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  • Google Overhauls Salary Structure Amid Strategic Compensation Shift

    Google has said that it will change its performance grading system to give higher bonuses and stock awards to top performers while possibly cutting lower-performing employees’ pay.

    The vice president of worldwide compensation and benefits at Google, John Casey, told staff members in an email headlined “Strengthening our performance culture” that more people will have the chance to receive the “Outstanding Impact” rating in yearly evaluations.

    Casey stated, “High performance is more important than ever to achieve the goals we’ve set,” adding that the alterations are being made to “further reward top contributors” inside the organisation.

    Focusing on Top Performers

    The modifications particularly influence Google’s Googler Reviews and Development (GRAD) annual evaluation system. This system assigns a score to employee performance ranging from “not enough impact” to “transformative impact”.

    The majority of workers usually fit into the “Significant Impact” group. More staff will be eligible for the coveted “Outstanding Impact” grade under the new structure, which has a direct impact on pay. Additionally, managers who perform well in the “Significant Impact” area will be rewarded with larger discretionary funds.

    Casey did concede that these adjustments would be “budget-neutral”, which means that some workers will earn lower pay in order to pay for the raises for high achievers.

    Someone’s Loss is Someone’s Gain

    In the email, Casey informed the employees that the firm would like to make clear that, in order to finance this, the equity and bonus individual multipliers for Significant Impact and Moderate Impact ratings would be slightly reduced.

    Notably, significant impact will continue to be a high rating; if it is attained, the employee will still receive more than his desired bonus. The adjustments were confirmed by Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini, who said, “We’re making these changes to further reward top performers and continue our momentum across the company.”

     The pay adjustments are in line with a larger trend in the tech sector, where organisations such as Microsoft and Meta are raising performance standards. These changes will affect Google’s 2026 pay planning and year-end reviews.

    In his email to employees, Casey came to the conclusion that the aforementioned adjustments are budget-neutral and that the company is still investing in extensive and very competitive perks and compensation.

    Google Fires Hundreds of Employees from its Android, Pixel, and Chrome Groups

    According to a media report, Alphabet’s Google has let go of hundreds of workers from its Platforms and Devices business. This division is in charge of important products like the Chrome browser, Pixel devices, and Android software.

    The layoffs come after a voluntary departure programme that was made available to staff members in January.

    The action is a component of a continuous reorganisation that started last year when Google combined its Chrome and Android teams under the Pixel and Devices group. This group is headed by Rick Osterloh, a company executive. The combined company employed around 20,000 people at the time of the merger.

  • Rising Border Tensions Hit Pakistan’s Markets Hard

    Turbulence has struck Pakistan’s financial markets in April, with border tensions between India and Pakistan growing to a peak that hasn’t been seen in years. A deadly terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir that left more than 27 people dead has caused diplomatic relations to go even further downhill between the two nuclear neighbors. Pakistan’s Information Minister has warned that military engagement could be right around the corner, which has sent investor anxiety levels up and stability-seeking capital flowing out of the country’s financial markets.

    Pakistan’s financial instruments are suffering as a result of the geopolitical backdrop. The country’s dollar bonds have fallen almost 4% in April, and its equity markets have dipped nearly 3%. Foreign capital is stepping back, and local market sentiment is deteriorating, which makes the situation look even worse.

    Divergence Between Indian and Pakistani Markets

    Even as political uncertainty weighs down Pakistan’s markets, Indian financial instruments remain resilient. This month the domestic equity and bond markets in India have achieved positive returns, standing in stark contrast to their neighbors to the northwest. The Indian economy, bolstered by relative political stability, seems to have insulated its capital markets from the fallout of border skirmishes.

    This contrast highlights an emerging trend: risk-averse capital is flowing away from Pakistan, where political tensions and fears of conflict have reached new heights. Fund managers and analysts say that unless there is a rapid easing of hostilities, the Pakistani stock market will see continued capital outflows and valuation pressures, which will in turn accelerate the widening performance gap between it and the Indian stock market.

