Archives November 2024

Day 5 at EUFF featured an eclectic and award winning selection of European films, including “Because I Love Bad Weather”, “Sons (Vogter)”, and “Without Air (Elfogy A Levego)”, exploring range of themes including grief, gender identity, self-discovery, and social control.

The evening began with the screening of “Because I Love Bad Weather”, a Bulgarian film directed by Yana Lekarska, putting a spotlight on friendship, self-discovery, and modern-day anxiety. The film follows Irina, who escapes to a seaside town to rediscover her past and unexpectedly reunites with Boris, a man from her childhood. Together, they embark on a journey to rediscover their past, which may change their future.

Next was the Danish film “Sons (Vogter)”, directed by Gustav Möller, which premiered at Berlinale earlier this year. The film delves into themes of grief, moral dilemma, justice, and forgiveness, prompting the audience to reflect on what takes precedence – personal grief or duty to one’s job.

The evening concluded with the Hungarian film “Without Air (Elfogy A Levego)”, directed by Katalin Moldovai. This thought-provoking film explored pressing issues of education, LGBTQIA+ rights, and societal norms, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits rolled.

The screening was attended by budding filmmakers, screenwriters, and film enthusiasts, among others. The 29th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) is currently running in New Delhi till November 16, 2024, showcasing a diverse selection of European cinema.

Bengaluru, November 13, 2024: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport), announced its continued partnership with Echoes of Earth, India’s greenest music festival, for its much-anticipated 7th edition. BLR Airport enters its fifth year of collaboration as the Sustainable Experience Partner and the partnership remains focused on creating eco-conscious experiences through art, music, and community engagement.

BLR Airport’s commitment to sustainability is at the core of its operations. This collaboration aligns with Echoes of Earth’s theme, Symphony of Seasons, emphasising a shared vision for a greener future. Throughout November, live performances by the Artists of Echoes will be featured at both terminals of BLR Airport, including The Quad by BLR and the 080 Lounges. These performances will showcase artists such as Koe Hauzel, Aanchal Bordoloi, Two Eyed Wizard, Tarang Joseph, Sahil Madan, Anirudh Ravi and Shashank Verma, bringing sustainability-focused art and music to the travelling community.

As part of this initiative, a curated art project, featuring the work of renowned artists such as Siddhartha Kararwal, Mechanimal, and many more will showcase Karnataka’s rich biodiversity through immersive installations crafted from recycled materials.

Moreover, waste collected from BLR Airport’s ongoing E-waste Collection Drive will be transformed into art installations and will be displayed at the Echoes of Earth festival grounds.

Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), added, “At BLR Airport, our commitment to sustainability is steadfast, and partnering with India’s greenest music festival is a natural extension of our vision for a greener, more sustainable future. Initiatives like ‘The Greener Side’ beautifully align with our mission to integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations. By collaborating with organisations that share our values, we are not only showcasing remarkable talent but also fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. Together, we aim to inspire our community to take meaningful steps in preserving our planet for future generations.”

Additionally, the Guardians of the Wild campaign, developed in partnership with Refex Electric Vehicles (EVs) and led by BLR Airport and Echoes of Earth, will transform electric vehicles into vibrant mobile works of art celebrating Bengaluru’s rich biodiversity and native species. This community-focused campaign will raise awareness in public spaces and support conservation efforts through pledges and educational content.

Roshan Netalkar, Founder & Festival Director of Echoes of Earth, remarked, “I take immense pride in our collaboration with Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, as it represents our shared vision for a greener, sustainable future. Through our initiatives, we aspire to create a positive social impact by making sustainability and conservation accessible to our community through music, art, and innovative educational programs.”

This collaboration will also engage young minds through the educational initiatives of BIAL and Echoes of Earth – Namma Shikshana and The Greener Side workshops, focusing on sustainability, conservation, and skill development. These workshops will include music and art sessions, learning sustainable waste management practices, and hands-on DIY projects, empowering the next generation with knowledge and tools for a sustainable future.

BIAL has solidified its position as a leader in sustainability through initiatives, including the adoption of 100% renewable energy, a 50% transition to electric vehicles (EVs), and a impressive 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, attaining the highest emission elimination by an Indian airport, achieved seven years ahead of the initial target of 2030.

Kochi, India, November 13, 2024 — India IT spending is projected to total $160 billion in 2025, an increase of 11.2% from 2024, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc.

