Archives March 2026

India, Mar 23: The real estate developers have acquired land in Madurai for their new premium plotted project, with prices starting from ₹15,990 per sq. ft.

G Square Group, a Chennai-based real estate firm, has purchased a five-acre heritage land parcel in the temple city of Madurai from legacy owners of the TVS Group.

Project Details

The total land parcel is valued at ₹167 crore. Of the five acres, 1.63 acres is earmarked for residential development, two acres for commercial use, and the remainder is designated for infrastructure and common amenities, as per a company release.

The project includes 55 plots including 50 residential and 5 commercial units catering to both end users and long-term investors. Residential plots are priced starting at ₹15,990 per sq. ft., translating to ₹69.64 lakh per cent onwards. Commercial plots start at ₹25,990 per sq. ft., with pricing beginning at ₹1.13 crore per cent, according to the release.

The development has been named G Square Temple View Square (TVS) a premium plotted project in Periyar, Madurai reflecting the land’s historical ties to TV Sundaram Iyengar and the TVS legacy.

AI “searches,” humans “assist” purchases — Shanghai, Bangkok, and Mumbai lead in AI-driven shopping

Tokyo, Japan, Mar 23: transcosmos has conducted its proprietary “Global Online Shopping Trends Survey 2026,” summarizing the latest trends in AI-powered shopping using generative AI. The survey compares how consumers in eight major cities utilize AI at each stage of the shopping process—from product discovery and comparison to final purchase—and where they still prefer human support.

■Survey overview Method: Global online research panel, multilingual questionnaire (respective local language options available) Regions: Japan (Tokyo), Shanghai (China), Seoul (South Korea), India (Mumbai), Thailand (Bangkok), Jakarta (Indonesia), London (U.K.), Los Angeles (U.S.) Respondents: Men and women aged between 15 and 49 years old that have used online shopping (made a purchase) in the past 1 year Samples: 320 x 8 cities = Total 2,560 Period: January 28 – Feburary 10, 2026 Research agency: Cross Marketing, Inc. Note: Due to stricter personal data protection regulations, respondents under 20 were excluded in Bangkok.

■Key findings 1. AI Shopping Usage: Over 80% use AI search in Mumbai, Bangkok & Shanghai — strong intention to use across all cities ●When asked about their use of generative AI search services (ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepSeek, etc.) across shopping stages—product discovery, Q&A/troubleshooting, and purchase—all cities showed the highest usage in “product discovery.” In Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai, usage reached 70–90% across all stages, while Tokyo remained low at around 20% even for product searches. ●Future intention to use AI (those who “have used and want to continue using” + “have not used but want to try”) exceeded current usage in all cities.In Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai, over 80% expressed willingness to use generative AI search services at every stage. Even in Tokyo, nearly half showed positive interest.

Chart 1. Usage of Generative AI Search Services (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepSeek) for AI Shopping: Current Usage (Left) and Future Intent to Use (Right) (%)
━ Product Search ━ Q&A/troubleshooting ━ Purchase

2．Consumers prefer AI for searching, but still value human help for troubleshooting and purchases ●Regarding preferences between “AI assistance” and “human assistance,” AI overwhelmingly dominated the product discovery stage in every city except Tokyo. For troubleshooting and purchasing, demand for human support remained strong, resulting in a more balanced preference between AI and humans. ●Cities with higher AI usage—Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai—also showed stronger preference for AI across all stages. For product discovery, AI preference reached 85% in Mumbai and Bangkok, and 80% in Shanghai, while Tokyo remained at 47%.

Chart 2. Preference for Customer Assistance in the Online Shopping Process (AI Support vs. Human Support Ratio) (%)

■ AI Support ■ Human Support

3．Social commerce usage continues to grow in all cities — Key channels are TikTok/Douyin and Instagram ●Over the past year, more than half of consumers in all cities except Tokyo used social commerce. Usage reached 95% in Bangkok, 93% in Shanghai, and 90% in Jakarta. Social commerce usage increased year-over-year in all cities, including London and Los Angeles. Tokyo remains low at 24%. ●The most widely used platform was TikTok/Douyin, particularly in cities where TikTok Shop is available (Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles). In Mumbai and Seoul, Instagram and YouTube were most used, showing that short-video and image-driven social commerce remains strong even where TikTok/TikTok Shop is restricted.

