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From Black Friday To Cyber Monday: E-Commerce Hits $13.2 Billion In Sales

December 3, 2024, 4:38 pm

This 2024 holiday shopping season is breaking new records on online sales. Cyber Monday is likely to be the biggest shopping day of the year. The total amount in online sales for that particular day will be over$13.2 billion according to Adobe Analytics, an increase of 6.1 percent as compared to last year.

These are part of broader rising e-commerce dominance led by convenience, smarter options on shopping, and innovations in forms of mobile apps, AI, and chatbots.

Black Friday Digital Sales Surpass Expectations

Online sales had risen by 10.2% on record-breaking $10.8 billion in a seasonally slow Black Friday weekend kickoff for holiday shopping, while the data reflected over 1 trillion visits to US retail websites and more than 100 million products across 18 categories that were accessed. It shows a basic change in the direction of consumer behaviour where traditional in-store rush in stores has moved toward convenience and is browsing and buying products online.

According to Adobe’s lead analyst, Vivek Pandya, the digital sales on Black Friday have grown dramatically over the last five years. While the shopping holiday was traditionally anchored by physical store visits, the rise of mobile shopping, AI-driven recommendations, and enhanced customer service via chatbots has reshaped the way consumers shop.

Cyber Monday: The New King of Shopping Days

With Black Friday already surpassing all previous records, Cyber Monday is expected to bring in $13.2 billion in online sales, making it the biggest shopping day of the year. The 6.1% growth compared to 2023 reflects the change toward increased online spending by the consumers as they look for convenience and the best deals available during the extended holiday shopping period.

Adobe’s cumulative shopping days forecast for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday predicts total sales of $40.6 billion, accounting for nearly 17% of total holiday sales. A large part of this growth can be attributed to the rising popularity of “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) options, which accounted for $686 million in Black Friday online sales.

Consumers Focused on Toys and High-Demand Items

Predicted toy sales rose dramatically for the year, with online sales more than 622% higher during the month of October in relation to past years. Some of the trending top-of-wish-lists sales included PlayStation 5 units, Bluetooth speakers, the Harry Potter Lego sets, skincare packages, and even smartwatches. Digital sales also surged in various jewellery, electronics, and appliance and personal care markets among more.

The upcoming holiday season would be a significant one for retail, with the future of shopping firmly cemented in the digital world, and consumers take advantage of greater convenience, variety, and flexibility in shopping and spending.

Mizoram Election Update: Zoram People’s Movement Secures Maiden Win in Tuichang, Defeating Mizo National Front MLA

December 4, 2023, 10:46 am

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) secured its first electoral victory in Tuichang, unseating the incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF) MLA, according to the Election Commission of India.

According to the Election Commission’s data, W. Chhuanawma, the ZPM candidate from the Tuichang assembly constituency, emerged victorious by defeating the MNF candidate Tawnluia.

The momentum in favor of ZPM surged on Monday as early counting trends showcased a decisive lead in several assembly constituencies across Mizoram. As per the latest figures released by the Election Commission, the ZPM surged ahead in 28 assembly constituencies, while the Mizo National Front (MNF) trailed behind, leading in only 7 seats.

The Indian National Congress (INC) held a lead in one seat, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had the edge in three seats, intensifying the multi-cornered electoral tussle.

The electoral landscape in Mizoram witnessed a historic shift with ZPM’s emergence as a formidable force challenging the long-standing dominance of the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) since the state achieved full statehood in 1987.

Notably, the President of the MNF and Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, remain key figures in this election, leading the charge against ZPM’s rising challenge.

The Zoram People’s Movement strategically positioned itself as the primary contender, nominating their party vice president, Lalthansanga, to confront the three-time Chief Minister, further intensifying the electoral competition.

The elections held on November 7 witnessed a fiercely contested battle among major contenders: the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the emerging Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), Congress, and the BJP.

Stay tuned for more updates on this historic electoral shift in Mizoram as ZPM establishes its presence as a significant political force challenging the traditional stronghold of established parties.

Can state elections victory translate into a national victory?

