Latest news with #ZomatoGold
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The power of predictive branding
By Atul Raja As marketing shifts from story-telling to story-selling, predictive branding is giving brands a strategic head-start in anticipating consumer behavior. Predictive Branding: The Future Has Already Arrived In a world where consumer preferences change faster than ever, traditional branding strategies — rooted in hindsight and historical data — are taking a backseat. Today, the brands that thrive are not just reactive; they're predictive. Predictive branding anticipates what the consumer will want tomorrow and aligns the brand today to meet that future need by leveraging real-time data, AI-powered insights, and behavioral analytics to forecast emerging trends, consumer sentiment, and category shifts. Predictive Branding goes beyond demographics and psychographics to build foresight-driven brand strategies — where campaign messaging, product innovation , positioning, and even tone of voice are influenced by future-driven signals. Branding meets behavioral science, and intuition meets intelligence According to a PwC report, over 63% of global CMOs say that consumer behavior is changing faster than their ability to keep up. Meanwhile, McKinsey finds that 75% of consumers have changed brands in the past two years, driven by availability, relevance, and perceived purpose. In such a landscape, predictive branding offers three core advantages: Agility in brand messaging: You're not just reacting to trends — you're riding them segmentation and targeting: Predictive analytics can identify emerging micro-audiences before they go innovation: Product ideation and brand extensions are driven by real-time gaps in consumer needs. Brands leading the predictive shift Tata Consumer Products used predictive insights to reposition and successfully grow Tata Sampann as a 'health-first' staple brand, riding the early wave of post-COVID wellnessZomato analyses user sentiment and search behavior to introduce hyper-personalized offers and features like 'Zomato Gold' — optimizing brand stickinessMarico's Saffola leveraged predictive search data to launch newer variants like Saffola Immuniveda and Saffola Honey, anticipating the Ayurvedic wellness trend ahead of its peakBoat continuously adapts its branding and influencer strategy using social listening and predictive modelling, helping it dominate the audio accessories market among Gen Z These brands are no longer guessing what consumers want — they're anticipating it with accuracy. Data Speaks A Salesforce study revealed that 62% of customers expect companies to anticipate their India, Dunnhumby and NielsenIQ have launched predictive analytics platforms that help FMCG brands align future demand with current campaignsAs per a HubSpot report, 66% of marketing professionals globally use AI tools in some form in their jobs What Lies Ahead? As AI and machine learning evolve, predictive branding will become less of a competitive advantage and more of a brand survival tool. Generative AI + Predictive Branding will personalize creatives at scalePredictive models will inform not just campaigns, but entire brand architectures — names, packaging, channels, and partnershipsEmotion AI and neuro-marketing will decode subconscious triggers to align brand tonality to future emotions In short, branding will move from reactive positioning to dynamic recalibration — real-time, always-on, and deeply personal. The age of predictive branding has dawned. In a crowded marketplace where loyalty is fleeting and relevance is everything, the winners will be brands that don't just follow the consumer but lead them through informed foresight, dynamic messaging, and proactive innovation. As marketing leaders, we must not ask 'What does the consumer want?' — but 'What will they want next?' That's where the future of brand growth lies. (The author is a global marketing consultant and brand strategist.)
