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Tag: New Delhi

  • Indian Quick Commerce Expands to 477 Cities as Dark Store Networks Multiply

    Indian Quick Commerce Expands to 477 Cities as Dark Store Networks Multiply

    India’s quick commerce platforms now operate dark stores across 477 cities, pushing 10-minute grocery and essentials delivery well past the country’s primary metropolitan hubs.

    A study by brokerage CLSA shows 3,536 dark stores active across India’s top 10 cities alone, excluding operations run by Amazon and JioMart. Blinkit holds the largest footprint with 969 locations, followed by Zepto with 828, Flipkart Minutes with 627, Swiggy Instamart with 615 and BigBasket with 497.

    Blinkit Extends National Lead

    Blinkit accounts for 30 per cent of all dark stores across the top 10 metropolitan markets and more than 34 per cent nationwide. The platform maintains the top store count in six of those 10 urban centres, while operating without direct rival competition in more than 180 smaller cities.

    Newer entrants are setting up smaller dark store footprints in secondary markets to evaluate unit economics and local basket sizes before committing capital. Established operators plan to enter those same territories later, capitalising on initial consumer habits built by early movers without absorbing early customer acquisition costs.

    Rivalry Shifts in Tier-1 Metros

    Competition among the largest platforms is recalibrating inside major cities. Flipkart Minutes has overtaken Swiggy Instamart in dark store numbers and postal code coverage across the top 10 urban markets.

    Swiggy countered by opening the highest number of dark stores among the top three operators over the past month to increase neighborhood density. Denser hubs reduce delivery times, widen product assortment and improve courier route efficiency.

    The race among Indian delivery platforms mirrors previous logistics turf wars in Southeast Asia and mainland China, where early land grabs in top-tier cities eventually gave way to a contest over suburban route efficiency and average order values. While platforms in China folded rapid delivery into broad e-commerce ecosystems, Indian operators are building standalone micro-warehouses to defend grocery margins.

    Network additions by the top three operators have trailed overall sector expansions in new pincodes, leaving smaller regional platforms to test untapped territories before the next wave of consolidation begins.

  • India Telecom Base Hits 1.33 Billion Users as Broadband Surges Past 1 Billion

    India Telecom Base Hits 1.33 Billion Users as Broadband Surges Past 1 Billion

    India’s telecommunication network reached 1,337.54 million total telephone subscribers as national teledensity climbed to 90.28 per cent.

    Wireless accounts drove nearly the entire base at 1,288.96 million connections, while fixed-line subscriptions stood at 48.58 million.

    The network added a net 6.95 million telephone users in a single month, taking total broadband subscribers across wireline and wireless infrastructure to 1,073.44 million. Wireless broadband accounts for 1,026.60 million of those users, with fixed wireline connections supplying the remaining 46.84 million lines. Gross adjusted revenue generated across the country’s communications market totaled 229,071 crore rupees, or approximately 24 billion US dollars.

    Urban Penetration and Rural Expansion

    Urban centres recorded a teledensity of 152.11 per cent across 783.12 million subscribers, reflecting widespread dual-SIM adoption and concentrated commercial use. Rural regions accounted for 554.41 million telephone users, posting a teledensity of 60.74 per cent. The gap between city hubs and provincial districts continues to define network investment priorities for carriers upgrading optical fibre and microwave transmission infrastructure.

    Core transmission routes rely on microwave radio relay setups alongside optical fibre deployments, connecting digital exchanges and media gateways across state boundaries. The terrestrial footprint links into the Indian National Satellite System to secure coverage across remote terrain.

    Broadband Growth and Economic Scale

    Data access now dominates carrier operations, supported by spectrum allocations and coordination through the ITU-APT Foundation of India. Commercial telecom networks direct capital into network switching subsystems and signalling gateways to handle expanding digital payments and e-governance traffic. Sector operations also support broader economic activity, with trade group GSMA previously tracking direct and indirect sector employment in the millions.

    Future subscriber additions depend on converting the remaining non-broadband wireless base and expanding rural fixed-line reach beyond the current 48.58 million wired lines.

