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Eternal’s District App Expands into Retail Discovery, Adds Shopping Discounts and Local Experiences

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Eternal’s District App Expands into Retail Discovery, Adds Shopping Discounts and Local Experiences

Without any fanfare or official announcement, Eternal, the company led by Deepinder Goyal, has expanded the scope of its lifestyle app District, quietly rolling out a new feature that lets users discover nearby retail stores. The new ‘Stores’ tab within the app gives shoppers access to local outlets offering clothing, shoes, home decor, beauty services, and more.

The list of participating brands already includes names like The Souled Store, Adidas, VLCC, Toni & Guy, Heads Up For Tails, Libas, Kazo, and BlackBerry, among others.

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

District is also sweetening the deal by offering instant discounts (up to ₹500 or 10% off) and additional perks like food and movie vouchers—but only if users make their purchase through the app at one of the featured stores. These benefits are tailored based on a user’s location, and the app highlights nearby outlets offering the best deals.

Eternal hasn’t commented on the rollout yet—questions sent by Inc42 have gone unanswered so far.

District Shifts Gears: From Movie Tickets to Local Shopping and Activities

The new retail feature is part of a larger push by Eternal to make District a comprehensive “going-out” app, not just a ticketing platform. Alongside the retail section, the app has also launched a new ‘Activities’ tab that showcases workshops, recreational spaces, art and craft sessions, and amusement venues. To build buzz, District is relying on influencer partnerships to promote these experience-based offerings on social platforms.

District first hit the market in November 2024, and while it started out focused on movies and events, its ambitions have clearly expanded. It has already crossed 10 million downloads on Google Play Store. The app’s ticketing infrastructure is built on the back of Paytm Insider, which Eternal acquired last year in a ₹2,048 crore deal as part of its strategy to scale its “going out” vertical.

Today, District users can do everything from booking movie tickets and finding gigs to exploring restaurants, retail stores, and experiences—positioning it as a broader lifestyle app rather than just a ticket-booking tool.

Going Up Against BookMyShow—and Magicpin

With the launch of the ‘Stores’ section, District is now positioning itself as a hybrid of BookMyShow and magicpin. While BookMyShow remains dominant in entertainment ticketing, District’s multi-category approach is clearly an attempt to undercut its lead by offering more than just movies.

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Interestingly, Zomato (now Eternal) had previously invested $50 million in magicpin back in 2021 during its $60 million Series D round, picking up a 16% stake. Now, District seems to be stepping on similar turf—enabling hyperlocal discovery and rewards, much like magicpin’s model.

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Blinkit’s Bistro Slips in a Surprise INR 5 Fee, Joins the Club of Quiet Charges in Quick Food Delivery

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If you’ve ordered from Blinkit’s quick food app, Bistro, lately, you may have noticed something new on your bill—an unexpected INR 5 “convenience fee”. But you wouldn’t have seen it upfront. The fee pops up sneakily at the final checkout screen, without any prior heads-up from the app. No push notification, no banner, not even a fine-print update. Just a quiet INR 5 addition, waiting for you at the end of your order.

Eternal, which owns Blinkit and launched Bistro late last year, hasn’t made any public announcement or in-app clarification yet. Inc42 has reached out to the company for comments on the matter.

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

Bistro is the latest player to quietly roll out extra charges—a now common tactic in the food delivery business as platforms look for creative ways to boost revenue without raising menu prices. It’s not alone.

Over the past year, Swiggy and Zomato have experimented with various fees of their own: small cart charges, packaging costs, surge-based pricing, and of course, convenience fees that can run as high as INR 30 depending on when and where you order. Zepto has also leaned into this model, with multiple add-ons that push up the final bill on smaller or peak-hour orders.

The Fast-Food Sprint Is Getting Crowded

Bistro was launched in December by Blinkit to offer fast, ready-to-eat food—snacks, beverages, and meals delivered within 15 minutes. Starting in Gurugram, the service has been quietly expanding to more areas, going up against rivals like Zepto Cafe and Swiggy’s SNACC.