    A Reversal From Recent Optimism

    Prior to the latest friction, Pakistan’s fiscal future was looking brighter. The nation had notched up its finest stock market show in over 20 years just the previous year, a performance driven by, among other factors, dropping oil prices and ascending credit ratings. And with those moves, there seemed to be a gathering interest among investors, a nascent stabilization of sorts.

    This progress has now been stalled. What was once seen as a window for growth and capital inflow has shifted into a period of re-evaluation and caution. Although some market observers still maintain a constructive view on Pakistan in the medium term, the short-term outlook has become clouded by the possibility of further instability and external shocks, such as newly imposed US tariffs.

    Opportunities Amid the Downturn?

    In spite of the current sell-off, some analysts are expressing what can only be called potential silver linings. Avanti Save of Barclays Bank, for instance, notes that the recent slump in bond prices “might create attractive entry points for long-term investors.” Her firm continues to hold an overweight position on Pakistan, banking, as she says, on the notion that geopolitical risk may be short-lived and that economic fundamentals may eventually reassert themselves.

    Some, like Thomas Hugger from Asia Frontier Capital, believe that any kind of real recovery will depend on how quickly the tensions ease. If there’s a diplomatic breakthrough, or even just a stabilization in the media rhetoric, confidence from investors could rebound modestly, allowing both stocks and bonds to recover some of the ground that they’ve lost.

  • China’s Manufacturing Falters Under Weight of Trump-Era Tariffs

    China’s manufacturing sector saw its most rapid decline in over a year, with the April Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) falling to 49.0, its lowest level since December 2023. This marked contraction, indicated by a reading below 50, occurs against the backdrop of the export-driven parts of the economy being pushed hard, and not in a good way, by the US tariffs. But the PMI decline also reflects many of the other problems impacting Beijing’s industrial base.

    The sharp downturn stems from external shocks, especially changes in the global trade environment. Across the country, manufacturers have been reporting a twin surge of order cancellations and production-line halts, especially those tied to exports bound for the United States. With demand rapidly evaporating, the pressure is now on policymakers to come up with some serious new policy measures.

    Tariffs Deal a Major Blow to Exporters

    The harm done by US President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs has been fast and clear. Issued as part of a fresh trade offensive, these duties have thrown many Chinese exporters into disarray. A separate measure of new export orders dropped to 44.7 in April, a level not seen since late 2022, when the country was still wrestling with recovery from pandemic disruptions.

    Exporters are currently not engaging in production and shipment activities. This is due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. Exporters are already scaling back, and that’s having a notable effect at just the wrong moment for the Chinese government. The trade measures are hitting real economic activity right now, and the industrial sector is already feeling the heat.

    Beijing Eyes Targeted Stimulus Measures

    Even though the officials have kept from launching big stimulus packages, Beijing is steadily moving in the direction of issuing targeted initiatives to help the hard-hit sectors. They’re doing this by making it less troublesome for affected businesses to obtain the financing they need and by taking steps to coax consumers back into the marketplace. It’s likely that these efforts will, in turn, lead to the issuance of more proposals, both fiscal and monetary, that are aimed at lifting the economy.

    Zhao Chenxin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reforms Commission of China, indicated that the government has plenty of policy instruments at its disposal to tackle the current problems. He signaled that the government will speed up the implementation of already approved programs and seemed to commit to that effort. But the absence of any broad-sweeping, across-the-board stimulus seems to suggest a more cautious approach. This reflects a concern for overall financial stability and a wish not to upset the international trade situation any further than it already has been.

    The tariff confrontation between Washington and Beijing has moved beyond the economic realm. Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, dismissed talk of a negotiations, saying that yielding to U.S. pressure would just encourage more of it in the future. Chinese media has been having a field day with his and other officials’ remarks. The message: China is not going to back down.

  • US Economy Shrinks 0.3% as Tariff Uncertainty Clouds Outlook

    The US economy saw a contraction of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025. This largely unexpected drop in the economy underscores the growing influence of trade uncertainty on the behavior of businesses and on our wider economy. It’s driven primarily by businesses importing more goods in a rush to beat coming tariff increases. Most economists expect things to get worse before they get better.

