Author: Indrani Bose

64% young dog owners and 60% young cat owners find pets as mental health allies: Report

In India, emotional pain from pet loss (23%) is a top reason for not owning a dog, while living conditions and furniture concerns impact cat ownership. (Representative image via Unsplash)

While 42% globally find their neighborhoods pet-friendly, India ranks higher, with 56% viewing it positively. However, 9% of Indian respondents still hold negative sentiments about having pets in their neighborhood.

Zepto: What kept Indians awake at night (and beyond)?

Zepto's fastest delivery this year? 25 seconds. Delivery partners travelled 34 crore kilometers in total—equal to 8,000 rounds of Earth.

In 2024, Mumbai became truly the city that never sleeps, ordering 31.5 lakh snacks between 12–4 AM and Bengaluru led in late-night orders for roses & condoms.

India leads the green transition: High-complexity roles see 57% wage premium

Low-complexity roles in India, such as Waste Collectors, see minimal wage increases. Medium-complexity roles, like Solar PV Engineers, show modest growth. In contrast, high-complexity roles, such as Sustainability Consultants, enjoy significant premiums, underscoring the value of expertise in driving the green transition. (Image source: Moneycontrol)

Roles like Sustainability Consultant and Cleantech Manager are highlighted for their earning potential in India, emphasizing the value placed on specialized green expertise.

Shipway and India Post expand e-commerce reach to remote areas

The partnership will provide last-mile delivery services beyond large cities, enabling online sellers and D2C brands to access India Post’s extensive network of about 1,59,000 post offices across the nation. (Representative Image: Bastian Riccardi via Unsplash)

The collaboration aims to benefit service providers that fall under the umbrella of the BFSI industry, who can now avail the facility of delivering sensitive items and financial documents within the weight slab of 250 gm.

Swiggy Instamart: What does India want in 10 minutes and when?

The fastest delivery of the year happened in Kochi, in just 89 seconds for a basket that included nendran bananas and red amaranthus. The distance covered was 180 mts. (Image: paolo-candelo via Unsplash)

The cheapest order of the year came in at a mere Rs 3—a pencil sharpener, purchased by a user in Hyderabad at 8:15 pm.

AI will open the doors for immersive buyer experience: LinkedIn

With AI, dynamic product demos, interactive webinars, and live events will evolve into tools for deepening engagement and forging stronger connections, turning every interaction into an opportunity for lasting impact.(Image via Unsplash)

India has seen a significant rise in marketing opportunities, with a 32% increase in marketing jobs compared to 2023, making it home to the largest number of marketing roles in APAC.

2025 – The Year Of…: Voice-enabled commerce, AI-powered hyper-personalization, says Zepto’s Chandan Mendiratta

Private labels will further dominate, with brands focusing on niche, consumer-centric innovations to stand out in a crowded market, Mendiratta highlights

Chandan Mendiratta, Chief Brand Officer & Chief Culture Officer, Zepto, discusses AI-powered hyper-personalization, sustainability, and the evolution of omnichannel experiences.