting costs across departments, and gifting budgets are among the first to be reduced. Personalised stationery, mugs, etc., are also making it into the gift hampers because of the reduced prices," says Laxman Shah, a retailer from Ameerpet.Store owners say they expect orders to pick up marginally closer to Diwali, but not to the levels seen in previous years. "Bulk orders have thinned, and the focus is now on thoughtful and economical gifting," says another trader from a Hyderabad-based small business, adding that many firms are choosing digital gift cards over physical hampers.
[NEW DELHI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Gold demand in India this festive season is expected to be weaker than last year, as record-high prices are likely to curb jewellery purchases, outweighing modest gains in investment demand. Weaker demand in the world's second-largest gold consumer could limit a rally in global prices, which hit a record high last week. But sluggish demand for gold imports could limit India's trade deficit and support the rupee. Local gold prices, which scaled a record peak of 109,840 rupees (S$1,597.68) per 10 grams last week, have risen 42 per cent year-to-date, after gainin ...Read More >
Amazon India has expanded its Amazon Fresh grocery service to more than 270 cities across the country during the Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025. The service, which includes delivery of fresh produce, groceries and household items, has been extended to smaller cities such as Gorakhpur, Dehradun, Jalandhar and Coimbatore. The Amazon Fresh platform connects 13,000 registered farmers directly with consumers through a farm-to-home delivery system. Products undergo a four-step quality assurance p ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 29: This Diwali, OyeGifts, a leading name in the gifting industry, brings to you exceptional express Diwali hampers that are truly a celebration of tradition and that of thoughtful gifting. The inclusion of fresh flowers amidst gifts for the season of lights, is a careful blend of convention with that of modern elegance for the matter. The brand's new collection of Gift Hampers for the upcoming festival is to present an assortment of traditional sweets, colourful flow ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam: As Diwali approaches, the narrow lanes of Kummari Veedhi in Visakhapatnam's Akkayyapalem area come alive with traditional diya-making. Here, artisans, including 93-year-old Pardes from Srikakulam, continue the age-old craft despite declining sales caused by machine-made alternatives. Additionally, local NGOs are empowering especially abled individuals and children to join the festive production, creating new opportunities to continue the city's pottery heritage. "I am 93 and will be 94 this year. I make 100 to 150 diyas a day, working from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. My son helps me in t ...Read More >
Trump India Tariffs Impact: US 50% tariffs on Indian exports take effect tomorrow, targeting textiles, seafood, gems, jewellery, and leather. Analysts warn the move could threaten millions of jobs and shave 0.5% off India's GDP. Back in his first term, Donald Trump had first called India as the "tariff king." Now, in his second stint in the White House, he has repeated that often and is now bringing the 50 per cent tariff hit for New Delhi. The order, Executive Order 14329, links the penalty to India's continued imports of Russian crude and defence hardware. For New Delhi, this isn't just ano ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: After four days of relentless downpours, Telangana is expected to have a brief respite on Monday, with no rainfall alerts issued. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed the state under a yellow alert for thunderstorms. IMD data showed that Papannapet in Medak district received the heaviest 24-hour rainfall at 10.6 cm, followed by Manoor in Sangareddy with 9.28 cm and Nallabelly in Warangal at 9.15 cm. The statewide average rainfall for the day stood at 7.3 mm, notably higher than the normal 4.3 mm. Warangal's Sangem recorded the day's highest maximum temperature ...Read More >
New Delhi: Supreme Court's move to ease the ban on firecrackers is largely seen as a festive allowance, but some Delhiites are planning to illuminate homes and hearts, not skies. They plan to replace fireworks with earthen lamps, lanterns and shared meals at community gatherings.The shift from smoke to light, which reflects a growing awareness that Diwali joy needn't be at the cost of the city's air and its residents' health, is palpable in several neighbourhoods. Locals in Greater Kailash-II have embraced the idea of a quiet Diwali over the years. "We have got used to meeting at the park and ...Read More >
Walmart-owned e-commerce major Flipkart is leaning heavily into social video and livestreaming to attract young shoppers who are glued to their smartphones. The move reflects a broader strategy of the company to seek long-term customer loyalty by making online shopping more immersive and interactive. Online shopping with live commerce Using videos to display and promote products has become one of the company's key new strategies, Neha Agrahari, a director at Flipkart told Bloomberg News. "Users ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has asked pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers to pass on the benefit of reduced GST rates to consumers with effect from September 22. "The benefit of reduction in GST rates shall be passed on to consumers/patients effective from September 22, 2025. All the manufacturers /marketing companies selling drugs/formulations shall revise the MRP of drugs/formulations (including medical devices) accordingly, with effect from September 22," the authority said in an order. The manufacturer and marketing companies shall ...Read More >
