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nykaa

India’s Nykaa shareholder to sell stake worth $150 million, NDTV Profit reports

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A shareholder in India’s Nykaa (FSNE.NS) Hong Kong-based investor Harindarpal Singh Banga and his family, plan to sell stake worth 12.84 billion rupees ($149.93 million) in the beauty products retailer through a block deal, news portal NDTV Profit reported on Wednesday.

The sale will likely be at a 4% discount to Nykaa’s current market price, the report said, citing people aware of the development.

Nykaa’s shares closed 2.2% higher at 211.59 rupees. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Banga, who invested in Nykaa before it went public, owned 4.97% stake in the company as of March 2025, exchange data showed. He pared some of his stake in August last year, selling 40.9 million shares via a bulk deal.

The Indian market logged $5.5 billion worth of secondary market sales by large shareholders of listed companies last month, according to LSEG data. These include Reliance Industries’ (RELI.NS) stake sale in Asian Paints (ASPN.NS) and British American Tobacco’s $1.5 billion stake sale in ITC (ITC.NS).

($1 = 85.6420 Indian rupees)

News Credits- Reuters

DHL eCommerce appoints new CEO for the Americas

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Scott Ashbaugh has been announced as the new CEO of DHL eCommerce Americas, taking over from Lee Spratt who will retire at the end of this year.

Ashbaugh, former chief commercial officer at the company, will be based in Florida and will report directly to Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce. He will also serve on the eCommerce Global Management Board.

With more than 16 years of experience at DHL, Ashbaugh has held various leadership roles. Before transitioning to the revenue side as COO, he spent over a decade overseeing operations across both the domestic and international networks.
“DHL eCommerce is a very special place. This community of dedicated experts has embraced change year after year, consistently producing an outstanding shipping experience at a market-leading price,” said Ashbaugh. “It is a real privilege to lead this team in the next chapter of our growth, where we will continue to develop our skills and attack opportunities head-on.”
Ciano added, “I’m very pleased to have Scott at the helm of our Americas operations, a market of strategic importance for our customers and the growing e-commerce sector. Scott has been a vital contributor to our success, and I am confident he will effectively lead our division’s growth strategy while empowering our talented leaders and employees to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable services to our customers.
“At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude to Lee, whose unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership have been instrumental to the business’s success.”

News Credits- HAZEL KING
                                  Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

Jeff Bezos sold Amazon shares worth about $737 million in June

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Amazon founder and executive chair Jeff Bezos sold shares worth almost $737 million in the e-commerce giant in late June, according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

Bezos, who founded Amazon in 1994, sold 3.3 million shares for $736.7 million, after adopting a 10b5-1 trading plan in March, showed the filing, made after the market closed.

After the sale, Bezos will own about 905 million Amazon shares. He sold stock worth almost $5 billion last year.

Bezos married journalist Lauren Sanchez on Friday evening during a star-studded wedding extravaganza in Venice. He is ranked the fourth-richest person in the world with a net worth of $234.4 billion, according to Forbes.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Snitch joins forces with ClickPost to enhance omni-channel delivery capabilities

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Snitch, a menswear brand admired for its quick-fashion agility and connection with Gen Z shoppers, has formed a strategic partnership with logistics intelligence platform ClickPost. The partnership will enhance Snitch’s supply chain operations to ensure smooth, scalable fulfillment of orders across both digital and physical stores as India’s pace picks up in embracing omni-channel commerce.

With more than 63 stores open and an aggressive expansion plan to increase its omni-enabled footprint from 10 to 32 stores by early Q3, Snitch is doubling down on fulfillment excellence as a growth strategy pillar. ClickPost integration gives the brand end-to-end visibility into logistics operations, real-time courier performance monitoring, and automated return processing—functionality designed to improve the post-purchase experience and operational agility at scale.

Mahadevan Pillai, VP of Operations & Supply Chain, Snitch, said that today retail is about reaching the customer wherever they are—with zero friction, and digitising their warehouses and optimising last-mile delivery is just the starting point. He added that with the increasing growth in e-commerce and the growing importance of reverse logistics, their collaboration with ClickPost makes them more responsive, resilient, and prepared for the next growth phase.

ClickPost co-founder Naman Vijay echoed this sentiment, noting that today’s consumers expect speed, transparency, and control. He further said that Snitch has built a fulfillment model that prioritises customer experience at every level, and they’re thrilled to support their next chapter with the infrastructure to scale smartly and deliver consistently.

