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Alcatel Returns to India After 10 Years with Flipkart Deal, Eyes Local Manufacturing Amid CCI Heat on Ecomm Giants

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Alcatel Returns to India After 10 Years with Flipkart Deal, Eyes Local Manufacturing Amid CCI Heat on Ecomm Giants

After being off the radar for nearly ten years, French smartphone brand Alcatel is staging a comeback in India—with a new strategy, a fresh sales partner, and a clear “Make in India” message.

The company plans to manufacture its smartphones within India and is also setting up a nationwide customer service network, according to a report in The Economic Times. This move is part of its broader effort to reestablish itself in one of the world’s largest smartphone markets.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

To kick off its second innings, Alcatel has teamed up with Flipkart, not just to sell its devices online, but also to tap into the platform’s quick commerce service, Flipkart Minutes. The idea is to make its phones available across major cities as well as smaller towns and semi-urban centers.

“Atul Vivek, Alcatel’s Chief Business Officer, said this partnership is key to their vision of offering not just good phones, but dependable service after the sale. Flipkart’s wide network and data on consumer buying patterns make it a powerful ally as we return to India,” he said in a statement.

Alcatel’s brand name is licensed by China-based TCL Communication, and its phones are sold in over 160 countries. The company had first entered India way back in 1996, selling cordless phones, but exited the market in 2016 after Nokia took over its parent company, Alcatel-Lucent.

This time around, the plan looks different. Manufacturing in India means better price control, fewer import duties, and a chance to tap into the government’s push for domestic production. And with Flipkart on board, Alcatel hopes to hit the ground running with strong online distribution.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

For Flipkart, however, this partnership comes at a sensitive time. India’s antitrust body—the Competition Commission of India (CCI)—has been investigating the company (along with Amazon) over alleged unfair practices like giving preferential treatment to certain brands and sellers, and undercutting prices in ways that hurt smaller players.

While Flipkart has denied wrongdoing, several of its associated sellers have taken the legal route, filing challenges to the CCI’s probe in various high courts across the country.

Even with regulatory clouds hanging overhead, the Alcatel-Flipkart alliance is aiming to make some noise in a crowded market. With India’s smartphone sector showing signs of recovery and mid-range devices gaining popularity again, this might just be the right moment for a forgotten brand to reintroduce itself.

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As US-China Tensions Escalate, Apple Quietly Ramps Up iPhone Exports from India

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As US-China Tensions Escalate, Apple Quietly Ramps Up iPhone Exports from India

Amid the rising heat between Washington and Beijing, Apple is shifting gears—and geography. With fresh tariffs threatening its China-based supply chain, the tech giant is leaning into India to keep its business humming in the U.S.

According to insiders quoted by the Wall Street Journal, Apple is preparing to send a larger chunk of its India-assembled iPhones directly to American shores. The goal? To dodge the sharp spike in tariffs slapped on Chinese goods, which now sit at a steep 54%. In contrast, Indian-made products currently face a much lower 26% import tax, making the shift a no-brainer—at least for now.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

Apple, it seems, isn’t ready to overhaul its China-centric supply chain just yet. Instead, it’s playing it safe and looking for tactical workarounds while lobbying for tariff relief back home. For the time being, India has emerged as a convenient fallback.

And it’s not just talk—action is already underway. In a mad rush before new tariffs took effect on April 2, Apple reportedly airlifted five cargo planes full of devices and components from India to the U.S. within a span of just three days. A report by The Times of India says this fast-paced shipment blitz was timed precisely to beat the trade deadline and avoid additional costs.

According to sources, the company also expedited shipments from its Chinese factories in anticipation of further trade restrictions, loading up U.S. warehouses to cushion the blow.

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Even with these swift maneuvers, there’s a growing sense of unease among Apple’s investor base and its American customer pool. As murmurs of possible price hikes grow louder, long lines have started forming outside Apple Stores, with buyers scrambling to grab devices before potential increases hit.

So while Apple buys time with India, the question remains—how long can this balancing act hold, and at what cost to consumers?