May 24, 2023, 3:07 am

The INC’s sweeping victory in the state has certainly boosted its morale not only for the upcoming elections due in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana later this year, but also for the 2024 national elections.
The party currently only has absolute rule over four states in India (the party is a coalition member in other state governments), and the upcoming state elections will be a true test of its capability to perform in the 2024 elections.
While it might be too soon to talk about whether the INC’s victory in Karnataka will translate into gains atin the national level, it is clear that the new strategy the party adopted while moving away from its Gandhi vs Modi narrative against the BJP seems to have worked in its favour.
The Congress, which won both state elections in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka this year, carried out campaigns which were rooted in local issues. In Himachal, the party focused on local issues of increasing unemployment, rising prices, poor administrative governance, and corruption allegations against the backdrop of alleged irregularities in police recruitment, teacher recruitment, and problems of farmers, helping it secure 48 out of the 60 seats in the Assembly. It followed a very similar campaign in Karnataka. However, it might be difficult for the party to replicate this campaign strategy in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where it needs to address several issues before the states head to polls. In Rajasthan, for instance, party would have to address the potentially-damaging bickering between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. Similarly, in the sensitive state of Chhattisgarh, the party has a formidable chief minister in Bhupesh Bhagel but also has several regional contenders for the top post, as per analysts.
In Madhya Pradesh, the party also faces a tough challenge in attempting to dethrone Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who remains popular despite allegations of scams.
In addition to this, when talking about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it is very important to remember that the Indian electorate votes very differently when it comes to national and state- level elections. Since 2014, the Iindian voters have continued to support the Narendra Modi-led BJP at the national level, even when it has sufferednt huge losses at the state level, including in 2018 in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh as well as its loss at the hands of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi. While the Congress’s strategy so far has worked in two states, it will be important to see if the party is able to overcome its internal factionalism, as well as establish a credible narrative and face to take on the BJP in 2024. The upcoming state elections might be a good indicator of the Congress’ true abilities.

‘Struggle will definitely bear fruit’: Siddaramaiah credits Congress workers for predicted victory

May 11, 2023, 4:52 pm

On Thrusday, Congress veteran leader Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude to the party workers for working relentlessly during the poll campaign and hoped that their struggle will ‘definitely bear fruit’, as the exit polls gave an edge to the grand old party.

“I have a special appeal to our party workers: You have left home and family to work for the election. Now take some time off and spend time with your parents, wife and children. Our honest struggle will definitely bear fruit. Thanks again and best wishes to you all,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

“Proud workers and fans of Congress Party. Congratulations and my thanks to all of you who continuously worked day and night, forgetting meals and rest, on behalf of the Congress party candidates.

In the Varuna constituency where I am contesting, not only from all corners of the state but also from other states have come and campaigned for me out of love and respect for me. I have not even been able to meet them and thank them. This love and admiration is the strength of me and the Congress party. My heartfelt thanks to all of them,” he tweeted in Kannada.

BJP on Rahul’s plea dismissal: SC’s ruling a slap on Gandhi family’s face

April 20, 2023, 1:51 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised the Surat court judgement rejecting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s request for a stay of execution following his conviction in a defamation case, and labelled the appellate court’s decision a “slap on the face of the Gandhi family” on Thursday.

The BJP said, “the court demonstrated that everyone is treated equally by the law and that “there cannot be preferential treatment for any family.” This comes after Rahul Gandhi’s request for a stay in the criminal defamation case involving the statement about the “Modi surname” was denied by the Surat court on Thursday.
The former Wayanad MP may file an appeal against the Surat court’s decision either the Gujarat High Court or Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference on the issue, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the decision is a victory for the people of the country.

“The decision of the Appellate Court of Surat has come today, there is an atmosphere of happiness in the whole country. The backward class for whom Rahul Gandhi had used objectionable words and abused them… and by doing all this, the Gandhi family thought that they would get away with it, that has not happened,” he said.
“Court’s decision is a slap on the face of the Gandhi family. Today the court of Surat proves that the law is equal for all,” Patra added.

