Market news

Amazon Prime Day 2025: Record-Breaking Sales and Unprecedented Discounts

Vivek October 12, 2025

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days 2025, held from October 7 to October 8, shattered previous sales records, marking it as the company's most successful Prime Day event to date play spinomenal slots. The four-day shopping extravaganza saw customers saving billions across more than 35 product categories, surpassing any prior Prime Day in both sales volume and total items sold.

Among the standout deals were significant discounts on Amazon's own devices. The Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV was available for £329.99, a 40% reduction from its original price. The Echo Pop Newest Gen smart speaker dropped to £22.99, marking a 49% discount, while the Blink Video Doorbell was priced at £23.99, offering a 52% savings.

In addition to Amazon-branded products, shoppers enjoyed substantial markdowns on popular third-party brands. Apple's AirPods 4 were available for $89, Oral-B electric toothbrushes at $90, and Bissell Steam Shot at $34. Other notable discounts included the Shark PowerPro Cordless Vacuum for $170 (down from $330), the Chefman 4-Quart Air Fryer for $50, and the GreenPan 22-piece cookware set discounted by $200.

Despite the impressive sales figures, some analysts noted that Amazon's efforts to expand Prime Day to four days did not lead to a proportional increase in new Prime memberships. While the event generated significant revenue, it fell short of expectations in terms of attracting new subscribers.

For those who missed out on the October event, Amazon's upcoming Black Friday and Kindle Daily Deals are anticipated to offer further opportunities for savings. Shoppers are encouraged to set alerts and monitor upcoming sales to maximize their savings during these anticipated events.

Indian edtech funding plummets by 48% in 2023 compared to last year

Vivek September 4, 2023

According to a report released on Monday, total funding in the Indian edtech sector has seen a significant decline this year. Funding has fallen by 48% compared to the same period in 2022, and by 50% compared to the same period in 2021. Only one fundraising round worth more than $100 million has been recorded so far this year, up until August 7th.

The majority of funding in the domestic edtech market has been obtained in the second quarter, amounting to $713 million. This accounts for 73.4% of the total capital raised in the sector this year. However, the edtech market has been facing various challenges, such as a decrease in demand for online education, ongoing funding constraints, rising interest rates as a measure to control inflation, and economic uncertainties.

The number of funding rounds in 2023 has declined by 77% and 82% compared to the same period in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Late-stage investments in 2023 have reached $879 million, contributing to over 90% of the total funding. This marks a decrease of 23% compared to the $1.14 billion raised during the same period in 2022. Early-stage investments in 2023 amount to $75.7 million, which is an 88% drop from the $618 million raised during the same period last year.

This year, no new unicorns have emerged in the Indian edtech sector, unlike the same period last year when two new unicorns were recorded. In terms of total funds raised, Bengaluru is leading among cities, followed by Mumbai and Gurugram.

Over the past two years, We Founder Circle, Peak XV Partners, and MMPL Trust have been the most active investors in the edtech space. We Founder Circle, IPV, and LetsVenture were the top seed investors, while Peak XV Partners, Better Capital, and AngelList were the top early-stage investors. MMPL Trust, WestBridge Capital, and The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative were the top late-stage investors, according to the report.

BIF sounds alarm on 28% GST on online gaming, says many players may be forced to exit

Vivek August 4, 2023

Broadband India Forum (BIF), an independent policy forum and knowledge-based think-tank, strongly opposes the decision by the GST Council to impose a 28% tax on online skill-based gaming. BIF believes this tax is excessive and detrimental to the industry's potential for long-term growth and revenue generation. In addition, it argues that the tax will hinder the development of 5G, impede broadband traffic and penetration, and fail to foster a sense of responsibility and accountability among gaming intermediaries.