News Credits- APPAREL RESOURCES

DX Group appoints new CEO to lead next phase of growth

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Delivery solutions provider DX has announced Ian Truesdale will take over from Paul Ibbeston as chief executive officer of the group on July 1. Truesdale comes as the company embarks on its next phase of growth following its sale to HIG Capital  in January 2024.

Truesdale has over 40 years’ experience in the logistics and supply chain industry. He joins DX from Unipart Group, the British multinational logistics, supply chain, manufacturing and consultancy company, where he was managing director of Unipart Logistics and Unipart Consulting and a main board director.

The new DX Group CEO commented, “DX is in a terrific position, and I am delighted to be leading the next phase of the group’s growth. We have a very supportive partner in HIG, and I am confident of the opportunities ahead of us. In its 50th anniversary year, DX continues to support all its customers’ needs with passion and commitment and is well placed to extend its service offering and to scale significantly.”
News Credits- HAZEL KING

                                   Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL

US prices for China-made goods on Amazon rise faster than inflation, analysis shows, as tariffs bite

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Prices for goods made in China and sold on Amazon.com have been rising faster than overall inflation, according to an analysis of 1,400 different products conducted exclusively for Reuters by the analytics firm DataWeave, a sign that tariffs are starting to hit American consumers.
The analysis shows that price increases for those goods accelerated beginning in May, a signal U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are starting to filter through to consumers. The median price of a basket of more than 1,400 products made in China and sold on Amazon.com to U.S. buyers has gone up by 2.6% between January and mid-June, outpacing the latest U.S. inflation rate for core goods, which runs only through May.
Price increases vary depending on the item sold, and prices for some goods declined.
For the six months through May, core goods CPI – which excludes services – rose by 1%, implying a 2% annualized rate. Both the federal data and DataWeave’s study show that goods costs have trended upward in the last couple of months as tariffs begin to exert pressure on prices.
DataWeave analyzed more than 25,000 items, focusing on 1,407 products sold on Amazon because those clearly list China as the country of origin. The firm used median prices rather than averages, since averages can be skewed by short-term price spikes or unusually high or low values.
The basket of China-made goods includes products sold by Amazon as well as its third-party sellers. Third-party sellers account for 62% of all products sold on Amazon.
The goods rising at the fastest rate include school and office supplies, electronic items such as printers and shredders, blank media items like CDs and DVDs, and home goods such as furnishings and cookware. China, which shipped $438.9 billion of goods last year to the U.S., is a big global supplier in all of these categories.
Of the 1,407 items tracked in the DataWeave study between January and June 17, 475 showed price increases, 633 remained unchanged, and 299 saw price declines. For example, a Hamilton Beach electric kettle climbed to a median $73.21 from $49.99, while the price of a GreenPan frying pan more than doubled to $31.99.
Through April, inflation across that product group remained modest. Prices increased more sharply in May and accelerated into June, particularly in the Home & Furniture and Electronics categories, which showed a median increase of 3.5% and 3.1%, respectively, over the time frame of the study.
Seasonal dynamics could play a role, but the timing and rate suggest cost shocks are rippling through the retail supply chain, said Karthik Bettadapura, co-founder and CEO of DataWeave.
“Even modest duties can translate quickly when margins are thin and replenishment cycles are fast. What we’re seeing in June is the first broad-based price step-up, as sellers begin adjusting to higher landed costs,” Bettadapura said.
Amazon said it has not seen the average prices of products change up or down appreciably outside of typical fluctuations.
“Any comparison of a small number of products does not reflect prices more broadly across the hundreds of millions of products available on Amazon,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.
Numerous consumer companies have warned of tariff-led price hikes, including the largest U.S. retailer Walmart. Department store chain Macy’s (M.N), opens new tab said it was selectively raising prices to offset tariffs. Nike, which recently started selling on Amazon after a six-year break, said it would raise prices across various products starting June 1.
Trump has defended tariffs as necessary to rebalance global trade and boost U.S. manufacturing output.
Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy said in May the company worked with sellers to move orders to the U.S. ahead of tariffs, and it remained “maniacally focused” on keeping prices low. At the time, he said average selling prices had not appreciably risen.
Retailers have been cautious in passing along the cost of tariffs due to weakening U.S. consumer sentiment and high interest rates. Retail trade sales, opens new tab dipped 0.9% in May from April, while consumer spending also fell unexpectedly in the month, according to federal data.
“We think that firms are likely opting to delay price increases,” Claudio Irigoyen, economist at Bank of America Securities, wrote earlier this month.
U.S. tariffs currently in place include a 10% universal tariff, 50% on steel and aluminum products, and 25% on cars and auto parts. Additional steel tariffs took effect on June 23, which could cause “further price pressure on cookware, kettles, small kitchen appliances, and other household essentials in the next few months,” Bettadapura said.

