BW Businessworld Magazine - September 07, 2024

In this issue

THE RAPID EVOLUTION of the landscape for commerce in India is
nothing short of remarkable. As we stand at the intersection of technology,
convenience, and consumer demand, the quick commerce (Q-commerce)
sector emerges as a game-changer, fundamentally altering how India
shops for essentials. Companies like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto
and BBNow are at the forefront, propelling this market to an impressive
$2.8 billion valuation in 2024, with projections soaring to $40 billion
by 2030. This exponential growth is driven by the convenience factor,
catering to the needs of today’s time-pressed, young consumers who seek
instant gratification.
This surge, however, comes with its own set of challenges. Established
giants like Amazon and Flipkart find themselves in a race to adapt to this
new paradigm, where traditional models struggle to keep up with the
agility required for instant delivery. The newcomers leverage advanced
technology, data insights and agile operations to stay ahead, continually
evolving with the habits of urban millennials. Yet, the path ahead is
wrought with hurdles. Wage inflation, regulatory changes and the need
for heavy investments in technology present significant challenges for
Q-commerce. The initial success, bolstered by cheap labour and generous
investor funding, may not be sustainable in the long term. Companies
will need to innovate and revise their strategies to remain profitable, as
competition intensifies.

America's Homeless Crisis

WHEN AMERICA SNEEZES, the world catches a cold

4 mins

INDIA'S GROWTH STALEMATE: BREAKING FREE FROM THE MIDDLEINCOME TRAP

INDIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH has been substantial but has fallen short of generating sustained high growth rates necessary to absorb its expanding workforce.

3 mins

PAYING FOR A CLEANER FUTURE

THE TRANSITION to renewable energy has been the hallmark of India's approach to tackling climate change in the last decade.

4 mins

The Indian Obsession with STEM

INDIA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, over the past decades, has leaned towards an obsession with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), creating an either/or mentality that undervalues the humanities, such as history, philosophy, literature, and the arts.

3 mins

MORAL BANKRUPTCY & INAPTITUDE

IN THE MIDST OF uplifting news on the economy front – thanks to a very sensible budget – and also glimmers of hope from Paris, two terrible recent news must make us all lower our heads in shame and do some deep introspection about where we are heading on the moral front.

4 mins

Absent Authorities

THE CHESHIRE CAT from Alice in Wonderland, whose grin stayed behind even after the cat had left or Macavity, the cat which just wasn't there (T.S. Eliot's 1939 poem, Macavity: The Mystery Cat). If you are not fond of cats, there is the dog which did not bark, from a Sherlock Holmes story.

2 mins

Reverse Mentoring is a Powerful Collaborator

REVERSE MENTORING, a practice where younger employees mentor more senior leaders, is a recent phenomenon transforming organizational dynamics across the globe, and India is uniquely positioned to leverage this trend.

3 mins

MEET SATYAM ROYCHOWDHURY

The extraordinary mind behind reshaping education in Bengal and beyond

6 mins

"Our vision for APAC is to transition into a more consultative role"

A communications veteran of more than 25 years, TYLER KIM, CEO, Weber Shandwick APAC, has helped senior executives and organisations devise comprehensive strategies for market entry, corporate positioning, crisis management, and marketing communications. During a visit to India A recently, Kim spoke to BW Businessworld's Ruhail Amin on a range of issues including his vision for Weber Shandwick. Excerpts

3 mins

Google's Summer Of Reckoning

What began as a routine quarterly earnings report quickly turned into a landslide of reversals that have shaken the company's foundation and cast doubt on its future dominance in the digital world

5 mins

Nap-vertising Goes Local

RIPAL CHOPDA, CMO, The Sleep Company (TSC) speaks to BW Businessworld's Reema Bhaduri, delving into the company's focused marketing strategies, technological innovations, future plans and more. Excerpts

3 mins

PM MODI'S GAME OF CHESS & THE BANGLADESH CRISIS

Neighbouring Bangladesh is simmering and its deposed leader, now in asylum in India, blames the US for engineering the coup to gain access to a strategic island that Bangladesh controls.