BIF asserts that the GST Council's decision will have significant negative consequences for the thriving online skill-based gaming sector. It argues that the tax will discourage foreign direct investment (FDI), damage advertising revenues, and hinder the industry's ability to leverage the potential of 5G technology. BIF warns that this hefty tax could also create opportunities for illicit operators in the black market, posing a serious security threat to national security.

In a statement, BIF noted that the online skill-based gaming industry, with its $20 billion valuation, $2.5 billion in revenues, and job creation, has been a prominent example of innovation and investment. The organization urges the government to adopt a cross-sectoral approach to support innovation and ensure the success of various platforms.

While the finance minister has promised to review the GST in six months, BIF cautions that the majority of the industry comprises small businesses, and many entrepreneurs may be forced to exit the sector as a result of this tax. Furthermore, foreign investments in the sector may be discouraged, and the advertising budget, which currently stands at $1 billion, could be significantly reduced, impacting the media and entertainment industries.

BIF appeals to the government to reconsider its decision promptly, in order to maintain India's position as a global AVGC powerhouse and align with the Prime Minister's vision for the country. TV Ramachandran, President of BIF, emphasizes that the online skill-based gaming sector has attracted substantial investments and plays a crucial role in boosting the economy. However, he warns that the proposed tax will deter future investment and lead to numerous entrepreneurs leaving the sector.

Rethink 28% GST on online gaming: Atishi

Vivek August 3, 2023

Atishi, the finance minister of Delhi, expressed opposition on Wednesday to the Centre's decision to impose a 28% goods and services tax (GST) on online gaming platforms. The Delhi government stated that Atishi raised this issue during the 51st GST Council meeting and emphasized the need to reconsider this move in order to support startups in the country.

Atishi highlighted that the online gaming industry is the fastest-growing sector in India, attracting investors from both domestic and international markets. With millions and billions of dollars being invested in this industry, imposing heavy taxes will burden it and discourage investment in Indian startups. This, in turn, will negatively impact the entire startup ecosystem, Atishi stated during the meeting.

Instead of imposing excessive taxes on the online gaming sector, Atishi urged the central government to promote its growth. However, despite repeated requests, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was unwilling to reconsider this decision, according to the statement.

Atishi also mentioned that over 40 crore people across all age groups in India play games on online platforms. In addition to being a substantial market and attracting millions of dollars in investments, this sector also creates employment opportunities for thousands of individuals.

"If a 28% GST is imposed on the online gaming industry, it may lead to its collapse, resulting in the demise of over 80% of the associated startups," Atishi warned, adding that more than 50,000 jobs may be lost as a consequence.

10 Golden Rules Of Personal Branding

Vivek July 3, 2023

In order for any business to succeed, it is essential to focus on personal branding. This can be achieved by designing a brand strategy and a marketing plan that helps your brand stand out in the crowded market. To get started on the right track, here are 10 key guidelines for personal branding that every business owner should be aware of.

1. Establish Your Core Values: Create a solid foundation for your brand strategy by establishing core principles that differentiate your company from competitors and stand for something significant.

2. Clarify Your Message: Clearly communicate your identity, what you do, and how you can benefit others. It is crucial to have clarity, especially for small firms in today's competitive marketing landscape.

3. Tell Your Story: Appeal to emotions by telling your brand's unique story while prioritizing the customer experience. Share the principles that guide your brand.

4. Know Your Keywords: Create keywords that are aligned with your brand's core message so that customers can easily find your business online.

5. Embrace Social Media: Utilize social media platforms to engage with your audience and increase brand exposure. Share interesting and useful content to enhance brand recognition and build consumer relationships.

6. Invest in Quality Content: Position yourself as a leader in your field by creating valuable content. This will help establish brand trust and loyalty over time.

7. Show Appreciation: Acknowledge and value your customers' support for your company. Recognizing feedback fosters loyalty and gratitude in marketing.

8. Stay Visible: Stay active in industry discussions and related events to maintain your online presence. Networking with professionals and gaining the trust of clients who prefer to work with reputable companies is important.

