Govt Cracks Down on Amazon, Flipkart, and Others for Selling Unlicensed Walkie-Talkies Amid Security Concerns

E-Commerce

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May 12, 2025

Image of e-commerce — Govt Cracks Down on Amazon, Flipkart, and Others for Selling Unlicensed Walkie-Talkies Amid Security Concerns

At a time when tensions between India and Pakistan remain delicate, the Indian government has raised a red flag over the online sale of unregulated walkie-talkie devices. Thirteen e-commerce platforms—including big names like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho—are now facing official heat for hosting and enabling the sale of these communication tools without proper licenses or approvals.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued formal notices to these platforms, accusing them of allowing the sale of wireless devices that bypass key regulatory checks. The issue isn’t just bureaucratic—authorities believe such devices could compromise national security, especially in volatile border conditions.

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The platforms in the crosshairs include a mix of mainstream marketplaces and lesser-known sellers: Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, Jiomart, VardaanMart, Krishnamart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walie Talkie, and MaskMan Toys.

According to the government, the offending walkie-talkies were being sold without disclosing critical information such as their operating frequencies, equipment certifications, or even basic licensing details. This, officials say, is a direct violation of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. But that’s not all—the infractions also run afoul of the Indian Telegraph Act and the Wireless Telegraphy Act.

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi weighed in on the issue as well, warning in a post that selling such non-compliant wireless gear isn’t just a regulatory misstep—it could actively undermine security operations across the country.

Preliminary findings paint a troubling picture: Amazon alone had 467 such listings, while Flipkart had 314. Meesho and TradeIndia weren’t far behind, with 489 and 423 listings respectively—suggesting this isn’t a one-off problem, but a widespread oversight.

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The CCPA’s move signals a broader clampdown on digital marketplaces that have often operated in grey areas when it comes to tech hardware and communication tools. The message is clear: platforms need to take responsibility not just for the products they sell—but also for the consequences.

Zepto Delivers a Blow to Swiggy Instamart, Closes in on Blinkit: Inside India’s 4.45 Million-a-Day Quick Commerce War

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May 12, 2025

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image of Quick Commerce — Zepto Delivers a Blow to Swiggy Instamart, Closes in on Blinkit: Inside India’s 4.45 Million-a-Day Quick Commerce War

India’s rapid grocery delivery scene is turning into a battleground, with companies locking horns over every single order. The space is currently dominated by three key players: Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart—together accounting for nearly 88% of all deliveries in the segment.

Zepto, which only launched in 2021, has managed a dramatic rise. In just a short span, it has raced past Swiggy’s Instamart—despite being a year younger—and is now hot on the heels of Blinkit, the pioneer of this space that began operations back in 2013.

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A recent Moneycontrol report reveals that the quick commerce sector handled between 4.15 and 4.45 million orders every day in March. Blinkit led the pack with 1.65–1.75 million daily deliveries. Zepto wasn’t far behind, clocking in at 1.45–1.55 million. Swiggy Instamart followed with 1.05–1.15 million orders.

Zepto’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. In just one year, it tripled its order volume—scaling from about half a million orders per day in March 2023 to over 1.5 million in March 2024. Meanwhile, Blinkit and Instamart saw 90% and 60% growth, respectively, over the same period.

Even with the fierce competition, the market as a whole is thriving. A Bain & Company study noted that India’s quick commerce sector has grown fivefold since 2022, and it’s expected to keep climbing at a steady 40% annual rate for the next half-decade.

Customer behavior has also shifted. People are ordering more frequently each month—up from an average of 4.4 orders in 2021 to 6 orders by the end of 2024. That’s a strong indicator of how deeply integrated fast delivery has become in everyday life.

This rise hasn’t been easy on the old guard. BigBasket, Flipkart, and even Amazon have struggled to keep pace with this new model. According to Bain, nearly two-thirds of India’s online grocery orders in 2024 were placed through Q-commerce apps.