Fashion Value Chain
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Bajaj Finance Launches ‘Loan Utsav' with Exciting Rewards on Business Loans
For today's go-getters and ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses, accessing quick business finance just got a lot more rewarding. Bajaj Finance Limited has launched 'Loan Utsav', a limited-time festive campaign designed to empower business owners with loans up to Rs. 80 lakh – and exciting rewards like cashback up to Rs. 3,000 and brand vouchers to go with it. Bajaj Finserv Business Loan The Loan Utsav offer is valid from June 20, 2025, to July 31, 2025, and is available exclusively through the Bajaj Finserv App. The rewards are limited to the first 200 successful business loan disbursals in each month (June and July 2025), making early participation advantageous for applicants. What is the Loan Utsav offer Under the Loan Utsav campaign, eligible customers can: Apply for business loans ranging from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 80 lakh Receive cashback up to Rs. 3,000 directly in their Bajaj Pay Wallet Get additional brand vouchers from KFC, Amazon Prime, Zomato Gold, and OTT Play Reward structure based on loan amount Loan disbursed Cashback Voucher Rs. 1,00,000 – Rs. 5,00,000 Rs. 500 KFC Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,000 Amazon Prime Rs. 10,00,001 – Rs. 25,00,000 Rs. 2,000 Zomato Gold Rs. 25,00,001 – Rs. 50,00,000 Rs. 2,500 OTT Play Rs. 50,00,001 – Rs. 80,00,000 Rs. 3,000 OTT Play To unlock these benefits, customers must apply and get their loan disbursed via the Bajaj Finserv App, and set up their Bajaj Pay Wallet within 90 days. Those without a wallet can still earn Bajaj Coins, which can be redeemed within the app. Eligibility criteria for Loan Utsav rewards To qualify for Loan Utsav rewards: The customer must be among the first 200 to get a successful loan disbursal in June or July 2025. The application and disbursal must happen through the Bajaj Finserv App. The loan should not be cancelled by the customer post disbursal. Only one participation per customer is allowed. Why choose a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan Running a business requires more than just vision-it requires timely access to capital. Whether youre managing daily operations or planning expansion, a personal loan for self-employed individuals can provide the financial flexibility you need. With Bajaj Finserv Business Loan, customers get access to high-value financing without the stress of offering collateral. Here are some key features of Bajaj Finserv Business Loan: Loan amount up to Rs. 80 lakh to support businesses of all sizes. No collateral required, keeping the process simple and hassle-free. Quick approval and disbursal, often within 48 hours*. Flexible repayment tenure ranging from 12 to 96 months. With a fully digital process, individuals can apply for the business loan wherever they are, at a time that works best for them. More on rewards and Bajaj Coins Customers who haven't created a wallet within 90 days from loan disbursal will receive their rewards as Bajaj Coins. These can be redeemed within the app for a wide range of transactions or converted into cashback*. You can redeem your Bajaj Coins for: Vouchers from e-commerce platforms Discounts on partner services OTT subscriptions, food delivery, and more How to apply Eligible applicants can follow these simple steps to apply for a Bajaj Finserv Business Loan and avail of the Loan Utsav rewards: Download the Bajaj Finserv App from the Google Play Store. Log in using your mobile number. On the home screen, tap the 'Business Loan' icon. Click on the 'Check Eligibility' button. Fill out the application form with your basic personal and professional details. Once completed, tap 'Continue'. Enter your banking details as requested. Finally, submit your application for processing. Loan Utsav offers a unique way for entrepreneurs and business owners to fuel growth while receiving value-packed rewards. Apply today on the Bajaj Finserv App and unlock exciting benefits with your business loan. *Terms and conditions apply Bajaj Finance Limited Bajaj Finance Ltd. ('BFL', 'Bajaj Finance', or 'the Company'), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 69.14 million customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BB+/Positive and a short-term rating of B by S&P Global ratings. To know more, visit
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Prime Video, now with ads: Today's digital citizen is paying more for less
Written by Mrinalini Naik The rapid growth of India's digital ecosystem over the last two decades has transformed how millions of people communicate, shop, learn, and entertain themselves. As India continues its digital surge, a growing number of users are facing a strange irony: The more dominant a platform becomes, the worse the experience gets. E-platforms once promised access, speed, convenience, control, a diverse selection and affordability. For a while, they delivered. But somewhere along the way, the user became less of a priority and more of a target. What we're witnessing now is the decay of digital platforms, a process that has earned a fitting name: 'Enshitification'. Coined by Canadian-British journalist Cory Doctorow, the term refers to how online platforms degrade over time: First serving users, then business clients, and eventually just themselves. For instance, recently, Amazon Prime notified its members that starting June 17, 2025, Prime Video will include advertisements, and if the members want to have an 'ad-free experience' on the OTT platform, they'll have to