Jack Ma retired from Alibaba, the Company he built 20 years ago, on September 10th 2019 as its Chairman. Ma announced last year he would retire from Alibaba in September 2019.
Jack Ma co founded Alibaba in 1999 as a B2B marketplace site, at his apartment in Hangzhou, China. Alibaba Group Holding Limited is now one of the biggest and most valuable companies in the world. The Company owns and operates businesses in numerous sectors around the world. With a market value of $ 420 million, Alibaba made Jack Ma one of the richest people in China, with a net worth of $ 35.6 billion. He is also considered one of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world.
Jack Ma decided to retire from Alibaba in order to pursue educational and philanthropic work. Daniel Zhang, who is the CEO of the Company since 2015, will step into Jack Ma’s shoes as the executive chairman of Alibaba.
To bid farewell to Jack Ma, the Company held a four hour celebration at an Olympic sized stadium in Hangzhou with a capacity to accommodate 80,000 people. Jack Ma, who is known for his colorful personality and performed at a Chinese music festival, did not disappoint anyone this time either. Ma, dressed as a rockstar with a fake wig and holding an electronic guitar, gave a powerful performance in front of his employees.
Speaking about his retirement at the event, Jack Ma said, “After tonight, I will start a new life. I do believe the world is good, there are so many opportunities and I love excitement so much, which is why I will retire early.”
Even though Jack Ma retired from Alibaba as its Chairman, he will stay on the Company’s board till 2020 and will remain a lifetime partner of Alibaba Partnership.
Unilever has launched a new innovation in personal care with the introduction of a color-changing “smart label” for its Dove Shower Sensor Deep Moisture Body Wash. This limited-edition product, available exclusively in Canada, integrates advanced packaging technology to promote healthier skin habits.
How It Works
The smart label activates when exposed to water temperatures above 41°C, displaying a “VERY HOT” warning. This feature encourages users to lower their shower temperature, helping to preserve the skin’s natural moisture—especially crucial during Canada’s cold winter months1.
A Step Towards Smarter Personal Care
This innovation reflects Unilever’s dedication to combining technology with personal care. Divya Singh, head of personal care at Unilever Canada, highlighted the product’s role in fostering better skin health through intuitive reminders. Singh stated that the sensor supports hydration and empowers consumers to maintain healthier habits confidently1.
Broader Implications
The smart label is part of a larger trend in packaging innovation, offering functionality beyond traditional use. Such advancements not only enhance user experience but also align with Unilever’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation13.
This launch underscores Unilever’s focus on enhancing everyday products with technology while promoting skin health and environmental consciousness.
Unilever’s CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is optimistic about quick commerce’s growth in India, predicting it will significantly boost Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s (HUL) revenue. Currently, quick commerce accounts for about 2% of HUL’s revenue, but Fernandez expects this to rise to 10-15% within the next three to four years.
Why Quick Commerce?
India’s unique demographic, with affluent and economically active households living in close proximity, makes quick commerce a logical and profitable channel. The margin mix in quick commerce is also favorable for improving profitability12.
Market Trends
Quick commerce is rapidly expanding in India, with its contribution to ecommerce sales doubling annually. Major players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are driving this growth, driven by consumer preference for convenience over discounts13.
Future Outlook
Fernandez’s strategy aligns with Unilever’s goal to transform its business and meet evolving consumer preferences. Leveraging quick commerce will be key to enhancing HUL’s revenue in India, a crucial market for Unilever
Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a significant global outage on Monday. The disruption began around 3:20 PM IST, with over 19,000 reports of issues globally, according to Downdetector.
Impact by Region
United States: Over 21,000 users reported issues, primarily with the app.
United Kingdom: More than 10,800 incidents were recorded.
India: Nearly 2,300 users faced difficulties, though some reports suggest around 1,000 complaints, mainly with the search bar.
Nature of the Outage
The outage affected both web and mobile app versions, preventing users from accessing timelines or posting content. The cause remains unclear, as X has not issued an official statement.
Resolution
Services resumed after about 30-40 minutes, but concerns about the platform’s reliability have increased due to its recent technical issues