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Swiggy’s MaxxSaver Challenges Zepto’s SuperSaver Head-On: 10-Minute Delivery, No Opt-In, All Gains

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Swiggy’s MaxxSaver Challenges Zepto’s SuperSaver Head-On: 10-Minute Delivery, No Opt-In, All Gains

Swiggy is turning up the heat in the quick commerce battle with a new feature called MaxxSaver, now live on its Instamart platform. The offer, rolling out across all 100+ cities where Instamart operates, unlocks steep discounts when your cart crosses Rs 999—no coupon codes or manual selections needed.

But don’t expect any delays. Swiggy promises its 10-minute delivery benchmark stays intact. On top of that, Swiggy BLCK members will get a little extra icing on the cake, with additional benefits layered in.

“We’re seeing more people using Instamart for everything—from groceries and household items to electronics and fashion,” said Amitesh Jha, CEO of Swiggy Instamart. “MaxxSaver is our way of making big-basket shopping more rewarding, without compromising on speed or convenience.”

The idea is simple: the more you shop, the more you save. Jha adds, “Whether it’s a quick top-up or your full weekly stock-up, MaxxSaver makes it easier to stretch your rupee without any effort.”

Why Now? Zepto, Zepto Daily & a Shifting Market

The timing of this feature is no coincidence. Swiggy’s biggest rival in the space, Zepto, launched its own bulk-order benefit—SuperSaver—last year. But while Zepto required users to opt in, Swiggy’s MaxxSaver kicks in automatically once the cart hits the mark.

Interestingly, Zepto seems to be in the middle of a shift itself. The company is reportedly winding down its Zepto Pass subscription and experimenting with a new invite-only loyalty program called Zepto Daily, which offers exclusive prices in limited pin codes.

The push toward larger cart sizes is fast becoming a common playbook in the quick commerce arena. Swiggy’s own numbers back this up—average order values rose 14% in Q3 FY25, from Rs 469 to Rs 534.

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The Bigger Picture: More Categories, More Competition

Quick commerce players are also steadily broadening their offerings. What started with groceries and household basics has grown to include beauty, electronics, fashion, home décor, and even travel accessories—all part of the effort to increase basket size and improve unit economics.

But while users may be enjoying faster deliveries and better deals, the business side is getting tougher. Amazon Now has quietly begun testing quick delivery services in parts of Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Flipkart Minutes is reportedly planning to ramp up its infrastructure with 500+ dark stores ahead of the festive Big Billion Days sale.

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With so many players crowding the space, the road ahead may be bumpy. A recent Bank of America report issued a cautious note, warning that losses in the quick commerce space could rise over the next year, especially as food delivery growth starts to cool.

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Jubilant Consumer Joins Forces with MandiGate in Strategic Partnership to Modernize India’s Rs. 2 Lakh Crore Fresh Produce Market

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Jubilant Consumer Joins Forces with MandiGate in Strategic Partnership to Modernize India’s Rs. 2 Lakh Crore Fresh Produce Market

In a move that could reshape how fresh produce is processed and delivered across the country, Jubilant Consumer Pvt. Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MandiGate. The partnership is set to focus on improving the overall quality and efficiency of fresh produce processing, while introducing solutions tailored to the specific needs of clients nationwide.

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Both companies bring complementary strengths to the table—Jubilant Consumer with its deep expertise in consumer goods and MandiGate with its tech-driven approach to agri supply chains. Together, they aim to streamline operations from farm to fork, cutting down on waste, improving shelf life, and making sure that what reaches consumers is fresher and better.

Speaking about the collaboration, representatives from both firms emphasized their shared commitment to innovation and long-term impact. The idea is not just to scale up operations, but to do so intelligently—with a focus on traceability, sustainability, and customer-specific customization.

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This partnership is particularly timely, as the demand for high-quality, reliably sourced fresh produce continues to grow—both from consumers and businesses like restaurants, foodservice chains, and retailers. By combining infrastructure, technology, and on-ground insights, Jubilant Consumer and MandiGate hope to raise the bar for how fresh produce is handled in India.

