Online Shopping

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

Customers using AI tools 3 times more likely to buy: Amazon's Kishore Thota

Amazon says customers using its generative AI-powered shopping tools are three times more likely to make purchases, with adoption in India rising sharply year-on-year

Look into Amazon, Flipkart qcom ops, distributors urge commerce ministry

AICPDF has urged the Centre to examine whether Amazon and Flipkart's quick commerce models comply with FDI rules and their impact on India's retail ecosystem

India's qcom mkt grows 40%, dark store network expands nearly 48%: Report

India's quick commerce market expanded 40 per cent year-on-year, while the combined dark store network of Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto grew nearly 48 per cent, says an Equirus report

Price you see isn't the price I see: Inside rise of surveillance pricing

From food delivery to travel bookings, algorithms are learning user behaviour and shaping offers, discounts and prices in ways regulators are now beginning to scrutinise

Indian online buyers lose up to ₹28,000 cr yearly to dark patterns: Report

Indian consumers are losing an estimated Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 28,000 crore annually due to deceptive interface designs, commonly known as dark patterns, across online marketplaces, according to a report. The 'Dark Patterns in India's Online Marketplaces' report, released by market research firm Datum Intelligence on Tuesday, said 88 per cent of the country's 304 million online buyers lose approximately Rs 78 to Rs 87 per month each to hidden charges, forced add-ons, drip pricing, false urgency rules and subscription traps. "Existing regulatory interventions have so far had limited success in curbing deceptive digital practices that continue to impact millions of consumers," the report noted. The survey found that 63 per cent of online payment users now experience hidden charges or drip pricing-where additional fees are revealed at the checkout stage. This marks an increase from the 52 per cent reported in 2024. Furthermore, 73 per cent of the platforms assessed deploy forced actio

When a creator tells you what to buy: The new face of online shopping

From 'Amazon finds' to under-₹500 reels, short-form videos are reshaping how users discover, buy online

Flipkart's Shopsy bets on AI to win India's next 100 million shoppers

The platform is moving beyond offers-led commerce with gamified shopping and personalised discovery aimed at Gen Z and smaller cities

FinMin, states in talks for simpler GST norms for qcom dark stores

The Finance Ministry is discussing with states possible simplification of GST registration norms for dark stores and warehouses amid rapid quick commerce expansion

Myntra bets on small-town creators to drive online shopping growth

The fashion retailer aims to bring 1 million creators into its affiliate ecosystem as creator-led commerce contributes a growing share of sales

Buyers and brands keep an AI eye on each other in fast-changing dynamics

Consumers adopt tools to monitor the very brands that track them. It's a double-edged opportunity for brands as consumers expect greater transparency

Google rolls out in-chat purchase option in Gemini app, AI Mode: What's new

Google has rolled out an update to its AI shopping experience, enabling users to complete purchases directly within Search AI Mode and the Gemini app, without being redirected to retailer websites

Myntra introduces zero-commission model for new Indian D2C brands

Move targets early-stage Indian fashion, beauty and lifestyle sellers seeking to scale beyond their own websites and social media

Megha Agarwal resigns from Meesho, marks 1st senior departure since listing

Milan Partani to take expanded role over unified commerce platform, merging growth, content and business teams.

AI adoption highest among Indians: How it is changing shopping trends

AI adoption was highest in India among those surveyed, with 41 per cent consumers using AI shopping tools and 40 per cent planning to use them in the future

Quick commerce drives 45% of festival purchases this year: Report

The top three platforms, Blinkit (45 per cent share), Swiggy Instamart (25 per cent share) and Zepto (23 per cent), together have about 90 per cent market share

Perplexity debuts AI shopping assistant to rival tools from Google, OpenAI

Perplexity has launched its conversational shopping assistant with guided product discovery and PayPal-powered checkout, competing with tools from Google and OpenAI

OpenAI's ChatGPT now offers Shopping Research: Here is how it works

OpenAI has introduced Shopping Research in ChatGPT to help users make informed buying decisions through personalised guides, real-time insights and detailed comparisons

Why dangerous toys keep flooding EU websites despite strict safety rules

A new EU study found most toys sold on major online platforms are unsafe, with toxic materials and choking risks, raising questions about weak checks and gaps in rules for foreign sellers

Logistics firms turn to smart routing, AI to fast-track festive returns

As online orders and returns surge during the festive season, logistics firms like Shiprocket, Prozo, and Zippie are turning to smarter routing, automation, and network optimisation