Latest news with #Blinkit
Fashion Value Chain
a day ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Gargi Launches Bliss: Silver Charms in Bottled Keepsakes
Gargi by P. N. Gadgil & Sons, one of India's fastest-rising fashion jewellery labels, has introduced its latest offering—the Bliss Collection. Crafted entirely from 925 sterling silver, this line reimagines minimal jewellery with themed charms packaged in distinctive glass bottles, ideal for personal indulgence or heartfelt gifting. Each charm in the Bliss Collection symbolizes a sentiment—be it love, gratitude, or personal meaning. With motifs such as stars, hearts, notes, and nature-inspired icons, the collection brings a gentle narrative to everyday adornment. The bottle packaging adds to its charm, transforming each piece into a meaningful keepsake. Available exclusively in Gargi's 16 retail stores across India, Bliss invites shoppers to explore gifting not as a seasonal ritual but as an emotional gesture. Speaking on the launch, Aditya Modak, Co-founder of Gargi, noted, 'Jewellery speaks in silence. With Bliss, we've tried to make that unspoken communication more deliberate and memorable—whether you're buying for yourself or someone you cherish.' The launch follows a strong FY 2024-25 for the brand, with revenue reaching ₹128.4 crore, nearly tripling from the previous year. Net profits stood at ₹28.8 crore, driven by retail expansion, franchise growth, and entry into quick commerce through Blinkit in Mumbai. Bliss continues Gargi's focus on affordable, meaningful silver jewellery, blending minimal aesthetics with emotional resonance—proof that the most cherished gifts come in small, thoughtful packages.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
Ordered From Blinkit But Gpay-ing Grofers? Know All About This Zomato App
Last Updated: During online UPI payments, many Blinkit users reportedly see the merchant name listed as Grofers; Know why In today's fast-paced world, quick grocery delivery apps like Blinkit have become a part of everyday life. Whether you're craving late-night snacks or need kitchen essentials delivered in minutes, Blinkit offers unmatched speed and convenience. But while paying for your order online, you may have noticed something odd—Google Pay sometimes shows the payment being made to Grofers. Don't worry, it's not a mistake or a scam. Here's why that happens and what it means. Why Does Google Pay Show 'Grofers?' During online UPI payments, many Blinkit users reportedly see the merchant name listed as Grofers instead of Blinkit. This confusion often surprises new users who wonder if they have accidentally paid the wrong business. In reality, the reason is much simpler—and entirely legit. From Grofers to Blinkit: The Rebranding Blinkit was formerly known as Grofers, a name many long-time users might remember. The company started in 2013, focusing on scheduled grocery deliveries. But as the quick-commerce trend grew, Grofers rebranded itself to Blinkit in December 2021 to better reflect its focus on ultra-fast delivery, sometimes in under 10 minutes. The transformation was more than just a name change. Blinkit repositioned itself in the market and leaned into technology and logistics to reduce delivery times drastically. Zomato Acquires Blinkit in 2022 In 2022, food delivery giant Zomato acquired Blinkit in an all-stock deal worth $568 million, as per reports. With this move, Blinkit became a Zomato subsidiary and helped Zomato enter the fast-growing instant grocery delivery market. Despite the new ownership and branding, many internal systems, including UPI handles, reportedly still show the old business name. So why does Google Pay still show 'Grofers?' The answer lies in how UPI (Unified Payments Interface) handles merchant information. UPI IDs and handles are tied to the legal name of the business entity, not necessarily the consumer-facing brand. Since Grofers was the original registered business, some backend payment systems, including Google Pay, still reflect that older name. Changing the legal UPI details is a slower process and doesn't always match rebranding timelines. So, when you see Grofers while paying for your Blinkit order, there's no need to panic; it's just a reflection of the company's earlier identity. So next time you order from Blinkit and see Grofers on your GPay screen, don't panic—it's simply a case of the old name, new brand and same company. Your money is going to the right place.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Food safety lapses: Brands tighten quick commerce terms
MUMBAI: Following incidents of food safety violations at dark stores operated by quick commerce platforms, brands are renegotiating and tightening their terms of contract with them to ensure that such instances are kept under check. "Clauses related to storage, handling and hygiene are being renegotiated, especially in the context of dark stores and last-mile are also keeping legal options open particularly where negligent handling could trigger consumer claims or regulatory scrutiny," Chandan Goswami, partner at law firm AT & Partners told TOI. At least half a dozen brands including Marico, ITC, Godrej Consumer Products and Dabur declined to comment. Queries sent to Zepto, Swiggy and Zomato-owned Blinkit did not elicit any responses. Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Food & Drug Administration department had suspended food business licences of Zepto's Dharavi dark store and another managed by Blinkit in Pune's Balewadi area over food safety violations and regulatory non-compliance. The licences have been reinstated following inspection by authorities and adherence to compliance by the platforms. Brands are now negotiating representations and warranties (as part of the contract), asserting compliance with FSSAI norms and accurate food handling procedures. They are also incorporating robust indemnity clauses to shield themselves from losses or reputational harm arising from platform lapses besides seeking audit rights to get access to dark stores and fulfilment centres for verification, said Dheeraj Nair, partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors. "Quick commerce operators can no longer be treated as mere facilitators; they are increasingly viewed as co-custodians of regulated goods. Brands, in response, are revising contracts to force accountability through precise compliance standards and legal safeguards," said Nair. To be sure, the FSSAI e-commerce guidance and advisories require formal written agreements between brand owners and platforms affirming compliance with FSSAI regulations, legal experts said. The market for quick commerce or 10-minute deliveries is rapidly growing in India, particularly in the metros where, pressed for time, consumers do not mind paying a bit extra to get groceries and other products delivered at their doorstep in minutes. The space has expanded to cover a whole host of non-grocery categories including toys, jewellery, electronics and select apparel. A recent report by Kearney said that the quick commerce market is expected to triple between 2024 and 2027 touching Rs 1.5-1.7 lakh crore. Pursuant to recent developments, both brands and quick commerce platforms are likely to increasingly scrutinise the representations and warranties which form a part of their agreements. This will ensure requisite licences, including those under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 have been obtained and maintained, said Sahil Narang, partner at Khaitan & Co. "The focus will also be on compliance protocols, especially in relation to perishable goods where hygiene and storage standards are critical," Narang said. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