10+ mins

PLAYING THE GROWTH GAME

AS THE €16-BILLION (approximately Rs1.4 lakh crore) Decathlon, the largest sporting goods retailer in the world, jogs along the growth path, India, a market of tremendous potential, is quickly emerging as a crucial driver of this growth.

5 mins

VALUE CREATION OVER VALUATION

For the Indian startup ecosystem, 2023 was challenging, with a much-anticipated rebound projected for 2024. Yet, halfway through the year, only five unicorns have emerged. As the IPO wave gains momentum, is the ecosystem poised for a stronger finish than expected?

3 mins

STARTUPS & THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS

The Indian technology ecosystem has been on an impressive trajectory, marked by several successful IPOs.

3 mins

New Tidal Forces For India's Startup Economy

INDIA EXITED FY24 strongly with a nominal GDP of $3.7 trillion and is now the fifth-largest economy in the world. It grew at a phenomenal 16 per cent in FY23 (following 18.4 per cent in FY22) in nominal terms, continuing to beat multiple forecasts that growth would slow down post the pandemic recovery.

3 mins

THE CONUNDRUM

Achieving the goal of 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol by 2025-26 is at risk due to the impact of climate on crops. Which then should take precedence energy or food security?

4 mins

THE 'INSTANT KARMA' OF INDIAN SHOPPING

The sustainability of quick commerce in India hinges on more than just cheap labour and investor backing; it also depends on infrastructure, regulatory shifts, and socio-economic dynamics

10+ mins

UNCHECKED GIANTS?

Ecommerce has transformed India’s retail landscape, giving wings to countless brands and entrepreneurs to thrive and benefiting millions of consumers if not billions). Yet, as giants like Amazon, Flipkart and quickcommerce platforms grow larger, the question looms: Are they operating unchecked? What are therreal risks and what's just noise? As we navigate this evolving market, the line between necessary regulation and rhetoric becomes ever more crucial to define. By Rohit Chintapali

6 mins

TRAVEL & TOURISM: From Rapid Growth To Transformation

With an estimated annual growth rate of 9.6 per cent from 2024 to 2028, the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to reach a market volume of $34.25 billion by 2028

6 mins

Has Google Finally Made The iPhone of Android?

In Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google finally has smartphones that willwow you with their looks, build, innovative features and silky performance

4 mins

'When You Give, You Get, And You've Got to be Generous About Giving'

LULU RAGHAVAN, now President APAC of the brand consulting and design firm Landor, offers a primer for career advancement, titled Go Further, Faster: A Practical Guide to Advancing Your Career. Raghavan’s credentials for tutoring wannabe leaders is impeccable, having risen to her present role in the WPP group company at the end of a steadfast stint of 23 years. Asked about her new role, Raghavan says, My focus will be to unleash growth and realise the immense potential of APAC for Landor.” REEMA BHADURI picks the mind of the author on her new role and her first book

3 mins

DIPLOMATS ON DIPLOMACY

That Economic Diplomacy is a specialised skill has long gained credence, making room for a division on economic diplomacy in the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Two dozen serving and former diplomats pontificate on this specialised craft in a CUTS compilation titled Economic DiplomacyIndia's Ascendancy in the 21st Century

3 mins

THAR ROXX: MAHINDRA'S GAME CHANGER? MHO1TC 137

Mahindra has taken the iconic Thar to new heights with its 5-door design, combining enhanced practicality with the legendary off-road prowess. As the company aims to redefine its SUV segment dominance, we test if the Thar Roxx truly lives up to the hype

5 mins

"India's travel sector is rapidly adapting to meet the evolving preferences of modern travellers"

Daniel D’Souza, President Country Head Holidays, SOTC Travel, speaks to Tarannum Manjul on how India’s travel sector is evolving to meet the dynamic needs of modern travellers. Excerpts

2 mins

How Cloud Technology is Empowering Indian MSMEs

HARJIT SINGH of Tata Teleservices on cloud technology andits beneficial effects on Indian MSMEs in terms of higher productivity, lower costs, and quicker market responsiveness

2 mins

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