The two companies will kick off joint operations in the coming months, with pilot projects already in the works in key agricultural zones.

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Breaking the ₹6,000 Barrier: Can Miraggio Become India’s First Handbag Unicorn? The Brand Betting on Femininity, Frequency, and Feedback

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Breaking the ₹6,000 Barrier: Can Miraggio Become India’s First Handbag Unicorn? The Brand Betting on Femininity, Frequency, and Feedback

Mohit Jain’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t begin with handbags — it started at 20, in a small room in Canada, with a dropshipping business targeting India. But even as he grew that venture over two and a half years, he felt something missing. “It just wasn’t fulfilling,” Jain says. “I wanted to create something with real brand value, something disruptive.” That desire sparked the inception of Miraggio — an affordable luxury handbag brand built on aspiration, access, and a distinctly Indian identity.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

Miraggio wasn’t born out of fashion education or deep-rooted industry ties. It was born from consumer observation. Jain noticed how even he, like many others, gravitated toward international labels like Zara over Indian brands — not because of price, but because of perception. “We’re willing to pay more for something aspirational,” he explains, “but most Indian brands lose focus on brand-building in the pursuit of scale.”

That led Jain to explore a white space in the Indian market: handbags priced between ₹2,000 and ₹6,000. Below that threshold, the market was crowded with indistinct mass-market players. Above it, the shelves were dominated by international names — often at inflated prices compared to their overseas tags. Strikingly, there was no Indian handbag brand with revenues exceeding ₹300 crore. Jain saw that not just as a statistic — but as an opportunity.

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Mirraggio” is carving a space of its own in the world of handbags-launching new collections every month, tapping into diverse use cases — party, work, casual, and travel — to drive repeat purchases. And it’s not just about aesthetics. “We make bags that look like ₹10,000 bags, but cost much less — without compromising on materials or workmanship,” he says. That secret sauce: rigorous design innovation balanced with commercial logic, driven by data and deep consumer insight.

Today, Miraggio is among the top four handbag brands on Myntra and is expanding into backpacks and laptop bags for women — a segment Jain says is underrepresented. “The vision,” he adds, “isn’t just to sell bags. It’s to build an iconic brand from India that women love, trust, and feel proud to carry.”

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India’s UPI Hits Record 18.3 Billion Transactions in March—Total Value Nears Rs 25 Lakh Crore

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India’s UPI Hits Record 18.3 Billion Transactions in March—Total Value Nears Rs 25 Lakh Crore

India’s love affair with digital payments is showing no signs of slowing down. In March 2025, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) shattered its own record, clocking a staggering 18.3 billion transactions—its highest ever in a single month. That’s a jump of over 13% from February’s 16.1 billion transactions, and a whopping 36% surge compared to March last year, as per the latest data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Not just volume—the money moved also ballooned. The total value of UPI transactions shot up to Rs 24.77 lakh crore, a significant leap from Rs 21.96 lakh crore in February, translating to a month-on-month growth of nearly 13%.

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Drill it down to the daily scale, and March saw an average of 590 million transactions a day, moving close to Rs 80,000 crore daily. That’s not just big—it’s colossal.

So, what’s behind this payment frenzy?

A few things. For starters, more merchants across the board—big and small—are plugging into UPI. From street vendors to supermarkets, UPI has become the default way to pay. Plus, government-backed nudges continue to push things along. A recent example: the Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme rolled out to encourage low-value merchant transactions using BHIM-UPI. This scheme, which runs till March 2025, is aimed specifically at making digital payments second nature even in smaller towns and kirana shops.

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And of course, convenience is king. UPI’s frictionless experience, instant settlements, and QR code simplicity have made it a no-brainer for both consumers and businesses.

As of February, the UPI app leaderboard remained unchanged—PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm still hold the lion’s share of the market. But with newer players like Flipkart’s Super.money also joining the race, the ecosystem is bound to get even more dynamic.

