CCI Clears Zomato Parent Eternal in Competition Case
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed a complaint against Eternal Ltd, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, after finding no prima facie evidence of abuse of dominance. The complaint had questioned several aspects of Zomato’s business model, including platform fees, delivery charges, and the difference between restaurant menu prices and prices shown on the app. After a preliminary investigation, the regulator concluded that these practices do not violate the Competition Act, 2002. The decision comes as a relief for Eternal, reinforcing that food delivery platforms still have room to determine their pricing strategies as long as they remain within India’s competition laws.
Banks and Insurers to Launch CKYC 2.0
India’s financial sector is set to become much more customer-friendly with the rollout of Central Know Your Customer (CKYC) 2.0 in August. Under the new system, customers will no longer have to repeatedly submit identity documents while opening accounts with different banks or insurance companies. Instead, institutions will be able to securely retrieve verified KYC details from a central registry after obtaining customer consent. Asset management companies are also expected to join the platform later. The move is expected to significantly reduce paperwork, speed up onboarding, improve customer convenience, and strengthen digital financial services across the country.
Onida Plans a Big Comeback with New Product Categories
Indian electronics brand Onida is preparing for a major revival by expanding beyond its traditional television and air-conditioner business. The company recently unveiled its flagship 100-inch QD Mini LED television and announced plans to enter several new product categories by 2027-28. Onida also confirmed that its iconic horned devil mascot, one of India’s most recognizable advertising characters, will remain part of the brand. A fresh marketing campaign featuring the mascot is expected in the coming months. The strategy reflects Onida’s ambition to reconnect with consumers while competing in today’s premium electronics market through innovation and nostalgia.
Credits: CNBC
Paramount Skydance Delays Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition
Paramount Skydance has agreed to postpone its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery until as late as June 2027 as the deal faces growing legal hurdles. A coalition of state attorneys general, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger, arguing it could reduce competition in the media industry. A judge has already issued a temporary restraining order, delaying the transaction. The revised agreement pushes back the expected closing date and could increase the overall acquisition price, highlighting how regulatory scrutiny continues to reshape billion-dollar media mergers.
Logistics Giants Adapt to Growing GLP-1 Drug Demand
The rapid rise in demand for GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes medications is transforming the healthcare logistics industry. Shipping companies such as UPS and FedEx are expanding their cold-chain capabilities to safely transport temperature-sensitive medicines like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, along with Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound. These injectable drugs require refrigerated storage throughout the supply chain, creating new business opportunities for logistics providers. Lessons learned during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout are now helping companies build more advanced pharmaceutical distribution networks as demand for specialized medications continues to grow worldwide.
Credits: CNBC
Honda Confirms Next-Generation Ridgeline Will Stay in the U.S.
Honda has confirmed that the next-generation Ridgeline pickup truck will continue to be manufactured in the United States despite a temporary production pause later this year. The company said production at its Alabama plant will stop temporarily before resuming within the next two years, likely in 2028. The announcement follows reports suggesting the Ridgeline’s future was uncertain due to California emissions regulations. By committing to U.S. production for the redesigned model, Honda has reassured employees, suppliers, and customers that the midsize pickup remains an important part of its long-term product strategy, even as automakers navigate stricter environmental standards.