    US President Donald Trump was quick to dismiss any connection between the falloff and his tariff strategy. But economists see the deluge of imports as a beauteous sign of front-loading, that is, sending goods ahead of schedule to avoid tariffs. If this is what companies are doing, it is creating a supply-demand mismatch. And because front-loading is a negative indicator, it isn’t leading to consumption but to a distortion of output figures and in-growth figures.

    White House Deflects Blame as Markets Waver

    In a statement released Wednesday, President Trump placed the blame on his predecessor, claiming that the current economy lacked any momentum and that whatever energy was there had been inherited from the previous administration. He said, pointedly, that the tariffs were not to blame for the current slowdown and advised Americans to hang tight until the situation resolves itself.

    Still, market analysts are not convinced. Peter Cardillo, Chief Market Economist at Spartan Capital Securities, pointed out that the erratic nature of present trade policies has induced a climate of business hesitation. Corporations aren’t investing and expanding because they are uncertain about tariffs and what further trade policy changes might mean for their businesses, especially in this “earnings season,” when firms are revising their forecasts downwards and are somewhat more tight-lipped than usual.

    Wall Street Sways with Mixed Signals

    The downturn in GDP exacerbated an already unstable trading session. All three increasingly major U.S. indices closed deeper in the red, with the Dow plummeting (over) 460 points, and the Nasdaq taking nearly a 2% nosedive. Investor reactions could be something of a head fake, particularly in the tech sector, said Jay Hatfield, founder and chief investment officer of InfraCap. He pointed out that mega cap tech and AI companies are set to report earnings shortly, and those announcements could very well negate the losses we saw today. He characterized today’s selloff as “irrational” in light of the kinds of earnings reports we might be seeing in the near future.

    The worldwide stock market reflected the nervousness, with European shares pulling back and emerging stock markets only modestly advancing. The MSCI All Country World Index next dipped almost 1% as international investors continued to hedge their bets and currency markets remained on edge. The safe-haven U.S. dollar held firm against the backdrop of a mixed bag of not-so-good domestic economic data and global concerns.

    When the impact of trade policy on growth is assessed by those in charge, the calls for an economic environment that’s more predictable are likely to increase. At this very moment, businesses and investors are preparing themselves for continued volatility, in both the data and the markets.

  • Paytm Expands to UAE With New Subsidiary, Eyes Global Growth

    A decisive step toward international expansion was taken by Paytm Cloud Technologies Ltd, a subsidiary of Indian fintech Paytm, with the incorporation of a new wholly owned subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates. Named Paytm Arab Payments LLC, the new entity was formed with an equity infusion of AED 8 million, equal to about USD 2.1 million or INR 18.41 crore, at an exchange rate from the time of reporting.

    As per official documents, this subsidiary will center on the introduction of Paytm’s technology-based merchant payment apparatus and its financial services in the UAE market. The goal is to serve an increasingly digital finance-hungry region and to further Paytm’s global diversification strategy. More noteworthy is that this move doesn’t require any regulatory or governmental head nod, which means that Paytm seamlessly glides into the Middle Eastern financial world.

    Broader Global Vision Unfolds

    The international expansion of Paytm into the UAE is part of a wider global strategy, as it seeks to diversify far beyond its Indian base. In the UAE, as in Saudi Arabia and Singapore, subsidiaries will be set up that follow the legal requirements of those countries and carry out what Paytm calls “regulatory lite” operations. Paytm operates much like a bank, but isn’t licensed as one by the RBI. The company’s stated goal is to work under a structure in foreign markets that keeps it as close to a banking operation as possible, without crossing any lines.

    The company has shown its willingness to explore many growth models as it pushes into international markets. This includes forming strategic partnerships, entering into local licensing arrangements, and making acquisitions. By founding Paytm Arab Payments LLC in Dubai, the company has taken the first concrete step along this path, putting it in a position to do business both in the Middle East and elsewhere in North Africa, while still trying to accomplish some of the same, albeit virtual, aims in the much larger opportunity that is India.

    Refocusing After Regulatory Headwinds

    This development also arrives just after Paytm re-established its core focus on the payments business. Last year, the company faced a work stoppage from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that gummed up the operation of its banking business and demanded specific corrections. Now Paytm has the authority of the RBI, and the company is back on track, but it is back on track in a way that emphasizes the very focus of the company pre-RBI work stoppage.