News Credits- Siddharth Cavale
                                   Reuters

L’Oreal to acquire haircare brand Color Wow

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French cosmetics giant L’Oreal said on Monday it had signed an agreement to acquire haircare brand Color Wow, as it seeks to tap rapid growth in premium hair products.

Haircare was the second fastest-growing category at L’Oreal last year after fragrances, driven by new launches for specific hair types and conditions.

The company said earlier this year was targeting more innovation and growth in premium hair products, which it sells both online and in salons.

Color Wow, based in the U.S. and Britain, makes products for frizz control and curly hair.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

News Credits- FASHION NETWORK

Jumbotail Becomes India’s Newest Unicorn with $120 Mn Funding

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Bengaluru-based B2B ecommerce platform Jumbotail has entered the coveted unicorn club after raising $120 million (approx. INR 1,028 crore) in a Series D round led by SC Ventures, the investment arm of Standard Chartered. The round also saw participation from Artal Asia. Though the company hasn’t officially disclosed its valuation, multiple media reports confirm that the latest funding has taken its post-money valuation beyond the $1 billion mark.

With this, Jumbotail becomes the fifth Indian startup in 2025 to attain unicorn status, joining the likes of Netradyne, Porter, Drools, and Fireflies AI.

Founded in 2015 by Karthik Venkateswaran and Ashish Jhina, Jumbotail operates a B2B marketplace primarily for groceries and food, targeting mom-and-pop kirana stores across the country. The company offers a full-stack suite of go-to-market services, connecting emerging brands with over 500,000 small retailers in 400+ Indian cities and towns.

As part of its growth strategy, Jumbotail also confirmed the acquisition of Solv India, a B2B marketplace incubated by SC Ventures. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had approved the transaction just weeks earlier. Solv’s platform supports MSMEs in managing their end-to-end supply chain across multiple categories including FMCG, apparel, electronics, home furnishings, and footwear. It also leverages AI/ML solutions for seamless buyer-supplier interactions.

“Together with Solv, we now help thousands of brands and MSME sellers reach over half a million retailers across India,” said Ashish Jhina, cofounder of Jumbotail, in a statement.

The acquisition marks a significant expansion move for Jumbotail, allowing it to diversify beyond grocery into non-grocery categories, further strengthening its B2B offerings. However, the merger has also raised eyebrows, particularly due to Solv’s financial performance and recent leadership exit. Solv reported INR 132 crore in revenue and INR 375 crore in losses for FY24. Former CEO Amit Bansal, who was ousted before the acquisition, had publicly expressed reservations about the deal, having earlier outlined IPO plans for Solv in 2026.

According to regulatory estimates, Jumbotail’s FY24 operating revenue is pegged at INR 1,200 crore, although the company is yet to file official financials. Before this round, the startup had raised approximately $143 million, and this latest round brings its total funding to $263 million. It counts Nexus Venture Partners, VII Ventures, Heron Rock, Akram Ventures, Alteria Capital, and InnoVen Capital among its investors.

Prior to the Series D funding, Jumbotail’s valuation was estimated between $900-$950 million. With the latest infusion, SC Ventures is expected to hold a 30% stake in the company, with SBI Holdings exiting the cap table.

Despite both entities being loss-making, the merger has significantly boosted Jumbotail’s valuation, triggering conversations in the ecosystem about financial sustainability versus market positioning.

With robust investor backing, a deepening retail network, and now a broader category footprint, Jumbotail is aiming to consolidate its position as one of India’s leading B2B ecommerce platforms in the next growth phase.

News Credits- Startup Story

unilever

Unilever to pay $1.5 billion for men's grooming brand Dr Squatch, FT reports

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Unilever (ULVR.L) is paying $1.5 billion (1.09 billion pounds) to buy men’s personal care brand Dr Squatch from private-equity firm Summit Partners, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing sources.

The deal was announced earlier this week by all three parties, without disclosing financial details.

Unilever reiterated on Friday that it will not disclose the terms of the deal, while Summit Partners did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside of regular business hours. Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report.

Reuters reported last year that Summit was exploring a sale of the men’s grooming brand at a valuation of more than $2 billion.

Launched in 2013 by founder and CEO Jack Haldrup, and named after the mythical creature Sasquatch, Dr Squatch started out by selling handmade bar soaps for men.

The Los Angeles-based company currently sells deodorant, hair care products, colognes, lotions and other personal care products through its website and at brick-and-mortar stores.