9. Optimise Your Website: Ensure that your website is optimized for brand visibility. Include blogs, videos with brand messages, and high-quality photos to attract new prospects and consumers.

10. Seek Professional Help: Consider hiring a brand strategist who can guide you in developing your brand's identity and expanding its reach. It can be challenging to navigate the branding process alone, especially for ambitious entrepreneurs.

In conclusion, personal branding is a deliberate effort to position oneself as a leader in their field, increase credibility, and differentiate from competitors. It involves shaping public perception to establish a strong and influential brand identity.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the number one rule of branding?
Consistency is the golden rule when it comes to branding your business, creating marketing materials, and developing communication tools.

2. What is personal branding and why is it important?
Personal branding is the process of strategically shaping how the public perceives an individual. It involves creating a unique image that sets you apart from competitors and enhances audience recognition and relatability.

3. What are the golden rules of personal branding?
The golden rules of personal branding include maintaining consistency, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, making a positive difference, and learning from successful examples.

4. What are the 5 C's of personal branding?
The 5 C's of building your personal brand are clarity, content, connection, creativity, and community. These elements will be covered in a 5-part blog series.

5. What is a personal branding strategy?
A personal branding strategy is a strategic plan to increase exposure and reputation in order to elevate your career from relative obscurity.

Markets to go online, cloud kitchen policy soon

Vivek June 22, 2023

The markets in Delhi are set to have a new digital platform called Dilli Bazaar, which will connect vendors with customers both nationally and globally. The Delhi government announced that the initial phase of the platform will feature 10,000 vendors. This is the first portal of its kind in the country, and the government is in the final stages of launching it. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a meeting to review the progress of the project.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce a cloud kitchen policy that will streamline the licensing process through a single-window system and a digital platform. Kejriwal stated that this scheme aims to support independent food outlets and create more job opportunities. The Dilli Bazaar will be an open network for digital commerce, offering buyers the freedom to choose. The products on this platform will be more affordable compared to those on e-commerce portals, as there will be no setup costs. The government's goal is to have over one lakh shops in Delhi registered on the portal within six months of its launch. All shopkeepers in Delhi will be eligible to sign up.

The Dilli Bazaar platform will emphasize the "Go Local" concept, allowing customers to search for products, markets, sellers, and specific geographical areas. It aims to promote and enhance the local shops in various markets of Delhi by offering search options based on market, shop name, and product category.

Regarding the cloud kitchen policy, Kejriwal mentioned that it will benefit approximately 20,000 establishments and create job opportunities for numerous workers in Delhi. The policy will incorporate suggestions from citizens and entrepreneurs, and the government will release a white paper on it for public input.

Notably, operators and entrepreneurs in cloud kitchens will no longer need to obtain licenses from various government departments. Instead, they can apply for licenses through a single portal provided by the Delhi government. Currently, cloud kitchen operators must navigate the licensing process with different government organizations such as the municipal corporation, police, fire department, and Delhi Development Authority. However, there is no concrete policy for these establishments yet, as stated by an official.

Once the cloud kitchen policy is finalized, these establishments will be allowed to operate for 24 hours in commercial areas without the need for a no-objection certificate from the fire department, as long as their space is less than 250 square feet, the government confirmed.

What are the 7 Cs of digital marketing? How to effectively implement them?

Vivek June 21, 2023

In today's business world, digital marketing plays a crucial role. It is a powerful and effective tool for building brand recognition and expanding business. To fully utilize the potential of digital marketing, it is important to have a framework that focuses on the 7 Cs of digital marketing.

To gain knowledge and establish a career in digital marketing, it is recommended to enroll in a Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of digital marketing and how new advancements, technology, and trends impact strategies. Through case studies that align with industry standards, the course demonstrates how businesses have adapted to the digital world.

The 7 Cs of digital marketing offer a scalable and reproducible framework that helps marketers achieve their goals.