But the rush to dominate the 15-minute food game hasn’t been without its hiccups.

Just last month, Zepto Cafe pulled out of several North Indian cities—Agra, Chandigarh, Meerut, Mohali, Amritsar—citing supply chain headaches. Around 400 workers were reportedly affected by the move. Zepto later said it plans to reopen in those cities in the coming quarter and is also trimming staff at some outlets to control operational costs.

Still, the segment is heating up. BigBasket quietly launched its own quick food delivery pilot in Bengaluru earlier this month. The plan? Roll out 40 dark stores for this offering by July.

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

Others are racing in too. Swish, which snagged INR 122 Cr in funding in March, and Zing, launched around the same time as Bistro, are also vying for a slice of India’s growing instant meals market.

Even with delays, layoffs, and sneaky fees, the 15-minute food fight is far from cooling down. If anything, it’s just getting spicier—with every click, sip, and charge.

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Banned & Detained: Karnataka’s 1.5 Lakh Bike Taxi Drivers Demand CM Siddaramaiah’s Intervention as Tensions Rise

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Banned & Detained: Karnataka’s 1.5 Lakh Bike Taxi Drivers Demand CM Siddaramaiah’s Intervention as Tensions Rise

Tensions flared in Bengaluru yesterday as a group of bike taxi drivers were detained by police for staging a protest outside Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s legislative heart. The protest, aimed at pushing back against the ongoing suspension of bike taxi services, was swiftly disrupted by police, who removed the protesters from the premises almost as soon as they assembled.

The disruption follows an earlier Karnataka High Court ruling from April that brought all bike taxi operations in the state to a standstill. In the ruling, the HC noted that such services were running without a proper regulatory framework and ordered the government to first notify clear rules under the Motor Vehicles Act before allowing them to operate.

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

According to PTI, the drivers had gathered without official permission and now face legal action for violating protest regulations.

Their demands? An immediate lift of the blanket ban and the introduction of structured regulations that would allow them to operate legally while ensuring rider safety. The drivers argued that bike taxis aren’t just a convenience—they’re a lifeline. With an estimated 1.5 lakh drivers affected by the shutdown, many now find themselves abruptly out of work.

The protest came on the heels of a high-level appeal. Just a day earlier, representatives of the bike taxi community had met Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju, urging them to raise the issue at the state level. Open letters were also sent to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and MP Rahul Gandhi.

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But the unrest didn’t end there. Members of the Namma Bike Taxi Association have alleged that rival auto unions harassed drivers and blocked them from gathering at Freedom Park, the city’s designated protest zone.

As legal battles continue, major players like Uber, Ola, and Rapido have taken the fight to court. While they filed an appeal against the initial HC order, the division bench has so far refused to overturn the ban, leaving both drivers and companies in limbo.

The future of bike taxis in Karnataka remains unclear, but one thing is certain—the issue is far from over, and thousands are still waiting for the government to get into gear.

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Delhi businesses no longer need police licences to operate hotels, restaurants, and amusement venues

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Delhi businesses no longer need police licences to operate hotels, restaurants, and amusement venues

In a move aimed at simplifying business processes in the capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has officially removed the Delhi Police from the task of issuing licenses for various commercial establishments. This includes businesses like hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, swimming pools, discotheques, and amusement parks, among others.

Licensing responsibilities for these activities will now be handled by local civic bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and the Delhi Cantonment Board.

This change eliminates the long-standing requirement for a police-issued no-objection certificate (NOC), a process that many business owners viewed as an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle.

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From Crime Control to Core Duties

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta praised the move, calling it a practical reform that aligns with the Centre’s broader push for “Ease of Doing Business” and “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government.”

She added that the shift also reflects Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s clear stance that the police force should be focused on what it’s meant to do—maintaining law and order, tackling crime, and handling security—not administrative red tape.