“In 2025, Indian chief information officers (CIOs) will start allocating budgets for generative AI (GenAI) beyond initial proof-of-concept projects,” said Naveen Mishra, VP Analyst at Gartner. “While spending on GenAI will increase, CIOs’ expectations for its capabilities will diminish. Additionally, Indian CIOs are expected to significantly boost spending on technologies such as cybersecurity, business intelligence, and data analytics in 2025 compared to 2024.”

Gartner analysts are discussing the trends that are impacting the IT market during Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, taking place here through Wednesday.

GenAI-Enabled Solutions to Propel Software Spending in India

Fueled by expansion in both application and infrastructure software markets, software spending in India is projected to record the highest annual growth rate, increasing 17% in 2025 (see Table 1).

Table 1. India IT Spending Forecast, 2023-2025 (Millions of U.S. Dollars)

Source: Gartner (November 2024)

“The price premium of GenAI-enabled offerings across customer relationship management (CRM), email and authoring, and analytic platforms will drive software spending, resulting in growth of this segment,” said Mishra.

Gartner predicts that by 2025, more than 50% of application software offerings with GenAI capabilities will carry an associated price premium. Pricing options will continue to evolve through 2025 as buyers are tested for their willingness to pay a GenAI premium.

“Despite the global services market being characterized by cautious spending, macroeconomic uncertainty, and higher capital costs, IT services spending in India is projected to grow 11.4% in 2025,” said Mishra. “Service engagements around cloud, application, and consulting are expected to drive stronger growth in India. Furthermore, GenAI’s role in delivering industry use cases and improving labour productivity will be a key expectation from Indian enterprises in 2025 and beyond.”

Demand for AI-Ready Infrastructure to Boost Data Center Systems Growth

“Spending on data center systems in India is projected to total $4.7 billion in 2025, fueled by the rising enterprise need for new infrastructure to support AI integration,” said Mishra. “Data center providers, including hyperscalers, are expanding their footprint in India to meet enterprise demands for increased data storage and computing capacity, while adhering to regulatory requirements, further driving the growth of this segment.”

Gartner’s IT spending forecast methodology relies heavily on rigorous analysis of the sales by over a thousand vendors across the entire range of IT products and services. Gartner uses primary research techniques, complemented by secondary research sources, to build a comprehensive database of market size data on which to base its forecast.

The Gartner quarterly IT spending forecast delivers a unique perspective on IT spending across the hardware, software, IT services and telecommunications segments. These reports help Gartner clients understand market opportunities and challenges. The most recent IT spending forecast research is available to Gartner clients in “Gartner Market Databook, 3Q24 Update.”

Bhopal: Shrewsbury International School India is set to showcase its school to prospective students and their families at its exclusive Open Days, running from 7th to 20th November at its State-of-the-Art 150-acre campus in Bhopal.

Parents and pupils will get a unique opportunity to personally experience the state-of-the-art facilities of the school campus and witness the extraordinary boarding experience that awaits their wards at Shrewsbury India.

“We are committed to creating a learning environment that combines top-line infrastructure with a British National curriculum that gives students a platform to excel academically and personally,” says Abhishek Mohan Gupta, Founder and President of the Board of Management at Shrewsbury India.

“At Shrewsbury International School India, we believe in providing a whole-person education that nurtures individual growth of each of our pupils. Our Open Days are a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet with our admissions team and learn more about the admission process, available scholarships and the unique benefits of a British boarding school environment for their children”, remarks Dominic Tomalin, Founding Headmaster at Shrewsbury International School India.

These visits are designed to provide a bespoke experience, allowing visitors to gain a sense of the excellence and warmth that the school community will offer. Personalised walkthroughs of the campus will highlight the boarding house, classrooms, and expansive sports facilities designed to accommodate more than 20 indoor and outdoor sports activities.

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Shrewsbury International School India is to join for one of their Open Days. The visitors will have the opportunity to explore the School’s range of offerings by Shrewsbury International School India, India’s largest British Boarding campus, offers Cambridge IGCSE & A-Levels, 30 plus subjects, pathways to Ivy League and Russell Group Universities, and Diploma in Music and Drama from Trinity College, London. These Open House opportunities provide prospective students to discover more about the school, the offerings, and the wider city. Exploring the campus and city for yourself will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here. Whichever day is right for you, the school looks forward to welcoming you to their beautiful Campus.