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At first, traditional e-commerce platforms tried to woo customers with better pricing, betting that affordability could outshine speed. But that playbook didn’t quite work. Eventually, even they jumped on the Q-commerce bandwagon—Flipkart, for example, introduced ‘Flipkart Minutes’—but by then, Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart had already built a solid lead and loyal user base.

Godrej Consumer Banks on Normal Monsoon, Pay Hike, and Cooling Inflation to Revive Demand by 2026

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May 10, 2025

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Image of godrej consumer — Godrej Consumer Banks on Normal Monsoon, Pay Hike, and Cooling Inflation to Revive Demand by 2026

Sudhir Sitapati, the Managing Director and CEO of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), sounded cautiously optimistic on Wednesday as he laid out his expectations for a recovery in consumer demand over the next year to year-and-a-half.

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Speaking after the company’s earnings announcement, Sitapati pointed to a few encouraging signs on the horizon—cooling food inflation, forecasts of a normal monsoon, and the potential boost from the upcoming pay commission—as factors that could lift consumption, especially in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

“The last couple of years have been slightly off-track,” he admitted. “FMCG volume growth typically runs ahead of GDP. So, if GDP is growing at 6%, we should ideally be seeing volume growth of around 7% to 7.5%. Instead, it’s been around 4%. But I don’t think this is a permanent shift. I expect a bounce-back.”

Palm oil—an essential ingredient in GCPL’s soaps—is another pressure point. Prices have been high, squeezing margins, but Sitapati believes the worst may be over. “We’ve only passed on about 15 to 16 percent of the cost increase to consumers so far. The rest, we’ve absorbed,” he said, adding that profitability could rise again once palm oil rates ease.

Despite the macroeconomic headwinds, GCPL has posted steady numbers. For the March quarter, it reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 411.9 crore, with a 6% volume growth. Over the full fiscal year ending March 2025, net profit reached Rs 1,852.3 crore, while revenue stood at Rs 14,364.29 crore, reflecting a modest 1.9% uptick.

Looking ahead, the company plans to double down on categories with room to grow—hair color, body wash, and sexual wellness. These are areas where penetration is still relatively low, offering a long growth runway.

One segment that has been particularly resilient is household insecticides, with brands like Goodknight and HITS posting double-digit volume growth.

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Sitapati also noted how external factors like the El Niño weather phenomenon had pushed up food prices last year, which quickly fed into consumer behavior. “When food inflation rises, people cut back. But now with the El Niño behind us and prices stabilizing in early 2025, we’re hoping that wallets will start to open again,” he said.

With a mix of strategic bets and macro-level shifts working in its favor, GCPL is hoping the worst is behind—and that better days are just around the corner.

Swiggy’s Revenue Soars 45% in Q4FY25, But Losses Deepen to Rs 1,081 Cr Amid Big Bets on Expansion

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May 10, 2025

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Image of swiggy — Swiggy’s Revenue Soars 45% in Q4FY25, But Losses Deepen to Rs 1,081 Cr Amid Big Bets on Expansion

Swiggy, the Bengaluru-based food tech player locked in fierce competition with Zomato, closed the March 2025 quarter with solid topline growth but a much wider loss, as it doubled down on quick-commerce and new services.

For the quarter ending March 31, Swiggy reported a revenue of Rs 4,410 crore—up 45% compared to the same period last year. However, this came at the cost of deeper red ink: net losses widened to Rs 1,081 crore, nearly double the Rs 555 crore it lost in Q4FY24.

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Group CEO and co-founder Sriharsha Majety described FY25 as “a landmark year,” with the launch of bite-sized video commerce app Snacc and peer-to-peer delivery platform Pyng, alongside a rapid buildout of its Instamart business. “Our food delivery arm clocked record highs in both innovation and performance,” Majety noted, adding that the quick-commerce segment is heating up and demands sustained investment.

Food Delivery Holds Steady, Quick-Commerce Scales Fast

Swiggy’s flagship food delivery unit reported Gross Order Value (GOV) of Rs 7,347 crore for the quarter—a 17.6% rise year-on-year. Margins improved as well, with adjusted EBITDA touching Rs 212 crore and profitability margins climbing to 2.9% of GOV, up from just 0.5% a year ago. The improvement was powered in part by its logistics optimization service, Bolt, which now handles over 12% of Swiggy’s food orders.

