First release of tickets for The Brit Fest 2025 now available.

Six hundred bikes to be provided to children in disadvantaged Birmingham areas.

Eleven days of unique events discovering the city's history.

UK’s second longest-running comedy festival returns to the second city.

Andy Street joins expert panel for COVID-19 vaccine webinar.

Group aims to provide help for Muslims throughout Europe.

Shreyas Srinivasan, Paytm's Chief Product Officer, has announced his departure from the company after more than ten years. His exit comes after Paytm sold its ticketing platform, Insider.in, to Zomato. Srinivasan played a key role in Insider.in's growth, from its inception to its merger with Paytm.

ASOS, the British online fashion retailer, is striving to regain growth by 2025 after facing challenges such as a decline in active customers and stiff competition.

Nazara Technologies and ONDC partnered to launch gCommerce. The platform will integrate e-commerce within games. It will provide Indian game developers with new revenue options. gCommerce will connect players to sellers on the ONDC network. Players can shop without leaving the game. The platform will roll out for developers by Q1, FY26.

Blackstone is close to acquiring Retail Opportunity Investments Corp, which owns U.S. shopping centers worth $3.4 billion including debt. Other private equity firms, including Bain Capital, are also interested. The deal could be finalized in the coming weeks if negotiations succeed. ROIC has raised rents significantly amidst high inflation, making it an attractive target.

Returnless refunds are a tool that more retailers are using to keep online shoppers happy and to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products. Companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Target have decided some items are not worth the cost or hassle of getting back. Think a $20 T-shirt that might cost $30 in shipping and handling to recover.

Despite the persistent inflation and sluggish demand, several leading FMCG and retail brands are doubling down on their premiumization strategies, reshaping their approach to appeal to discerning customers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to meet with state counterparts on December 21-22 for pre-budget discussions and a GST Council meeting. Key agenda items include potential GST exemptions for certain insurance policies and rate reductions on various goods. The Council may also consider raising GST on luxury items like high-value shoes and watches.

The fund will back startups in the early stage and pick stakes in pre-IPO companies through secondary transactions. It will focus on sectors such as climate and sustainability, fintech and consumer businesses.

Indian consumers are increasingly choosing healthier snack options, driving the segment's rapid growth. Emerging brands offering smaller packs and health-focused snacks are experiencing significant success, particularly in metros and lower town classes. This health-conscious trend extends to durables like air fryers and fitness wearables, reflecting a nationwide shift towards healthier lifestyles.

Swiggy's IPO, set to be the largest tech offering since Paytm in 2019, is expected to unlock Rs 9,000 crore in employee stock ownership, creating hundreds of crorepatis among its 5,000 current and former employees.