Additionally, visitors will have an opportunity to discuss queries, progress and important milestones not only about the school’s offerings but also about pupil well-being.

“We eagerly await insightful conversations with each of our visitors and let them experience what life at Shrewsbury India can be for 11–18-year-olds,” adds Mr. Tomalin.

anthi: is India’s first Anti–Thinning Hair Care brand and is committed to transforming your thinning hair care routine and help you achieve thicker, denser and voluminous hair.

Inspired by the wisdom of botanicals the brand has formulated an advanced Hair Serum that not only focuses on reducing hair thinning but is also potent enough to stimulate melanin production and help reduce hair greying.

It is a lightweight, non-sticky and non-greasy hair serum, infused with the goodness of 18 potent plant extracts, pure essential oils, and clinically proven ingredients that help with thinning and greying hair.

 Regular use of the serum helps

• Thicken the hair

• Increase hair density

• Stimulate hair growth

• Reduce hair loss

• Stimulate melanin production

Reasons you will love it

• The Hair serum is infused with Rosemary, Bhringraj, Amla and Biotin that nourishes the scalp and helps increase hair thickness and helps reduce hair thinning

• It is enriched with 4% Anagain, 3% Redensyl that stimulates hair growth

• The combination of clinically proven actives like 2% Melanogrey and 1% Darkenyl present in the serum help naturally boost melanin production, thus reducing Hair Greying

• The goodness of 18 potent plant extracts present in the serum include Green Tea, Tangerine,  Aloe vera, Henna, Pea, Silver Birch, Chamomile, Linden, Horsetail, Nettle, Hop, Burdock, Sage, Millet, Larch

• It is also fortified with hair friendly vitamins like Biotin, Pro Vitamin B5, and Niacin

• The Advanced Hair Serum for thinning and greying hair is a chemical-free, gentle solution that suits all hair types.

The advanced hair serum contains a high concentration of anti–thinning and anti-greying actives and is recommended for overnight use.

“Pune, India – After successful stops in Mumbai and Bangalore,” Ishaara’s“Undivided Punjab” pop-up, featuring renowned Chef Sherry, arrives in Pune. This unique dining” event celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Punjab, rediscovering lost recipes and traditional techniques that flourished before partition.

Indulge in mouthwatering dishes like crispy kachoris bursting with flavor, smoky mutton kebabs slow-cooked to perfection, and comforting Sarson Da Saag with warm, griddle-fresh Makki Di Roti. Each dish transports you to the heart of Punjab, where food embodies tradition and connection.

Chef Sherry draws inspiration from cherished family recipes and nostalgic kitchens, crafting a menu that tells the story of undivided Punjab. “This menu is my tribute to the flavors I grew up with,” says Chef Sherry. “Each dish carries the warmth of home and the richness of forgotten traditions.”

Highlights of the Menu:

• Aam Papad Ki Chaat: A delightful fusion of tangy Aam Papad and spices, this dish captures the vibrant street food culture of Amritsar in every bite.
• Mutton Chapli Kebab: These succulent minced mutton kebabs are expertly slow-cooked in their own juices, offering a rich tapestry of bold spices that evoke the heart of Punjabi cuisine.
• Multani Moth Kachori: A crispy, golden pastry filled with a savory blend of spices, this vegetarian treasure from Multan delivers the perfect street food experience.
• Quetta Special Rosh: Indulge in tender lamb shanks, slow-cooked in the traditional dum style, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy infused with deep, rustic flavors.
• Sarson Da Saag and Makki Di Roti: This iconic vegetarian duo features three varieties of greens simmered to perfection, served with warm, buttery corn roti that brings the taste of home to your table.
• Kale Moti Aur Asharfi Ki Biryani: A fragrant masterpiece of biryani, combining black gram and cottage cheese, where each grain of rice is a celebration of flavor and tradition.

The “Undivided Punjab” pop-up offers more than just a meal; it’s an immersive experience filled with the flavors, aromas, and stories of Punjab. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or a history lover, this event is a culinary journey you won’t want to miss.

Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PCI India to strengthen the public health domain. IIM Bodh Gaya started the 2-year full-time MBA (Hospital & Healthcare Management) in 2023. The programme is designed to provide a holistic appreciation of the healthcare industry, including large corporate hospitals, public health, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, digital health, and healthcare consulting. The institute is striving for academic excellence in healthcare management education by bridging the gap between industry and academia through this collaboration with PCI India.

Prof. (Dr.) Vinita Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya and Mr. Indrajit Chaudhuri, CEO of PCI India emphasized that this collaboration is strategic and futuristic, with the MoU playing a significant role in fostering academic excellence and creating a social impact. According to Prof. Swapnarag Swain Chairperson of the MBA (Hospital & Healthcare Management) IIM Bodh Gaya, this collaboration is a win-win situation as the students will gain exposure to public health issues and will come up with potential solutions for project implementations.

Under this MoU, students enrolled in the MBA-HHM programme will undergo a 2-week long community immersion project which aims to provide an immersive learning experience in public health. Apart from this, subject matter experts from PCI India will be involved in delivering lectures on relevant topics and PCI India will provide internship opportunities to the students of MBA-HHM. It is to be noted that the summer internship under the MBA-HHM programme is of a 4-month long duration which brings uniqueness to the programme. In addition, IIM Bodh Gaya and PCI India have agreed to conduct joint research, and events such as round table discussions, seminars, workshops and conferences aiming to foster knowledge-sharing, innovation and discussions on pertinent issues in the healthcare management domain.

The institute is constantly taking strategic steps to make a significant contribution to the healthcare industry and is committed to establishing itself as a centre of excellence for healthcare management education and research.

Hyderabad, November 12th, 2024…..UDAI OMNI Hospital Turns 50. It celebrates the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. A small Clinic started in the by-lanes of King Koti by Dr Ved Prakash in 1974 now becomes a 150 bedded hospital.

Addressing a press conference on this milestone achievement the 91-year-old Dr Ved Prakash, founder of the hospital said the erstwhile Udai Clinic, an orthopaedic hospital is now a multi-speciality hospital. It played an instrumental role in the development of specialist healthcare in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Among its most notable accomplishments, the hospital performs over 250 (two hundred and fifty) surgeries per month, while treating over 1 (one) lakh outpatients per year.

Dr Ved Prakash who is now 91 years old still practices, at least two hours a day. He is probably the oldest practicing doctor in India.

Dr Ved Prakash has a medical practice spanning over 60 years. A specialist in Orthopaedic and General Surgery. He was the President AP State Chapter of the Indian Orthopaedic Association. He is now supervising or performing over 500 surgeries a year at UDAI OMNI Clinic.

The real god for us is the patient in our hospital and not doctors, Dr Ved Prakash said. We try to avoid surgeries as much as possible, he added. Life’s aim shouldn’t be just to make money. A hospital is not a means to make money. Serve with care, he added.

We are the most ethical hospital. No one can be more ethical than us said Dr Raghava Dutt Mulukutla, Chief of Spine Surgery. Doctors are not gods. They are human beings. Please do take a second opinion. It is your fundamental right, he said.

Speaking about spine surgery in India, Dr Raghava Dutt Mulukutla, Director and Chief of Spine Surgery at Udai Omni Hospital and Apollo Health City who in last served as the President of the Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) and the Orthopaedic Association of South Indian States (OASIS) said Indian Spine Surgery reached great heights. We have 400 spine surgeons in India which is very good, he said.

Replying to a question if they had any expansion plans, Dr Udai Prakash – Joint Replacement Surgeon and Sports Injury Specialist, the son of Dr Ved Prakash said that they don’t have any such expansion plans.

Dr Raghava Dutt said the best of the best hospitals in the world remain as single units and we don’t believe in expansion and dilution of services. It is better to have a world-class than expand and dilute he said

Good surgeon not who operates well but the one who knows how not to operate but treats and offers relief, they added. Surgery has to be the last option. We do partial knee replacement so there is no need to replace the knee fully. Certain conditions can be treated with a partial replacement, Dr Udai Prakash said.

Udai Clinic joined hands with Incor’s Omni Group of Hospitals in the recent past he shared.

Dr Dutt’s work is now featured in an IIT medical study. Contributing its fair share to the development of medical tourism in the city, the hospital treated patients from all over the country as, well as international patients hailing from Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Kenya, Iraq, UAE, USA, Australia, and many other territories.