  • Temasek and ChrysCapital Compete to Buy 33 per Cent Stake in India’s Blue Tokai

    Temasek and ChrysCapital Compete to Buy 33 per Cent Stake in India’s Blue Tokai

    Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and private equity firm ChrysCapital are competing to invest up to 1,200 crore rupees in Indian specialty roaster Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters. The transaction values the 13-year-old chain at up to 3,700 crore rupees and will hand the winning bidder a stake of between 30 and 33 per cent.

    The deal structure involves both primary capital to finance retail expansion and secondary sales to provide exits for early seed backers. Existing shareholders include A91 Emerging Fund, which holds 21.72 per cent, alongside Verlinvest, Waterfield Fund and 12 Flags. The three founders, Matt Chitharanjan, Namrata Asthana and Shivam Shahi, currently hold an aggregate 15.27 per cent stake.

    Funding store targets across Asia and the Gulf

    Blue Tokai currently runs 240 outlets across India through parent company Muhavra Enterprises. The roaster plans to open 120 locations during the current financial year, pushing into secondary markets including Ahmedabad and Lucknow, before reaching an 800-store target by fiscal 2030.

    Overseas expansion is also underway. The chain partnered with UAE-based Ambrosia Gulf last year to build a regional store footprint, while setting up plans for an entry into Japan. It also acquired bakery operator Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse in 2024 to support food service across its cafe network.

    Financial performance has shifted after Blue Tokai turned Ebitda-positive on a monthly basis for six consecutive months. Revenue climbed 50 per cent to 325 crore rupees in fiscal 2025, while net losses narrowed by 20.6 per cent to 50 crore rupees.

    Competition intensifies in India’s cafe sector

    Specialty coffee operators across Asia are racing to scale before high real estate overheads catch up with unit economics. In India, Tata Starbucks remains the market leader with more than 500 outlets and a plan to add 100 locations annually, while international entrants such as Canada’s Tim Hortons and Britain’s Pret a Manger compete against domestic rivals including Third Wave Coffee, Barista and Cafe Coffee Day.

    For ChrysCapital, a deal would follow its acquisition of patisserie chain Theobroma in August 2025 for roughly 2,410 crore rupees, opening opportunities to combine bakery and beverage operations. Temasek brings its own food service portfolio to the table, with holdings in Rebel Foods, Haldiram’s, Licious and Chinese coffee operator Luckin Coffee.

    Blue Tokai has not yet filed its fiscal 2026 accounts, though projections reviewed by investors point to revenue reaching between 750 crore and 775 crore rupees in fiscal 2027.

  • Vodafone Idea and BSNL Agree to Share Networks Across All Indian Circles

    Vodafone Idea and BSNL Agree to Share Networks Across All Indian Circles

    Vodafone Idea and state-owned carrier Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited have agreed to share their mobile network infrastructure across all telecommunications service circles in India.

    The agreement allows both operators to expand operational coverage across urban and rural markets without duplicating infrastructure expenditure. Talks finalized after a direct meeting between Vodafone Idea chief executive Abhijit Kishore and BSNL chairman and managing director Robert J. Ravi.

    Terms of the Circle Sharing Agreement

    Under the framework, the two carriers will implement intra-circle roaming arrangements nationwide. The pact enables subscribers of both providers to access the partner carrier’s towers and base stations in regions where their primary network has limited coverage.

    BSNL operates an extensive footprint in rural and secondary markets across India, while Vodafone Idea maintains higher network density in key metropolitan areas and major urban hubs.

    Infrastructure Collaboration in Indian Telecoms

    The deal reflects broader pressure on Indian telecom operators to optimize network capital costs as they manage heavy operational outlays and ongoing technology upgrades. Sharing radio access networks has become an essential tool for cash-conscious operators competing against better-funded rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

    Both carriers will now begin technical integration across individual service zones to activate intra-circle roaming on existing spectrum bands.

  • Vodka Reaches Record Share in India as White Spirits Surge

    Vodka Reaches Record Share in India as White Spirits Surge

    Vodka has taken a record share of India’s liquor market as demographic shifts push drinkers toward white spirits.

    Purchases by younger consumers and women are driving the category, altering demand patterns in a sector historically dominated by commercial whisky.

