Indian Brands Strengthen Global Reach: GoKwik's Strategic Hire, Leadership Changes, Global Growth, and Diwali Retail Surge.

1) GoKwik Appoints Former Swiggy Leader Sharad Gupta as Senior Director of Product to Drive Enhanced eCommerce Checkout Experience.

GoKwik, an eCommerce enabler, has appointed Sharad Gupta as Senior Director of Product, where he will lead the company’s custom checkout initiatives to improve the online shopping experience for brands across India. With a rich background at Swiggy, Dineout, and Paytm, Gupta brings expertise in product strategy and consumer engagement to GoKwik’s mission of creating seamless, platform-agnostic checkout solutions. GoKwik’s CEO, Chirag Taneja, expressed enthusiasm about Gupta’s role in shaping the company’s growth and enhancing customer experiences in India’s booming eCommerce sector.

2) Varun Goswami Joins Air India as AVP - Head of Creative & Content Amid Vistara Merger. Varun Goswami has joined Air India as AVP - Head of Creative & Content, bringing over two decades of experience from roles at companies like Meta (Facebook), Uber, and GREY Group. Known for his expertise in creative strategy and brand-building, Goswami’s addition comes as Air India completes a merger with Vistara, implementing new measures to enhance the customer experience. His leadership is expected to play a vital role in shaping Air India’s creative direction during this transformative period.

3) Amul Enters European Market with Fresh Milk Launch, Expanding Global Footprint. India’s leading dairy brand, Amul, is set to launch fresh milk in Europe by the end of the month through a partnership with a Spanish milk cooperative, allowing local production and Amul-led branding across the EU. Following a successful debut in the U.S. earlier this year, Amul’s European expansion will later include products like ghee, dahi, and paneer. This strategic move enables Amul to bypass high EU import tariffs, leveraging local partnerships to expand reach while supporting small-scale Indian dairy farmers. With an annual turnover of Rs 80,000 crore, Amul continues to strengthen its global presence as a top dairy brand.

4) Diwali 2024 Sparks Record Sales in Fashion & Home Decor, Criteo Report Reveals. Diwali 2024 saw a remarkable surge in online retail, with overall sales rising by 14% compared to last year, according to a report by Criteo. Fashion led the trend with a 42% increase, while Home & Garden items, especially light ropes and candles, soared with a 204% growth. Apparel sales grew by 77%, with jackets and coats leading at a 154% rise, followed by a strong 60% increase in Consumer Electronics. The report highlights that shoppers took up to 15 days from viewing to purchase, showing a thoughtful festive buying pattern. Rising ad engagement also drove CPC up by 33% as brands competed for attention during this festive season.