pay an additional fee on top of the standard Prime membership charges. Similarly, a few days back, both Zomato Gold and Swiggy One updated their terms to include 'rain-surge fees' even for premium subscribers. What began as loyalty programs offering free delivery and priority service now resemble subscription traps that add cost while subtracting value. These are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate business model shift. As user growth plateaus, platforms turn inward, optimising for revenue per user, not user experience. Loyalty is no longer rewarded, it's priced. Coupons dry up for returning customers, free delivery becomes elusive, and core features are throttled behind new paywalls. Customer care has become bot-driven, and live human support is hidden behind multiple steps or unavailable. This phenomenon is plainly visible across India's digital ecosystem. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube constantly flood users with unskippable ads to push premium plans. From e-commerce to grocery and food delivery apps, users are now confronted with an escalating mix of non-negotiable 'platform fees' or 'handling charges' on every order. Multiple layers of fees, like delivery charges for smaller baskets, packaging fees, and surge pricing during peak hours, are added, and membership terms shrink in value over time. If this sounds like paying more to get less, that's because it is. The logic behind this model is simple: Once platforms scale to achieve market dominance and user dependence to become indispensable, monetisation intensifies. Charges once optional become default. However, 'enshitification' is not just limited to fees or the push for paid subscriptions; it's about all the systemic processes that degrade user experience. One such process is device-based price discrimination done by platforms. In 2025, a storm of user complaints and reports revealed that many platforms, specifically quick commerce and ride-hailing apps, were charging more to iPhone users than to Android users for the same route and time, based solely on device data. This profiling, based purely on perceived purchasing power, occurs without consent, transparency, or recourse. From the consumer perspective, it raises serious concerns about fairness, especially in the absence of clear disclosure by platforms. Another issue is that platforms are increasingly relying on dark patterns, that is, manipulative UI/UX to trick users into unwanted choices. Some of these patterns are: Creating 'false urgency', where fake limited stock countdowns push users into hasty decisions; 'basket sneaking', which involves adding unwanted items to the cart or auto-ticking donation boxes without consent; 'drip pricing', where hidden charges appear only at checkout; 'search bias', when platforms prioritise paid listings or ads over more relevant results burying small or local businesses that may offer better value or service; 'nagging', where platforms send continuous notifications or requests to purchase unintended goods or services; and 'subscription trap', making cancellation of paid membership difficult and complex. These patterns are inherently opaque, designed to mislead and extract more without the user actively realising it. To address this issue in 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued guidelines under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, identifying a range of such manipulative practices (dark patterns) for prevention and regulation of those. However, the non-binding nature of Annexure-I (which provides specified dark patterns illustrations) offers guidance and not interpretation of the law. This grants the CCPA scope to offer new explanations of the mentioned practices, creating uncertainty and ambiguity in enforcement procedures. This provides a loophole for the digital platforms to continue indulging in dark patterns. Currently, India's legal framework for digital platforms addresses several important areas through the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and E-Commerce Rules, 2020. These mandate transparency in pricing and prohibit unfair trade practices; the Information Technology Rules, 2021 requires platforms to publish terms of use and establish grievance redress mechanisms; the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ensures user consent and privacy; and the Competition Act,2002, prohibits practices like predatory pricing or market dominance abuse. However, none of these laws directly regulate user experience or interface design. Additionally, all these regulations are reactive, addressing harm after it occurs. What India needs right now is a forward-looking, ex-ante regulatory approach, inspired by global standards for governing user experience on digital platforms. Much like the EU's Digital Markets Act, the proposed Digital Competition Bill in India, if passed, will be an ex-ante regulation addressing some issues like self-preferencing of products by platforms, restricting users from using third-party applications on their core digital services or tying-bundling of non-essential services to those demanded by users. Though it's a welcome move to improve user experience to some extent, to truly address 'enshitification', India still needs legal frameworks on design and algorithm transparency standards, clearer definitions and binding regulations on dark patterns and mandatory UX audits for large platforms. The writer is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India
Mint
29-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
How much does a breakup really cost — Are you prepared for financial reality?
