Edition #18: Bershka’s Myntra Debut, Flipkart's 10-Min Delivery, Nvidia's Gamble, Deep Dive- Meta's New Smart Glasses

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📰 India Retail Pulse

Flipkart to offer 10-minute deliveries during Big Billion Days via Flipkart Minutes Flipkart will offer 10-minute deliveries in 19 cities during its upcoming Big Billion Days sale, aiming to enhance the customer experience and compete in the quick commerce segment. This move is part of the company's strategy to meet growing consumer demand for speed and convenience. 🔗 Read More

Quick commerce firms bulk up store networks to speed up festive ops Ahead of the festive season, quick commerce platforms are aggressively expanding their dark store networks to handle the surge in demand. This expansion is crucial for ensuring rapid deliveries and maintaining a competitive edge during India's peak shopping period. 🔗 Read More

Bershka launches on Myntra, with a Gen Z-first fashion play Global fashion brand Bershka has debuted on Myntra, targeting India's Gen Z demographic with a street-wear-focused collection. The partnership strengthens Myntra's international brand portfolio and its appeal to a younger, fashion-forward audience. 🔗 Read More

ITC to pass on ‘full benefit’ of GST rate cuts to customers across portfolio FMCG giant ITC has committed to passing on the full benefits of GST rate cuts to its customers across its product portfolio. The announcement aligns with the company's strategy to maintain competitive pricing and support consumer welfare following recent tax changes. 🔗 Read More

Eternal surpasses 2 Tata Group firms in market cap, enters Nifty50’s top 25 club In a significant milestone, Eternal, the D2C brand, has surpassed the market capitalization of two major Tata Group firms, entering the Nifty50's top 25 club.The achievement underscores the growing valuation and market strength of new-age D2C companies in India. 🔗 Read More

PepsiCo Global CEO meets PM, adds fizz to India tour The Global CEO of PepsiCo met with the Prime Minister of India during a recent visit, emphasizing the company's commitment to the Indian market. The meeting signals PepsiCo's focus on expanding its presence and investment in the country. 🔗 Read More

Prosus doubles stake in Urban Company ahead of $1.8 billion IPO Prosus has doubled its stake in home services company Urban Company, positioning itself for a larger share ahead of the company's potential $1.8 billion IPO. The increased investment reflects strong confidence in Urban Company's growth trajectory. 🔗 Read More

BluSmart seeks to salvage over 4,000 cabs leased from Gensol amid bankruptcy BluSmart is working to salvage more than 4,000 electric cabs leased from Gensol, following the latter's recent bankruptcy. The situation highlights the operational challenges faced by mobility companies and their dependence on leasing partners. 🔗 Read More

India's millionaire map: Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat are the new hotspots A new report indicates that while traditional hubs like Maharashtra and Delhi continue to lead, Telangana, Haryana, and Gujarat are emerging as new hotspots for millionaires in India. This shift signals a broadening base of wealth and economic growth across the country. 🔗 Read More

After Mounjaro success, Eli Lilly plans to launch weight-loss pill in India Building on the success of its injectable weight-loss drug Mounjaro, Eli Lilly is preparing to launch a new oral weight-loss pill in India. The move aims to tap into the country's growing demand for obesity management solutions, with a more accessible oral option. 🔗 Read More

🌍 World Retail Headlines at a Glance

Amazon taps agentic AI to help sellers manage inventory, shipments Amazon has launched a new AI-powered "agentic" tool to assist third-party sellers with inventory management and shipment planning. The technology, which can proactively suggest actions, aims to streamline operations for sellers on the platform. 🔗 Read More

Meta launches smart glasses with built-in display, reaching for 'superintelligence' Meta has unveiled new smart glasses that feature a built-in display and are designed to function as a "superintelligence" assistant. The launch marks Meta's continued push into augmented reality and its vision for a new era of personal computing. 🔗 Read More

Amex Revamps Its Platinum Card, Raises Fee to $895 American Express has revamped its popular Platinum Card and raised its annual fee to $895. The changes come with new benefits and are part of the company's strategy to maintain the card's premium appeal while reflecting evolving customer preferences. 🔗 Read More

Nvidia Invests $5 Billion in Intel With Plans to Co-Design Chips Nvidia has made a significant $5 billion investment in Intel and announced plans to co-design chips. The partnership is a strategic move that could reshape the semiconductor industry and accelerate innovation in AI and computing. 🔗 Read More

China bans tech companies from buying Nvidia’s AI chips China has reportedly banned domestic tech companies from buying a repurposed AI chip from Nvidia. The move is the latest in a series of actions by Beijing to reduce its reliance on foreign technology and build up its own semiconductor capabilities. 🔗 Read More

Australian retailer Kmart breaches privacy with facial recognition tech, regulator says An Australian regulator has found that retailer Kmart breached consumer privacy by using facial recognition technology. The finding highlights the growing legal and ethical challenges associated with the use of such technology in a retail setting. 🔗 Read More

Ben without Jerry as ice cream co-founder exits after feud with Unilever over Gaza Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has exited the company amid a long-standing feud with parent company Unilever over the brand's social and political stances, including its position on Gaza. 🔗 Read More

