Author: Indrani Bose

Diwali 2024 sees 14% online sales growth, fashion leads the charge: Criteo

By category, October sales figures demonstrated growth of +77% in Fashion, +60% in Consumer Electronics, and +15% in CPG, showcasing sustained consumer interest across diverse product lines. (Image source: Unsplash)

The most deliberate shoppers took over one and a half months to finalise their purchases, highlighting a careful selection process during the festive season.

RBI awards web series contract to Star India

The primary objective of the project, according to the RBI, is to create a comprehensive and engaging series to provide an in-depth exploration of the RBI's functions and operations over its 90-year journey. (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

Incubators serve as a platform for young game developers and studios, providing critical resources like game development tools, testing environments, and infrastructure. Specialized gaming incubators can guide these startups on creating video games for local and global markets, helping them overcome entry barriers and thrive.

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.

SUV sales surge on festive demand, rural market powers 2W and PV sales: FADA

Overall, while the industry is optimistic about near-term growth driven by the wedding season and favourable market conditions, dealers are mindful of potential challenges that could affect sales momentum as the year concludes. (Image source: Unsplash)

Overall retail sales grew by 32% YoY and 64% MoM. All categories showed positive growth, with 2W up 36%, 3W up 11%, PV up 32%, Trac up 3% and CV up 6% YoY.

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

North India favors established platforms with integrated services, while South India leans towards tech-driven solutions with intuitive interfaces and multi-language support.

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