- Customer: Placing the customer at the forefront is essential in any marketing strategy. With digital marketing, campaigns, communications, and services can be tailored to specific target audiences.

- Content: High-quality and original content creation is crucial in a digital marketing strategy. In addition, incorporating innovative content formats, updating outdated information, and keeping up with search engine algorithm changes are important considerations.

- Context: Understanding the wider context of the target audience is necessary to effectively convey the brand message. This involves considering buyer intent, current events, and producing relevant content that addresses audience needs.

- Community: Building a community around the brand is a valuable strategy for engaging with the audience in a genuine and non-intrusive way. It helps foster positive relationships with both current and potential clients.

- Convenience: Convenience not only differentiates a brand from its competitors but also enhances digital marketing efforts. By removing obstacles, improving customer relations, increasing accessibility, and clarifying the value proposition, convenience can greatly contribute to success.

- Cohesion: Consistency across all marketing channels is crucial. Maintaining the same level of service, content quality, and brand values across platforms is essential. Implementing an omnichannel marketing approach ensures cohesion.

- Conversion: Evaluating the success of digital marketing efforts is essential. The conversion rate is a key performance indicator that measures desirable user actions. Depending on the campaign, a conversion can be any action that helps the company achieve its objectives.

Conclusion:
To adapt to changes in the online business world and stimulate business growth, it is crucial to develop a strong digital marketing strategy. Implementing the 7 Cs- customer, content, context, community, convenience, cohesion, and conversion- is a highly effective approach.

FAQs:

What are the 7 Cs of marketing?
The 7 Cs of digital marketing are customer, content, context, community, convenience, coherence, and conversion.

What is the rule of 7 in digital marketing?
The "rule of seven" in marketing states that consumers need to see a brand at least seven times before making a purchase decision.

What is an implementation plan?
An implementation plan is a strategic document that outlines the steps and actions required to achieve a common goal or target.

What is the most effective marketing method?
Content marketing is considered the most effective marketing method for small companies in terms of overall effectiveness.

What is PR in digital marketing?
PR stands for "digital public relations" in digital marketing. It involves using various marketing techniques to enhance internet visibility and increase brand awareness.

Why you must level up your sales and marketing skills with this IIT Delhi course

Vivek May 8, 2023

It is common knowledge that effective marketing can either greatly increase sales or cause a significant decline. In today's business landscape, companies can easily lose market share by disregarding customer preferences or failing to cater to their needs. Whether it is through digital marketing or direct selling, understanding customers and building trust with them is crucial for achieving business success. As digital marketing continues to develop worldwide, there is no longer a competition between the two channels. Instead, they complement each other and are interconnected.

While digital marketing can help create viral content and reach a wide audience, direct selling facilitates the easy sale of various products and services such as high-value personal items, industrial goods, machinery, automobiles, customized products, and more. It comes as no surprise that the Indian Direct Selling industry has experienced significant growth, with a compounded annual growth rate of 13% from Rs 11,650 crores in 2017-18 to Rs 19,020 crores in 2021-22. Additionally, according to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), the total number of direct sellers in India rose to 5.7 million in 2018-19, and this number is projected to reach 18 million by 2025.

As businesses explore new and alternative sources of revenue, integrating both direct selling and digital marketing strategies has become crucial. In addition to skilled sales negotiations, businesses must now adopt a holistic approach to their marketing function to ensure the creation of a strong brand, recall value, and customer loyalty. How can you combine direct selling with technology to achieve superior business outcomes? This can be achieved through IIT Delhi's Certificate Programme in Sales and Marketing, which equips individuals with contemporary sales and marketing skills essential for driving organizational growth intelligently. This six-month program allows participants to understand the powerful link between sales and marketing, gain exposure to successful and emerging frameworks, and reshape their careers in a disruptive market.

Why choose this program?

