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<keyword id="19895142" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan" source="keywords">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword>, widely known as the "King of <keyword id="19897820" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood" source="keywords">Bollywood</keyword>," has officially joined the ranks of India’s wealthiest, debuting on the 2024 <keyword id="21075617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hurun-India-Rich-List" source="keywords">Hurun India Rich List</keyword> with an impressive wealth of Rs 7,300 crores. But how did a Delhi boy with dreams of making it big in Mumbai become one of India’s richest individuals? Let’s dive into the ventures that propelled King Khan into the billionaires' club. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><keyword id="20033371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Red-Chillies-Entertainment" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Red Chillies Entertainment" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Red Chillies Entertainment">Red Chillies Entertainment</keyword></h3>Shah Rukh Khan’s production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, has been a significant contributor to his wealth. Founded in 2002, Red Chillies has become a key player in Bollywood, producing blockbuster films and investing in high-quality visual effects. From chart-topping films like Chennai Express and Raees to the massive success of Pathaan in 2023, Red Chillies has consistently delivered box office hits. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112412196" title="&amp;#39;Deadpool &amp;amp; Wolverine&amp;#39; screenwriters reveal secrets and spoilers, including the movie&amp;#39;s original villain and who wrote that Hugh Jackman divorce joke" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>With an estimated revenue consistently in the hundreds of crores and a profit of Rs 85 crores last year, the company has not only cemented SRK’s position as a top actor but also as a successful producer. Furthermore, the company’s VFX division, Red Chillies VFX, has set new benchmarks in the <keyword id="20161413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-film-industry" source="keywords">Indian film industry</keyword>, working on major projects that have earned critical and commercial acclaim, such as Ra.One, Fan, and Laal Singh Chaddha. These ventures have significantly bolstered SRK’s wealth, making Red Chillies Entertainment a cornerstone of his business empire. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><keyword id="19899758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kolkata Knight Riders" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kolkata Knight Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword></h3>Shah Rukh Khan’s entry into the sports business with the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has been a masterstroke. Co-owned by SRK, Juhi Chawla, and Jay Mehta, KKR has become one of the most successful and profitable franchises not just in the Indian Premier League, but also in the sporting world. The team’s consistent performance on the field has been matched by its financial success off it, with KKR’s brand value rising steadily over the years. As per Forbes, the cricket team was valued at over $1 billion in 2022. This surge in valuation played a crucial role in boosting SRK’s wealth, contributing significantly to his fortune. The success of KKR, coupled with its passionate fan base and strong marketing, has made it a jewel in SRK’s business portfolio, further solidifying his status as a businessman. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Brand SRK: The most followed Indian on social media</h3>More than just a business mogul, Shah Rukh Khan is also a brand unto himself. With 44.1 million followers on Twitter, SRK is the most followed individual from the 2024 Hurun India Rich List on Indian social media. His massive <keyword id="20462299" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media-presence" source="keywords">social media presence</keyword> has translated into lucrative endorsement deals and collaborations with global brands. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112249289" title="One of Singapore&amp;#39;s flashiest CEOs was planning to throw a Tomorrowland-style party for the books. Then the mirage started to fall apart." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Consistently being one of the most visible endorsers, SRK earns substantially from <keyword id="20004407" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-endorsements" source="keywords">brand endorsements</keyword>, with an estimated fee of Rs 4-5 crores per endorsement. His portfolio includes major brands like Hyundai, Dubai Tourism, and BYJU'S, further adding to his immense wealth. His ability to leverage his celebrity status into profitable business ventures has undoubtedly been a key factor in his <keyword id="21015152" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wealth-accumulation" source="keywords">wealth accumulation</keyword>. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Real estate</h3>Real estate has always been a key component of wealth building, and Shah Rukh Khan is no exception. Shah Rukh Khan’s <keyword id="22962036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate-ventures" source="keywords">real estate ventures</keyword> extend far beyond his iconic Mumbai residence, Mannat. One of his lesser-known yet highly lucrative ventures is in Dubai, where he and his wife Gauri Khan launched a luxurious beachfront residential project, the "SRK Boulevard," located in the posh Dana Islands. This mega project, worth over Rs 18,000 crore, features 10 residential buildings with high-end facilities, including marine sports and leisure amenities. Designed by Los Angeles architect Tony Ashai, with interiors by Gauri Khan, this project highlights SRK’s foray into international real estate <h3>And of course, films</h3>Shah Rukh Khan’s earnings from films and endorsements are a significant part of his wealth. Known as one of the highest-paid actors in India, SRK reportedly charges over Rs 100 crores per film. This is certainly no small amount, but it is unlikely that filmmakers will find fault with it, considering how his films regularly break box office records. As per IMdB, both 2023 films Jawan and Pathaan grossed over Rs 1000 crores worldwide. All in all, King Khan’s entry into the Hurun India Rich List is significant not just for him, but for the entire entertainment industry. SRK’s success reflects the growing financial clout of Indian film stars and the increasing importance of entertainment in wealth creation. In 2024 alone, Hurun India Rich Listers from the entertainment industry added Rs 40,500 crores to their wealth, with SRK leading the charge. This trend highlights the expanding influence of Bollywood and the entertainment sector in India’s broader economic landscape.

Baadshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan debuts on India's richest list with Rs 7,300 cr — here's how the King made his wealth

The retention lists of all ten franchises for the <keyword id="6354831" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Premier-League" source="Orion">Indian Premier League</keyword> (<keyword id="6354312" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="IPL" source="Orion">IPL</keyword>) season next year were finally unveiled on Thursday, with several big names like Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram, Glenn Maxwell, Faf Du Plessis, KL Rahul, Rishabh <keyword id="19900230" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pant" source="keywords">Pant</keyword>, <keyword id="19904097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shreyas-iyer" source="keywords">Shreyas Iyer</keyword> etc being let go by their respective franchises. The surprising retentions and releases by all ten franchises have laid down the foundation for what could be an exciting, fun and record-breaking auction later this year. Let us look at several takeways from the auction: <h2>Several captaincy options available</h2> With the release of IPL winning skipper Shreyas Iyer from Kolkata Knight Riders (<keyword id="19924483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kkr" source="keywords">KKR</keyword>), Rishabh Pant from Delhi Capitals (DC) and KL Rahul from Lucknow Super Giants, three top-class Indian captaincy options are available. <h2>Auction could be defined by wicketkeepers pulling double/triple duties</h2>The announcement of retention lists have seen many wicketkeeping options being released by their respective franchises, including Pant (from DC), KL (from LSG), Ishan Kishan (from Mumbai Indians) and Jos Buttler (from Rajasthan Royals). With all of them having captaincy experience at various levels, including international <keyword id="1521" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cricket" source="Orion">cricket</keyword> in case of Pant, KL and Buttler, several teams could go after them. Their experience and strong records as wicketkeepers and top-order batters, particularly opening except for Pant, will help teams find a captain, wicketkeeper and an opener in just one player and save them plenty of money. <h2>No English players retained? Could withdrawing/not playing full season be a cause?</h2> No England players have been retained by franchises this team around. Various stars players like Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Harry Brook, Phil Salt, Will Jacks etc have been let go. These players missed out some part of their season due to international commitments, while Harry Brook pulled out due to personal reasons. England batter Jason Roy pulled out of IPL ahead of this season due to personal reasons. These all developments damaged the team balance at times, with several teams dependent on their overseas talent. Has the habit of not honouring contracts and missing matches caused this move? The hammer strikes at auction could answer this question. <h2>Caribbean power trusted ahead of mega auction</h2>Four of current top West Indies stars, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre <keyword id="20287010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="russell" source="keywords">Russell</keyword> and Sunil Narine have been retained by their respective franchises. Pooran has dominated the T20 run charts this year, scoring a record-setting 2,251 runs in 68 matches with a century and 15 fifties at a strike rate of 160.90. Hetmyer is one of the best finishers in T20 circuit and Rajasthan Royals trusts in his abilities. Russell (222 runs in nine matches and 19 wickets) and Narine (488 runs and 17 wickets) have also been reaped rewards for their title winning performances last season and their loyalty to KKR brand. While seven West Indies talents have been released, namely, Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, Kyle Mayers, Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph and Rovman Powell, the four modern-day T20 greats keeping their spots safe with the franchise shows how much trust franchise has in Caribbean power. And who knows, the released names could get brought using right-to-match card or find a new home at a higher price. <h2>Another setback for Ishan Kishan?</h2> Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) placed their trust in Indian core, consisting of skipper Hardik Pandya, former captain Rohit Sharma, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, 360-degree hitter Suryakumar Yadav and young left-hander Tilak Varma. It was expected that Ishan could retain his place, given his youth and experience with the franchise. Aged just 26, he had spent seven seasons with the franchise and did reasonably well. However, after being brought for Rs 15.25 crores ahead of 2022 season, the price tag seemed to have caught up with Kishan. In next 44 matches for the franchise till the 2024-season-end, Kishan scored 1,192 runs in 43 innings at an average of 28.98, with just seven fifties. While these numbers are not bad, it could be debatable that he did not deliver as per expectations, with 19 scores being below 20. In the 2024 season, he could score just 320 runs at an average of just over 22, with just a fifty to his name. After being excluded from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) central contract this year after not participating for red-ball cricket, this is another big setback for Kishan, who has not been considered for international cricket despite participating and doing well in red-ball tournaments like Buchi Babu Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy recently. <h2>DC era 2.0 on cards?