Instamart, Swiggy’s 15- to 30-minute grocery delivery service, continues to be the company’s fastest-growing vertical. GOV more than doubled to Rs 4,670 crore—marking 101% year-on-year growth. The company added 316 new dark stores in just one quarter, more than it had added in the previous two years combined. Swiggy now operates over 1,000 dark stores across 124 cities.

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But scaling comes at a price. Quick-commerce still burns cash fast: the adjusted EBITDA loss for that division swelled to Rs 840 crore in Q4, up sharply from Rs 273 crore last year, thanks to higher spending on customer acquisition and infrastructure like Megapods and Maxxsaver services.

OYO Rakes In Rs 623 Crore Profit in FY25, Becomes India’s Most Profitable Startup Under Ritesh Agarwal

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May 10, 2025

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Image of oyo — OYO Rakes In Rs 623 Crore Profit in FY25, Becomes India’s Most Profitable Startup Under Ritesh Agarwal

Ritesh Agarwal’s OYO has pulled off a major turnaround—closing FY25 with a net profit of Rs 623 crore, making it the most profitable startup in India this fiscal year. That’s nearly triple what the company made last year, clocking in at a 172% jump, as per financial data accessed by PTI.

The hospitality company’s revenue rose to Rs 6,463 crore—a 20% increase year-on-year—driven by a sharp uptick in bookings and a growing preference for OYO’s premium hotels. Its Gross Booking Value (GBV) shot up by 54%, reaching a hefty Rs 16,436 crore.

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Key to this growth were OYO’s newer properties like Townhouse and Sunday hotels, which are fully managed by the company, and have been expanding across India, Southeast Asia, the UK, and the Middle East. The US-based G6 Hospitality, which OYO acquired earlier, also contributed to the momentum.

On the profitability front, adjusted EBITDA stood at Rs 1,132 crore for FY25—up from Rs 889 crore the year before. The company has now logged ten straight quarters of EBITDA-level profit. The January–March quarter was particularly strong, pulling in Rs 1,872 crore in revenue (a 41% jump from last year) and Rs 442 crore in EBITDA, which marked a 61% spike—pointing to better operational performance.

Aggressive Expansion

OYO has been steadily pushing into the premium segment. In the last year alone, it added over 30 Sunday hotels across major markets like India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia. As of now, its global network covers 22,700 hotels, over 1.2 lakh homes, and more than 91,000 listings. The number of properties fully managed by OYO surged from just 7 in Q4 FY24 to 256 by the end of Q4 FY25.

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Earnings per share (EPS) also saw a significant bump, moving from Rs 0.36 last year to Rs 0.93—registering a 158% rise.

IPO May Face Another Delay

While OYO had originally hoped to go public by October 2025, that timeline now looks uncertain. Sources indicate the listing could be pushed to early 2026—marking a third delay in its IPO journey.

Footprints Preschool Raises $7.5 Million from Tanglin Venture Partners to Expand AI-Powered Daycare Across India

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May 10, 2025

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Image of footprints. — Footprints Preschool Raises $7.5 Million from Tanglin Venture Partners to Expand AI-Powered Daycare Across India

Footprints Preschool & Daycare, a Gurugram-based chain focused on early childhood education, has secured $7.5 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Tanglin Venture Partners and marks a significant step forward for the brand’s national expansion.

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With this funding, Footprints plans to open new centres across India, upgrade its classrooms with smart learning tools, and invest further in its AI-backed education and surveillance technology. The goal? To make high-quality, safe, and transparent childcare more widely accessible to Indian families.

Founded by Raj Singhal, Purvesh Sharma, and Ashish Aggarwal, Footprints has grown into a trusted name for thousands of parents. Today, it operates over 175 centres in 25 cities and supports more than 48,000 families. Its curriculum is based on the US-origin HighScope approach, which promotes holistic development through active learning. What sets the startup apart is its emphasis on safety and parent involvement—each centre offers live CCTV access and real-time updates via mobile app.