    Shift toward white spirits

    Distillers are adjusting their product mixes to capture changing consumer tastes across retail stores and bars. Radico Khaitan expanded its vodka operations over the past five years to secure stronger positions in urban retail channels. The change pulls volume away from entry-level brown spirits into clear, mixable drinks.

    Premiumisation drives portfolio overhaul

    Spirits makers are overhauling existing product lines to protect operating margins against rising bottling and raw material costs. Radico Khaitan upgraded its whisky portfolio into higher price bands, cutting its exposure to mass-market commodity liquor. Liquor retailers across India are allocating more shelf space to premium white spirits as manufacturers phase out unprofitable lower-tier labels.

    Investors and distributors now await next quarter’s sales filings to assess how volume gains in premium vodka balance margin declines in mass-market spirit lines.

  • India Telecom Base Hits 1.35 Billion as 5G Fixed Wireless Expands

    India Telecom Base Hits 1.35 Billion as 5G Fixed Wireless Expands

    India’s total telephone subscriber base expanded by 6.20 million connections in July 2026 to reach 1.35 billion, according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

    Monthly growth of 0.46 per cent lifted overall wireless subscriptions to 1.31 billion, while wireline connections ticked up 0.39 per cent to 48.01 million. National wireless tele-density crossed a key threshold, rising from 89.71 per cent in June to 90.04 per cent. Urban mobile connections climbed 0.57 per cent during the month, outpacing rural mobile subscriber growth of 0.24 per cent.

    Concentration in broadband access

    Broadband lines reached 1.094 billion at the end of July, up from 1.09 billion in June. Mobile wireless remains the primary access route for consumers, representing 1.03 billion connections after growing 0.59 per cent. Fixed wired lines rose 0.90 per cent to 48.14 million.

    Five operators control 98.59 per cent of the broadband market. Reliance Jio retained the lead with 535.12 million subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel at 384.23 million. Vodafone Idea held third place with 129.96 million users, while state-run BSNL and Atria Convergence Technologies followed with 27.28 million and 2.47 million connections, respectively.

    Rural adoption of 5G fixed wireless

    Fixed wireless access outpaced traditional connectivity categories, climbing 2.60 per cent month-on-month to 18.84 million lines. Within that segment, 5G-based fixed wireless subscriptions reached 13.21 million, up from 12.94 million in June after adding 272,820 connections.

    Rural households accounted for 50.31 per cent of all 5G fixed wireless connections, slightly ahead of the 49.69 per cent recorded across urban centers. The split indicates that operators are relying on wireless broadband to bypass physical fiber bottlenecks outside major metropolitan areas.

    Subscriber switching remained high across the country, with 15.98 million users submitting mobile number portability requests in July. Uttar Pradesh East generated the highest churn volume with 2.29 million porting requests, followed by Uttar Pradesh West at 1.55 million.

  • Wishlink Secures $17.5 Million in Series B Led by Vertex Ventures

    Wishlink Secures $17.5 Million in Series B Led by Vertex Ventures

    Indian creator commerce platform Wishlink raised $17.5 million in a Series B round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India.

    The fresh injection gives the business capital to expand its creator network and deepen retail brand integrations across the country.

    Creator storefronts and brand integration

    Wishlink operates an infrastructure layer connecting social media creators directly with e-commerce brands and marketplaces. Creators curate personal storefronts, share trackable product links across short-form video and social channels, and earn commissions on completed orders. The model gives direct-to-consumer labels and large e-commerce platforms measurable sales attribution rather than unverified impressions from standard influencer campaigns.

    Performance retail drives venture interest

    Venture investors in South Asia continue to back commerce models where creator payouts tie directly to retail sales volume. Traditional influencer marketing budgets in India have faced tighter scrutiny over return on spend, leading consumer brands to reallocate capital to performance-driven affiliate channels. Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India led the transaction, expanding its portfolio of retail technology and digital commerce infrastructure companies across the region.

    Wishlink is deploying the new funds into tech infrastructure, automated creator discovery tools, and expanded brand onboarding across major consumer categories.