</h2> With wicketkeeper-batter and biggest superstar of the franchise, Pant released from the franchise and looking for a new franchise as per several media reports, Delhi Capitals could be moving to their 2.0 era, placing trust in young, under-the radar names like Axar Patel (235 runs with two fifties and 11 wickets in 2024), Tristan Stubbs (378 runs with three fifties and three wickets), Abhishek Porel (327 runs with two fifties) and Kuldeep Yadav (16 wickets at an average of 23.25) after good performances last year. Franchise has also released big time stars like David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Anrich Nortje, Prithvi Shaw. Could this be the start of a new era for DC? Only time will tell. <h2>Shreyas Iyer joins unfortunate list of captains</h2>The IPL winning captain Shreyas Iyer has been let go after winning the title for his franchise KKR this year, their first in a decade and overall third. While many argue his batting stats of 351 runs in 14 innings with two fifties at a strike rate of 146.86 could be a reason behind his release, the other half of the story is that the in-form KKR top-order did not leave the middle-order with much to do. His recurring fitness issues, which caused him to miss 2023 season, also could be a reason. Irrespective of what the reason could be, one thing is for sure, Iyer is up there with likes of Adam Gilchrist (released by Deccan Chargers in 2011 after title win in 2009, semifinal finish in 2010), David Warner (released by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of 2022 season despite 2016 title win and multiple playoff finishes) as one of the most unluckiest captains in IPL. <h2>Strong faith in Indian uncapped/inexperienced stars</h2>The franchises have been extremely bold this time around, opting to release experienced, household Indian/overseas names and placing their trust in several Indian uncapped/inexperienced players. Out of a total of 46 players retained across all franchises, 36 players are Indian. Out of these, 10 players are uncapped Indians stars. These players are Abhishek Porel, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Yash Dayal. Also, out of other 24 capped Indians, 13 players have played less than 30 international matches and eight have played 10 or less international games for India. Of these 24 uncapped players, no one has all format experience for India and only two have Test cricket experience, Dhruv Jurel and <keyword id="20022019" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajat-patidar" source="keywords">Rajat Patidar</keyword>. Notably, it is Jurel, who has just played international matches for India, who has received the biggest pay hike, going from Rs 20 lakh this season to Rs 14 crores next season. <h2>End of 'KGF' era for Royal Challengers Bengaluru?</h2> With stars like Faf and Maxwell released, it could spell the end of 'Kohli, Glenn, Faf' (KGF) era for <keyword id="20282652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rcb" source="keywords">RCB</keyword>, which lasted from 2022-24. During this phase, they all scored heavily for RCB. Despite a lull in 2022 season, Virat scored 1,721 runs in 45 matches and innings at an average of 44.12, with three centuries and 13 fifties. Skipper Faf also scored 1,636 runs in 45 innings at an average of 38.05, with a strike rate of 146.99 and 15 fifties to his name. Maxwell sits at the third spot with 1,266 runs at an average of 28.77 and a strike rate of over 159, with 12 half-centuries in 50 innings. The only player that came closer to the trio was Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who made 796 runs in 44 matches and 42 innings at an average of 29.48, with three fifties. If RCB had Virat-AB de Villiers-Chris Gayle in 2010s, KGF dominated the RCB batting numbers in 2020s. When RCB starts rebuilding their side from scratch in the auction, they would have a huge task in hand of finding one or two highly popular, capable and consistent foreign stars to help Virat unleash the carnage in a "Play Bold" avatar. Also, with the Rajat Patidar being retained for 11 crores, RCB might have made it clear that he could be the next big Indian batter the franchise invests in. His exceptional spin abilities have made a lot of difference for the side. Ever since he was brought by the franchise in 2021 for Rs 20 lakh, Patidar has played 27 matches, scoring 799 runs at an average of 34.73 with a strike rate of 158.84 and having registered a century and seven fifties. A complete list of retained players is as follows: <ul><li>Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni</li><li>Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel</li><li>Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan</li><li>Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh</li><li>Lucknow Super Giants: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni</li><li>Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma</li><li>Punjab Kings: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh</li><li>Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma</li><li>Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal</li><li>Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head.</li></ul>