“It’s time to free up our police force from chasing paper,” said Gupta. “We’re working to make Delhi not just India’s political capital, but also a benchmark for efficient governance. That’s the goal of our double-engine government.”

Policing Falls Under the Centre

The Delhi Police, which reports directly to the Union Home Ministry, has long juggled administrative responsibilities alongside law enforcement. With this change, city officials believe the police will be better positioned to respond to the growing demands of public safety and policing in one of the world’s largest urban centers.

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

While the transition of licensing powers to civic agencies may not resolve every bottleneck immediately, it marks a significant shift toward reducing red tape for hospitality and entertainment businesses in the capital.

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Bengaluru Gets a Taste of Paris: PAUL Bakery Debuts at Orion Gateway with Tartines, Pizzas & 135-Year-Old Legacy

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Bengaluru Gets a Taste of Paris: PAUL Bakery Debuts at Orion Gateway with Tartines, Pizzas & 135-Year-Old Legacy

Bengaluru food lovers are in for a buttery, flaky treat. The iconic French bakery and café chain PAUL is all set to open its first outlet in the city this August at Orion Gateway Mall in Rajajinagar.

Spread across a breezy 3,850 square feet with outdoor seating by the lakeside, the new café will serve up a slice of Paris in the heart of Bengaluru. The menu? A delicious mix of French comfort food and café staples—think warm tartines, crisp salads, rich pastas, wood-fired pizzas, hearty soups, and of course, their signature viennoiseries and pastries. Whether you’re after a leisurely brunch or a coffee-and-croissant break, PAUL’s got you covered.

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

For the team behind Orion Gateway, the arrival of PAUL is another feather in the cap. “We’re always looking to bring in experiences that stand out,” said Sunil Munshi, Senior VP – Retail at Brigade Group. “PAUL offers exactly that—a mix of global flair and timeless food. We expect it to strike a chord with Bengaluru’s food-savvy crowd.”

Vaibhav Kaushish, COO of PAUL India, called the Bengaluru launch a key milestone for the brand’s presence in the country. “We’ve had a warm reception in other cities, and now we’re ready to serve Bengaluru. PAUL is more than a café—it’s a little piece of French food heritage, and we’re excited to share it, one croissant at a time.”

PAUL’s story goes back over 135 years, with its roots in northern France. In India, the brand was brought in by Stellar Concept Pvt. Ltd., and is operated under its affiliate, Cogent Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. The first Indian outpost opened in 2019, and since then, PAUL has been steadily growing its footprint among lovers of artisanal baking and refined casual dining.

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With this upcoming launch, Bengaluru’s café scene is about to get a whole lot more French—and a whole lot more flavorful.

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Nykaa x Paula’s Choice: American Skincare Brand Bets on India’s Booming Beauty Market with 237 Offline Stores and Massive Online Push

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Nykaa x Paula’s Choice: American Skincare Brand Bets on India’s Booming Beauty Market with 237 Offline Stores and Massive Online Push

After quietly entering the Indian market in 2023 via its own online store, American skincare brand Paula’s Choice is now taking a bigger leap—partnering with Nykaa to reach Indian customers more widely. This marks the brand’s first major tie-up with a local retailer and its formal step into omnichannel retail in the country.

The launch is expected to help Paula’s Choice tap into Nykaa’s vast customer base and deepen its roots in a growing Indian skincare market that’s becoming increasingly ingredient-aware.

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“Nykaa gives us the reach and credibility we need in a market that’s not only buzzing with potential but also rapidly evolving,” said Viksita Singh Menon, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Paula’s Choice. “We’re here for skincare that actually does what it says—and we want to make that easily available to everyone in India who’s been asking for it.”

Some of the brand’s most talked-about products are now available on Nykaa.com, including the cult-favorite Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, the Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser, 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, and the Skin Balancing Toner—all known for being fuss-free, fragrance-free, and effective.