“Our mission has always been to create spaces where children feel secure, inspired, and seen,” said Raj Singhal, co-founder and CEO. “With Tanglin’s backing, we’re ready to scale that vision and bring our model to more families in more cities.”

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Footprints is doubling down on smart classroom tech, including personalised AI-driven learning pathways that adapt to each child’s needs. The company is also investing in parent-facing features—like live feeds and mobile updates—that help build trust in a market where safety and transparency are top priorities. From thorough staff background checks to child-proof infrastructure, the startup is betting that technology and trust are the future of childcare in India.

Lahori Zeera Bags Rs 200 Cr from Motilal Oswal, Eyes Rs 500 Cr Revenue in FY25 Amid National Expansion

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May 10, 2025

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Image of -lahori-zeera — Lahori Zeera Bags Rs 200 Cr from Motilal Oswal, Eyes Rs 500 Cr Revenue in FY25 Amid National Expansion

Lahori, the Punjab-based beverage company best known for its Zeera-flavored drink, has secured Rs 200 crore in fresh funding from Motilal Oswal as part of its Series B round. The deal gives the investment firm a 7.14% ownership stake in the brand.

According to Entrackr, this latest investment pegs Lahori’s valuation at a robust Rs 2,800 crore. To close the deal, Lahori issued 4,997 shares to Motilal Oswal, each priced at Rs 4,00,252.

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This capital infusion has slightly altered the company’s cap table. The founding team’s shareholding has come down from 76.21% to 70.76%, while Verlinvest, a Belgium-based investor, now holds 19.64%, down from 21.17%.

Lahori has been on a steep growth curve. For FY24, it clocked Rs 312 crore in revenue—a 47% jump from the previous year. Even more impressive was the profit spike: a 300% increase, bringing it to Rs 22.5 crore.

The company’s CEO, Saurav Munjal, is optimistic about FY25, projecting revenue to touch Rs 500 crore, as per the Entrackr report.

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Lahori’s product lineup currently includes six unique flavors—besides the signature Zeera, there’s Nimbu, Imli Banta, Shikanji, Kaccha Aam, and Gimboo. Already a familiar name across North India, the brand is now setting its sights on expanding into the East and West. To support this next phase of growth, Lahori aims to raise a total of Rs 450 crore through its Series B round.

Craft Liquor Brand Feline Spirits Raises Rs 5.2 Crore, Plans to Take Its Handcrafted Bottles Nationwide

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May 9, 2025

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Image of feline spirits — Craft Liquor Brand Feline Spirits Raises Rs 5.2 Crore, Plans to Take Its Handcrafted Bottles Nationwide

Feline Spirits, a rising name in India’s craft alcohol scene, has landed Rs 5.2 crore in fresh funding. The round was led by Gurugram-based Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), and the funds are set to power the startup’s next big moves—broadening its product range and stepping into new markets across India.

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Founded by Prabhat Sharma and Rohit Saxena, the duo behind the brand are trying to shake up a space that’s long been dominated by either bland, budget booze or imported bottles priced out of reach. Their pitch? Smooth, small-batch liquor with premium presentation—without the high-end markup.

Feline Spirits has already developed a solid lineup that includes vodka, whisky, and brandy, tailored for both premium and mass-premium consumers. And they’re not cutting corners: the company says it’s focused on honest distillation methods and real ingredients, all wrapped in sleek packaging that wouldn’t look out of place on a top-shelf bar.

“We started Feline Spirits with the idea that great alcohol shouldn’t be reserved for the elite,” said CEO Prabhat Sharma. “With IPV’s support, we’re stepping on the gas—building new products, growing our reach, and creating a brand that stands for quality, not compromise.”

The company isn’t just dreaming big—it’s already made a dent. Feline Spirits is available in eight states and union territories and says it’s served more than two million customers so far. Now, it’s eyeing deeper distribution across both private retail and state-controlled liquor boards.