  • India Steps Back from Mandatory Front-of-Pack Food Warning Labels

    India Steps Back from Mandatory Front-of-Pack Food Warning Labels

    India has backed away from enforcing stricter front-of-pack health warning labels on packaged food and beverages following sustained pushback from global consumer goods manufacturers.

    The regulatory stance allows packaged goods companies to sell high-sugar formulations and artificial additives without displaying prominent health alerts on the front of their products.

    Discrepancies in product recipes

    A standard can of Fanta sold in London contains 63 calories, while the equivalent product sold in India contains three times as much sugar. The Indian version also uses artificial dye.

    European regulations mandate a visible health warning on packaging when such colourants are present. In India, manufacturers list the additive only in fine print after the container.

    Resistance from packaged food giants

    Large multinational food companies have long opposed Indian measures that would require front-of-pack nutritional warnings. RetailNews Asia has seen similar corporate resistance across other regional markets where governments attempt to introduce front-facing warning badges on high-sugar snacks.

    The current labelling framework leaves back-of-pack ingredient lists as the primary disclosure mechanism for Indian retail shoppers.

  • India Unveils 62500 Crore Rupee Scheme to Lure Apple and Google Hardware

    India Unveils 62500 Crore Rupee Scheme to Lure Apple and Google Hardware

    India has notified a 62,500-crore rupee smartphone manufacturing scheme. The policy aims to push Apple beyond iPhones and shift Google device exports away from China.

    Replacing the earlier production-linked incentive programme, the scheme runs through the 2030-31 financial year to deepen local component sourcing.

    Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said New Delhi expects Apple to expand into other product categories using its existing iPhone assembly base. Google will also route a major share of export-oriented device production away from Chinese facilities into Indian factories.

    Manufacturers can claim incentives between 2.25 per cent and 5 per cent on eligible sales under the framework. An extra payout of up to 1.5 per cent applies to firms sourcing parts locally, including display modules, camera assemblies, enclosures, batteries and USB cables.

    Incentives for domestic brands and design

    Domestic brands get a dedicated track. Indian smartphone makers qualify for a 5 per cent sales incentive, alongside a 3 per cent reward for local research, development and product design. The government is working with three domestic companies to launch high-volume device designs within 10 to 14 months.

    Official data shows mobile phones delivered 61 per cent of India’s electronics exports last year, up from 4 per cent in the 2014-15 fiscal year, according to Electronics and IT secretary S Krishnan. Mobile device output now accounts for 48 per cent of total domestic electronics production, up from 10 per cent a decade ago. Overall phone exports grew 166-fold between 2014 and 2025 at a compound annual rate of about 59 per cent. India is now the world’s second-largest phone maker by volume.

    Moving from assembly to component integration

    Global electronics brands across Asia face fresh pressure to localise sub-assemblies rather than snap imported kits together in final assembly plants. Competitors in Vietnam and China will face sharper export competition as Indian suppliers scale up module fabrication.

    Attention now shifts to the 10-to-14 month delivery window for the three state-backed Indian phone designs, alongside Apple’s first confirmed hardware assembly lines outside the iPhone family.

  • Chip Squeeze Drives up Smartphone Prices in India, Boosting Apple and Samsung over Chinese Rivals

    Chip Squeeze Drives up Smartphone Prices in India, Boosting Apple and Samsung over Chinese Rivals

    Rising memory chip costs are significantly impacting India’s smartphone market, leading to a surge in average selling prices and a shift in consumer preferences. The average smartphone selling price in India has reached a record $315, marking a 14.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to recent market data.

    This price inflation is particularly affecting budget-focused Chinese smartphone brands, which have historically dominated the sub-$150 segment. As cheaper chips become scarce and more expensive, these companies are forced to raise their prices, diminishing their traditional value-for-money appeal. Conversely, premium and mid-range players such as Samsung and Apple are gaining market share, partly due to improved financing options that make their higher-priced devices more accessible to consumers.

    Chinese Brands Face Mounting Pressure

    Chinese smartphone makers, including Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Realme, experienced significant declines in shipments during the June quarter. Vivo’s shipments fell by 13.9 percent, Oppo by 8.5 percent, Xiaomi by 10 percent, and Realme by 14.2 percent year-on-year, according to IDC. Only OnePlus, which caters to a higher-end segment, saw a smaller decline of 2.5 percent.