Chart 3. Percentage of Social Commerce Users (2025–2026 Comparison) (%)

Chart 4. Main Platforms Used for Social Commerce Purchases (%)

Masayuki Hagiwara, Analyst, Global Business Division at transcosmos inc., commented: “The survey indicates that generative AI is significantly transforming online shopping behavior. AI is becoming the new gateway for product discovery, especially in Asian cities, where AI search and social media–driven purchasing behavior are rapidly expanding. Meanwhile, consumers still rely on human support for troubleshooting and final purchase decisions, showing a distinct division of roles between AI and humans. Additionally, platforms like TikTok are evolving from information sources to full-fledged shopping channels, diversifying entry points to e-commerce. In the future, the key to competitive advantage in e-commerce will lie in how companies integrate AI search, social commerce, and human support.”

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

Ho Chi Minh City, March 23 (BNP): Vincom Retail hosted a large-scale partner forum titled “The New Era – Partnering to Shape the Future” in Ho Chi Minh City on March 20, bringing together over 500 domestic and international stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and collaboration opportunities in Vietnam’s evolving retail landscape.

The event saw participation from leading global and regional brands including UNIQLO, MUJI, Decathlon, Pandora, Starbucks, and Central Retail, alongside prominent Vietnamese brands and retail chains.

At the forum, Vincom Retail highlighted the rapid transformation of shopping malls into integrated lifestyle destinations, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward immersive experiences and social engagement rather than conventional purchasing.

Outlining its strategic roadmap to 2030, the company said it aims to position itself as a leading retail real estate developer and operator in Asia. The strategy focuses on building world-class destinations, expanding its international footprint, and fostering a global ecosystem that enables new retail concepts to enter Vietnam.

As part of its product strategy, Vincom Retail is advancing two core models: Vincom Mega Mall, positioned as a large-scale “shoppertainment” hub, and Vincom Collection, a “retail-tainment” concept integrating shopping with tourism through experiences centred on play, discovery, dining, and relaxation.

A key highlight was the introduction of a “super destination” model at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, which will feature 15 next-generation retail complexes. Initial projects such as Vincom Mega Mall Can Gio and Vincom Collection Cosmo Bay are expected to deliver immersive, sustainable, and nature-integrated experiences.

Industry leaders at the event underscored the importance of partnerships in driving growth. Representatives from brands such as Dookki noted that collaboration with Vincom Retail has enabled expansion and innovation in Vietnam’s competitive F&B sector.

Vincom Retail also reiterated its role as a key platform connecting international and domestic brands, supporting market entry, scaling operations, and enhancing customer experiences.

Currently, Vincom Retail operates 90 shopping malls across Vietnam with a total gross leasable area of 1.9 million square metres, along with 5,500 shophouses spanning 31 provinces and cities. The company partners with more than 1,000 brands and ranks among Southeast Asia’s largest retail real estate developers by scale.

The forum concluded with a focus on strengthening long-term partnerships and leveraging emerging “super destinations” such as Can Gio to drive the next phase of Vietnam’s retail growth.

Bengaluru, Mar 23: Celebrating the spirit of Ugadi and Karnataka’s rich culinary legacy, MTR successfully hosted MTR Karunadu Swada–Ugadi Special Edition, a one-day food festival at Sahakar Nagar Ground in Bengaluru. Organised in collaboration with the team of Hon’ble Minister for Revenue, Shri Krishna Byre Gowda, the festival brought food lovers, families, and cultural enthusiasts together for an immersive journey through the state’s diverse food traditions.

Curated to mark the auspicious festival of Ugadi, MTR Karunadu Swada showcased over 40+ authentic regional dishes and traditional sweets from across North Karnataka, South Karnataka, and Kodagu. The festival served as a vibrant platform to rediscover Karnataka’s culinary roots from the bold, rustic flavours of the north to the refined, rich offerings of the south and the distinctive tastes of Kodagu.