    This path is bolstered by recent product introductions, especially the new and improved version of its soundbox payment device. This model, which has a real-time visual display, is actually the next-gen soundbox and a truly intelligent payment device. Merchants and customers now get real-time information through this device, making it not just a soundbox but a kind of pay station that talks to you.

    Paytm Money got the go-ahead from SEBI earlier this year to function as a research analyst. This, too, is seen as the company working its way into wealth management, which, like insurance, is a sector in which tech companies have so far been largely unsuccessful. But service-based wealth management, which doesn’t require investment in technology to the degree that robo-advisors do, might provide Paytm with a smooth entry into a sector that already generates stable, fee-based revenues.

  • Zaakpay Secures RBI Approval To Operate As Payment Aggregator

    Zaakpay, a fully owned arm of MobiKwik, has received the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) nod to work as an online payment aggregator. Approval was granted under the Act of 2007 that governs payment and settlement systems in India. With that, Zaakpay can now act as a legal intermediary to help merchants and customers alike carry out digital transactions.

    This milestone represents a significant advancement for the fintech company that received in-principle approval from the RBI in October 2021. The process involved to reach here was comprehensive,  not only were the company’s systems and the cybersecurity of its platform thoroughly audited, but also the central bank had a number of additional inquiries that needed to be addressed. Over the past year, the company has worked to meet all the requirements laid out by the RBI. Until now, Zaakpay had been banned from onboarding new merchants because its application had been previously rejected in 2022.

    Strengthening MobiKwik’s Core Payments Infrastructure

    For a long time, Zaakpay has powered MobiKwik’s payment and financial services platforms. As the company’s regulatory filings make clear, any hiccup in Zaakpay’s operations would directly hit MobiKwik’s key offerings, such as MobiKwik ZIP and ZIP EMI. The recent authorisation removes a major regulatory bottleneck the company had encountered and lets Zaakpay get on with growing and integrating more deeply into the MobiKwik ecosystem.

    Although Zaakpay was set up in 2011 to handle digital payments, its performance in recent years has taken a toll on the revenue of parent company MobiKwik. With the RBI giving its nod of approval, Zaakpay now has an opportunity to snatch back some of that lost revenue.

    Business Revival Amid Competitive Fintech Landscape

    MobiKwik looks to the Reserve Bank of India for help in regaining non-judgmental financial standing. The fintech firm is preparing to make public its Q4 FY25 financials, and it has publicly declared losses for three consecutive quarters. In Q3 FY25, MobiKwik posted a net loss of 55.2 crore INR, trading in the red compared to a profit of 5.3 crore INR in the same period a year earlier. Yet, in a contradiction that seems to be the firm’s new normal, revenue rose 18 percent year on year to 269.5 crore INR, hinting at operational growth despite pressures on profitability.

    Now that Zaakpay has received regulatory clearance, it can go back to acquiring new merchants and ramping up its transaction volumes. For MobiKwik, this is a strategic win in the digital payments sector, where it is competing against a number of well-funded rivals. This is especially true given that, as we recently reported, regulatory compliance has become something of a sticking point for many companies that are hoping to operate in this space.

    As MobiKwik reestablishes itself, it has been venturing into such adjacent fields as brokerage, insurance, and alternate non-banking financial services. These are part of a broader effort to reconstitute their revenue mix to build alternative revenue streams and reduce reliance on core payments.

  • Nithin Kamath Raises Alarm on Viral Scam Draining Investor Money via WhatsApp

    In a recent LinkedIn post, Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of Zerodha, issued a stark warning about a rising investment fraud that has trapped thousands of unsuspecting investors across India, the WhatsApp investment scam. According to Kamath, this scam is now the most widespread and damaging among stock market cons, preying on the trust and aspirations of retail investors.

    How the Scam Unfolds

    Kamath detailed how the scam operates in a structured, deceptive manner, often impersonating credible financial institutions and figures.