Mumbai: Demand for fashion and electronics saw a 15-20% jump in sales over the weekend after the government slashed GST rates on consumer goods, triggering a surge in spending particularly in northern and southern regions although heavy rains dampened turnout in parts of the east and west. The GST that took effect on Monday in categories including clothing, electronics, footwear, and groceries were aimed at reviving household spending. The timing also coincided with the onset of the festive season, which typically drives the highest annual consumer spending in India. "It is a great start to ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 3 (PTI) Major companies across sectors, including automakers, consumer electronics, and consumer goods, have reported record sales during the nine-day auspicious Navratri period, according to data shared by leading firms. The robust sales were aided by the recent GST reform, which saw a substantial drop in tax rates, leading to price reductions across consumer goods, appliances, such as TVs (above 32-inch screen size), air conditioners and automobiles. The industry reported a spike in sales from day one on September 22, when the new slashed rates came into effect. Encouraged ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian experts on Thursday shared some professional tips to capture diyas and candles beautifully on the iPhone 17 series, without blowing out the highlights this Diwali. Photographer Bobby Roy said the Night Mode in iPhone 17 series is one of the best tools to achieve that. "With 48MP HEIF MAX, try to bring out the fine textures of lights, and festive decor by using the best quality that the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max provides. You can surely use the Portrait mode for that perfect for soft, cinematic moments and pooja portraits," he advised. Also, use the beau ...Read More >
New Delhi: The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki has announced the rollout of its first made-in-India electric vehicle - the e-Vitara SUV - in a major boost to the green segment from its upgraded Gujarat plant, which is now set to become one of the world's largest automotive manufacturing hubs with a projected annual capacity of one million units. Crucially, this facility will serve as Suzuki's global production base for electric vehicles (EVs), exporting to over 100 countries, including advanced markets in Japan and Europe, which is aligned with India's vision of becoming a global aut ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was admitted to MS Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru after developing a fever late Tuesday night, sparking concern among party workers and political leaders across the country. Doctors at the hospital are closely monitoring his condition and have assured that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Kharge, 83, was reportedly brought to the renowned medical facility after he complained of persistent fever. A medical team quickly initiated a series of diagnostic tests to determine the cause. While his condition is said to be stable, doctors have kept ...Read More >
A prominent Indian tech firm has gone viral for its generous Diwali gift to employees. Videos from Info Edge employees have flooded Instagram over the last two days, showing the Diwali gifts they received from the company. Each Info Edge employee received a set of VIP suitcases, a box of snacks, and a diya from the tech firm. Dozens of videos showing the gifts have surfaced online, while hundreds of Instagram users have reported seeing these Reels while casually scrolling the photo and video sha ...Read More >
Over 60 kg of sweets and 40 kg of bread were seized, with samples sent for lab analysis Diwali 2025 has begun, and the fervour of the festive season has gripped the country. During this period, sales of sweets and other festive items skyrocket in most places. Food safety concerns, especially in terms of adulteration and unsafe cooking practices, also tend to increase. Recently, officials in Telangana conducted state-wide inspections of sweets manufacturing units as well as retailers. 95 establis ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday announced revised train timings for Diwali, with early morning services on the eve of the festival and curtailed operations on the night of Diwali. As per the announcement, on the eve of Diwali, Sunday (October 19), metro services on the Pink, Magenta, and Grey lines will commence at 6 am instead of the usual 7 am, which is the standard start time for Sundays. The change has been implemented to accommodate the anticipated increase in passenger movement ahead of the festival. Also Read | Diwali 2025 Bank ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Dhanteras marked the onset of Diwali festivities across India on Saturday, with bustling markets and enthusiastic buyers flocking to purchase gold, silver, utensils, and other auspicious items. Despite soaring gold prices, consumer enthusiasm remained high, providing a festive boost to local economies nationwide. Jewellery shops and markets in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Goa saw heavy footfall as customers upheld the traditional buying spree. Also Read ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian retail sector, currently valued at $900 billion, is showing signs of strong recovery and is expected to grow at a faster pace in the coming months, according to the Retailers' Association of India (RAI). The sector, which is currently growing at a rate of 5 per cent, is likely to soon pick up speed and reach a growth rate of 9 to 10 per cent. RAI's CEO Kumar Rajagopalan said that right after the pandemic, the retail sector had bounced back strongly with a 20 per cent growth rate. "However, in the last one year, the growth slowed down