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Strong delivery segment growth likely in 2022 as online shopping behaviour takes roots among consumers: Vahan

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Despite the growing cases of the highly infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 across the country, India’s flourishing blue-collar segment is anticipating higher demand growth for blue-collar workers across the delivery category in 2022.

Although this developing situation has raised some uncertainty of a possible third wave, there is a strong likelihood of it manifesting itself through/accelerating shift in consumer behaviour towards a more digital world and triggering lasting changes in online shopping behaviours.

Vahan, a technology startup that enables companies to hire blue-collar workers at scale, sees the year 2022 as one of further acceptance of online shopping behaviours by consumers across categories. The company believes that this emerging situation will lend support to a massive surge in demand for delivery workers where metros will contribute over 60 per cent of the overall demand in 2022 followed by tier two and tier three cities.

Vahan witnessed rapid demand for delivery workers in the August to November 1st week period last year fuelled by contests, discounts, incentives, etc. running across the board around the IPL season and T20 world cup.

A rapidly growing cohort of consumers identifies speed, convenience, and quality as the most important elements of a positive customer experience. This trend is likely to hold true in the near future where grocery delivery service providers will extend quick commerce service to attract and retain customers.

Vahan data shows that the grocery delivery service providers offered quick commerce and narrowed the delivery radius to 2-3 km during the festive season last year.

This stoked cyclist demand and brought more temporary workers thereby increasing the hiring pool. The company is expecting a month-on-month increase in demand close to 30 per cent across industries in 2022 as against 25 per cent across industries in 2021 with the food delivery category as the major contributor.

Bike taxis and food and grocery delivery have lent heft to the booming e-commerce industry in India. This has been corroborated by Vahan’s data which shows that companies hired almost double of their business-as-usual (BAU) numbers in the festive period of 2021.

As per Vahan, bike taxis emerged as a preferred mode of commute during the pandemic period and its sustained demand in the August to November 1 st week period indicates changing travel patterns of consumers at large. Vahan expects bike taxis to gain more popularity in 2022 with demand coming from all across the country and an upward spiral in demand for e-commerce in tier 2 and 3 cities with rising Internet penetration pan India and consequent changes in consumer buying habits.

The year 2021 was marked by the increasing focus of organisations in the delivery space to achieve gender parity at the workplace. This indicated a change in perception that delivery work is not appropriate for women. This trend is likely to take root in 2022 onwards and open space for the women to enhance their contribution to the delivery segment to 15 per cent in 2022 up from around 7-10 per cent of the overall hiring requirement per month of delivery staff across industries from food delivery to e-commerce in 2021.

According to Madhav Krishna, Co-founder and CEO, Vahan, “The blue-collar job market in India is set to repeat its astounding growth performance in 2022 as online shopping behaviour and preference for speedy delivery takes root in the country. Vahan, with its technology enabled recruitment platform which seamlessly connect employers and delivery workers effectively, with speed and at an unprecedented scale is clearly sitting in a sweet spot given the growing number of organisations embracing delivery model and increasing number of blue-collar workers wake up to a new dawn of comfort and convenience online recruitment portals like Vahan brings to them.”

India has over 250 million blue-collared workers, and this number is growing with a decline in agricultural employment and the addition of around 7-8 million new college graduates to the workforce every year, 60 per cent of which lack employability skills and end up joining the blue/grey-collar workforce. This presents a massive opportunity for placement in the blue-collar industry.

Interest in Vahan’s placement solution is high. It is currently recruiting 10,000+ people a month and is set to become India’s largest blue-collar recruitment platform in 2022.

Business

Tata Motors Unveils Limited-Edition Safari STEALTH to Mark 27 Years of Legacy

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Tata Motors is celebrating 27 years of the Safari with the launch of the exclusive STEALTH Edition, a limited-run variant designed for those who seek style and performance. Available in both the Harrier and Safari models, only 2,700 units of this edition will be produced. The Harrier STEALTH is priced at Rs 25.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the Safari STEALTH starts at Rs 25.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is offered in both 6- and 7-seater configurations. With a striking design, premium features, and advanced technology, the STEALTH Edition adds a new level of exclusivity to Tata’s SUV lineup.

The Tata STEALTH Edition brings a bold, monotone design that reflects the growing demand for exclusive and distinctive vehicles. With limited units available, this special edition is set to attract enthusiasts looking for a unique SUV. Bookings for the STEALTH Edition opened on February 21, both online and at Tata dealerships across India, giving customers the chance to own a rare and stylish addition to Tata’s lineup.