The program consists of 34 modules that are designed to help individuals build superior value propositions and unlock growth. It enables participants to learn how to devise and implement sharp and measurable sales and marketing strategies through the following ways:

1. Learning how to create effective sales techniques, including lessons on closing deals, increasing personal influence, and utilizing proven, repeatable frameworks.

2. Mastering the sales journey by managing pre-sales activities, brand building, conversion, account management, after-sales support, and scaling up. Participants will also learn how to generate, nurture, convert, and delight customers.

3. Gaining expertise in aligning sales with business drivers through the hiring and management of high-performance teams, fostering a sales culture, and aligning sales objectives with overall business goals.

4. Enhancing data-driven customer focus by utilizing customer insights in both B2B and B2C sales, and integrating digital marketing strategies for targeted campaigns.

5. Balancing strategy with operations by developing an opportunity-centric sales strategy and being aware of the evolving role of a sales manager on a daily basis.

Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to work on a group capstone project, where they can apply their learnings from the program to conduct critical analyses of the market, business, and organization from a sales and marketing perspective.

How will IIT Delhi facilitate learning?

The opportunity to learn at one of India's top-ranked Institutes of national importance is truly transformative. This six-month programme, delivered through live online sessions and recorded videos featuring real-world case studies, will provide you with world-class sales and marketing frameworks, strategies, tools, and ideas that can be directly applied in your workplace. With insights from renowned IIT Delhi faculty and engaging peer discussions, you will develop a mindset that aligns with leading practices for driving sustainable business growth. Moreover, you will expand your professional network and earn a valuable completion certificate in Sales and Marketing from IIT Delhi.

Is this the right programme for you?

This programme is highly beneficial for professionals aiming to capitalize on the flourishing direct selling and digital marketing industry in India. Here's who will derive the greatest value from this course:

Early-career Sales and Marketing professionals seeking to enhance their abilities and achieve tangible results in the field
Professionals intent on embarking on a Sales and Marketing career, who will find the structured insights invaluable in building a solid foundation
Entrepreneurs and Managers aiming to cultivate their sales function and nurture high-performance teams

Enrolling in this programme will enable you to grasp a wide range of impactful topics, empowering you to navigate complex markets, comprehend customer sentiment, and effectively deliver and capture maximum value. Key details are provided below:

Start date: June 17, 2023
Fees: Rs 65,000 + GST
Duration: 6 months, live online sessions with faculty

About IIT Delhi

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is among the original five IITs established in India with the objective of providing education, conducting research, and fostering development in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. Founded as the College of Engineering in 1961, the institute was later designated an Institution of National Importance through the "Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Act, 1963" and renamed as the "Indian Institute of Technology Delhi." It further gained Deemed University status, granting it the authority to determine its academic policy, conduct its own examinations, and confer its own degrees. Over the years, IIT Delhi has produced more than 48,000 graduates across various disciplines, including Engineering, Physical Sciences, Management, Humanities, and Social Sciences. For additional information, please visit www.iitd.ac.in.

Stay ahead of the curve in digital marketing with ISB Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing Programme

Vivek May 8, 2023

According to the World Population Review, digital marketing is experiencing rapid growth, with a year-on-year increase of 25% to 30%. With a staggering 4.9 billion people using the internet daily, digital marketing has become an essential choice for businesses, adapting to changing customer needs and market dynamics.

While conventional marketing approaches can still be effective, it is crucial for businesses to keep up with the latest trends in the industry. This includes strategies to retain customers, scale their business, and stay ahead of competitors. By embracing these new developments in the digital marketing landscape, businesses can effectively navigate the evolving market.

Here are some of the latest digital marketing trends that businesses should be aware of:

1. Voice Search: Voice-activated search assistants, such as those used for Google searches, have gained popularity. Currently, around 3.25 billion people globally use voice search and smart speakers to access the internet. This trend creates a significant focus area for digital marketers, as Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is becoming more screenless.

