Online festive season sales set to touch $12 billion this year
eCommerce companies and online sellers are expected to ship merchandise worth $12 BN to consumers this festive season, up 23% than last year’s festive season which was $9.7 BN. Quick Commerce may account for $1 BN of these eCommerce sales in terms of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). eCommerce, their sellers and major brands are preparing for robust sales this festive season. This year Blinkit, BB NOW, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto are preparing for an action-packed Diwali. This is not only grocery sales, but other categories non-BPC, non-grocery also. Quick Commerce will stand out in grocery. This spending will also cut from kirana stores. Spending growth will be 60% in grocery, beauty and personal care will be 41%, home and general merchandise will be 21%, fashion will be 20%, mobile 19%, electronics and consumer durables will be 13%. Online grocery sales contribute to Quick Commerce by 51%.
VR and AR headsets demand set to surge on AI, lower costs
Global shipments for augmented and virtual reality headsets are expected to grow 41.4% in 2025, powered by more affordable devices and addition of artificial intelligence features, according to a report by IDC. The market is expected to expand to 22.9 MN in 2028 from an estimated 6.7 MN units this year. There are startups and next generation products from established brands targeting the ‘Smart glasses’ space. What is different this time around is the inclusion of AI along with thinner and lighter designs catering to consumers.
YouTube’s new “pause ads” format: Don’t pause videos if you don’t want to see ads
YouTube officially announced the roll out of ‘Pause ads’ feature, to bring ad-free contents on its platform. This development was announced by Oluwa Falodun, who is the communications manager of YouTube. According to sources, Oluwa Falodun, said that many advertisers have shown interest in this feature. So, looking at the rising number of interest, the video sharing platform has decided to roll out the feature globally. According to sources, Oluwa Falodun, said that many advertisers have shown interest in this feature. So, looking at the rising number of interest, the video sharing platform has decided to roll out the feature globally. The ‘pause ads’ feature was initially introduced in 2023 to just a limited number of advertisers. Later on the feature got adopted by a larger audience, making the company initiate a global roll out. But what is ‘pause ads,’ and how can it upgrade viewers’ experience? So, the feature ‘pause ads’ can help brands to understand their targeted users’ preference. This can help brands to engage with viewers during moments of inactivity. For example, while watching ads on smart TVs, where traditional ads might not be so effective.
WhatsApp to introduce ‘Channel Categories’: Find your favourites in a more quick and easy way
WhatsApp is launching a ‘channel directory’ that can help you to find accounts based on your favourite topics. With the latest update you can look for channels associated with different categories. This includes organizations, people, entertainment, Sports, lifestyle, businesses and news & information. Here’s a detailed look at what more you can get with the update. With the new feature WhatsApp aims to keep users stay more connected with their favourite public figures or news channels. For example you need to prioritize the search for a public figure, the people category will prioritize them for you. As of now over 500 MN people around the world are using Channels monthly, says WhatsApp. WhatsApp had already rolled the channel feature a few months back. But there was a drawback, that we had to find our favourites in a long list of channels. So, with the new ‘channel category’ feature you don’t need to go through long lists. The feature will automatically prioritize your choices under different categories.
LinkedIn sneaks user data for AI training, later offers opt-out option for users
LinkedIn has recently made headlines for quietly opting its users into a new privacy setting that allows the platform to utilize account data for training generative AI models. According to a report by 404Media, this change came about without direct user consent. Following the introduction of this privacy setting, LinkedIn updated its privacy policy to clarify that data from the platform may be used to enhance and develop various products and services, including generative AI. The revised policy explicitly states, “We may use your personal data to improve, develop, and provide products and Services, develop and train artificial intelligence (AI) models, develop, provide, and personalize our Services, and gain insights with the help of AI, automated systems, and inferences.” This announcement aligns with LinkedIn’s goal of using generative AI to power features such as writing assistance.
Digital ad spends to outpace TV this festive season
This festive season, digital ad spends are expected to outpace TV, marking a significant shift from previous years when television dominated the media landscape, said Roopali Sharma of Havas Media India. According to Sharma, the festive ad landscape is transforming, with digital spends surpassing TV, AI-driven marketing gaining momentum, and quick commerce platforms playing a pivotal role in driving festive sales. In an interview, Sharma commented, “Digital platforms are now leading the way because consumers are spending more time on OTT, social media, and e-commerce platforms. Advertisers are drawn to digital for its precision targeting and measurable outcomes,” she said. AI-driven marketing is also playing a growing role in campaign strategy. Sharma noted, “Brands are increasingly leveraging AI to optimize campaigns in real-time, deliver personalized messages, and enhance customer experiences.” By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI enables advertisers to create highly targeted campaigns that resonate with individual preferences, which will be especially critical as competition intensifies during the festive period.
65% of consumers want more brand collaborations with regional language influencers
65% of consumers want brands to collaborate more with regional language influencers, reveals a report. According to the data, 26% of participants engage with these influencers regularly, while a larger portion, 65%, engages occasionally. Regarding content preferences, the top categories identified are cultural and traditional, which account for 30% of the interest, followed by technology and gadgets at 22%, and fashion and lifestyle at 17%. In terms of platform usage, Instagram is the leading choice for following vernacular influencers according to the report, with 35% of respondents indicating their preference for this platform. YouTube follows, with 22% of participants favouring it for engaging with vernacular content. Regarding the authenticity of vernacular influencers, 30% of respondents perceive them as more authentic compared to their English or Hindi-speaking counterparts. This perception may influence their connection with these influencers. Lastly, regarding purchasing decisions, 35% of respondents report that they never make purchases based on recommendations from vernacular influencers. Additionally, 22% do so rarely, while 20% occasionally consider these influencers’ recommendations when making purchasing choices.