Nykaa, which started in 2012 as an online beauty store, has since grown into a beauty and lifestyle behemoth with 237 offline stores and over 42 million customers across India. A spokesperson from Nykaa said, “We’re always scouting for brands that offer substance, not just shine. Paula’s Choice is a name that skincare lovers already trust, and this launch adds serious depth to our skincare lineup.”

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With Indian consumers getting smarter about ingredients and demanding real results, this collaboration is a timely move for both brands—one bringing the formulas, the other bringing the audience.

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From Spices to Speedy Meals: ZOFF Foods Unveils 5-Minute Gravies and 1-Minute Marinades, Partners with Reliance for Nationwide Launch

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From Spices to Speedy Meals: ZOFF Foods Unveils 5-Minute Gravies and 1-Minute Marinades, Partners with Reliance for Nationwide Launch

ZOFF Foods, the Raipur-headquartered spice label known for its clean, high-quality masalas, is stepping into new territory. The company has officially rolled out a line of Ready-to-Cook products, betting big on the growing demand for fast, flavourful meals without the junk. And in a major retail push, ZOFF is teaming up with Reliance Retail to take this new range national.

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

Branded under Quick Homestyle Food, the RTC lineup is a nod to India’s love for ghar-ka-khana—with none of the prep work.

Here’s what’s on the shelf:

  • 5-Minute Gravies (₹150): Four options—Paneer, Chicken, Mutton, and a vegetarian ‘Magic Mix’
  • 1-Minute Marinades (₹75): Available in Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Chettinad, Fish Fry, and a vegetarian Paneer Tikka

“Our homes run on recipes passed down generations. But today’s lifestyle leaves little room for slow cooking,” said Akash Agrawalla, co-founder of ZOFF. “With this range, we’re not replacing tradition—we’re just making it easier to keep it alive. And with Reliance Retail, we’re aiming to hit 400+ stores by mid-2025.”

His co-founder and brother, Ashish Agrawal, pointed to the company’s broader vision: “We started with pure spices, but this is a natural next step. We’re building a full-spectrum kitchen brand that stays honest—no additives, no shortcuts on quality.”

The entire range is free from preservatives and artificial fillers, designed for customers who want real flavour without the fuss. ZOFF plans to make the products available online—through its own site, major e-commerce platforms, and instant delivery apps—by the end of the month.

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As more Indian consumers turn to smarter meal solutions that don’t sacrifice taste, ZOFF’s foray into this category signals a bigger play: becoming a one-stop name in Indian home cooking. Clean food, real masalas, and no compromise.

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Karan Johar Becomes the Face of The Bridal Retreat: A Bold 5-Day Journey for Indian Brides Across 7 Cities in 2025

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Karan Johar Becomes the Face of The Bridal Retreat: A Bold 5-Day Journey for Indian Brides Across 7 Cities in 2025

Not every bridal event is about the colour of the lehenga or the perfect Instagram shot. Some go deeper. The Bridal Retreat, a unique five-day experience aimed at soon-to-be brides, has brought filmmaker and cultural icon Karan Johar on board—not just for his name, but for what he represents: storytelling, self-discovery, and emotion.

Johar, known for crafting India’s most iconic love stories on screen, is now stepping into a different kind of narrative—one that unfolds away from the spotlight. “Weddings are magical, but they’re also a whirlwind. What happens when the music stops and real life begins? That’s the space this retreat lives in,” said Johar. “It’s an invitation for brides to take a pause—to look inward, to reflect, to just be.”

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Created by E-Factor Experiences, an event company with over 20 years in the business of designing immersive formats, The Bridal Retreat is not another bridal fair. It’s part introspection, part preparation—and fully about the woman beneath the bridal outfit.

“This isn’t a checklist of things to do before the wedding,” said Samit Garg, co-founder and MD at E-Factor. “This is about how a woman enters marriage—with clarity, strength, and a strong sense of who she is. That’s the foundation everything else stands on.”