Adding to the experience were MTR’s iconic favourites, including the legendary Rava Idli and Masala Dosa, reinforcing the brand’s deep connection with Karnataka’s food heritage. The festival created a lively, community-driven atmosphere, where age-old recipes, cultural narratives, and festive celebrations came together seamlessly.

The event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout, with over 2200+ attendees across multiple time slots throughout the day, reflecting the growing consumer interest in authentic, regional food experiences.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sunay Bhasin, CEO, MTR, said: “Karnataka is where MTR was born, and MTR Karunadu Swada is a heartfelt tribute to our roots. Ugadi marks new beginnings for us, and there is no more meaningful way to celebrate than by honouring the flavours that have defined our land for generations. With MTR Karunadu Swada, we are bringing Karnataka’s rich regional cuisine to the forefront, reconnecting consumers with the tastes, traditions and cultural pride of our Karnataka.”

Karunadu Swada continues to be a testament to MTR’s commitment to preserving regional cuisines while making them relevant for today’s consumers. By bringing together authentic recipes, local culinary talent, and community experiences, the festival strengthens MTR’s role as a custodian of Karnataka’s rich food culture.

New Delhi, Mar 23: The 2026 edition of the Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) drew to a resounding close with the screening of the acclaimed Polish biographical film Chopin, Chopin, marking a fitting finale to a vibrant celebration of global cinema.

The closing evening was attended by distinguished guests and cinema enthusiasts, culminating in a deeply moving cinematic experience that resonated strongly with the audience. Chopin, Chopin received a standing ovation, underscoring its powerful impact and the audience’s appreciation for its artistic and emotional depth.

(L to R) H.E. Dr. Piotr Świtalski, Prof (Dr.) K G Suresh, Dr. Mariann Erdo, Ms. Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak

On the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) K G Suresh, Director of the India Habitat Centre, made a significant announcement, declaring Poland as the Focus Country for the 2027 edition of the Habitat International Film Festival. The announcement reflects the growing cultural collaboration between India and Poland and builds upon the success of this year’s Polish showcase, including the Andrzej Wajda centenary retrospective.

As part of the closing ceremony, Prof. Suresh felicitated His Excellency Dr. Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Head of Mission of Poland to India, and Ms. Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute, in recognition of their continued efforts in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening Indo-Polish ties.

HIFF 2026 featured a diverse and engaging lineup of films from across the world, along with retrospectives, discussions, and special events that brought together filmmakers, scholars, and audiences in a shared celebration of cinema.

The festival’s successful conclusion reaffirms the India Habitat Centre’s commitment to promoting meaningful cultural dialogue through the medium of film, while setting the stage for an exciting and expanded edition in 2027 with Poland in focus.  

Singapore, March 23 (BNP): Global financial technology platform Adyen on Monday announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, extending direct acquiring services across multiple international markets, including India.

The enhanced collaboration, which builds on a partnership that began in 2014, now covers markets such as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and most recently, India. The development marks a significant milestone in Cathay Pacific’s global commerce strategy, with Adyen playing a central role in streamlining the airline’s payment infrastructure.

Adyen said its direct acquiring capabilities are aimed at improving transaction performance by increasing authorization rates, lowering payment processing costs, and enabling revenue growth across geographies.

In India, where the solution was recently rolled out, Cathay Pacific has reported a 10 per cent increase in authorization rates since implementation, the company said.

Kinto Chan, General Manager, Sales and Distribution at Cathay Pacific, said the partnership supports the airline’s focus on delivering a seamless and secure customer experience while expanding into key markets.

Adyen’s President for Asia Pacific, Warren Hayashi, said the collaboration is designed to simplify global payment complexities and enhance conversion rates, thereby supporting Cathay Pacific’s commercial growth worldwide.

The expanded partnership underscores the growing importance of integrated payment solutions in the aviation sector as airlines seek to optimise digital transactions and improve customer experience across markets.