Indian startup Zepto raises $340M in Series G round, boosting its valuation to $5B, up from $3.6B in June. Competing in India’s quick-commerce market, Zepto plans to expand its dark stores to over 700 by March 2025, while Amazon lags behind.

Swiggy is applying its service fee to gross order values for non-metro restaurants, impacting 1,000 partners. This change aligns with larger cities and might raise commissions by 17-25%, sparking a debate among restaurant owners.

Turkey lowers its de minimis from €150 to €30, doubles customs duty to 60% for non-EU goods, and introduces an additional 20% Special Consumption Tax. The new regulations start on August 21, aiming to curb the influence of Temu and protect local businesses.

India’s largest conglomerate, Reliance, slashed over 42,000 jobs, reducing its workforce by 11% in the fiscal year ending March 2024. The company hired only 171,000 new employees, down from 263,000 a year earlier, signaling a shift in strategy as its revenue growth slowed.

Flipkart, India's largest e-commerce firm, launched "Flipkart Minutes," a 10-15 min delivery service in Bengaluru. This move targets Amazon's customers as quick commerce gains traction in India. The market is thriving with players like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart.

Thailand strengthens regulations on Temu, a PDD Holdings shopping app, to protect local merchants from low-cost imports. Temu launched in Thailand in July, and its rapid growth worries the government, which is enforcing stricter laws.

Amazon's decision to ignore quick-commerce in India has backfired, allowing local players like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy's Instamart to capture a quarter of Amazon India's sales. As e-commerce shifts, Amazon is losing its urban customer base.

Swiggy launched new marketing tools for restaurants, helping them leverage influencers and social media. This follows the release of a data tool for marketing performance. The IPO is valued at $1.2B, including $799M in share sales.

Carousell and Lazada have launched a seamless trade-in feature for iPhones. Customers can trade in their old phones for discounts on new purchases at LazMall. The service uses Carousell's technology to provide an easy, eco-friendly way to upgrade devices.

Amazon is acquiring Axio for $150-175 million. This move aims to enhance its BNPL service for Amazon Pay. Amazon already owns 8% of Axio. The e-commerce giant plans to boost its financial services in India. Axio's revenue grew 2x to Rs 220 crore in FY23.

Qoo10’s CEO, Young-bae Ku, pledges $58M of his personal assets to compensate Korean merchants impacted by the company's liquidity crisis. The South Korean government will provide an additional $400M in financial support to the affected vendors.

Swiggy is transforming Minis into a link-in-bio service to expand its customer base. This shift aims to assist small businesses and service providers like fitness trainers in reaching their audience through social media. Swiggy will keep its no-commission policy.

Amazon India is interested in Swiggy's Instamart for a potential stake or buyout. This move comes as Swiggy prepares for a $1.3B IPO and Amazon works on its quick commerce plans. Discussions are early and complex.

Bigbasket, owned by Tata, launches BB Matrix, a SaaS platform to help mid-to-large companies in various industries modernize supply chains. They plan to target automotive and electronics manufacturing, aiming for both Indian and global markets.

Zomato and Swiggy have raised their platform fees by 20%, from ₹5 to ₹6, starting July 14. This fee hike applies to Delhi and Bengaluru, with plans to expand to other cities. The increase will help the companies generate an extra ₹1.25-1.5 crore daily.

Helium raises $550k in a pre-seed round led by Merak Ventures, with participation from Alok Mittal. The funding will help Helium, an AI platform for eCommerce websites, enhance product and visitor intelligence, aiming for higher conversions.

Shein is set to return to India through a deal with Reliance Retail. The partnership includes selling Shein products via Reliance’s stores and app. This marks Shein’s return after a four-year ban and involves a profit-sharing model.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Vietnam, is testing a policy allowing order cancelations even when goods are en route to warehouses. This move, which is currently in trial in HCMC and Hanoi, is aimed at improving user experience but has drawn mixed reactions from sellers.

Swiggy launches 'Eatlists,' letting users create and share food recommendations. CEO Rohit Kapoor highlights the communal aspect. Users can now save favorite dishes and share them via social media.

Shopee, a major e-commerce firm in Southeast Asia, admitted to breaking competition laws in Indonesia. They agreed to modify their practices after the KPPU found them prioritizing their own courier service. Changes were proposed and approved on June 20.

Ola is launching grocery delivery on ONDC soon. Currently the second-largest in food orders, it processes 15-20K daily. It aims to compete with Paytm, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, leveraging its logistics expertise.

Zomato holds a 57% market share in food delivery, surpassing Swiggy. Goldman Sachs reports Zomato's growth outpaced Swiggy's with a 22% YoY GOV increase. Zomato's profitability strengthens its position in the market.

Getir raises $250M from Mubadala, splits into two units, exits European markets, focusing solely on Turkey, and sees leadership changes.

Shein plans to turn Turkey into a big supplier of its fast-fashion clothes in Europe. This move aims to reduce criticism of its use of Chinese labor. The company is pursuing a £50B listing on the London Stock Exchange, despite Beijing's concerns.

Flipkart has introduced Super.money, a new payments app that provides real cashback for transactions. Currently in beta on the Play Store, the app uses UPI for mobile payments. The app also plans to include secured cards and lending, partnering with DMI Finance, Axis Bank, and Credit Saison India.