The retreat is built around real conversations and guided sessions. Topics range from mental wellness and physical vitality to identity, communication, and modern relationships. Think of it as a soft landing pad before a big leap. Sessions are led by experts—therapists, artists, coaches, stylists—who bring both depth and relatability.

The programme has been personally designed by Manika Garg and Sonali Thakore, who wanted to reimagine bridal preparation beyond makeup trials and sangeet choreography. In 2025, The Bridal Retreat will travel to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Goa—with participant numbers intentionally kept small to maintain intimacy.

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At its heart, this isn’t just a retreat. It’s a space where women are reminded that before they promise forever to someone else, they deserve a quiet moment with themselves.

Because before “I do,” there should always be “I am.”

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Swiggy Taps Saurav Goyal to Lead Delivery Ops: Ex-Ola and Flipkart Exec to Oversee 300,000+ Gig Workers Amid IPO Momentum

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Swiggy Taps Saurav Goyal to Lead Delivery Ops: Ex-Ola and Flipkart Exec to Oversee 300,000+ Gig Workers Amid IPO Momentum

Swiggy has handed over the reins of its Driver and Delivery organisation to Saurav Goyal, a company insider with deep operational chops and close to 20 years of experience in steering large-scale businesses. This marks a significant internal move for the Bengaluru-based platform, which is in fierce competition with Zomato in the hyperlocal delivery race.

Goyal, who came aboard in June 2020, has been running Swiggy’s Business Finance division — a role in which he quietly helped shape the company’s financial playbook and sharpen its IPO preparations behind the scenes. From setting cost frameworks to aligning growth with investor expectations, he’s been one of the key architects of Swiggy’s fiscal discipline in recent years.

Now, in his new position, Goyal will turn his focus to one of Swiggy’s most critical engines: its legion of delivery partners. His task will be to design and scale programs that make life better — and more rewarding — for the thousands of people who power the platform’s daily operations across India.

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

Before Swiggy, Goyal held leadership roles at Ola, Flipkart, and Tata Communications, where he worked on everything from finance transformation to long-term strategy. His shift to overseeing delivery operations signals a growing emphasis at Swiggy on building a stronger, more agile frontline workforce.

The appointment also comes at a time when gig workforce management is under greater scrutiny than ever, making this a high-stakes, high-impact role. Swiggy appears to be betting on an old hand with a sharp eye for structure — and a deep understanding of the company’s inner workings — to lead the charge.

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New Delhi to Host 186-Event Para Athletics Championship; Kangana Ranaut Roped In as Face of the Global Sporting Spectacle

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New Delhi to Host 186-Event Para Athletics Championship; Kangana Ranaut Roped In as Face of the Global Sporting Spectacle

Bollywood actor and newly elected Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut has been chosen as the official brand ambassador for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, set to take place in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5. The announcement was made by the Paralympic Committee of India, and Ranaut herself shared the news on her social media, calling it a “true honour” to support India’s para-athletes and their relentless grit.

This will be the 12th edition of the prestigious event and the biggest para sport gathering India has ever hosted. With 186 medal events on the schedule—101 for men, 84 for women, and one mixed event—the New Delhi championship will feature more competitions than the previous edition in Kobe, Japan.

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

Ranaut, known for her fiery screen presence in films like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu, stepped into the political spotlight in 2024 as a BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh. Her appointment adds a celebrity spark to the event, but also reflects a broader push to give para-athletes the recognition they deserve.

Asia will be hosting the Championships for the fourth time, following previous editions in Doha (2015), Dubai (2019), and Kobe (2024). The event is overseen by World Para Athletics, which operates under the International Paralympic Committee.

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With India gearing up to welcome top para-athletes from around the globe, and a high-profile face like Ranaut backing the cause, the 2025 Championships aim to be a landmark moment in India’s sporting journey.

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