From spotlight on uncapped stars to big releases, a look at key takeways from latest IPL retention lists

All Indian <keyword id="19926225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salt" source="keywords">salt</keyword> and <keyword id="20109149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sugar" source="keywords">sugar</keyword> brands, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain <keyword id="19970180" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="microplastics" source="keywords">microplastics</keyword>, according to a study published on Tuesday. The study, titled "Microplastics in Salt and Sugar" and conducted by the <keyword id="22774411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-research-organisation" source="keywords">environmental research organisation</keyword> <keyword id="21593811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Toxics-Link" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Toxics Link" meta.hostid="281" meta.entityid="Toxics Link">Toxics Link</keyword>, tested 10 types of salt -- including table salt, rock salt, <keyword id="158885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sea-salt" source="Orion">sea salt</keyword> and local raw salt -- and five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets. The study revealed the presence of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments. The size of these microplastics ranged from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The highest levels of microplastics were found in <keyword id="630077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iodised-salt" source="Orion">iodised salt</keyword>, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films. Toxics Link founder-director Ravi Agarwal said, "The objective of our study was to contribute to the existing scientific database on microplastics, so that the global plastic treaty can address this issue in a concrete and focused manner." "We also aim to trigger policy action and attract researchers' attention to potential technological interventions that could reduce exposure risks to microplastics." Toxics Link associate director Satish Sinha added, "Our study's finding of substantial amounts of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples is concerning and calls for urgent, comprehensive research into the long-term health impacts of microplastics on human health." The concentration of microplastics in the salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogramme of dry weight, the report said. Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics (89.15 pieces per kilogramme) while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kilogramme), according to the study. In sugar samples, the concentration of microplastics ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme, with the highest concentration found in non-organic sugar. Microplastics are a growing global concern because they can harm both health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles can enter the human body through food, water and air. Recent research has found microplastics in human organs such as the lungs, heart, and even in breast milk and unborn babies. Previous studies found that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and around 10 spoons of sugar every day -- much higher than the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword>'s recommended limits.

All Indian salt and sugar brands have microplastics, notes a recent study

<keyword id="19934680" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amul" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Amul" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Amul">Amul</keyword>, has been recognized as the strongest food and <keyword id="20467955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dairy-brand" source="keywords">dairy brand</keyword> globally, according to the <keyword id="20220223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brand-Finance" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Brand Finance" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Brand Finance">Brand Finance</keyword> Food &amp; Drink 2024 report. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Amul posted, "We are pleased to inform you that Amul is ranked as the strongest <keyword id="22460165" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-brand" source="keywords">food brand</keyword> and strongest dairy brand in the world as per Food &amp; Drink 2024, the annual report on the most valuable and strongest food, dairy &amp; non-alcoholic drinks brands by @BrandFinance , world's leading brand consultancy" The annual report by Brand Finance, a global brand valuation consultancy, highlights the growing influence of Amul in the international market. The company's <keyword id="22862818" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-strength" source="keywords">brand strength</keyword> was evaluated with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.0 out of 100, earning it the prestigious AAA+ rating. Amul's performance in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation metrics solidified its position as a global leader in the food and dairy sectors. While Amul shines in brand strength, the report identifies Nestle and Lay's as leaders in brand value. Nestle retained its title as the world's most valuable food brand, despite a 7 per cent decline in brand value to USD 20.8 billion. The company's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and maintain a diverse product portfolio has been key to its enduring success. Lay's, on the other hand, saw a 9 per cent increase in brand value, rising to USD 12 billion and securing the second spot globally. Lay's innovative product offerings, including its Flavour Swap and MAX lineups, have driven its brand value growth. The Brand Finance report also notes a 4 per cent decline in the overall brand value of the food and beverage sector, now totalling around USD 268 billion. This decline is attributed to consumers increasingly favoring smaller, private-label brands offering unique, personalized products over traditional big names. Convenience foods, however, are bucking the trend, with rising brand value due to growing demand from busy consumers. Brands like Healthy Choice and DiGiorno have seen a 17 per cent increase in brand value, driven by innovative product releases and strategic marketing. Amul's ascension as the world's strongest food and dairy brand is a testament to its consistent innovation, effective marketing strategies, and strong consumer trust. The cooperative's commitment to quality and its extensive product range has made it a household name not just in India but across the globe. With an 85 per cent share in the Indian butter market and a 66 per cent market share in cheese, Amul's brand equity continues to grow stronger each year. The dairy industry, however, faces its own set of challenges. The report notes a 6 per cent dip in the total brand value of the top 10 dairy brands, now at USD 43.8 billion. Despite this, Amul has retained its title as the strongest dairy brand for the fourth consecutive year, thanks to its unique cooperative structure and impactful branding efforts. Meanwhile, Valio, a Finnish dairy brand, has emerged as the fastest-growing dairy brand, with a 31 per cent increase in brand value, driven by its acquisition of Planti, a producer of plant-based dairy alternatives. Sustainability continues to be a critical factor for brands. Nestle leads the food sector with the highest Sustainability Perceptions Value at USD 1.4 billion, while Coca-Cola tops the non-alcoholic drinks sector with a value of USD 5.2 billion. The report suggests that brands like Lay's and Pepsi, with high positive gap values, could further enhance their market positions by better communicating their sustainability efforts. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-gained-over-3-million-subscribers-in-june-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/112670406.cms">Reliance Jio and Airtel gained over 3 million subscribers in June, Vi lost nearly a million</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/the-iphone-pro-models-will-be-made-in-india-for-the-first-time-this-year/articleshow/112653019.cms">The iPhone Pro models will be made in India for the first time this year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/orient-technologies-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112646237.cms">Orient Technologies IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a>