    Industry experts indicate that the era of sub-$150 smartphones is effectively over in India. New Chinese models with similar features are now expected to cost between $200 and $250, a substantial increase from their previous pricing. This pricing pressure has already led to some budget brands raising smartphone prices by up to 40 percent.

    This development is crucial for RetailNews Asia readers, as India represents one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing consumer markets. The shift towards premiumisation, driven by supply chain economics, presents both challenges and opportunities for retailers and brands operating across Asia-Pacific. As affordability dynamics change, retailers may need to adapt their product assortments and financing solutions to cater to evolving consumer demand.

    Samsung And Apple Expand Their Foothold

    In contrast to the struggles faced by Chinese brands, Samsung and Apple have demonstrated resilience and growth. In the June quarter, Samsung’s shipments rose by 0.4 percent, and Apple’s by 0.7 percent. This enabled Samsung to narrow the gap with the leading player, Vivo, increasing its market share by nearly 200 basis points. Apple also saw its market share rise by 100 basis points in the same period.

    Samsung, with its diverse portfolio spanning from $200 to over $800, is intensely competing with Vivo in the $200-$300 segment. A key advantage for Samsung is its access to in-house memory chip supplies, which mitigates some of the cost pressures affecting competitors. Many Chinese firms rely on external suppliers like MediaTek, SK Hynix, and even Samsung for their chips, making them more vulnerable to price fluctuations.

    The global memory chip shortage, exacerbated by increased demand for AI and data center applications, has driven chip prices up fourfold since September 2025, with further increases anticipated. This trend is expected to continue pushing smartphone prices higher, accelerating the Indian market’s shift towards more premium products as financing options become more prevalent for expensive handsets.

  • Vietnam Airlines Launches New Routes, Connecting Travelers to India’s Thriving Tech Hubs

    Vietnam Airlines Launches New Routes, Connecting Travelers to India’s Thriving Tech Hubs

    National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is soaring to new heights with the launch of a direct flight route connecting Hanoi to Bengaluru, India’s bustling tech hub. This new service will operate four times weekly, starting May 7, and is designed to accommodate the increasing demand driven by robust trade, tourism, and cooperation between the two nations.

    New Connections on the Horizon

    But that’s not all! On May 7, Vietnam Airlines will also initiate direct flights from Hanoi to Hyderabad, another pivotal tech center in India, with three weekly round-trips utilizing state-of-the-art Airbus A321 aircraft. The inaugural flight, VN983, took off from Hanoi on May 1, successfully transporting over 130 passengers to Bengaluru the same day. VN982, the return flight, departed Bengaluru that evening with over 160 travelers aboard, landing in Hanoi at 5:25 a.m. on May 2. Talk about a long night in the skies!

    Expanding Footprints in India

    With these latest additions, Vietnam Airlines now boasts services to four major Indian cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, totaling six direct routes. This strategic expansion highlights Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to being a key connector between Vietnam and South Asia, as noted by Deputy General Director Dang Anh Tuan.

    India, with its rapidly growing aviation market and a population exceeding 1.4 billion, represents a significant opportunity for airlines like Vietnam Airlines. The increasing affluence of the Indian middle class further strengthens this connection, making travel between nations more accessible than ever. In the past few years, Vietnam Airlines has successfully operated over 3,200 flights and welcomed more than 511,700 passengers from India. Notably, Vietnam attracted over 500,000 Indian visitors in 2024, earning India a spot among its top 10 tourism markets.

    As Vietnam Airlines ventures into these tech-savvy territories, one can’t help but wonder: Are they also preparing for the next wave of IT moguls seeking sunshine and pho?

    Questions & Answers

    What cities are now connected by Vietnam Airlines in India?
    The carrier connects four major cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

    How often will flights operate on the new routes?
    The Bengaluru route will operate four times a week, while the Hyderabad route will have three weekly round-trips.

    What type of aircraft will be used for these new routes?
    Vietnam Airlines will utilize Airbus A321 aircraft for both newly launched routes.

