Ecommerce

Online shopping to get stricter consumer rules on pricing, rankings in 2027

The amended rules require ecommerce platforms to disclose prior prices, clearly identify sponsored listings and provide more seller and product information from January 1, 2027 onwards

Flipkart Minutes quadruples business as quick-commerce battle intensifies

Flipkart's quick-commerce arm has expanded to nearly 1,200 micro-fulfilment centres across more than 150 cities as competition in instant delivery intensifies

Premium demand, bargain hunting set to drive festive online shopping

India's e-commerce and quick commerce platforms are gearing up for the festive season, with industry and analysts expecting healthy value growth and divergent spending trends, as strong consumer appetite for premium products co-exists alongside bargain-hunting by value-conscious shoppers. A key growth engine in e-tailing, quick commerce's widening appeal beyond everyday groceries into fashion, electronics, and beauty is likely to gather further pace this festive season, building on the gains during the recent festival-led shopping cycles. Shubham Nimkar, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, believes the festive season will be "healthy in value terms, but more measured in volume terms". While consumers will be willing to spend, higher prices are making them more selective, he said, with premium products in the consumer electronics segment likely to perform well, even as value-conscious consumers stay highly deal-driven. He added that rising smartphone prices, driven by higher

India ecommerce market to nearly triple to $345 billion by 2030: Infisum

Quick commerce is projected to drive as much as half of incremental e-retail growth, while AI and smaller-city shoppers reshape digital retail, according to a report by research consultancy Infisum

FMCG distributors demand stricter storage norms for qcom dark stores

AICPDF seeks mandatory norms linking SKU capacity with storage space, along with standards for ventilation, sanitation, temperature control and food segregation

A new outsourcing model

What the $20 billion, New York-based Colgate-Palmolive announced last week was unique in the world of corporate-startup alliances

Swiggy gears up for inventory-led qcom model after shareholder nod

Shareholder approval clears a regulatory hurdle as Swiggy prepares an inventory-led qcom model that could boost reported revenue, margins and operational control

Karnataka suspends food licences of ecommerce platforms for selling Dhatura

The Karnataka government has directed authorities to suspend, until further orders, the food licences of e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and Bigbasket over the online sale and distribution of Dhatura fruits/seeds, citing public health and food safety concerns. The government also ordered the immediate suspension of the licences/registrations of establishments and sellers supplying products to the three online platforms. It directed all concerned food business operators to remove listings, advertisements, and promotional material relating to Dhatura intended for food or human consumption. Known as 'thorn apple' in English, this plant is called 'Umathai' in Tamil. "In accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/Regulations made thereunder, the concerned competent authorities have been directed to take necessary action for the suspension, until further orders, of the food licences issued to the e-commerce platforms, namely Amazo

Amazon, Flipkart revise seller fee structures ahead of festive season

Amazon has introduced graded cancellation fees linked to order value and will raise closing fees, while Flipkart has rolled out penalties based on seller cancellations

Nafed's retail push: Six cities, dark stores, and a ₹100-crore target

Nafed plans to open modern stores in six cities and turn some outlets into dark stores as it expands its retail business

Best of BS Opinion: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening

Today's opinions examine the RBI's inflation dilemma, rising life insurance surrenders, India's employment crisis, possible UPI charges and the shift from food to nutrition security

Commerce ministry notifies norms for inventory-based ecommerce exports

The commerce ministry on Wednesday notified procedures for online companies to undertake inventory-based cross-border e-commerce. The government recently allowed e-commerce firms, having foreign stakes, to keep inventory only for export purposes. "The operational procedures for the implementation of the inventory-based cross border e-commerce facilitation framework, including registration of exporters-on-record, inventory management, seller visibility, reverse logistics, compliance certification, dispute resolution, and related procedural requirements of exporters-on-record are hereby notified with immediate effect," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a public notice.

Best of BS Opinion: Investors are finally reassessing AI valuations

From the correction in AI stocks and environmental clearance rules to ecommerce reform, exam paper leaks and a critique of technology, desire and patriarchy

India's ecommerce growth hinges on trust and fair competition

Despite its rapid expansion, the sector struggles to balance the interests of platforms, sellers, gig workers, and the state

Unnecessary division: A modern ecommerce policy is the need of the hour

The retail sector in India has faced multiplicity of rules for decades, and that issue should be addressed fast at a time when newer formats, such as quick commerce, are emerging as a driving force

How AI palletising technology is reshaping warehouse automation

AI-powered palletising is gaining traction as warehouses automate repetitive lifting and sorting. Future Market Insights projects the market to reach $9 billion by 2036

Govt allows Amazon and Flipkart to build inventories for exports

The government on Thursday permitted FDI in an inventory-based e-commerce model "exclusively" for export purposes, a move which will help increase India's outbound shipments without impacting the businesses of small retailers. These firms will have to export goods that are manufactured or produced in India. However, FDI in the inventory-based e-commerce model retailing is not permitted. "In order to facilitate greater exports through easier and increased access of global markets by Indian sellers, the extant FDI Policy has been reviewed and it is decided that the restrictions on inventory-based model of e-commerce shall not apply in case of exports of domestically manufactured and/or produced goods/products," the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said in a press note. DPIIT, an arm of the commerce and industry ministry, deals with foreign direct investment (FDI) related issues. It releases policy changes through press notes (PNs). As per the current F

Payments firms build AI commerce rails, but ecom platforms stay guarded

Payments companies are building rails for autonomous AI-led shopping, but ecommerce platforms remain wary of losing control over discovery, recommendations and margins

Zepto IPO: Motilal Oswal, Norges likely to take 40% of anchor book

The quick commerce company is expected to announce its IPO price band next week and is targeting a valuation of about $5.1 billion despite lower indications from some investors

Fake signatures, fake lawyers: Counterfeiters outsmart online marketplaces

An investigation found counterfeiters are using forged trademark records, fake legal documentation and manipulated verification processes to sell fake products on leading e-commerce platforms