The Harrier and Safari STEALTH Edition stand out with their bold design and advanced features, built on the sturdy OMEGARC platform derived from Land Rover’s D8 architecture. The exclusive Matte Black finish, R19 Black Alloy Wheels, and a distinctive STEALTH mascot give these SUVs a powerful road presence. Inside, the cabin is designed for comfort with ventilated first- and second-row seats (Safari only for the second row), a Carbon-Noir interior theme, and a voice-assisted dual-zone climate control system.

Technology is a highlight, featuring a 31.24 cm Harman touchscreen, Arcade App Store, Alexa Home 2 Car, Map My India navigation, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system with Harman AudioworX. Power comes from a 2.0L KRYOTEC BS6 Phase 2 turbocharged engine producing 170PS, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Safety is a priority, with Level 2+ ADAS offering 21 functions, including a segment-first Intelligent Speed Assist, along with 7 airbags and ESP with 17 safety features.

Unveiling this exciting new version of the Harrier and Safari, Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., stated, “Tata Motors has been a leader in the Indian SUV segment, with innovation at its core. The Tata Safari, which introduced the concept of a lifestyle SUV to India, reflects this legacy of pioneering excellence. Over 27 remarkable years, the Safari has constantly evolved, and the launch of the STEALTH Edition is a tribute to this journey. This special edition is an exclusive offering, with only 2,700 units available in the striking STEALTH Matte Black finish. More than just an SUV, the STEALTH Edition is a symbol of prestige, adventure, and capability, making it a highly desirable collector’s item for enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Owning a STEALTH Edition isn’t just about having an extraordinary vehicle—it’s about claiming a piece of automotive history that many will aspire to have in their collection.”

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Business

Maruti Suzuki’s New Mid-Term Plan Aims To Make India An Export Hub, Launch More EVs

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New Delhi: The Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, the parent company of Maruti Suzuki India, on Thursday announced a new mid-term plan with a “rethink” in its strategy as “the business environment has changed due to declining market share in India” and the growing electrical vehicles segment.

In its new mid-term plan for 2025-30, the company has identified India as its “most important market”. Maruti Suzuki aims to create a manufacturing capacity of producing 4 million cars annually to reclaim a 50 per cent market share in India and use the country as a global export hub as well.

The auto major plans to expand its EV lineup starting with the e-Vitara, and is aiming to launch four new EV models by FY30 in a segment where its rivals like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra already have a varied EV portfolio in India.

“In India, we will promote further localisation in line with the growth of the electric vehicle market,” the company said.

Maruti Suzuki is currently exporting three lakh vehicles from India annually. By the end of this decade, it is targeting the export of 7.5-8 lakh units per year.

While the company noted it achieved revenue and profit targets ahead of schedule by improving sales mix and quality, its sales volume target could not be met.

It noted that the “competitive environment is becoming increasingly severe, and the quality of product functions, equipment and services required by customers is increasing”.

It aims to be India’s no.1 carmaker in terms of production, local sales and exports of electric cars. A total of six electric vehicles will be introduced by FY30, including four electric cars and two commercial vehicles.

Suzuki Motor plans to invest 1,200 billion yen (about Rs 7,000 crore) as capital expenditure towards production, new models, carbon neutrality and quality measures. A new plant in Haryana’s Kharkhoda and an assembly line in Suzuki Motor Gujarat will come onstream by 2030 for a total installed capacity of four million units.

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‘Made in India’ iPhone 6e not SE variant but a next-gen entry point for consumers

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New Delhi, Feb 20: In a further push to the local manufacturing, the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the newly-launched iPhone 16e, is now being assembled in India for domestic market as well as for exports, as industry experts on Thursday cleared the air around the new device being compared to now-retired iPhone SE.

The new Apple device, with A18 chip, breakthrough battery life, Apple Intelligence, and a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system, is being manufactured/assembled for local consumption as well as for export to select countries.

According to experts, iPhone 16e is not iPhone SE4 and the whole “comparison is futile”.

When iPhone SE was launched, it was another masterstroke at that time. However, times have changed since then.

“Essentially, Apple retired the SE lineup and extended the iPhone 16 lineup with a new entry point. iPhone SE was no longer adding any value to consumers, developers or Apple,” said Neil Shah, Partner and Co-Founder at Counterpoint Research.

The iPhone SE which was positioned as a “Special Edition,” which brought nostalgia of older and smaller design, was priced around $400.

However, the iPhone SE lost its value and popularity, which used to be once 16 per cent of the total iPhone sales volumes, dropped to 1 per cent last year.

According to Shah, consumers now prefer better cameras, bigger displays and faster processors.

“With all this background, what Apple did was to extend the 16 series with a newer ‘base version’ of iPhone 16 and now retired SE,” Shah explained.

According to industry experts, the company has done well with streamlining the series, reducing fragmentation in design and experience and able to charge $599 (US)/Rs 59,999 (India) with the newest entry point for the best Apple experiences.

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