    Step 1: Fake WhatsApp Groups Mimicking Real Brands

    Scammers first add individuals to WhatsApp groups with names that sound reputable, examples include “Zerodha Elite Traders” or “Premium Investors Club.” To make the group appear genuine, they use logos, colour schemes, and even SEBI registration numbers resembling official ones. What makes the deception worse is the impersonation of known figures. The group admins pretend to be Nithin himself, his brother Nikhil Kamath, COO Venu Madhav, or other Zerodha staff members.

    Step 2: Flooding the Group with False Testimonials

    Within hours, the chat is filled with screenshots showing extraordinarily high intraday returns, typically 100–200%. Testimonials from other supposed members reinforce the illusion. Kamath emphasised that these are completely fake, designed to establish credibility and lure victims deeper into the trap.

    Step 3: Linking to Fake Apps and Platforms

    Victims are then introduced to a so-called “premium signals” service. The scammers often share a link to a fake trading app that mimics Zerodha’s Kite platform. Once the user deposits money, the dashboard shows imaginary profits, with the app looking almost identical to the real one.

    Step 4: Extraction of More Funds Under False Pretences

    As soon as victims attempt to withdraw their earnings, the scammers introduce new hurdles. They claim that “processing fees”, “taxes”, or “account verification charges” must be paid first. These added payments are simply another ploy to extract more money. Once the scammers receive the funds, they disappear without a trace.

    Zerodha’s Official Stand

    Zerodha does not offer stock tips, investment advice, or operate any trading signal groups on platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram. Kamath stressed that all official communication is conducted solely through Zerodha’s verified channels.



    How to Stay Safe

    1. Be sceptical of unsolicited investment groups. If you are added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group offering stock tips, assume it’s a scam unless verified.
    2. Check the source of apps and websites. Always download trading apps from official app stores and verify URLs from trusted sources.
    3. Do not transfer money based on screenshots or testimonials. Genuine investment platforms do not guarantee returns, and certainly not triple-digit intraday profits.
    4. Verify any SEBI registration claims directly via the SEBI website.
    5. Report suspicious activity to cybercrime authorities or SEBI.

    Final Thoughts

    Kamath’s message is not merely a cautionary note but a call to action. Investors must remain vigilant and take ownership of their digital safety. The illusion of easy money remains one of the oldest tricks in the book, and in this digital age, it comes with a glossy interface and a familiar name.

    As fraudsters grow bolder, it is imperative for all investors, seasoned or new, to cross-verify information, rely only on trusted sources, and avoid engagement with any platform or individual promising guaranteed returns.

    Kamath urged people to share the warning with friends and family to help raise awareness and stop the spread of these scams.

    Nithin Kamath Biography: Education | Family | Zerodha | Net Worth
    Nithin Kamath is a Co-founder of the brokerage company Zerodha and Rainmatter. Know about Nithin Kamath’s education, family, children, success story, net worth, etc. Learn more about him on Nithin Kamath Wikipedia.
    StartupTalkyMegha Rani

  • WinZO Smashes Records with INR 1,055 Cr Revenue and INR 315 Cr Profit in FY24

    WinZO, India’s largest interactive entertainment platform, announced its audited financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, reporting record-breaking revenue and profitability despite a dynamic regulatory landscape. It is noteworthy that FY24 reflects only six months of the impact from the 400% increase in GST on online gaming, which came into effect on October 1, 2023. The full-year financial impact of this revised taxation will be seen in FY25.

    Key Financial Highlights (FY24 vs FY23):

    • Revenue from Operations: INR 1,055 crore (up 70% YoY from INR 619 crore)
    • Adjusted Profit After Tax: INR 315 crore (up 151% YoY from INR 125 crore)

    While the company acknowledged the impact of the revised 28% GST on gross receipts, applicable from October 1, 2023, it noted that the full financial effect will be reflected in FY25.

    Strategic Growth Drivers:

    • Massive User Base Expansion: WinZO has organically grown to 250 million users, capturing ~40% of India’s online gaming audience.
    • Multi-Game, Microtransaction Platform: With over 50 titles across genres including Carrom, Ludo, 8 Ball Pool, Car-racing etc and strategy games such as Chess & Checkers, WinZO’s platform drives high user retention and diversified monetization.
    • Developer-Led Monetization: With 50+ developer partners, WinZO delivers superior monetization outcomes versus traditional platforms like Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
    • Operational Excellence: A lean 200-member team enabled the company to cross ₹1,000 Crore in revenue and INR 300 Crore in profit. WinZO has filed over 50 technology patents, reinforcing its innovation-first culture.
    • Global Expansion:  Following its successful India playbook, WinZO launched in Brazil and now delivers localized, multi-language gaming experiences across 16 languages, setting the stage for global scalability.

