Author: Indrani Bose

RBI awards web series contract to Star India

The panel (set up by RBI) is expected to submit its report within six months of its first meeting.(Image source: Moneycontrol)

While Zee Entertainment Network and Discovery Communications India did not qualify beyond the technical evaluation round, Star India Pvt Ltd and Viacom 18 made it to the final round.

Devyani International signs three new franchise agreements, revenue rises 49% in Q2

In H1 FY 2025, DIL opened 139 net new stores. The consolidated Revenues stood at Rs. 24.4 billion, growth of 47% vs H1 FY24 and the consolidated Reported EBITDA closed at Rs. 4.2 billion, with margin at 17.3% vs. 19.9% in H1 FY24. (Image source: Devyani International website)

Devyani International has further expanded its portfolio by securing exclusive master franchise rights for three modern QSR brands: TeaLive, New York Fries, and SANOOK KITCHEN.

Casual and hypercasual games: IAP up 10%, ads steady

The signing of the CoE follows a joint MoU signed by the three federations with ASCI to address the growing concern over illegal betting and gambling advertisements

47% of users are ad-tolerant to avoid paying for subscriptions with preference for micro-transaction based in-app purchases.

Rapido outsmarting ride-hailing giants; no longer Ola and Uber’s third wheel

No doubt, Rapido's success in major cities has sparked speculation about its potential for nationwide expansion. While the company has made significant strides in Bengaluru and Mumbai, conquering other metros like Chennai and Pune, where Ola and Uber have a stronger foothold, will be a true test of its capabilities.

In the past three years, Ola and Uber’s combined market share has dwindled from over 90% to around 60-70%

Sharan Hegde’s 1% Club lays off 15% workforce amidst cost-cutting measures

In his LinkedIn post, Hegde acknowledged the challenges of rapid growth, stating, "Needless to say, when you grow at such a lightning speed, you are bound to make some mistakes with hiring and redundant expenses." This round of layoffs marks the company's first cost-cutting measure since its inception.

In a LinkedIn post, Hegde explained that the layoffs were a result of “some mistakes with hiring and redundant expenses” during the company’s growth phase. He also hinted at the potential impact of AI-led automation on certain roles within the organization.

Regional divide: Paytm and PhonePe dominate North India, Google Pay leads in the South

PayNearby latest report highlighted a significant growth in cash withdrawal transactions in Northeast India, with Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Assam leading the way in digital financial inclusion.

PhonePe pushes global boundaries, amidst regional growth challenges and WhatsApp Pay expands financial inclusion efforts across India despite rising cyber fraud concerns.

Titan’s ad spending jumps 23.8% to Rs 250 cr in Q2

Jewellery continued to be the largest revenue driver with steady growth. Total Income for the quarter grew 26% over Q2FY24 to Rs 763 crores. The India business grew 25% in the same period. (Image source: CNBC TV18)

The profit for this quarter was Rs 705 crore compared to last last quarter’s Rs 770 crores indicating approximately an 8.4% decline.

Wakefit records 50% revenue growth online during festive season

Sharing his views on the company’s growth, Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, Co-founder & Director, Wakefit.co, said, “The festive season sale has gotten an incredible response from our customers this year. The trust that they continue to place in us is truly motivating and drives everything we do. At Wakefit.co, listening to our customers' needs and evolving with them has always been a priority. This year’s growth is a reflection of that commitment.”

Geographically, the North and East regions experienced the highest sales growth this year, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan showing a 4x spike in sales compared to pre-festive periods.