Amul emerges as world's strongest food and dairy brand, topping global rankings in Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024 Report

The counting of votes cast by 64.2 crore hopeful Indian voters during the six-week-long 18th <keyword id="19923279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections" source="keywords">Lok Sabha elections</keyword> officially began at 8 AM today and it is suffice to say that the air is crackling with equal parts excitement and trepidation. Over 700 aspiring parties participated in the world’s largest democratic exercise. But the main duelling parties remain consistent with previous trends: the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>) led by Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> and the opposition bloc led by the <keyword id="19964138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-National-Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian National Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian National Congress">Indian National Congress</keyword> (INC). Modi is shooting for a third, historic win after spending the last ten years in office, but the road ahead does not seem as smooth as anticipated. A political party in India requires at least 272 seats to cross the majority mark in the 543-member lower house of the Indian parliament, the Lok Sabha. The PM has audaciously declared that he is expecting a huge win exceeding 400 seats, the slogan ab ki baar 400 paar is stuck in every Indian’s head — irrespective of their political inclination. The Congress-led India bloc, on the other hand, is aiming for a relatively modest 295. On Saturday, most exit poll surveys predicted 350-370 seats for the BJP and between 107-140 seats for the opposition. However, the early trends are showing a very different picture with the INDIA bloc exceeding expectations in many states. Polls have been off the mark a few times before, but as NDA looks poised to win a third term, albeit with a few last-minute struggles, here’s a look back at the previous elections responsible for Mr Narendra Modi’s unmatchable dominance over <keyword id="20184421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-politics" source="keywords">Indian politics</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Inside BJP’s decade-long winning streak" comment="subhead" text="Inside BJP’s decade-long winning streak">Inside BJP’s decade-long winning streak </cmsannotation>The BJP has come a long way since 1984 when the party won just two seats. Its pro-Hindutva stance pushed it to prominence over the decades, especially in the 1990s. The BJP was in power for a considerable amount of time under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership at the turn of the century. But the kind of support that Narendra Modi has received since 2014 has been unmatched in the history of modern Indian politics. In 2014, the BJP saw a surprising landslide victory with 282 of the 543 seats. But what factors contributed to its sweeping win with a 31.3% majority? Throughout its campaigning ahead of the general elections that year, the BJP kept stressing its interest in fixing the economy and combating corruption allegedly caused by the Congress party’s rather inept governing. Modi, who called himself a chowkidar or watchman, vowed to set the government and bureaucracy to rights. He promised more jobs for young Indians and even launched a social media campaign to appeal to the younger generation. Many experts suggested that Modi created the brand “NaMo'' for himself through relentless media campaigning, something that <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rahul-gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> and other major political leaders could not do at the time. Additionally, he is also said to have had the support of the 45,000 country-wide RSS branches — the Hindu cultural nationalist parent of the BJP. However, after the leader had managed to comfortably settle into his new role as the Prime Minister of India, he announced the demonetisation of all ₹500 and ₹1,000 banknotes of the Mahatma Gandhi Series on 8 November 2016. As per a 2018 report from the Reserve Bank of India said that “the effort had failed to remove black money from the economy”. Modi was widely criticised for the way this move impacted the middle-class people of India. Despite this setback as well as criticism against his economic reforms like GST, he continued to implement bold policy changes to strengthen the core economy. His tilt towards a digital economy and seemingly tough actions against corrupt practices received widespread acclaim. He also successfully invoked a strong sense of nationalism and security in the people through the Balakot airstrike, a bombing raid conducted by Indian warplanes in February 2019. And it worked! BJP came to power again in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, this victory being bigger than the last. The BJP won a whopping 37.36% of the vote — the highest by a political party since the 1989 general elections with 303 seats. However, similar to 2019, towards the end of his second term in 2024, joblessness appears to be on the rise and incomes of farmers continue to plummet. Amid major issues like food inflation and the threat of AI to the job market, the ruling party relied on not-so-subtle religious polarisation and a ton of welfare programmes. From being chowkidar in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been depicted to be a saint today by many of his followers. While past leaders in India have tried to hold on to their secular image, Mr Modi has been seen flouting this convention on multiple occasions, expressing that he takes pride in his religion. With crores of followers still supporting him, the PM seems to be already on a path to victory. Only time will tell if the struggles during the last phases of this year’s election will come back to haunt him. In the meantime, stay tuned to Business Insider India for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/lok-sabha-election-results-2024-live-counting-begins-at-8-am-as-bjp-led-nda-hopes-for-a-historic-third-term/articleshow/110685785.cms">more updates on the Lok Sabha elections 2024</a>.