    Outperforming the Industry: In FY24, WinZO outpaced peers in both growth and profitability:

    • Revenue growth: WinZO (70%) vs Nazara (4%), Zupee (34.9%), MPL (22%)

    WinZO’s community-led, tech-enabled model positions it as the most profitable gaming company in the country, breaking away from the loss-heavy playbooks of its contemporaries.

    Joint Statement by Paavan Nanda & Saumya Singh Rathore, Co-founders, WinZO:

    “WinZO’s personalized technology offers the most affordable entertainment to 250 million Indians while empowering thousands of creators and developers. We’re not just building a gaming company—we’re shaping a globally scalable ecosystem rooted in Indian innovation. Our ambition is bold: to create a tech powerhouse from India that inspires the world with its innovations and scale alike.”

    *During FY 2023, the company had transitioned from IGAAP to IndAS accounting methodology. Additionally, there is an expense on account of fair value treatment of CCPS (mandated by Ind AS) as a liability, instead of equity – the impact of this additional expense for FY2023- 24 is INR 999 crores.

    About WinZO

    WinZO is India’s first and largest interactive entertainment platform, with over 250 million registered users across India and Brazil. Hosting 50+ third-party casual games in 16 languages, WinZO has built a vibrant community of 75,000+ micro-influencers, game streamers, and freelancers, primarily from India’s Tier II–V cities. WinZO is a pioneer in gaming-for-good initiatives, such as ‘Play to Prevent Cancer,’ partnering with Tata Memorial Hospital to establish a Gene Counseling Center and advance early cancer detection awareness. Facilitating 1 in every 200 United Payment Interface (UPI) transactions in India, WinZO is a series-C funded venture, having raised USD 100 million from leading global investors including Kalaari, Griffin Gaming Partners, Courtside Ventures, and Makers Fund—their first investment in the Indian startup ecosystem.

    WinZO: Revolutionizing Social Gaming with Innovation and Growth | Games | WinZo App
    WinZo Games, a vernacular gaming platform was launched in 2018. Read more about WinZO Games, Winzo app, its founder, business model, growth, funding, and future plans.
    StartupTalkyRishabh Rathi

  • Gold and silver Coins will be Delivered via Swiggy Instamart from Kalyan Jewellers

    Just in time for the Akshaya Tritiya festival, Swiggy‘s quick commerce vertical, Instamart, has teamed up with Kalyan Jewellers to provide quick doorstep delivery of gold and silver coins in over 100 cities.

    Through the fast commerce platform, clients will be able to order 24-karat BIS-hallmarked gold coins and 999-pure certified silver coins, which will be delivered in a matter of minutes. A variety of coin weights are available in the offering, including 5 gram, 10 gram, and 20 gram silver coins in addition to 0.5 gram and 1 gram gold coins.

     Although the debut coincides with Akshaya Tritiya, a festival customarily linked to the purchase of precious metals, all coins have ornamental designs and are available throughout the year.

     “This partnership is both timely and relevant as more customers turn to quick commerce for traditional and festive purchases,” said Amitesh Jha, CEO of Instamart. With the addition of Kalyan Jewellers to its platform, Instamart is excited to give its consumers the same easy access to certified, reliable gold and silver coins as they do to groceries or other everyday necessities.

    Growing Interest of Quick Commerce to Explore Precious Metal Sector

    Swiggy’s action coincides with rapid commerce platforms’ increasing interest in entering the precious metals market. Around Diwali and Dhanteras last year, rival Blinkit launched a comparable gold and silver coin delivery service.

     Quick commerce sites have experimented with selling gold and silver before. Similar offerings were made by many at previous year’s Dhanteras. But one notable omission from this Akshaya Tritiya is Zepto, which, in contrast to its competitors Blinkit and Instamart, has decided not to take part as aggressively in the seasonal gold rush.