Unilever said earlier that the acquisition of Dr Squatch would complement its men’s personal care offerings, which include Axe and Dove Men+Care deodorants, and that it would scale Dr Squatch internationally.

News Credits- Reuters

saudi logistics sector

Saudi logistics sector soars on big Grade A warehouses' demand

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A key component of Vision 2030, the NIDLP, aims to boost the logistics sector’s GDP contribution from 6% to 10% by 2030

Fuelled by the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s logistics and warehousing sector is rapidly expanding, driven by a booming e-commerce market and increasing demand for Grade A warehousing, according to leading real estate expert JLL.

A key component of Vision 2030, the NIDLP, aims to boost the logistics sector’s GDP contribution from 6% to 10% by 2030, and localise 70% of the supply chain, it stated.

In the JLL report, titled ‘Emerging Trends Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Logistics and Warehousing Market,’ it unveils the key factors driving this growth, along with the challenges and opportunities in powering the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global logistics hub.

It also highlights significant interest and investment from both domestic and international institutional players, recognising the industrial and logistics sectors as key pillars of the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy.

This ambitious growth is catalysed by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to position the kingdom among the top 10 countries in the Logistics Performance Index, and the NDLP agenda, which aims to boost the sector’s GDP contribution and localise 70% of the supply chain, said JLL in its whitepaper.

Saudi Arabia is laying the foundation for a robust and efficient logistics ecosystem through substantial investments in transportation infrastructure, streamlined processes, and regulatory frameworks, it added.

Abhishek Mittal, Head of Industrial Advisory, Mena at JLL said: “Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub offers unparalleled access to a growing consumer market spanning three continents, making logistics and warehousing vital for high-growth sectors.”

“Guided by Vision 2030, the Kingdom is strengthening its logistics infrastructure and transportation network, prioritising sustainability, and building strong local partnerships for seamless global commerce,” stated Mittal.

“This agile and resilient network facilitates efficient movement of resources, offering investors significant opportunities to capitalise on reduced costs, efficient supply chains, and increased access to a vibrant and growing market,” he added.

JLL’s new whitepaper details that among the key drivers fuelling demand for industrial and Logistics in the Kingdom are the establishment of strategically located Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial cities.

While 36 industrial cities offer ready-built factories, warehouses, and logistics facilities, attractive incentives and tax breaks at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), King Salman Energy Park (Spark), and Jazan Economic City (JEC), are creating clusters of economic activity and driving investment and innovation.

This dynamic environment attracts significant capital from global institutional investors, who are moving away from traditional Grade B/C warehouses, which currently comprise about 90% of the market.

The logistics and industrial real estate market is benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s position as the largest e-commerce market in the GCC, supported by high internet penetration (97%), a young and tech-savvy population, and a growing consumer preference for online shopping.

Modern commerce and e-commerce are expected to contribute around 80% to the retail sector by 2030, stimulating significant demand for modern warehouses, strategically located fulfilment centres, and last-mile delivery hubs, it stated.

In its whitepaper, JLL reveals a noticeable shift towards sophisticated Grade A facilities as global institutional investors across industries, including DP World, Gulf Islamic Investments, Arcapita Capital Company, and AP. Moller–Maersk demands built-to-suit warehouses, cold storage facilities, and last-mile delivery hubs, demonstrating confidence in the Saudi market.

Meanwhile, investment trends in e-commerce warehousing are also shifting with institutional investors and real estate developers focusing on built-to-suit logistics parks catering to e-commerce and retail tenants, and real estate investment trusts (REITs) allocating more capital toward logistics assets.

The whitepaper identifies the key industries of food and pharmaceuticals as leading the demand for specialised logistics solutions, including cold chain storage and temperature-controlled warehousing.

While the opportunities are significant, the JLL whitepaper also highlights the challenges facing companies, especially with the broader industry shift towards sustainability.

Traditionally energy-intensive, Saudi Arabia’s industrial and logistics sectors must align with national sustainability goals under Vision 2030 to reduce environmental footprint and achieve long-term savings, said JLL in a statement.

Companies that successfully navigate this transition will be well-positioned to thrive in the evolving Saudi market, it added.

The unprecedented construction boom in Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030, has injected around $850 billion into the construction industry, presenting unique challenges for global supply chains.

To strengthen supply chain resilience, businesses and investors are adopting proactive strategies such as supply chain diversification, investing in local manufacturing to enhance self-sufficiency, implementing best practices to optimise inventory and minimise lead times, and streamlining operations by embracing digitalisation, including RFID tracking and GPS monitoring.-TradeArabia News Service

News Credits- ZAWYA BY LSEG