Nestle investors seek more rapid change after chairman's early exit Following the early departure of its chairman, investors in Nestle are calling for a more rapid pace of change and a clearer strategy. The pressure signals a growing demand from shareholders for stronger leadership and a more agile business approach. 🔗 Read More

Shein opens its supply network to fashion brands to boost growth Shein is now allowing other fashion brands to use its supply network, a move designed to accelerate its growth and transform its business model. The initiative opens Shein's extensive, data-driven manufacturing and logistics capabilities to external partners. 🔗 Read More

Candy maker Mars plans $1.2 billion investment to boost EU operations Candy and food giant Mars has announced a significant $1.2 billion investment to expand its operations in the European Union. The move is aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity and strengthening its presence in the region. 🔗 Read More

Primark expands US footprint: The global fashion retailer is celebrating 10 years by taking on new leases and launching in Minnesota. Global fashion retailer Primark is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the U.S. by expanding its footprint with new leases, including its first location in Minnesota. The move signals a renewed focus on growth and a broader push into the U.S. market. 🔗 Read More

Pinterest brings ‘where-to-buy’ links to image ads Pinterest has launched a new feature that adds "where-to-buy" links directly to its image ads. The update aims to streamline the consumer journey and drive higher conversion rates for retailers advertising on the platform. 🔗 Read More

🔥 Top Funding & Market Results

E-commerce firm Pattern, shareholders raise $300 million in US IPO E-commerce firm Pattern and its shareholders have successfully raised $300 million in a U.S. IPO. The public offering marks a significant milestone and provides the company with capital to fuel its growth and expansion plans. 🔗 Read More

Amazon India marketplace slashes losses by 89% in FY25 Amazon's India marketplace arm has dramatically reduced its losses by 89% in the 2025 fiscal year. The company's focus on cost control and increased efficiency has led to significant financial improvements. 🔗 Read More

Celebrity-endorsed diaper maker Coterie is reportedly being acquired by Mammoth Brands for $650M. Celebrity-backed diaper brand Coterie is reportedly nearing a $650 million acquisition deal with Mammoth Brands. The move would combine Coterie's premium brand with Mammoth's market reach, creating a powerhouse in the consumer goods space. 🔗 Read More

Purell maker GOJO Industries explores options including a sale, sources say GOJO Industries, the company behind the hand sanitizer brand Purell, is exploring a potential sale or other strategic options. The move comes as the company seeks to capitalize on its recent growth and market position. 🔗 Read More

👔 Key Retail Appointments & Exits

Jaden Smith is Christian Louboutin’s First Men’s Creative Director Jaden Smith has been named the first-ever Men’s Creative Director for Christian Louboutin. The appointment signals a bold, new direction for the luxury footwear brand, combining its heritage with Smith's modern, artistic vision. 🔗 Read More

Dior Names Mia Goth Brand Ambassador Dior has appointed actress Mia Goth as its new Brand Ambassador. The move is part of Dior's strategy to connect with a new generation of consumers and leverage Goth's unique, avant-garde style to represent the brand. 🔗 Read More

Kering Confirms Francesca Bellettini as Gucci CEO Luxury conglomerate Kering has confirmed the appointment of Francesca Bellettini as the new CEO of Gucci. The move is part of a broader leadership reshuffling aimed at reinvigorating the brand's performance and strategic direction. 🔗 Read More

🤖 Deep Dive: Beyond the Screen — How Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Are Shaping the Future of Retail

What Is Happening

Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses are not just an upgrade; they are a leap forward. With an integrated full-color, high-resolution display, they move from a hands-free camera to a true augmented reality (AR) device. This new generation of glasses, controlled by subtle hand gestures via a Neural Band wristband, allows users to receive notifications, get real-time translations, and interact with AI, all while keeping their phone in their pocket.

Why It Matters

This launch is significant because it brings a complex, futuristic technology into a stylish and accessible form factor, a key challenge that has plagued smart glasses for years. The partnership between a tech giant like Meta and an iconic brand like Ray-Ban is a powerful signal. It normalizes wearable tech, positioning it as a fashionable lifestyle product rather than a niche gadget, lowering the barrier to adoption for millions of consumers and setting the stage for broader retail applications.

What it means for Retail

The new glasses present a host of new opportunities for retailers to create seamless, "phygital" (physical + digital) experiences.

• Enhanced Customer Journey: Customers can receive real-time, in-store information like product details, reviews, and personalized offers directly in their field of vision, enhancing decision-making and engagement.

• Augmented Reality Try-Ons: The in-lens display allows for realistic virtual try-ons of clothing, accessories, and makeup, bridging the gap between online and in-store shopping and potentially reducing return rates.

• Operational Efficiency: Retail employees can use this technology for hands-free tasks, from scanning barcodes to fulfilling quick-commerce orders, boosting accuracy and speed on the store floor.

Future Opportunities

As this technology evolves, we can expect even more sophisticated applications. Future iterations could integrate with store layouts to provide seamless turn-by-turn navigation for shoppers, offer advanced analytics on customer behavior in physical stores, and enable frictionless, "see-and-buy" payment methods. The combination of AI and a wearable display is poised to redefine customer engagement, making shopping more intuitive, interactive, and personalized than ever before.

Ready to see how smart glasses are changing the game? Dive deeper on our blog

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