2. AI and IoT Marketing Solutions: AI-based chatbots are now handling approximately 50% of customer queries, according to Research and Markets analysis. The global market for AI-enabled solutions is predicted to reach $2.2 billion by 2024. These chatbots have the ability to understand complex customer needs and provide appropriate solutions. IoT devices, too, streamline data gathering and allow for unified marketing decisions on behalf of businesses in the current market landscape.

3. Short Video Content: Short-form video content is gaining momentum as an effective way for digital marketers to target their desired customer profiles swiftly. Brands are leveraging this trend by creating engaging and informative videos, which influence customers' buying decisions.

4. Programmatic Advertising: Programmatic advertising utilizes AI software to automate the process of purchasing digital ads. By using algorithms and machines, businesses can target specific audiences, resulting in a more efficient and effective method of advertising with high conversion rates and low customer acquisition costs.

5. Augmented Reality and Metaverse: Augmented reality (AR) and the concept of the metaverse are being widely explored in the industry. These technologies create virtual experiences for customers, allowing them to engage with products or services from the comfort of their own homes. Businesses are increasingly investing in these technologies to enhance the customer experience.

To keep up with these changing trends, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the digital marketing industry. The ISB Executive Education Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing program offers a holistic approach to learning, enabling digital marketers to gain the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the evolving digital ecosystem. This program covers topics such as programmatic analysis, video marketing, mobile marketing, and marketing automation. Upon completion, participants receive an ISB Executive Alumni status and a certificate, validating their expertise in the latest digital marketing strategies.

The ISB Executive Education Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing program stands out for its unique teaching approach. Here are some key features of the program:

1. Comprehensive Content: The program offers access to over 200 pre-recorded videos taught by esteemed faculty members over a period of 24 weeks. The well-structured curriculum is divided into five pillars/modules, ensuring a deep understanding of all aspects of digital marketing.

2. Industry-Specific Knowledge: Participants gain industry-specific knowledge through 90+ assignments, quizzes, four case studies, and a capstone project. These practical exercises enable them to apply their learning to real-world scenarios.

3. Career Services: The program provides access to Emeritus Career Services, which assists participants in building an impressive resume and LinkedIn profile. They also receive support with job placement, opening up new opportunities for career growth.

4. Insightful Research Tools: Participants have access to ISB Research Tools, including development tools, self-help articles, simulation instruments, and essential tools for hands-on learning. These resources enhance the learning experience and provide valuable insights.

5. Networking Opportunities: Participants receive exclusive invitations to webinars, conferences, and master classes. They also have the chance to facilitate as guest speakers, enabling them to learn from industry experts and expand their professional network.

Key Program Takeaways:
Upon completion of the program, participants will be equipped with the following skills and knowledge:
- Understanding of new digital technologies and developments
- Ability to devise effective digital marketing strategies
- Proficiency in identifying and reaching the right customer segments through appropriate digital marketing channels
- Expertise in measuring the success of digital marketing campaigns
- Capability to manage and enhance a brand's online reputation

About the Indian School of Business (ISB):
The Indian School of Business (ISB) is a renowned business school in Asia known for its innovative programs, exceptional faculty, and thought leadership. ISB holds the prestigious accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), making it one of the top 100 business schools worldwide with triple crown accreditations. ISB Executive Education focuses on providing timely learning interventions and designing programs to help professionals enhance their capabilities and progress in their careers while creating a positive impact on their organizations.

About Emeritus:
In partnership with Emeritus, ISB Executive Education offers a range of impactful online programs. The collaboration allows ISB Executive Education to provide high-quality education beyond its on-campus offerings, in a collaborative and engaging format. Emeritus adopts a cohort-based design, optimizing peer-to-peer sharing, and offers video lectures by world-class faculty, as well as project-based learning. With a global reach, Emeritus has already benefited over 300,000 students from more than 200 countries, helping them advance professionally.

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