As PM Modi awaits his third big win, here’s how BJP created history during the 2014 & 2019 Lok Sabha elections

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-from-indonesia-to-shop-at-trader-joes-favorite-things">Trader Joe's</a> is known for carrying private-label versions similar to other brands' snacks and foods.</li><li>But according to Taste, some small brands claim that it's shamelessly copying their products.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-mini-tote-bags-online-resale-market-ebay-tiktok-2024-3">Trader Joe's is beloved</a> by its shoppers for having good prices and a constant flow of surprising new treats. A new type of dark chocolate bar? A new tea flavor? A new dipping sauce? Sure, I'll try it!A new <a target="_blank" href="https://tastecooking.com/we-need-to-talk-about-trader-joes/">investigation from food publication Taste</a> says that some small food brands believe that Trader Joe's has ripped them off — copied their product and cut them out of a potential deal.Unlike a regular grocery store, Trader Joe's carries mostly only its own private-label brand — it sells a big yellow cereal box of "Joe-O's" instead of Cheerios, for example.For some packaged items, the Trader Joe's version is made by a well-known name brand under a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-trader-joes-is-so-cheap-2018-10">private labeling deal</a>. Trader Joe's doesn't make those deals public, but it can be easy to guess what a product is a "dupe" of. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eater.com/2017/8/9/16099028/trader-joes-products">Eater</a> analyzed FDA recalls to uncover which name brand made a white-labeled Trader Joe's version. As of Eater's analysis in 2017: Stacy's pita chips also made the Trader Joe's pita chips, Naked made their green juice, Tribe made the classic hummus, and so on.According to the Taste report, in certain cases, Trader Joe's has shown interest in a small brand, asked for samples and more information under the premise of doing a deal with the brand — and then turned around and made a highly similar product on its own.A company called <a target="_blank" href="https://brooklyndelhi.com/">Brooklyn Delhi</a> that makes jarred Indian sauces believes Trader Joe's copied one of its signature sauces after a private labeling deal fell through. Another small brand, Auria's Malaysian Kitchen, claims a similar thing happened to them:The small brand owners said that Trader Joe's tactics were unlike Costco or other big chains that do private labeling. One brand owner, who thinks that Trader Joe's copied their hummus with chili crisp topping snack, compared the grocer to fast-fashion brands <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-shein-billion-dollar-fast-fashion-company-explained-2023-7">Shein</a> or Zara.Trader Joe's told Taste, in response to questions about its story: "We are proud of our long history of supporting vendors and their growth with us. For a range of reasons, we are unable to work with every company we contact and realize our decisions to not pursue certain products can be disappointing." In response to a request for comment from Business Insider, a Trader Joe's spokesman said: "Our common practice is to deal directly with producers or growers rather than purchasing through brokers, distributors, sales agents, or other middlemen. We do not buy recipes or product concepts. In our search for new products, we meet with many producers to determine who can best deliver on food safety, production capacity, quality, and price."I love shopping at Trader Joe's not only because it has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-bananas-raise-price-are-no-longer-19-cents-2024-3">good prices on staples</a>, but fun new items to try. Knowing that these new items may sometimes be the result of dealings that could squeeze a small brand — well, that does not feel good.