Describing the court’s order as a special moment for the judiciary, the BJP leader said that it states that “no protests, or mobilisation can make the judiciary buckle under pressure”.

“One thing is clear from today’s decision that in this country the constitution rules, the family does not rule and there cannot be preferential treatment for any family,” he said.
Earlier on April 3, the Surat Sessions Court granted bail to the Congress leader, who had filed an appeal following his conviction in the case.

While granting bail to the former MP, the court also issued notices to complainant Purnesh Modi and the state government on the Congress leader’s plea for a stay on his conviction. It heard both parties and then reserved the order for April 20.

Rahul Gandhi was a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad but was disqualified after a lower court in Surat sentenced him to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purnesh Modi.

Rahul Gandhi to visit his former constituency Wayanad to address public event

April 11, 2023, 2:30 pm

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left for Kerala to visit his former constituency, Wayanad, where he would address at a public event on Tuesday.
During his visit, the Congress, who was disqualified from the Lok Sabha upon his conviction in a criminal defamation case, will address a public rally and hold a roadshow in Wayanad. Rahul lost membership of the Lower House of Parliament after a Surat court convicted and sentenced him in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The case pertained to a remark he made using the surname ‘Modi’ while addressing a campaign event ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

At a rally in Karnataka’s Kolar in April 2019, Rahul, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?”.
Following his conviction, Rahul was disqualified as an MP on March 24, as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA stands to be disqualified automatically if convicted and sentenced to two years or more.

On Saturday, the Congress leader landed in a fresh controversy after he posted a stinging tweet, tagging with images of Congress leaders who either joined the BJP or sundered decades-old ties with the grand old party.The Congress leader also hit out at the Centre by invoking billionaire businessman Gautam Adani.

The pictures he tweeted included Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, former Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, leader Anil Antony and former CM of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Kiran Reddy.

Reacting to Rahul’s post, Sarma said he would be filing a defamation suit against the Congress leader over his tweet, linking him to the Adani Group.
“Whatever Rahul Gandhi has tweeted, it is defamatory. So, once Prime Minister returns from Assam, we will respond to the tweet and definitely, there will be a defamation case,”.

INC president Mallikarjun Kharge alleges PM Modi is ‘corrupt himself’

March 29, 2023, 1:31 pm

On Wednesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government for turning down the opposition’s demand of setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the Adani Group issue and asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “is corrupt himself.”

Kharge sought to know if the Prime Minister has “joined hands with the corrupt”. “He (PM Modi) is corrupt himself, he is not saying anything to those who looted the country, no investigation is being done against them, JPC is not being constituted, so has he joined hands with the corrupt people?”

His remarks come a day after PM Modi said that all those deeply rooted in corruption have come together and are attacking the country’s constitutional institutions.

“We have a strong foundation of constitutional institutions. That’s why to stop India, constitutional institutions are being attacked. Conspiracies are being hatched to defame our institutions and bring down their credibility,” the Prime Minister said on Tuesday.

“When agencies take action against those who are deeply rooted in corruption, they attack the agencies. When courts pronounce order, questions are being raised on the judicial system,” he added.

The opposition including the Congress party has been demanding a JPC to probe the Adani issue. Kharge further lashed out at the Karnataka government over the issue of corruption and said that no action is being taken in the state.

“There is a govt of 40 percent there (in Karnataka) and they (BJP) are well versed with this. No action is taken against those MLAs from whom Rs 8 cr-Rs 10 cr are recovered. Here if any opp. member is found with money, they (BJP) make it a big issue. They start calling ED,” he alleged.

Rahul Gandhi updates Twitter bio as “Dis”-Qualified MP

March 26, 2023, 1:15 pm

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday updated his Twitter account bio to ‘Dis’Qualified MP’ after he was disqualified as a Member of Parliament following the Surat court order convicting him in a criminal defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark.

According to sources, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday will hold a day-long ‘Sankalp Padyatra’ near Raj Ghat as a protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha MP. Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his ‘Modi surname’ remark.