to around ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): With food prices lagging seasonal trends and driving headline Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation below 4 per cent since February 2025, Union Bank of India has revised downwards its 2025-26 headline inflation forecast from 4 per cent to 3.6 per cent (largely aligned with the RBI' forecast of 3.7 per cent). The June retail inflation data is due early next week. In a report, the bank said June 2025 retail inflation will be at 2.3 per cent, with the worst seems to be over for now. According to them, July figures would be the near-term bottom. '...in ou ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi Assembly complex on Friday came alive with festive decorations and celebrations as Speaker Vijender Gupta extended Diwali wishes and urged people to celebrate the festival in an environment-friendly manner. Gupta said that Diwali is a festival that celebrates light, goodness, and new beginnings -- and it should also inspire responsibility towards our environment and society. He emphasised that while the city shines with festive lights, every citizen must ensure that the celebrations do not add to Delhi's pollution crisis. "This Diwali, let us ill ...Read More >
India's Diwali sales hit a record high of Rs 5.40 lakh crore in goods and Rs 65,000 crore in services. This represents a 25 percent increase over last year. GST reforms and strong consumer demand fueled this growth. Brick-and-mortar stores saw a significant revival. Rural and semi-urban areas contributed substantially to the sales surge. Buoyed by GST reforms and strong consumer demand, India saw Diwali sales reach Rs 5.40 lakh crore in goods and about Rs 65,000 crore in services across the coun ...Read More >
Bilaspur, July 14 (PTI) The arrest of a female job aspirant and her sister, who coordinated from an autorickshaw, has busted a hi-tech fraud during the Chhattisgarh VYAPAM exam, leading to the recovery of a camera hidden in clothes, a microphone, and a walkie-talkie, police said on Monday. After the duo was arrested in Bilaspur district, the Congress alleged a big scam under the Chhattisgarh Vyavsayik Pariksha mandal (CG VYAPAM) examination and demanded a CBI inquiry. Police seized seven electronic devices, including mobile phones, a walkie-talkie, micro earphones, and a secret camera, on Su ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 16 (ANI): Consumers will get the benefits of reduced GST on medicines that have been manufactured and on chemist shelves before the new rates are implemented from September 22. The sweeping GST reforms unveiled on September 3, among other measures by the central government, have provided a substantial relief on health care, with taxes being either fully exempted or brought down to the lowest slab. Since then, there has been a widespread query about what will happen to medicines already in the supply chain before the new GST rates come into effect. Is it required ...Read More >
Mumbai: Demand for fashion and electronics saw a 15-20% jump in sales over the weekend after the government slashed GST rates on consumer goods, triggering a surge in spending particularly in northern and southern regions although heavy rains dampened turnout in parts of the east and west. The GST that took effect on Monday in categories including clothing, electronics, footwear, and groceries were aimed at reviving household spending. The timing also coincided with the onset of the festive season, which typically drives the highest annual consumer spending in India. "It is a great start to ...Read More >
Lucknow: Adding a green touch to Diwali celebrations, the LMC will sell over 30,000 eco-friendly Gomai (cow dung) diyas and Ganesh-Lakshmi idols made from cow dung this festive season.The diyas, crafted at Kanha Upvan, will be available in packs of 4, 10, 20, and 300 from Oct 15. According to LMC's animal welfare officer Abhinav Verma: "The civic body aims to exceed last year's sale through its Kanji Houses located in Thakurganj, Rae Bareli Road (PGI campus), Sugamau Road (Jarhara, Indira Nagar), ...Read More >
The villagers in Sammoo, about 25 km from the district headquarters, at the most are allowed to light diyas, but there is a tacit understanding against the bursting of crackers and indulge in extravagance. Any deviation from the norm forbodes a disaster, locals say. According to the villagers, a few hundred years ago, a pregnant woman was preparing for Diwali when the body of her husband, a soldier in the local king's army, was brought home. Disraught, the woman threw herself into the man's crem ...Read More >
Panaji: A significant correction in international bullion prices brought back the sparkle on Dhanteras, encouraging hesitant customers to invest in gold on Saturday. Jewellers in the state, who had expected a subdued Diwali, were pleasantly surprised by the strong buying interest.The higher-than-expected footfall was driven by the sharp drop in gold prices on Friday on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). After weeks of rising valuations, both gold and silver prices saw a steep correction. The price of 24-carat gold, which had recently touched a record high of Rs 1,32,294 per 10 grams, fell by ...Read More >
RAIPUR: An engineer and her sister have been arrested for allegedly cheating in the Chhattisgarh VYAPAM Sub-Engineer recruitment exam in Bilaspur on Sunday, police said. Electronic devices including a hidden camera, miniature earbuds and a walkie-talkie set that were used to transmit images of the question paper and receive answers, have been seized from the two sisters identified by the police as Annu Surya, who had an engineering degree from the state's Korea district, and her sister Anuradha Surya. The case came to light after members of the Congress's students wing, National Students' Un ...Read More >