Trader Joe's is accused of ripping off smaller food brands

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia. <h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market. Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation. <h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the charkha and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024. The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms. Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers. <h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from ‘Joskai’, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally. <h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce. India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports. <h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable. The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

<ul><li><keyword id="16613760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-smartwatch" source="Orion">Global smartwatch</keyword> shipments grew by 12% in 2022.</li><li>Indian companies <keyword id="41854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="noise" source="Orion">Noise</keyword> and <keyword id="12080950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fire-boltt" source="Orion">Fire Boltt</keyword> have reached the top five companies in 2022.</li><li>Apple continues to dominate the market, capturing nearly a third.</li></ul>Wearable devices such as smartwatches have become quite popular since the Covid-19 pandemic as there is an increased awareness around keeping track of important health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2) levels. This is evident from shipments of smartwatches around the world. According to a<a href="https://www.counterpointresearch.com/global-smartwatch-shipments-grow-12-yoy-2022-price-polarization-seen-demand/"> report</a> by Counterpoint Research, global <keyword id="9179991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartwatch-shipments" source="Orion">smartwatch shipments</keyword> reported a 12% growth in 2022. While global smartwatch shipments reported a decline of 2% year-on-year in Q4 2022, the first three quarters of the year reported strong year-on-year growth. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Indian companies join the top five list" comment="subhead" text="Indian companies join the top five list">Indian companies join the top five list</cmsannotation> Two Indian companies have made it to the top five companies in market share for the first time. This comes after India became the biggest market for smartwatches in Q3 2022 after<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/noise-fire-boltt-and-boat-lead-the-smartwatch-market-in-india/articleshow/95875410.cms"> recording</a> a 171% year-on-year growth and a 30% market share. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Market share </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Apple </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Samsung </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9.8% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Huawei </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.7% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Noise </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.6% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fire Boltt </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.5% </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> Source: Counterpoint Research Noise and Fire Boltt have joined the top five companies with the highest market share, capturing over 5% of the market each and a combined market share of around 11%, which is higher than <keyword id="10591" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="samsung" source="Orion">Samsung</keyword>'s market share. Apple has continued to dominate the smartwatch market, capturing over a third of the market. Samsung occupied the third spot with a market share of 9.8%, followed by Huawei with a 6.7% market share. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Apple drives up the average selling price" comment="subhead" text="Apple drives up the average selling price">Apple drives up the average selling price</cmsannotation> Apple’s new smartwatches, which include the Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra, its costliest smartwatch to date, have pushed up the average selling price of smartwatches globally. The market share of smartwatches above-$400 has increased from 6% in 2021 to 13% in 2022. At the same time, there was a decline in the market share of smartwatches priced between $100 and $400. Affordable smartwatches priced under $100 were boosted as their market share increased from 29% to 35% in 2022. “Apple strongly drove the average selling price (ASP) rise in the global smartwatch market in 2022, especially in the &gt;$400 price band. Two main reasons for this ASP rise are a diversified Apple smartwatch line-up and a rise in the exchange rate. This year, Apple released its first premium model, Ultra, at a release price of $799 in the US,” said Woojin Son, research analyst at Counterpoint Research. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Apple takes home over 60% of global revenue" comment="subhead" text="Apple takes home over 60% of global revenue">Apple takes home over 60% of global revenue</cmsannotation> Thanks to its pricey watches, Apple was able to capture 60% of revenue in the smartwatch market, despite holding a 34% market share. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="India becomes the second largest market" comment="subhead" text="India becomes the second largest market">India becomes the second largest market</cmsannotation> After a short stint as the biggest smartwatch market in Q3 2022, India has dropped down to become the second biggest market in 2022, pushing China to the third position. India’s total share in shipments has increased from 9% in 2021 to 21% in 2022, after a 151% growth in shipments. The North American region has reported a slight decline, with its market share dropping from 30% in 2021 to 29%, despite recording a 6% shipment increase. “The third quarter of 2022 saw a big rise because most brands pushed high inventories into the channel ahead of the festive season. Therefore, we saw a decline in shipments in the fourth quarter,” said Anshika Jain, senior analyst of Counterpoint Research. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/four-out-of-five-wireless-earbuds-sold-in-india-in-2022-were-from-an-indian-company/articleshow/98141414.cms">Four out of five wireless earbuds sold in India in 2022 were from an Indian company</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/mukesh-ambanis-jiocinema-to-take-on-disney-hotstar-and-amazon-prime-with-free-4k-ipl-streaming/articleshow/98150380.cms">Mukesh Ambani’s JioCinema to take on Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime with free 4K IPL streaming</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/twitter-blue-launched-in-india-pricing-what-it-offers-and-should-you-subscribe/articleshow/97756303.cms">Twitter Blue launched in India – pricing, what it offers, and should you subscribe?</a>