DMart share price: Kotak Securities slaps 'sell' tag to THIS Radhakishan Damani portfolio stock
DMart share price in focus: Domestic brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities, in its recent note, maintained a cautious stance on DMart, citing rising competition in the quick commerce (QC) space. While the brokerage remains optimistic about DMart's physical store expansion—expecting its store count to grow from 415 currently to 620 by FY28E—it flagged intensifying pressure from QC players, who are rapidly expanding their geographic footprint across India. Kotak believes this could result in heightened price competition, especially as DMart grapples with increasing employee and operating costs. The brokerage has therefore reiterated its 'Sell' rating on the stock, with a target price of ₹ 3,400, implying a downside of 20.35% from the last closing price. DMart recently announced the opening of a new store in Agra, Uttar Pradesh (UP). UP is a large, populous state, and the move potentially signals more store additions in the region. Kotak notes that while D-Mart was already present in Ghaziabad, it had not meaningfully expanded beyond that city until now. The brokerage considers the UP expansion to be in line with expectations, referencing DMart's July 2024 analyst call, where Uttar Pradesh and Orissa were identified as key growth markets. However, QC players have already captured significant ground in these regions. Blinkit now has a presence in 26 cities in UP, while Instamart, Zepto, and BB Now operate in 13, 8, and 9 cities, respectively. QC companies have expanded geographic footprint rapidly Nationally, Blinkit has expanded to 194 cities, Instamart to 116, and Zepto to 73—outpacing DMart, which currently has a presence in 151 cities. The brokerage further highlights that over 100 cities now have at least one QC player but no DMart store—underscoring the aggressive push of QC players into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Additionally, DMart lacks any store presence in 13 Indian states, including Assam, Bihar, and Chandigarh, where Blinkit and Instamart are already operational. In response to competitive pressures, DMart has been increasing its focus on private-label products to protect margins. While it has historically offered private labels in bulk grocery segments such as grains, pulses, and flours, the retailer is now actively expanding into branded categories like biscuits, candies, and home and personal care products (detergents, soaps, hair oils, etc.). Kotak's recent store visits indicate an increasing amount of shelf space devoted to these products, which are significantly cheaper and closely resemble their branded counterparts in packaging and appearance. Most of these products appear similar (in looks, packaging, etc.) to their branded counterpart. The brokerage believes that this is a clear effort by DMart to defend gross margins while delivering better value to customers. However, it also cautioned that the ramp-up in private labels may only partially offset the impact of QC-led footfall erosion and rising cost pressures.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
DMart faces rising QC threat as Kotak reiterates 'Sell' call with 20% downside
DMart share price in focus: Domestic brokerage firm Kotak Institutional Equities, in its recent note, maintained a cautious stance on DMart, citing rising competition in the quick commerce (QC) space. While the brokerage remains optimistic about DMart's physical store expansion—expecting its store count to grow from 415 currently to 620 by FY28E—it flagged intensifying pressure from QC players, who are rapidly expanding their geographic footprint across India. Kotak believes this could result in heightened price competition, especially as DMart grapples with increasing employee and operating costs. The brokerage has therefore reiterated its 'Sell' rating on the stock, with a target price of ₹ 3,400, implying a downside of 20.35% from the last closing price. DMart recently announced the opening of a new store in Agra, Uttar Pradesh (UP). UP is a large, populous state, and the move potentially signals more store additions in the region. Kotak notes that while D-Mart was already present in Ghaziabad, it had not meaningfully expanded beyond that city until now. The brokerage considers the UP expansion to be in line with expectations, referencing DMart's July 2024 analyst call, where Uttar Pradesh and Orissa were identified as key growth markets. However, QC players have already captured significant ground in these regions. Blinkit now has a presence in 26 cities in UP, while Instamart, Zepto, and BB Now operate in 13, 8, and 9 cities, respectively. QC companies have expanded geographic footprint rapidly Nationally, Blinkit has expanded to 194 cities, Instamart to 116, and Zepto to 73—outpacing DMart, which currently has a presence in 151 cities. The brokerage further highlights that over 100 cities now have at least one QC player but no DMart store—underscoring the aggressive push of QC players into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Additionally, DMart lacks any store presence in 13 Indian states, including Assam, Bihar, and Chandigarh, where Blinkit and Instamart are already operational. In response to competitive pressures, DMart has been increasing its focus on private-label products to protect margins. While it has historically offered private labels in bulk grocery segments such as grains, pulses, and flours, the retailer is now actively expanding into branded categories like biscuits, candies, and home and personal care products (detergents, soaps, hair oils, etc.). Kotak's recent store visits indicate an increasing amount of shelf space devoted to these products, which are significantly cheaper and closely resemble their branded counterparts in packaging and appearance. Most of these products appear similar (in looks, packaging, etc.) to their branded counterpart. The brokerage believes that this is a clear effort by DMart to defend gross margins while delivering better value to customers. However, it also cautioned that the ramp-up in private labels may only partially offset the impact of QC-led footfall erosion and rising cost pressures. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