According to IPV co-founder Ankur Mittal, there’s a clear gap in the market: “You’re either stuck with cheap local stuff or paying a premium for foreign brands. Feline is changing that—they’re putting beautifully crafted, great-tasting spirits within reach of the average Indian drinker.”

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With a growing consumer base, a bold vision, and new funding in the bank, Feline Spirits is clearly aiming to make its mark as the country’s next big craft liquor name.

Aakash Shah & Damian Felchlin’s High Time Foods Secures $1.2M to Disrupt $10B Protein Market Without Cold Chain

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May 9, 2025

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Image of high time foods — Aakash Shah & Damian Felchlin’s High Time Foods Secures $1.2M to Disrupt $10B Protein Market Without Cold Chain

High Time Foods, a foodtech startup now based in Bengaluru, just secured $1.2 million in funding to push forward its mission: making affordable, high-protein meals that don’t need a refrigerator. The funding round was led by Avaana Capital, with support from angel investors already backing the startup.

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Started in 2022 by Aakash Shah and Damian Felchlin, the company is trying to solve a serious but often overlooked problem—millions of people, especially in India, don’t get enough protein. And the solutions out there? Either too costly or heavily reliant on cold-chain logistics, which simply don’t work in large parts of the country.

Their answer? A dry, plant-based protein mix that stays shelf-stable and mimics the price and texture of everyday meats like chicken. It’s made from peas, wheat, and mung beans, and it doesn’t need a fridge to store or a fancy kitchen to cook. That opens up entirely new possibilities, especially in regions where electricity is unreliable or missing altogether.

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“India has a massive protein gap—about 70% of the population isn’t getting enough,” Shah said. “We wanted to create something people can actually afford and use easily, without needing a freezer or microwave.”

While High Time Foods originally launched in the U.S., the company has now shifted its operations to India, aiming to make the country a central hub for product development and manufacturing. They expect about a quarter of their revenue to come from India, while the rest will be driven by exports to the U.S., Africa, and other emerging markets.

In fact, the company is already testing the waters in West Africa, partnering with one of the region’s major food distributors. According to Felchlin, they’ve just wrapped up initial customer trials and plan to roll out pilot sales in the next few months.

The new funds will be used to beef up their R&D team, refine the product further, and accelerate go-to-market strategies across India and beyond.

Porter Rides Into Unicorn Club With $200 Million Boost, Backs Bold Bet on India’s Local Logistics Game

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May 9, 2025

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Image of porter — Porter Rides Into Unicorn Club With $200 Million Boost, Backs Bold Bet on India’s Local Logistics Game

Porter, the startup that’s made booking a mini-truck as easy as ordering dinner, has officially hit unicorn status. The Bengaluru-based company just snagged $200 million (roughly Rs 1,700 crore) in a Series F round, pushing its valuation somewhere between $1.1 and $1.2 billion — though they’re keeping mum on the exact number for now.

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The round was spearheaded by private equity firm Kedaara Capital and global investment powerhouse Wellington Management, with ongoing support from existing backer Vitruvian Partners. The fresh funds include both new capital and some share buyouts from early investors cashing in.

Started back in 2014 by IIT trio Pranav Goel, Uttam Digga, and Vikas Choudhary, Porter has carved out a serious niche in India’s chaotic, hyperlocal logistics space. Their app hooks up small businesses and everyday folks to a flexible fleet — trucks, movers, bikes, the whole deal — making same-city delivery less of a headache.

With India’s intra-city transport largely dominated by the unorganised sector, Porter’s tech-driven, asset-light model is hitting the right notes. Kedaara’s Anant Gupta and Ashutosh Sardesai called it a game-changer, praising the team’s sharp execution and deep understanding of the street-level logistics game. “They’re building more than a business — they’re creating a network economy that works for everyone from local kiranas to large enterprises,” they said.

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This isn’t just a win for the founders — it’s also a major signal that investors are still placing big bets on digital-first logistics, even in a cautious funding environment. Expect Porter to ramp up expansion, deepen its tech play, and bring even more driver-partners into the fold.

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