The decision was made after he commented in April 2019 at a Lok Sabha election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname.” To give Gandhi time to appeal to higher courts, the court granted him bail with a surety and suspended the sentence for 30 days.

After being convicted in the defamation case and subsequently disqualified from Lok Sabha, Gandhi, hit out BJP. While addressing a press conference, Gandhi said that he is not scared of going to prison and his disqualification from Parliament was aimed at distracting people from the Adani issue.

“Moot question remains who invested Rs 20,000 crore in Adani shell firms? I will keep asking the question,” he said. The former MP alleged that the BJP-led central government is allegedly protecting businessman Gautam Adani, who has been accused of stock manipulation.

Attacking PM Modi, he said, “Prime Minister was scared of the next speech that was going to come on Adani. I have seen it in his eyes. That is why, first the distraction and then the disqualification”.
The BJP hit back at him with Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stating that the central government and Lok Sabha have no role to play in his disqualification and that Rahul Gandhi “is a case of political immaturity”.

Himachal 2022: BJP vs INC

September 21, 2022, 1:24 am

Elections to the 68-member Legislative Assembly in Himachal Pradesh are scheduled to take place in November this year. The state, which has widespread anti-incumbency, has not allowed any party to be re-elected to power since 1985. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won the state in 2017, securing 44 seats and a vote share of 48.79 per cent, is hoping to win again this time. The party has said that it will be the first in 37 years to be reelected in the state, due to the development work done under the tenure of the incumbent Chief Minister. Politics in the state has been largely bipolar, with a shift in governments from the Indian National Congress (INC) and the BJP with every successive election. The INC, which won 21 seats in the 2017 elections, managed to retain a majority of its vote share, despite not being re-elected to power. The party is focusing its campaign on the failures of the BJP. However, internal factionalism in the party created by the power vacuum after the demise of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is a hindrance to the party’s efficient victory in the state. Issues such as rising inflation, unemployment, lack of fair price of fruits, and caste inequality are the major facets voters are focusing on in the upcoming elections.

BJP ‘creating history’?

The BJP’s overall narrative will be centred around the development of Himachal Pradesh carried out by the state government in the past term with the support of the central government. The party is engaging in micro-level planning to reach voters through its various party wings at the booth level in the run-up to the Assembly polls. All key party wings, including the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Kisan Morcha, Mahila Morcha, and Scheduled Caste Morcha are working at the booth level to educate voters about the government’s achievements. They’re also emphasising the welfare schemes launched by the government in order to garner support for the party. The BJP launched its “One Booth 20 Youth” campaign aiming to connect with 20 youth at each of the 7,500 polling booths in the state, in an attempt to win them over ahead of the polls.
While the party will be contesting the elections under the leadership of incumbent Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, it has announced the Chief Ministerial candidate will only be declared after the results of the Assembly elections have come through. This is perhaps to avoid a repeat of 2017, when, despite the party winning a majority, the BJP’s Chief Minister candidate Prem Kumal Dhumal was defeated.
During the 2017 elections, the party’s vision document included promises such as tackling forest mafia, illegal mining, and improving women’s safety. Although the party is yet to launch its official manifesto for 2022, it is likely to base its campaign on the schemes promised by the incumbent government during the 2022-23 budget session. This includes employment schemes, subsidies on 125 units of electricity, free water supply in rural areas, and reduced bus fares for women. The party will be taking suggestions from the general electorate for its manifesto and has set up a team of 21 subcommittees to seek suggestions and set up a web portal for the same.
It should be noted, however. that the BJP lost all four by-poll elections held in the state in October last year. Political analysts stated that the results of the by-polls were affected by rising resentment against the incumbent government, in part due to issues such as poor governance, rising prices, and rising unemployment.

