Quick commerce startup KiranaPro has become India’s first ONDC-integrated platform that can tap into a network of over 7 Lakh registered vendors across the country.
The Bengaluru-based company will launch operations in Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram this month, followed by deeper expansion into Kerala. The company has onboarded or tied up with about 30,000 stores and plans to scale further, it said in a press statement.
A renewed sense of pride in homegrown brands is shaping the way consumers in cities and towns make purchasing decisions. Over half of respondents say they prefer shopping from homegrown and small business brands, citing accessibility, relatable stories, and authentic value as key reasons for their loyalty. Rukam Capital, a venture capital firm backing early-stage consumer brands, unveils this in a comprehensive study mapping the evolving behavior, preferences, and purchase drivers of Indian shoppers. India’s consumer economy is poised to become the second largest by 2030. Rukam Capital’s report- “Aspirations of New India- How Consumers Select, Shop, and Shape Brand Connections’” aims to showcase the evolving trends in the market that in turn helps brands, startups, and investors to adapt to the evolving mindset of Indian consumers. The research captures the spirit of an India that is young, aspirational, and global in outlook yet deeply conscious of sustainability, authenticity, and community. It further highlights that consumers have begun expressing clear willingness to pay a premium for local brands that excel in quality and champion social causes, further underscoring the appeal of startups driving community upliftment. Commenting on the insights, Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner, Rukam Capital, said, “The Indian consumers are no longer passive participants in shaping trends, the market is evolving and is being pillared through affordability, aspirations and a digital sophistication. India is telling us that it is not just about what a brand sells, but how it makes them feel connected, understood, and valued. This shift is forcing even the most traditional categories to reinvent themselves beyond just seasonal triggers, whether that’s through healthier alternatives, transparent communication, or community-driven engagement. For founders, it’s a reminder that building loyalty in India now goes far beyond discounts; it’s about creating meaning in everyday consumption.” Key takeaways from the report-‘Aspirations of New India: How Consumers Select, Shop, and Shape Brand Connections’: From local to loved – homegrown brands are winning hearts of Indian consumers Digital, dynamic and dialect are driving media habits of Indian consumers Celebrity or influencers – who is catalyzing brand discovery and purchase decisions Purchase drivers and deterrents for the value conscious Indian consumers Indian consumers embrace heritage and health during festivities Category & Channel Differentiation Discovery, Engagement & Gaming Social media responsiveness wins loyalty – 67% prefer brands that actively engage online. A new influence is also taking center stage – in-game advertisement. That was once pure entertainment has now become a powerful driver of shopping behavior The report also highlights the categories driving growth today. Health and wellness, kitchen appliances, food and beverages, fashion accessories, and pet care are emerging as strong segments. Across categories, ease of availability, word of mouth, and strong customer service continue to be the top purchase drivers. The survey was conducted in collaboration with YouGov, with over 5000 respondents residing in 18 states to map the evolving consumer landscape of the country, representing both urban and semi-urban population.
In today’s hyperconnected consumer landscape, FMCG brands are no longer just competing for shelf space; they are competing for attention, trust, and relevance in a vibrant digital ecosystem. The exciting shift we are witnessing is that consumers, especially digital-first millennials and Gen Z, are becoming more discerning. This marks a powerful opportunity for brands as authenticity emerged as the most valuable currency in FMCG marketing. One thing I’ve found as a cofounder is that the small moments often become the biggest touchpoints of… Source link
Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today released its Global Retailer Technology Survey, which found that India’s major retailers are fully invested in artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to make operations more efficient. Almost all (96%) in-country retailers said they are using AI, with plans to either expand in the near future or maintain current usage of the technology, as compared to 85% globally. The survey also highlights how Indian retailers are using AI, from smarter inventory and demand forecasting to enhanced customer service and optimized last-mile delivery. “Retailers are looking to AI to better understand what their customers want and how to best meet their needs in a constantly changing market,” said Ritwij Kulkarni, General Manager, Industrial Automation, Honeywell India. “In a country as large and diverse as India, AI has tremendous potential to create hyper-personalized customer experiences and optimize the flow of retail goods throughout the supply chain so they reach shoppers in the most efficient way.” Other advanced technologies are making a significant impact on the retail landscape in India, with a majority of retailers already invested in machine and camera vision (CV) technologies (68%) and optical character recognition (OCR) (64%). While less common overall, augmented reality (AR) is also gaining traction, in use by 39% of surveyed Indian retailers. OCR can significantly speed up retail workflows when replenishing the shelf inventory or identifying mislabeled prices by quickly reading labels and other product information. CV can help mitigate the growing challenge with retail shrinkage, while AR can help shoppers or employees visualize a product in a space. While the results showed overall continued momentum for AI, Indian retailers expressed some concerns about its adoption. Honeywell’s Global Retailer Technology Survey focused on large retailers throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America, India and the Middle East and how they are using advanced technologies throughout their operations, including AI, automation, augmented reality, machine vision and sensors. Indian retailers participating in the survey had a minimum annual revenue of $10 million USD. Methodology Honeywell commissioned Wakefield Research to conduct the Global Honeywell Retailer Technology Survey in May 2025. This Omnibus survey polled 450 executives at large retailers about their use of AI and other technologies via an email invitation and online survey. The following markets are represented in survey data: the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The threshold of “large” retailer varied by country, ranging from a minimum annual revenue of $100 million in the U.S. to minimum annual revenue of $5 million in the UAE and KSA.
@2025 – All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed Startupnews
