Some of the biggest names in India’s startup and technology ecosystem will be part of a committee that the government is forming to advise on reforms to further boost the country’s fast-growing digital economy and remove longstanding roadblocks. Ride-hailing firm Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal, ed-tech platform Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran, Infosys co-founders Nandan Nilekani and Kris Gopalakrishnan, and a number of global and home-grown venture capital investors, including Siddarth Pai, the founding partner of 3one4 Capital, are expected to be part of the Startup Advisory Council, people who were briefed on the developments told ET.

Publication: ET Tech

Date: January 08, 2020

India’s competition watchdog has called for clear policies on deep discounts and transparency in seller ratings by large ecommerce companies, in what could have significant implications for etailers such as Amazon and Flipkart. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Wednesday unveiled a set of self-regulation guidelines for the ecommerce sector, along with the findings of an ecommerce market study it initiated in April last year. “Bring out clear and transparent policies on discounts including inter alia (among other things) the basis of discount rates funded by platforms for different products/suppliers and the implications of participation/non-participation.”

Publication: The Economic Times

Date: January 09, 2020

Citing that India’s ecommerce sector is growing at the fastest pace in the world, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), in its new report, estimated that the revenue from this segment will reach $120 Bn in 2020, growing at an annual rate of 51%. In 2017, the revenue from ecommerce segment stood at $39 Bn. ‘The Market Study On Ecommerce In India’ report, which was published on Wednesday (January 8), highlighted that the growth in the ecommerce sector is fueled by the increased penetration of smartphones as well as the internet in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Publication : Inc.42

Date : January 08, 2020

RURAL RETREAT : This was definitely our favourite trend from the Ikea S/S 2020 look book. We love the simple, country-style and tranquil feel of the rooms. There’s lots of white and neutral colour, but it’s kept from becoming bland by all the natural textures and greenery.Rosheen Forbes, Commercial Activity & Events Leader at IKEA UK & Ireland, said that ‘this trend is all about channelling classic chateaux vibes throughout the summer season, by welcoming nature into the home whilst keeping the overall look bold and impactful.

Publication : Real Homes 

Date : January 08, 2020

India’s ecommerce sector which is hardly 5% of the country’s retail sector makes the most noise in the startup ecosystem. And, why not! When two of the biggest global players like Amazon and Walmart are key stakeholders, there’s bound to be a lot of attention on this space. In fact, the duo is also influencing India’s trade relations with the US now. Be it Flipkart’s acquisition by Walmart, or numerous policy initiatives, the last two years have shaped India’s ecommerce in multiple ways AND 2020 will be crucial too as India is set to introduce its comprehensive policy on ecommerce and Reliance enters the game.

Publication : Inc.42

Date : January 08, 2020