INC: Attempt To Return

The Congress, led by state party president Kuldeep Singh Rathore, kickstarted a statewide padayatra and voter awareness campaign to consolidate its support base for the upcoming elections. The INC, motivated by their win across three Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat during the 2021 by-polls, is focusing its campaign narrative on the failures of the BJP government in the past term. The party is reaching out to the public to spread awareness about the INC’s ideologies and policies.
INC’s promises include addressing the pressing issues of inflation and unemployment, both of which are at its peak in the state. Party Chief Pratibha Singh has promised five lakh jobs if the party is voted to power in the state. Other promises include 300 units of free electricity and a 1,500 monthly allowance for women. The party has promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) within ten days of being re-elected, along with an implementation of fair prices for crops and fruits, free mobile clinics, and the establishment of English-medium schools in each constituency.
However, despite these attempts, with the power vacuum left in the state after the demise of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in 2021 and the factionalism within the party, the INC faces difficult times ahead trying to defeat the election machinery of the BJP in the state. After the demise of Virbhadra Singh, the BJP reshuffled its organisational structure, and made Pratibha Singh, the wife of former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, the state president. The move has given rise to further factionalism in the party.

What are the major issues for voters?

One of the major issues in the state has been the unequal development across social groups in the state. Those belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) groups record lower than average rates of education and schooling and are lacking in access to basic amenities and job opportunities. There is also a rural-urban divide in access to drinking water, sanitation, and electricity.
The state records a very high unemployment rate, with 8.82 lakh people being unemployed in March 2022. Other major issues include the demand for the implementation of the OPS, which has led to a major conflict between the government employees, who make up over two lakh of the population. Parties are also using issues of caste and religion, including the passing of the forced-conversion bill earlier this year, and the granting of ST status to members of the Hatti community to sway votes in their favour for the upcoming polls.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), motivated by its victory in nbouring Punjab, is attempting to make inroads in the hill state. The party is offering its “Delhi Model” of governance, including the promise of freebies such as water and electricity, in an attempt to woo voters in the state. However, despite their attempts, the 2022 polls are likely to be a tough fight primarily between the INC and the BJP in Himachal Pradesh.

MISSION BENGAL: SONAR BANGLA VS BANGLAR GORBO MAMATA

December 30, 2020, 3:55 am

This week, the Indian National Congress has announced that it will be contesting the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections in alliance with the Communist Party of India (CPI(M)). While the details of the alliance (seat sharing ratios) have not yet been announced this is the second assembly election in a row (after Bihar), the Left has aligned with the INC.It seems to be understood that the alliance has been made hoping to be a third option after Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. However, given the increasing dominance of both the parties in West Bengal, the election has slowly turned into a direct contest between the BJP and theTMC.

The BJP, eager to make a footprint in the East has proclaimed it will make West Bengal “Sonar Bangla”. On the other hand, the TMC, which has been in power for 10 years and is battling against increased anti-incumbency, is transforming the election into a fight between the “insiders” and “outsiders”. The party’s narrative is trying to portray the BJP as bringing leaders into the state from “outside”, those who do not understand the people and culture of Bengal.

Shiv Sehgal Director, Polstrat, a political consultancy

CONG’S FREE WATER PROMISE IN RAJASTHAN

December 23, 2020, 3:37 am

New Delhi: Prior to the 2019 Rajasthan Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot from the INC announced a free water scheme for the state. Under the scheme, consumers living in urban areas would not be charged for using water (up to 15,000 litres) and in rural areas, supply of water up to 40 litres per capita per day would be free of cost. Certain fixed charges would be levied on customers for meter service and innovation charges.

Now the question that arises is how successful the scheme was. The implementation of the free water scheme in Rajasthan was done quite differently from that in New Delhi, leading to a unique set of challenges. In June 2019, following the election, the Public Health and Engineering Department of Rajasthan (PHED) announced the scheme would only be applicable for those who already have a metered connection. This would mean that a significant portion of customers who do not have a meter, and who would arguably benefit most from the scheme would be left out. As of August 2019, in the city of Jaipur alone, around two lakh consumers did not have a metered connection. As per PHED officials no information had been provided to install new meter connections. In fact, in 2018, under the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government, 70,000 water meters were to be installed in Jaipur as part of the smart city project. However, this was much less than the requirement, and out of the 70,000 meters, only half were installed.