Zepto, a quick delivery app, raised $665M, doubling its valuation to $3.6B. The Series F round was led by Glade Brook, Nexus, and StepStone Group. Zepto plans to expand its dark stores to over 700 by March 2025.

Shozon Marketplace launches in the UAE, offering free listings for real estate, cars, jobs, and classifieds. Users get referral rewards and benefit from affordable ad boosts. Licensed by Dubai Economic Development, Shozon ensures a secure platform.

Swiggy has launched a Recruitment Support initiative to help restaurants tackle staffing challenges. This initiative connects restaurants with top staffing experts like Apna, WorkIndia, Kaam, and Shiftz to find qualified candidates. It is integrated into the Swiggy Partner App, making hiring easier and more cost-effective.

Deliveroo, in collaboration with EEE Moto and EcoWay, has launched a month-long electric bikes pilot in Dubai. This initiative aims to explore electric bikes and battery-swapping technology as greener alternatives for delivery services.

Swiggy brings back Handpicked under Instamart, offering over 500 premium items in Bengaluru, expanding soon to Mumbai and Delhi. Delivery within 10 minutes. Handpicked closed in May 2023 due to restructuring. Valuation now $15.1B.

Vietnamese fashion brands are booming thanks to TikTok. Celebrities like Jennie from Blackpink and influencers are driving the trend. The brands focus on quality and sustainability, unlike Chinese fast fashion giants Shein and Temu.

ByteDance is cutting 450 jobs, about 9% of its Indonesian workforce, after merging TikTok Shop with Tokopedia. The $1.5B deal aims to cut costs and streamline operations. This is part of a broader strategy to eliminate duplicate roles and comply with local regulations.

Qeen.ai, an AI startup, raised USD 2.2 mn in pre-seed funding led by Wamda Capital. The funds will enhance its platform for better e-commerce vendor support. Founded by ex-Google employees, Qeen.ai aims to simplify AI solutions.

Swiggy Instamart launched a mango-scented ad in Times of India to enhance customer engagement. The campaign combines scent and visuals to make ordering mangoes irresistible. 800K copies circulated in Mumbai, drawing widespread acclaim.

Getir is running out of cash and needs new funding within weeks. The company, exiting the UK market, must implement leadership changes to secure tens of millions from investors. Founder Nazim Salur faces pressure to step back, while the company risks losing 1,500 jobs.

Saudi Arabia plans to expand ecommerce, targeting $30B in sales by 2027 and $44B by 2030. With a growth rate of 13.5% annually, the country aims to lead the region in ecommerce through investments in infrastructure, logistics, and partnerships.

Zomato missed profit estimates with $20.96M in Q4, below the expected $22.5M. Expenses rose nearly 50%, causing shares to dip 4.2%. Revenue from operations jumped 73% to $426.6M, beating estimates.

Revent, a UAE-based marketplace for pre-owned electronics, raised $900K in a pre-Seed round led by Techstars. The funds will help build a self-service platform and grow its client base in Saudi Arabia. Revent was founded in 2022 by Baldeep Singh and Dhananjay Choubey.

Getir partners with Türkiye Wealth Fund, hinting at future collaborations. The company recently exited international markets, refocusing on Türkiye where it sees the most growth potential.

Swiggy files for a $1.2B IPO with SEBI. The Bengaluru startup, valued at $12.7B, aims to raise ₹10,414 crore, awaiting SEBI's approval. The IPO will include new shares worth ₹3,750 crore and a stake sale by investors.

Uber will acquire Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda Taiwan for $950M in cash. The deal includes a $300M stake in Delivery Hero. The acquisition will strengthen Uber Eats in Taiwan, where it competes closely with Foodpanda. Completion is expected in H1 2025.

Flipkart's new rate card, effective May 18, reduces fee components from four to two, enhancing clarity for sellers. Shipping policy updates include no extra charges for local shipments under 500 gm. The initiative aims to improve seller operations and customer experience.

Meesho, a major Indian e-commerce startup, just raised $275M, aiming for a $3.9B valuation. This round could expand to over $500M with secondary transactions.

Expedia enters the UAE market, introducing a Gen-AI app and innovative price tracking for enhanced travel planning and booking. The launch aligns with a $25B regional industry.

Line Man Wongnai, Thailand's food delivery giant, backed by giants like GIC and Z Holdings, contemplates a 2025 IPO possibly in Thailand and the US. The company's worth surpasses $1B.

Deliveroo introduces a unique delivery method using abra boats in Dubai, highlighting local heritage and modern culinary experiences. This method enhances community connections and offers a hyperlocal shopping and dining experience.

Swiggy relaunches its homestyle meal service, Daily, in Bengaluru, targeting office-goers. Integrated into the main app, this move comes as Swiggy prepares for its IPO, enhancing its competition with Zomato Everyday.

Getir, valued at $12B, is closing its international operations in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, affecting over 6,000 jobs to focus on Turkey, representing just 7% of its revenue.

Shopee enhances customer engagement and service options as Gen Z's spending power grows. Changes include flexible payments and improved return processes, aiming to increase market share in e-commerce.

Ikas, the Turkish e-commerce platform, just bagged $20M for its Series A, aiming to simplify online store management and expand further in Europe.