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Bajaj Auto Surges Ahead in EV Race, Ola Electric Slips to Third in March Sales

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Bajaj Auto Surges Ahead in EV Race, Ola Electric Slips to Third in March Sales

March 2025 turned out to be a high-voltage month for India’s electric two-wheeler market, with Bajaj Auto roaring past the competition to claim the top spot. The Pune-based manufacturer sold 34,863 e-scooters, clinching the number one position for the second month in a row—and clocking its best-ever monthly performance to date.

TVS Motor followed with 30,453 units, leaving Ola Electric—once the undisputed leader—in third place with 23,430 units, as per data from the government’s VAHAN portal.

While Bajaj grabbed a 26.76% share of the market in March, TVS wasn’t far behind with 23.3%, and Ola settled at 17.9%. However, when you zoom out and look at the entire fiscal year (FY25), Ola still holds the crown, commanding a 30% market share, ahead of TVS at 21% and Bajaj at 20%.

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So, what caused Ola’s sudden dip?

According to a filing by the company, the trouble began in February when Ola Electric started handling its own vehicle registrations. This transition led to delays and a mounting backlog, but the company says the worst is over.

“We’ve cleared most of the February load and are working through the tail end of March registrations. Things should be back on track by April,” the company said, adding that it’s scaling its internal operations and working closely with partners to speed things up.

There was also a brief legal tangle—Ola Electric settled a dispute with Rosmerta Digital Services Ltd., a third-party registration partner. The Bhavish Aggarwal-led firm said the confusion around the registration numbers was partly due to ongoing vendor negotiations.

Meanwhile, Ather Energy is quietly gaining momentum, selling 15,446 units in March, showing that it’s still a serious contender. Hero MotoCorp moved 7,977 units, while Greaves Electric followed with 5,641 units.

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With the EV space heating up and new players eyeing market share, it’s clear the race for dominance is far from over. But for now, Bajaj has pulled ahead—and Ola has some catching up to do.

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From Anonymity to Authenticity: Hood Reinvents Itself as AI-Driven Dating App KnotDating

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From Anonymity to Authenticity: Hood Reinvents Itself as AI-Driven Dating App KnotDating

Once known for letting users speak their minds behind a veil of anonymity, social networking platform Hood is stepping into new territory. It has rebranded and reinvented itself as KnotDating—a matchmaking platform that blends artificial intelligence with human intuition to help working professionals find meaningful relationships.

Targeted at those tired of casual swiping and superficial bios, KnotDating promises something different: deeper, more thoughtful connections. Instead of relying on rigid filters or family-driven preferences like traditional matrimony apps, this platform leans into conversation and behavioral understanding.

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“Dating apps often turn into endless chats that go nowhere. Matrimony platforms can feel like a checklist with no soul,” says Jasveer Singh, co-founder and CEO. “We’re carving out a middle path—where professionals who are serious about finding a life partner can meet through meaningful conversations, not cold algorithms.”

Currently operating as an invite-only community, KnotDating is still in its early access phase, but plans to open its doors to the wider public soon.

This isn’t a random pivot. According to the company, years of building Hood gave them a clear insight: users are craving more genuine connections online. Feedback from the community combined with shifts in digital behavior led them to realize that there’s a massive gap between dating apps and traditional matchmaking—especially for busy professionals who want something real.

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Before this transformation, Hood—earlier called Zorro—had raised roughly $3.2 million from a lineup of heavyweight investors, including 3one4 Capital, 9Unicorn Ventures, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Ritesh Agarwal, Ashish Hemrajani, Kunal Shah, and Ashneer Grover.

The original platform, co-founded by Jasveer Singh and Abhishek Asthana (better known online as Gabbar Singh), gained attention for allowing users to interact anonymously. But the team believes it’s time for something more intentional.

“We’ve always been about authentic communication,” Singh adds. “With KnotDating, we’re just channeling that authenticity in a new direction—one that helps people build real relationships that last.”

