Merchandise

Global trade rebound may fade as export orders lose momentum, warns WTO

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Thursday said global goods trade posted a strong uptick in early 2025, but weakening export orders suggest that this momentum may not be sustained. According to the WTO's Goods Trade Barometer, the uptick was driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs. The barometer rose to 103.5 -- up from 102.8 in March, while the forward-looking new export orders index fell to 97.9, pointing to weaker trade growth later in the year. The barometer is a composite leading indicator for world trade, providing real-time information on the trajectory of merchandise trade relative to recent trends.

India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February

Merchandise trade deficit for March was $14.05 billion, compared with economists' forecast of $21.65 billion

E-commerce GMV to increase 23% to $12 bn in 2024 festival season: Report

Growth led by digital penetration in India's Tier-II and Tier-III cities, according to Shiprocket

Reliance expands trading area by 50% for non-food & general merchandise

Reliance Retail, the country's largest retailer, has increased the trading area for non-food and general merchandise by almost 50 per cent in its grocery stores in a bid to improve margins. The move is also likely to bolster the retailer's hyper-local aspirations through its e-commerce platform Jiomart, through which it is connecting its Smart and Smart Bazaar stores providing a wider variety to consumers, according to an industry insider. As part of that Reliance Retail is now going for space revision at its stores, allocating higher trading areas for non-food and general merchandise items, a segment which offers higher margins than other segments such as grocery and apparel. The extended retail space would not only allow Reliance Retail to offer a complete range of products for a segment but also fill in the gaps in its offerings, the source said. In the latest June quarter, Reliance Retail's EBITDA margin from operations was 8.2 per cent, which was up 30 basis points on a Y-o-Y

This 50-year-old Kitty has fetched over $84.5 billion for its owner

Global sensation Hello Kitty, the iconic red bow-wearing cat, turns 50 this year. Over five decades, her cuteness has captivated audiences worldwide, generating billions for her Japanese owner, Sanrio

Shein hikes prices ahead of IPO; avg price of dress jumps by 28% in US

The company operates an online marketplace selling an array of merchandise, though its main business is making and selling Shein's own brands, primarily women's clothing

Demand for political merchandise booms in Bengal as elections draw near

As Lok Sabha elections draw near, the political merchandise market, both offline and online, in West Bengal has started booming, with tee shirts sporting slogans such as 'Khela Hobe', 'Nation with NaMo' and 'NaMo again' selling like hot cakes. Market analysts said that while merchandise extending support to the Trinamool Congress is a hit in the wholesale markets of Burrabazar and Canning Street in Kolkata, those of the BJP top the charts on e-commerce platforms. The northern part of West Bengal, which will go to polls in the first few phases, is particularly witnessing a surge in demand for the political merchandise, they said. In the wholesale markets of the eastern metropolis, hundreds of shops have been adorned with a vibrant array of political merchandise, ranging from flags to key chains, caps, umbrellas, and sunglasses bearing political symbols. However, the quality and price of goods available in wholesale markets differ substantially from those available on e-commerce ...

T-shirts, masks, banners: Poll paraphernalia misses on-ground excitement

Centralised operations, focus on digital campaigns hit traditional election business

Lok Sabha elections: Parties line up merchandise, but demand is muted

Political parties are lining up merchandise ahead of the Lok Sabha polls but demand is muted

NBA and Bhaane announce multiyear collaboration to launch NBAStore.in

The online store provides a comprehensive selection of official NBA merchandise in India

Domestic demand, exports revival to aid readymade garment players' revenue

Readymade garment manufacturers are likely to post an 8-10 per cent increase in revenue on the back of growing domestic demand and revival of exports, a report said on Friday. Domestic demand and revival in exports have been driven by lower cotton prices and easing supply-chain disruptions, the report by Crisil Ratings said. Volume growth will be higher at 6-8 per cent this fiscal, compared with 3-5 per cent last fiscal, it said. Despite this, revenue will grow slower than the 14 per cent in the last fiscal as realisations moderate due to easing raw material prices. The Crisil Ratings report further said prices of cotton and man-made fibre are expected to fall 15-17 per cent and 8-10 per cent, respectively, this fiscal. Consequently, growth in realisations will be a meagre 1-3 per cent this fiscal, as against 10 per cent last year, the rating agency said. "Readymade garment manufacturer makers will rely on domestic consumption (75 per cent of the overall demand), which is expecte

Jerseys, sippers, coffee mugs: Fans bat for IPL-themed merchandise

RCB, CSK, MI merchandise in top demand, selling at higher rates

Merchandise exports may cross $500 bn this fiscal due to healthy demand

The country's merchandise exports are likely to cross USD 500 billion this fiscal due to healthy demand for domestic goods in key global markets, including the US, and benefits from trade pacts, according to exporters. They said that other destinations like Russia would give a huge boost to the country's outbound shipments, particularly in the agri and food processing sectors. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said they are targeting to take the shipments to USD 500 billion-510 billion during the current financial year. Services exports are likely to reach around USD 390 billion in 2023-24 from USD 322.72 billion in 2022-23. "Together with goods and services, we are targeting exports of USD 900 billion this fiscal," FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said. He noted that free trade agreements with the UAE and Australia would provide a huge platform to boost exports in those markets. "Production-linked incentive scheme too will provide an impetus to our exports as dome

Recent numbers show FY24 doesn't bode well for India's merchandise exports

No reversal seen in the recent contraction or growth deceleration, with WTO projecting goods trade growth by volume to slow to 1.7% in calendar year 2023 from 2.7% in 2022

How Souled Store is riding young India's swelling pop culture wave

The Souled Store's target audience is young Indians in the age group of 16-30 years, a bulk of which is middle class - the biggest segment in India

Exports up 4.8% to $35.45 billion days after initial data showed a dip

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has also painted a grim picture for the outlook of global trade next year amid fears of a recession

Reliance Retail, NBA sign contract to launch merchandise in India

The new merchandise is available for fans at select Reliance Retail stores across the country and on Reliance Retail's e-commerce platforms.

NBA, Reliance Retail launch extensive range of merchandise in India

The National Basketball Association and Reliance Retail announced a multi-year collaboration to launch an extensive range of NBA merchandise in India

Dip in demand from China, Italy may have hit India's merchandise exports

India's merchandise exports contracted 3.5% to $33.6 bn in September

Flipkart Wholesale expands into general merchandise ahead of festive season

Flipkart Wholesale competes with players such as Udaan, Amazon and Reliance's JioMart