Breakups are not just emotionally brutal – they can be financially devastating too. Think about it: shared Netflix accounts, co-signed rent agreements, couple trips on EMI, gifts bought on credit, and emotionally-triggered impulsive spending. Ouch! In India, where relationships are becoming more independent and financially entangled, budgeting for a breakup isn't just smart, it's essential. Whether you're dating, live-in, or navigating a situationship, here's why you must prepare your bank balance for heartbreak. That Goa trip? Booked. Those anniversary gifts? Swiped on a credit card. Shared Zomato Gold? Split down the middle. But when the love story ends, the financial story doesn't. In a country where "couple goals" often means planning mini-vacations and buying gifts to keep up with Instagram reels, many young Indians forget to calculate the real cost of love—and the even higher cost of losing it. Breakup budget tip: Always keep shared expenses transparent. Use UPI-based apps like Splitwise or SettleUp. If you're booking something expensive (like flights or furniture), get it in your name only if you're okay bearing the full cost later. In metros, live-in relationships are rising despite societal scrutiny. But when a breakup hits, someone's left scrambling for a new flat, brokerage, deposit, packers, movers—and probably a crying session or two. Suddenly, that ₹ 40K shared rent becomes a solo burden. Or worse, you have to move out within a week, thanks to a fight or a judgmental landlord. Breakup budget tip: Build a 'Freedom Fund'—at least ₹ 50,000 stashed away for emergencies like sudden moves or solo rent. Think of it as your emotional insurance. Netflix. Spotify. Prime. Google One. Couple accounts save money—until they don't. Breakups bring awkward 'Who gets the password?' fights. Worse, your ex's new date might be chilling on your Netflix. Breakup budget tip: Use family plans with actual family. Or if you're sharing, create separate profiles and payment methods. Keep digital independence—it's cheaper than emotional baggage. Heartbreak = Swiggy binge + Zara spree + impulsive Goa tickets. Emotional spending is real. For many Indians, buying feels like healing. But swiping your sadness leads to long-term pain. Breakup budget tip: Give yourself a fixed 'healing budget.' Take ₹ 5K– ₹ 10K and spend it guilt-free on food, therapy, or a trip. Beyond that, rein it in. There are apps on Google Play Store and Apple Store to help you track and cap spending. This one's for serious couples. Bought crypto together? Booked a flat under both names? Opened a joint account? Congratulations, you now have a legal entanglement post-breakup. India doesn't recognise live-in breakups like divorces, so sorting joint assets can be a nightmare. Breakup budget tip: Unless you're legally married, or have serious commitments, don't invest together. In fact, when investing together in gold, mutual funds, or business, use written contracts. Breakups will take a toll on your emotional health. Therapy cost usually ranges between ₹ 500 to ₹ 3000 per session, and they are rarely covered by insurance. Breakup budget tip: Make sure you factor in mental health into your financial plan. And use affordable online therapy resources. Good mental health leads to good financial decisions. Indians are romanticising their relationship beyond tradition, yet they are often stuck in traditional practices regarding finances. We plan for marriages, not for breakups. But the practical fact of the matter is that without a budget, a break-up can hijack not just your heart, but your soul, money, and sense of security. Whether you're swiping on Bumble or celebrating your third anniversary, financial independence and a breakup budget are non-negotiable. Remember that you can not control when love ends, but you can control how broken it leaves you.
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Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Zomato, Swiggy now levy rain surcharge on Gold, One premium users
Food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy have started charging a rain surcharge to their premium subscribers, ending a previous exemption for Zomato Gold and Swiggy One members. The fee, which typically ranges between ₹15 and ₹35, was earlier waived for premium users but applied to general customers. Both companies said the surcharge is intended to support delivery executives during adverse weather conditions, The Economic Times reported. The shift comes as Zomato and Swiggy focus on improving profitability and narrowing operational losses. Zomato Q4 FY25 results Eternal Ltd (Zomato) reported a consolidated net profit of ₹39 crore for the fourth quarter of FY25, marking a 77 per cent decline compared to the same period last fiscal year. The drop in net profit was primarily attributed to a significant rise in expenses, which grew by 63 per cent to ₹6,104 crore. Swiggy Q4 FY25 results Meanwhile, Swiggy Limited reported a consolidated loss of ₹1,081.1 crore for Q4 FY25, widening by 95 per cent year-on-year from ₹554.7 crore. Sequentially, the net loss increased by 35.3 per cent from ₹799 crore. The growing losses were attributed to the expansion of Swiggy's quick commerce business. Market reaction On Friday, Zomato and Swiggy shares rose following the announcement of the surcharge change. At 2:40 pm, Zomato was trading at ₹246.10 apiece, up 1.5 per cent, while Swiggy was trading at ₹321.90 apiece, registering a 1.8 per cent gain on the BSE.