  • AirAsia X adds three new routes

    AirAsia X adds three new routes

    AirAsia X confirms its latest services to Melbourne (Tullamarine), and Perth in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand will launch on 1 November 2022.

    The three new services boost the airline’s routes to 13. It is already serving  Sydney, New Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka and Honolulu, as well as London, Dubai and Istanbul.

    AAX will recommence its services to Melbourne (Tullamarine), Perth and Auckland (via Sydney) with three weekly flights starting in November and gradually increasing to daily flights by the first quarter of 2023.

    On the AirAsia Super App and website, the starting fare to Perth is MYR 499, to Melbourne  MYR699 and Auckland MYR999 (inclusive one-way economy). Premium Flatbed fares start from MYR1,999 to Perth, MYR2,999 to Melbourne and MYR5,999 to Auckland.

    Guests flying to Kuala Lumpur can also enjoy all-in value fares one way from AUD209 from Perth, AUD359 from Melbourne, and NZD499 from Auckland in economy class.

    AAX also flies from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney with all-in fares from MYR899 (economy) and MYR2,799 (Premium Flatbed) one-way.

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  • First Tiffany store opens in New Delhi

    First Tiffany store opens in New Delhi

    The first Tiffany India store has opened, located in New Delhi’s upmarket The Chanakya shopping center.

    The 2600sqft store was described as “an important milestone for our iconic brand” by Tiffany & Co CEO Alessandro Bogliolo.

    “As a global luxury jeweler with stores in many of the world’s most important cities, Tiffany’s emergence in New Delhi presents a unique opportunity, particularly given India’s growing luxury consumer base and passion for jewelry,” he said.

    The Tiffany India store stocks the full range of Tiffany’s jewelry collections, hardware, and home & accessories collections.

    Meanwhile, Tiffany & Co shareholders have approved a multibillion-dollar takeover offer by French luxury-goods maker LVMH, scheduled to take effect later this year.

    Tiffany operates more than 300 stores in more than 25 countries, including 80 in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Uniqlo India to open its first store in New Delhi

    Uniqlo India to open its first store in New Delhi

    Uniqlo India will launch its first store on October 4 in New Delhi.

    The store marks the brand’s first foray into the Indian market, located in Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj. It has been promoted via a series of cube-like installations throughout the city that features elements of Indian culture.

    “We are very excited to announce the opening date,” said Uniqlo CEO Tomohiko Sei. “We look forward to formally opening our doors to the Indian customers and offering Uniqlo’s high quality, highly functional apparel that we call Lifewear starting from Delhi at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj.”

    The first 500 shoppers at the new Uniqlo India store will receive t-shirts of their choice.

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  • Canon opens New Delhi flagship Store

    Canon opens New Delhi flagship Store

    Canon India has launched a flagship Canon Image Square (CIS) store in New Delhi. The flagship CIS store aims to “enrich the consumer experience for all Canon products” across segments ranging from entry-level cameras to high-end professional cameras. In addition to this, the store is also exhibiting Cinema cameras, a few leading Canon printers and a wide range of lenses.

    “Commitment towards the country and dedication of Canon, together has translated into growth over the years,” said Canon India president and CEO Kazutada Kobayashi. “With the launch of first of its kind Canon Image Square flagship store, Canon India marks another milestone to ensure an interactive and informative buying experience for our existing and potential customers.

    “CIS stores have been successful in contributing to Canon’s significant customer outreach and positioning it as a market leader. Having established its presence with more than 250 stores in 100+ cities, we take pride in being total solution providers in the imaging arena. The launch of this flagship CIS stores will certainly raise the benchmark for customer service,” he said.

    “The new flagship store is fashioned in such a way that it creates a sweeping experience for the customers with the gamut of cameras including cinema cameras, lenses and complete imaging solution in order to make the right choice of the products,” said Canon India VP consumer imaging & information centre Eddie Udagawa. “The store also features some of the leading printers that have been delighting the consumers.

    “New Delhi is one of the key markets for us, not just in terms of the customer base but also for being abreast with the technology trends that influence other markets. We look forward to receiving great feedback from our customers and add value to their imaging experience.”

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