These two Indian brands have together sold more smartwatches than Samsung in 2022

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon">Amazon</a> ran an uncover operation to gather information on rival retailers, according to a new report.</li><li>Dubbed "Big River Services International," it sold products through Walmart, eBay, and others.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-trader-joes-wickedly-prime-employee-best-selling-items-data-2024-4">Amazon</a> is so obsessed with dominating the e-commerce world that it reportedly spent years gathering information about rivals like Walmart and eBay by selling products directly on their websites.The tech giant started a company called Big River Services International as part of "Project Curiosity," a 2015 effort to understand how Amazon's rivals in retail, logistics, and related fields ran their businesses, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/amazon-secret-operation-intel-rivals-eb82ea3c?mod=djem10point">the Wall Street Journal reported</a> on Wednesday.Big River sold items like t-shirts, shoes, and beach chairs on competitors' platforms. Its goal was to get information from rivals that Amazon could then use to inform its own business decisions, according to the Journal.Big River employees also went to great lengths to hide their connections to Amazon, even when talking to other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-staff-complain-about-projected-pay-cuts-internal-messages-2024-4">Amazon workers</a>. They minimized electronic records of their work, even when informing Amazon's top brass about what they found. Executives viewed printed copies of the Big River team's reports and weren't allowed to keep them, though they were allowed to take notes, the Journal reported.The employees also used separate, non-Amazon email addresses when talking to other companies, the report says. They were even coached on how to respond if someone found out that they were actually working for Amazon, the Journal reported."Benchmarking is a common practice in business," an Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider, using an industry term for comparing itself to rivals. "Amazon, like many other retailers, has benchmarking and customer experience teams that conduct research into the experiences of customers, including our selling partners, in order to improve their experiences working with us."After Big River joined a fulfillment program for e-commerce sellers operated by FedEx, for instance, Big River employees relayed pricing and other terms for the service to Amazon's logistics team, which then made changes based on the information, the Journal reported.The Amazon spokesperson said that a review of internal documents has "not identified any instances of an Amazon employee having FedEx pricing information prior to its launch or using such information to adjust our own pricing or pricing discussions with any sellers.""The information we have reviewed indicates that pricing information was obtained after FedEx launched FedEx Fulfillment on February 7, 2017, and this information was one of many pieces of information considered as part of pricing discussions," the spokesperson told BI.Big River also developed its own brands to sell through rivals' marketplace websites. They include an India-based brand called Crimson Knot that sells photo frames on Indian e-commerce website Flipkart, as well as a streetwear brand called Not So Ape, which used a website hosted by Shopify to sell in the US, according to the Journal.Amazon has faced scrutiny for its treatment of sellers on its own platform before. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-uses-seller-data-copy-products-alleges-house-antitrust-report-2020-10">A congressional committee found in 2020</a> that the company had used data on sales by third-party sellers to create its own version of the products — usually to the detriment of the independent sellers and their businesses.A lawsuit from the FTC last year also claimed that Amazon effectively raised prices by increasing what the company charged its third-party sellers and punishing them for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-amazon-forces-customers-to-pay-more-ftc-lawsuit-2023-9">offering lower prices on websites besides Amazon.</a>

You Searched For "Big Indian brands" and got 9 results

Baadshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan debuts on India's richest list with Rs 7,300 cr — here's how the King made his wealth

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All Indian salt and sugar brands have microplastics, notes a recent study

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As PM Modi awaits his third big win, here’s how BJP created history during the 2014 & 2019 Lok Sabha elections

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Trader Joe's is accused of ripping off smaller food brands

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Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

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These two Indian brands have together sold more smartwatches than Samsung in 2022

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Amazon had a secret operation to gather intel on rivals like Walmart and FedEx, reportedly called Big River

Alex Bitter

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