Hyderabad, November 12th, 2024…..The 30th Indian Plumbing Conference, the largest-ever gathering of the Plumbing industry, will be held in the city this month from November 21st to 23rd at Hitex.

The theme of the conference will be Water-The New Currency

The theme emphasizes water’s vital role in sustainability and climate action, promoting initiatives like Green Credits and Water Credits to support India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. This conference aims to enhance water management, inspire innovation, and foster economic resilience by encouraging water-efficient technologies and aligning with national carbon reduction targets.

The conference will be organized by the 31-year-old Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), an NGO and an apex body of plumbing professionals in India.

Shri D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, and Shri Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, will be the guest of honour.

The Keynote Speaker will be Mr. Søren Nørrelund Kannik-Marquardsen, Commercial Counsellor, Head of the Trade Council New Delhi & Regional Coordinator for South Asia, Embassy of Denmark in India

1500 plus delegates from across India and abroad will participate. Eighty exhibitors to showcase their products and services. More than 8000 visitors are expected to visit the conference cum expo.

The conference will host engaging technical sessions and panel discussions, including Water—The New Currency; Moving Towards Net Zero Water in the Built Environment; Water—Revitalizing the Heritage; High Challenges for High-Rise Buildings; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene and Water Scenario in the Hospitality Sector

The conference will feature distinguished speakers, including Shri. Avinash Mishra, Chairman, Water Audit Council & Former Adviser, NITI Aayog; Dr. Rama Kant, Deputy Adviser (PHE), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Prof. Srinivas Chary, CEO, WASH Innovation Hub and Centre Director, ASCI; Shri. Stanley Samuel, Founder, Eco Soft PTE, Singapore; Shri. Nitin Bassi, Senior Program Lead, CEEW; Shri. Rahul Sachdeva, Senior Program Manager, NIUA; Shri. Goutam Reddy, Vice Chairman, RE Sustainability Ltd; Smt. Charu Thapar, Executive Director-Property and Asset Management, Asia Pacific JLL; Shri. HC Vinayaka, Vice President, Technical EHS and Sustainability, ITC; Shri. Prem Thakur, VP Technical Services, IHCL (Taj Group); Sh. Valluri Srinivas, CEO, Synergy Infra Consultants

The conference will have knowledge-sharing sessions on water management in built spaces such as Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and others.

Elaborating on how significant this conference is to Hyderabad Sanjay Bhilare, Chairman of the Hyderabad Chapter said it has blooming and robust real estate recording rapid growth. Infrastructure projects are flourishing, and there is a need for robust plumbing systems, water, waste management, recycling of treated water, and rainwater harvesting. Good plumbing not only ensures the longevity of our buildings but also enhances the quality of life for residents and communities, he added.

We will launch the Telugu version of ‘A Guide to Good Plumbing Practices’. It will be a Plumbing Engineering handbook, Sanjay said.

By 2030, India will have less than half of the total water demand. As per a NITI Aayog report, by then India will be able to supply 744 billion cubic meters of water against a demand for 1,498 billion cubic meters — a shortfall of over 50 percent. In recent incidences, we have seen Bengaluru and Chennai experiencing Day 0, Gurmit Singh, National President of IPA added.

“Day Zero” is the situation when a city’s water supply is almost completely depleted. When “Day Zero” is reached, taps run dry, and municipalities may enforce water restrictions and rations, Gurmit Singh, the Past National Chairman of the Indian Green Building Council. He is an expert on water conservation and reclamation. His domain knowledge includes achieving water use efficiency, water treatment, wastewater treatment, water refining, sewerage treatment, protection and preservation of water bodies, water audits, plumbing methods, and practices.

In the domestic water sector, the loss of water on account of leakages in mains, communication, and service pipes and valves is approximately 30 to 40% of the total flow in the distribution system, he added

India’s Increasing Water Footprint

Virtual Water Trade: India’s water footprint is also linked to the virtual water embedded in the goods it imports and exports. For instance, exports of water-intensive goods, such as rice, cotton, and sugar, indirectly lead to water depletion in regions that produce them, even if those regions are not consuming the water directly.

Exporting Water through Agriculture: India exports millions of tons of rice annually, which has a huge virtual water cost. 1 kg of rice requires around 3,000 liters of water to produce. Thus, India is, in a sense, exporting water to other nations through its agricultural exports, even as it faces its water crises.