    Despite rising gold prices and a lacklustre consumer mood, jewellers are hoping for a windfall of about INR INR16,000 crore this Akshaya Tritiya. In the Hindu and Jain calendars, Akshaya Tritiya is an important day that is honoured as a day of prosperity and fresh starts.

    It is frequently connected to buying gold and launching new businesses. Recently, retail gold prices reached INR 1 lakh per 10 grams, which discouraged bulk purchases but increased demand for inexpensive, lightweight jewellery and coins. Quickly adjusting, jewellers have increased their collections under INR 1 lakh and included 14- and 18-carat options.

    Are Quick Commerce Platforms to Handle Expanding Portfolio

    It’s interesting to note that a large number of the gold and silver coins that are advertised on these rapid commerce platforms are either sold out or unavailable. This begs the question of whether these platforms are sufficiently equipped to handle the spike in demand during busy holiday events like Akshaya Tritiya.

    The 10-minute gold rush is more than simply a fun exercise. In response to India’s increasing demand for convenience, quick commerce companies are diversifying their product lines to include everything from iPhones to kitchen appliances.

    A 2025 Bain-Flipkart analysis states that, with a gross merchandise value of $7 billion out of a $170–190 billion e-retail business, fast commerce accounted for up to 4% of the whole e-retail market in 2024.

    According to the survey, the Q-com industry is predicted to expand at a rate of 40% per year, with general merchandise, mobile phones, electronics, and clothing already accounting for 15% to 20% of its GMV.

  • UPS Plans to Layoff 20,000 Employees

    UPS announced on April 29 that it would eliminate 20,000 positions this year, or around 4% of its global workforce. However, UPS clarified that the decision has nothing to do with tariffs and is instead the result of a previously declared goal to reduce its Amazon business and increase technology use.

    By mid-2026, UPS plans to halve its business with its biggest client, Amazon, as part of a “glide down” strategy revealed in January. The majority of the Amazon business that UPS is giving up is “not profitable for us, nor a healthy fit for our network,” according to a statement made by UPS CEO Carol Tomé.

    In the most recent quarter, UPS’s package volume from Amazon had already decreased by 16%, which was more than UPS had anticipated. As the latest step in that “glide down” strategy, UPS said that it will close 73 US buildings by the end of June.

    Infusing More Tech into the Operations

    Additionally, UPS stated that it anticipates increasing automation across its 400 facilities, from package sorting to label application to truck loading and unloading. “We will also reduce our reliance on labour with this reconfiguration,” Tomé stated.

    Over 300,000 UPS hourly workers are represented by the Teamsters union, which declared it will oppose any layoffs of its members. Sean O’Brien, the president of the union, stated that the Teamsters will not obstruct UPS’s plans to continue reducing corporate management.

     “But if the company intends to violate our contract or makes any attempt to go after hard-fought, good-paying Teamsters jobs, UPS will be in for a hell of a fight,” said O’Brien.

    Glenn Zaccara, a UPS spokesman, responded by saying the business plans to fulfil all of the conditions of the contract. However, Trump’s sweeping 10% tariffs on most imports, particularly the 145% taxes on Chinese imports, did have some impact on UPS.

    However, the business is still unsure of the long-term consequences.

    Uncertainty and Confusion Heating the Environement

    According to Tome, clients who frequently transact with China are “not thinking about exiting the business”. However, she added that many of them are unsure about exactly what they would do next. Many people are still holding out hope for a rollback of tariffs.

    “To be honest, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the China orders,” she stated. “We are aware of the announcements. Actually, we have no idea if it will occur or if it will persist. We believe we don’t know a lot of stuff.”

    UPS predicts that its own revenue will decline in the second quarter compared to a year ago because it believes that its customers will be impacted by the tariffs and Amazon’s pullback. However, it stated that it is not yet prepared to release its own full-year guidance, though it did caution that it may do so in the future.

    She claimed that because all of those tariffs will eventually affect US consumers, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the second half of the year. Consumer mood is currently lower than it was at the start of the year. However, the customer is still in good health.