Edition #30: Mexico’s Tariffs, Disney’s $1B AI Bet & 40% Surge in an Unexpected Q-Com Category

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This week in retail was defined by tariffs, trust, and transformation. From Mexico’s sudden trade shock hitting Indian exporters, to luxury houses rethinking sustainability and sourcing, and Big Tech doubling down on AI and India, the global retail map is shifting fast. Here’s everything that matters — and a Deep Dive into Mexico’s 50% tariffs and what they really mean for India.

🌍 World Retail Headlines

Prada to launch $930 ‘Made in India’ sandals after backlash

Prada announced it will introduce a “Made in India” sandal line after facing criticism over cultural appropriation, marking a rare public course correction by a luxury house.
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LVMH launches Life 360 Awards to drive group-wide transformation

LVMH has unveiled the Life 360 Awards to accelerate sustainability, innovation, and long-term transformation across its portfolio of luxury brands.
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Instacart shares fall amid experimental price testing concerns

Instacart’s stock dipped after reports surfaced that the company is testing variable pricing models, reigniting debates around transparency and price discrimination.
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L’Oréal raises stake in Galderma to 20%

L’Oréal increased its ownership in Galderma, reinforcing its long-term bet on dermatology, injectables, and medical aesthetics.
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Starbucks workers expand month-long strike to more cities

The Starbucks union has widened its strike across multiple U.S. cities, escalating labor tensions during the peak holiday season.
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Chewy posts profit and revenue growth as vet care gains traction

Chewy reported strong quarterly performance, driven by growth in vet services and paid memberships, highlighting the stickiness of pet ecosystems.
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BlackRock sells 7% stake in Naturgy for $2 billion

BlackRock exited part of its holding in Spanish energy firm Naturgy, reflecting portfolio rebalancing amid global energy shifts.
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Collectibles now account for nearly one-third of GameStop sales

GameStop’s pivot away from gaming hardware continues, with collectibles emerging as a major revenue driver.
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Skims enters live entertainment with shoppable TikTok livestream

Kim Kardashian’s Skims experimented with live entertainment commerce via TikTok, blending content, creators, and instant checkout.
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Petco shuts Vetco site after customer data exposure

Petco temporarily took down its Vetco website following a data exposure incident, raising fresh concerns around consumer data security.
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Global ad revenue hits $1.14 trillion in 2025

Worldwide advertising spend grew nearly 9% in 2025, driven by digital, retail media, and AI-powered targeting.
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US to mandate social media disclosure for visa-waiver requests

The U.S. government will require social media identifiers as part of visa-waiver applications, impacting travel and digital privacy norms.
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📰 India Retail News

Mexico slaps 50% tariffs on Indian exports worth $1 billion

Mexico has imposed steep tariffs on key Indian exports, putting pressure on auto components, steel, chemicals, and industrial goods, and raising concerns for exporters reliant on Latin America.
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Quick commerce drives 40% surge in sexual wellness sales

Discreet 10-minute delivery is accelerating adoption of sexual wellness products, helping the category break taboos and scale rapidly across urban India.
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New labelling rules may mandate care, origin and fabric disclosure

Upcoming regulations could require apparel and home textile brands to clearly disclose fabric composition, care instructions, and country of origin, increasing compliance complexity.
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Reliance Retail prepares leaner footprint, eyes 2028 IPO

Reliance Retail is sharpening its store network and operational structure as it quietly gears up for a potential IPO around 2028, focusing on profitability and efficiency.
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Meesho listing unlocks billions in wealth for founders and early investors

Meesho’s impending listing is set to generate significant wealth for founders and early backers, underscoring the scale of value creation in India’s value-commerce ecosystem.
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Russia’s diamond miner ALROSA sees India as a key strategic partner

ALROSA is deepening ties with India’s jewellery ecosystem, positioning the country as a critical partner for cutting, polishing, and downstream value creation.
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India tightens battery efficiency norms under PLI-linked storage push

New battery efficiency rules aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing and energy storage capabilities, impacting electronics, EVs, and appliance categories.
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💻 Tech Headlines

Amazon boosts India investment commitment to $35B by 2030

Amazon raised its India investment target, reaffirming long-term confidence in the country’s digital commerce and logistics ecosystem.
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Disney invests $1B in OpenAI, signs licensing deal

Disney has made a landmark investment in OpenAI, securing AI licensing rights for content, characters, and future experiences.
🔗 Read more

Tech stocks slide as Oracle reignites AI valuation fears

A fresh Oracle update triggered a broader sell-off in tech stocks, reviving concerns around AI spending sustainability.
🔗 Read more

🔥 Funding, IPO & Q3 Earnings

• Zepto gets shareholder approval for IPO, targets June 2026 listing

• SpaceX explores 2026 IPO at valuation well above $30 billion

• Jasper Food acquires 10% stake in Shark Tank-featured SoupX

👔 Key Retail Appointments & Exits

• Coca-Cola names its next CEO

• Arvind Fashions appoints Nitesh Kanchan as CEO of Arrow

• Manish Bandlish becomes MD of Allana Consumer Products

🤖 Deep Dive: Mexico’s Tariffs — What They Mean for India

What’s Happening

Mexico has imposed 50% tariffs on select Indian imports in a move aimed at protecting domestic industries and curbing import surges. The decision impacts exports worth nearly $1 billion, spanning automobiles, auto components, steel, chemicals, and industrial goods.

While officially framed as a trade safeguard, the timing is notable. Mexico is positioning itself as a preferred manufacturing hub for North America under nearshoring trends, and higher tariffs act as a deterrent to non-regional suppliers — including India.

Key Stats You Should Know

• 50% tariff imposed on select Indian imports

• ~$1B worth of exports affected

• Key sectors hit: auto components, steel, chemicals, industrial goods

• Mexico is India’s largest trade partner in Latin America

• Over 10% of shipments may be difficult to reroute quickly

What It Means

• Export margins will shrink, forcing price renegotiations

• Nearshoring gains momentum, weakening long-distance sourcing

• Auto & industrial supply chains face disruption

• Retail prices may rise if costs are passed downstream

• Diversification of export markets becomes critical

• Compliance and trade strategy matter as much as scale

Sources:

India Today | Economic Times | Moneycontrol

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