The 30th Indian Plumbing Conference provides an important platform to discuss solutions and innovations that can help secure the future of water, ensuring its availability for all.

Water as an Economic Asset: Like money, water has intrinsic value. Its availability or scarcity can directly influence local economies, trade, and livelihoods. Communities that effectively manage water can gain a competitive edge.

Necessity of Reuse: As demand for water increases and sources become strained, water reuse and recycling are no longer optional—they are critical to sustainability.

Circular Economy Approach: Treating water as a “resource to be reused” fits well within the circular economy model, where the goal is to maximize the utility of resources—water being a prime example.

Plumbing’s Role in Water Efficiency

Plumbing Innovations: Advanced plumbing systems, such as low-flow fixtures, sensor-operated taps, smart water metering, and efficient pipe networks, are essential to both reduce water wastage and enable reuse.

Leak Detection and Prevention: Plumbing systems can be equipped with leak detection technology to prevent water loss, which accounts for a significant amount of water wastage in urban infrastructure.

Awareness and Best Practices: Plumbing professionals and the industry at large must play an educational role, in promoting water-efficient practices to the public and industries.

70 percent of communicable diseases spread through bad quality of water

India, 12 November 2024: As the Indian festive season unfolds, Criteo (NASDAQ: CRTO), the commerce media company, released insights into online retail sales, traffic, consumer behaviour, and preferences during Diwali 2024. Demonstrating a clear acceleration in growth and heightened consumer intent, this year’s Diwali period showed a significant boost across multiple retail categories, led by consumer electronics and fashion, with sustained engagement throughout October.

Criteo’s analysis of Indian shoppers’ online purchases completed during the peak week leading up to Diwali (October 25-31) showed a gradual consumer journey, with an average of 15 days from initial product view to purchase completion. The most deliberate shoppers took over one and a half months to finalise their purchases, highlighting a careful selection process during the festive season.

Compared to the same two-week period before Diwali in 2023, online retail sales saw an impressive 14% increase on average in 2024, underscoring Diwali as a crucial event for India’s retail landscape. Fashion stood out with a remarkable 42% increase in sales, followed by Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) at 13%, indicating a robust consumer demand for festive-related products.

During the peak period (October 18 to 31, 2024), the average sales surged across categories like Home & Garden, Apparel, and Health & Beauty, showing how seasonal decor and personal style align with Diwali’s festive spirit. In Home & Garden, light ropes and strings led with a remarkable 204% increase, followed by candles (122%) and dinnerware (89%). Apparel also saw significant growth, with coats and jackets topping subcategories at 154%, followed by pajamas (81%) and sarees/lehengas (78%). Meanwhile, in Health & Beauty, hair styling products saw a 61% rise, with nail care (60%) and bath & body kits (54%) following close behind.

Medhavi Singh, Country Head—India of Criteo, commented on the findings, “With Indian shoppers increasingly exploring and purchasing festive products earlier each year, Criteo’s insights indicate that Diwali is more than just a holiday; it is a defining period for retail growth and customer engagement. To capitalize on this opportunity, businesses should implement a comprehensive commerce media strategy with a full-funnel and omnichannel approach to deliver seamless customer shopping experiences across platforms”.

For retail overall, traffic across product description pages rose by an impressive 42% in October 2024, compared to September. On September 26 alone, online sales jumped by 44% and maintained a consistent 38% average increase through October, with a slight dip on Diwali day (November 1). By category, October sales figures demonstrated growth of +77% in Fashion, +60% in Consumer Electronics, and +15% in CPG, showcasing sustained consumer interest across diverse product lines.

Conversion rates also reflected strong momentum for the Fashion vertical, where rates rose by 20% during this period. Consumer Electronics conversion rates spiked by 45% on September 26. Cost Per Click (CPC) also rose, peaking at 33% in the final week leading up to Diwali, suggesting higher competition and ad engagement as the holiday approached.

Methodology 

Criteo captures organic data from 20 countries, 600 product categories and over 19,000 advertiser clients. Indexed sales are monitored on retailers who partner with Criteo Marketing Solutions and Criteo Retail Media. Criteo data includes only product categories represented by at least 5 retailers at the most granular level. Organic data means that all events from our clients, including those not attributed to Criteo, are leveraged. This allows us to produce insights regarding the market rather than Criteo campaigns.