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Fashion Startup Outzidr Raises Rs 30 Cr to Fuel Its Gen Z Fast-Fashion Blitz

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Fashion Startup Outzidr Raises Rs 30 Cr to Fuel Its Gen Z Fast-Fashion Blitz

Outzidr, a young direct-to-consumer fashion brand catering to Gen Z’s ever-changing style cravings, has secured Rs 30 crore (around $3.5 million) in seed funding. The round was led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from notable angel investors such as LivSpace’s Ramakant Sharma and Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh.

Started in 2024, Outzidr is built around one core idea: fashion should move as fast as the trends that inspire it. The platform is aimed at young women looking for fresh, occasion-specific styles—be it for a night out or a beach getaway.

The company plans to channel this new funding into several areas—from tech infrastructure and team expansion to refining its inventory management system and speeding up its design-to-drop process.

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“Trends now move at breakneck speed,” said co-founder Nirmal Jain. “If you’re using the old-school model of bulk manufacturing and large inventories, you’re either left with dead stock or you miss the wave entirely.”

Meet the Founders Behind the Brand

Outzidr’s leadership team brings deep experience from the fashion and logistics world. Nirmal Jain, who previously helped build Landmark Group’s Styli into an Rs 800 crore brand, is joined by Mani Kant Mani, former digital and omnichannel lead at Max Fashion, and Justin Mario, who has led supply chain operations at both Aymakan and Styli.

Together, they’ve built a nimble fashion engine that runs on a “test-small, scale-fast” model. Instead of betting big on every new trend, the team drops styles in micro-batches, tracks early sales performance, and only scales what clicks.

Since launching, Outzidr has pushed over 3,000 styles live, adding around 2,000 new designs each month. Their lean inventory cycle clocks in under three weeks—lightyears ahead of traditional fashion timelines.

“Our edge is our ability to sense demand early and act fast across design, sourcing, and merchandising,” Jain added. “That speed is what keeps us ahead of the curve.”

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The company is also looking to bring 90% of its production to India within the next two years, aiming for a more responsive and sustainable supply chain rooted closer to home.

Outzidr’s bold bet? That the future of fashion isn’t just about what’s trendy—it’s about how quickly and intelligently you can deliver it. And they’re building the rails to do just that.

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Disney Consumer Products India Eyes 50% Online Sales as It Enters 15+ New Categories Including Jewellery, Dairy & Snacks

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Disney Consumer Products India Eyes 50% Online Sales as It Enters 15+ New Categories Including Jewellery, Dairy & Snacks

Disney Consumer Products India—the licensing arm of The Walt Disney Company—is quietly laying the groundwork for a major expansion in India. And it’s not just about selling more Mickey Mouse t-shirts.

The company is doubling down on strategic partnerships, looking to team up with long-term players who can build Disney’s presence across both everyday products and immersive brand experiences. It’s not just more of the same either—the push includes an active move into fresh, sometimes unexpected categories.

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“In just the last couple of years, we’ve stepped into more than 15 new spaces—snacks, dairy, fine jewellery, even eyewear,” said Priya Nijhara, who heads Disney Consumer Products in India. “We’re constantly seeking out unique opportunities that align with how Indian consumers live, shop, and celebrate brands.”

Disney has been building its consumer products business in India since the early 2000s, starting with branded corners in physical retail stores. Fast forward to today, and the company’s presence spans modern trade outlets, small shops, major e-commerce platforms, and even the growing quick commerce sector.

According to Nijhara, nearly 25% of Disney’s India product sales now come from online channels—a number that’s only expected to grow. “We see that number going up to 50% in the next few years as more people come online and get comfortable with digital payments,” she said.

The brand has already had successful runs with popular online-first labels like The Souled Store, Bewakoof, Bonkers Corner, Nap Chief, Mensa Brands, and Firstcry. It also continues to grow its footprint on larger marketplaces like Flipkart, Myntra, and Amazon.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

The bigger vision? Disney doesn’t just want to be a name on a lunchbox. It wants to become a part of Indian homes, celebrations, and everyday life in ways that feel personal, joyful, and rooted in what consumers actually want. And it’s doing that by building the right local partnerships, not just expanding its catalog.

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