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Amazon To Partner With Grofers To Counter Alibaba BigBasket

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To get a toehold in the online grocery retail sector in the Indian market, Amazon is reportedly discussing investing in Grofers ahead of Alibaba’s investment in BigBasket.

According to media reports, Amazon is looking to align with its rival Grofers as Alibaba and Paytm move ahead with their plans to pick a sizable stake in BigBasket. A news daily reported Paytm Mall and Alibaba have extended the exclusivity period with BigBasket for two weeks. The deal would see $ 150 million infusion in BigBasket from Alibaba through Paytm Mall while another $ 50 million will be given to existing investors in a secondary transaction.

BigBasket was also reportedly in talks with ecommerce giants Amazon for a potential investment but talks with the retail giant failed as the online grocer rejected the $450 million offer made by Amazon. Meanwhile, the US based giant has shown interest to pick up a minority stake in SoftBank backed Grofers. But any investment in Grofers by Amazon would have to cross multiple hoops as existing Grofers investors SoftBank and Tiger Global have also invested in Indian ecommerce firm Flipkart.

According to reports, an investment of around $100 million or so in Grofers can prevent Flipkart from aligning with the retail company, which is their natural ally after SoftBank’s $ 2.5 billion investment in Flipkart. Amazon’s early stage talks with Grofers for an equity funding has been termed as “rumor and speculation” by a spokesperson. VCCircle reported Alibaba’s investment in BigBasket is “just a matter of time,” according to a person privy to the development.

An investment in BigBasket will provide Paytm the ammunition against Amazon who recently received the government’s approval for $500 million investment in the food retail industry. The Jeff Bezos led company also plans to open brick and mortar outlets to sell grocery in the country apart from on their portal. The new business unit will sell either third party labels or Amazon’s private labels of locally produced and packaged food products. Multinationals, as per the foreign direct investment regulations, can only set up wholly owned subsidiaries in India to retail food products as long as the items are produced, processed or manufactured in the country.

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Apple Achieves 13% Growth in India with $9 Billion Sales and New Flagship Stores in FY25

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Apple has set a new benchmark in India, recording $9 billion in annual sales for FY25—a 13% surge over the prior year, fueled chiefly by robust demand for iPhones and MacBooks. The tech giant’s strategic expansion into Bengaluru and Pune with new flagship stores has deepened brand engagement and increased accessibility for customers across urban centers.

Apple’s rapid retail footprint expansion and locally tailored initiatives, including student discounts and trade-in offers, overcame price barriers and high import duties to drive sales volumes to unprecedented heights. Meanwhile, local production reached new highs, with 20% of iPhones now assembled in India and manufacturing output up 60%, valued at $22 billion part of Apple’s move to diversify its global supply chain.

India is now Apple’s fourth-largest market worldwide, reflecting its rising role as both a consumption and manufacturing powerhouse for premium tech. Continued investment in retail outlets, partnerships with Tata for device repairs, and consumer-friendly financing have positioned Apple for even stronger growth as Indian incomes and technology aspirations rise.

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OYO Achieves Record Profitability in FY25 with Deferred Tax Boost and New Corporate Identity

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OYO, India’s leading hospitality startup, has retained strong profitability in FY25, driven by a significant deferred tax gain and a bold corporate identity overhaul. The company’s net profit surged to ₹623 crore, marking a 172% year-on-year growth, with adjusted EBITDA reaching ₹1,132 crore a 27% increase from the previous fiscal. Total revenue rose by 20% to ₹6,463 crore, propelled by strategic expansion in premium segments and the integration of G6 Hospitality into OYO’s growing portfolio.

The deferred tax gain of ₹765.6 crore played a crucial role in OYO’s profitability for FY25, helping overcome challenges from operational losses and global expansion costs. Meanwhile, OYO launched a campaign to rename its parent company, Oravel Stays Ltd, aiming for a tech-first, globally resonant brand identity as the business prepares for its IPO. This rebranding signals OYO’s shift toward broader urban living solutions, with the “OYO Hotels” brand remaining unchanged for consumers while the corporate entity targets premium and tech-driven markets worldwide.

OYO’s premiumization strategy and aggressive international growth have led to record results for the fourth quarter of FY25, with gross booking value surging 54% to ₹16,436 crore and revenue hitting new highs. These achievements highlight OYO’s disciplined financial management and commitment to innovation, setting a benchmark for Indian startups navigating global expansion and sustained profitability in the hospitality technology sector.

 

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MPL to Lay Off 60% of India Workforce Following Online Gaming Ban

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MPL

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.

India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.

This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.

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