Category Archives: Business

Veeam Introduces Agent Commander to Confront Agentic AI Risk at Enterprise Scale

India March 02:  Veeam® Software, , the Data and AI Trust Company, today announced Agent Commander, the first unified solution to help organizations safely detect AI risk, protect AI systems, and undo AI mistakes, empowering them to proactively address AI-driven risks and securely scale AI agents everywhere. The first integration from Veeam’s successful acquisition of Securiti AI, Agent Commander combines the market-leading capabilities of both to give organizations visibility, control, and protection over their entire data and AI estate, with the ability to undo AI mistakes with precision and ease. Agent Commander will be available in a future release of the Securiti Data Command Center, bringing together the industry’s leading Data Resilience and Data Security capabilities.

“AI happens at machine speed, which means organizations must understand what data is being used, by what agent, and how in real-time. If an error occurs, organizations not only need to understand what data was impacted, but they also need the ability to undo any damage rapidly,” said Anand Eswaran, CEO of Veeam. “With Agent Commander, organizations know what data is powering AI, and it gives them the power to detect, protect, and, when necessary, undo AI actions with speed and precision. It represents the future of what’s expected from data security and data resilience, and it’s only possible with Veeam’s unified platform.”
 
The most critical gap in AI infrastructure today is trust. As AI agents scale, data risk and AI risk have become the same problem. An agent is only as trustworthy as the data it can see, access, and act on. Yet enterprise controls remain fragmented with separate systems for protection, security, governance, and recovery, and none built to provide unified visibility, granular control, or precision response at the speed and scale AI now demands. Sensitive data is being fed into models and acted upon in ways no one approved nor is tracking. As AI moves at machine speed an AI agent can access and act on sensitive data in seconds. Traditional workflows that take hours to detect and days to remediate leave too much exposure at that velocity.
 
Closing this gap requires a new layer of AI infrastructure: a unified control plane that delivers contextual visibility, policy-level enforcement, and surgical recovery, converging data resilience, data security, and AI risk management into one operational system.
 
Agent Commander brings Veeam’s trusted data resilience together with Securiti AI’s Data Command Center. This unified platform gives organizations total visibility into their AI environment, detects hidden risks and Shadow AI, and provides comprehensive controls to protect data as it moves through AI systems. Uniquely, Agent Commander can instantly undo AI agent mistakes with precise rollbacks. With Agent Commander, teams can detect and fix threats faster and with less effort, enabling safe and rapid AI adoption. It provides the visibility and control needed to confidently scale AI, turning security into a true business accelerator.

What Makes Agent Commander Unique?

At the core of Agent Commander is Veeam’s Data Command Graph™ — a real-time relational intelligence engine that maps live connections between data, identities, AI models, and autonomous agents across production and backup environments.
 
Veeam sees what others can’t. The toxic combinations where compromised identities, exposed data, and autonomous agents intersect — and how those risks compound, cascade, and evolve in real time across the entire data and AI estate.
 
That’s why no standalone AI security or backup solution can do what Agent Commander does. Combined with Veeam’s enterprise-grade data resilience platform, it delivers three capabilities the industry has never seen together.

• Detect AI Risk with Context

Identify shadow AI, sensitive data exposure, and risky agent behavior, with full visibility into downstream impact across systems and environments.

• Protect AI Pipelines Autonomously

Enforce granular, real-time controls across data, identities, and AI agents, independent of model providers, cloud platforms, and hybrid needs.

• Undo AI Mistakes with Precision

Surgically reverse unwanted AI actions using precise, context-aware recovery, restoring trusted data without reverting entire systems.
By converging relational AI intelligence with proven resilience infrastructure, Agent Commander establishes a new standard for trusted, recoverable AI at scale.

“As AI becomes operational infrastructure, enterprises can no longer treat data protection, data and AI security, privacy, and governance as separate disciplines,” said Rehan Jalil, President of Products & Technology at Veeam. “Controlling AI risk is effectively impossible in siloed environments or without deep contextual intelligence across data, permissions, and autonomous agents. Agent Commander unifies control across production and backup to detect toxic combinations, enforce granular policy, and precisely reverse AI-driven actions. This is the foundation required to operate AI safely at enterprise scale.”
 
“Acquisitions often raise the question of how combined strengths can create new customer value,” said Todd Thiemann, Principal Analyst, AIM & Data Security at Omdia. “Veeam’s announcement provides a clear roadmap for integrating capabilities and delivering enhanced solutions to organizations securing their data and AI estates. The focus on Agent Commander demonstrates Veeam’s commitment to provide both operational efficiency and comprehensive security for AI agents.”

Radisson Hotel Group strengthens presence in Madhya Pradesh with the opening of Park Inn by Radisson Jabalpur

Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its footprint in Madhya Pradesh with the opening of Park Inn by Radisson Jabalpur. With a growing portfolio across key cities in the state, RHG is deepening its reach in central India’s high-potential markets. The new hotel reflects its focus on bringing internationally benchmarked hospitality to emerging tier-2 and tier-3 destinations, catering to both business and leisure travelers. 

Strategic Location with Strong Regional Connectivity

Strategically located opposite Bargi Hills Colony, the hotel offers convenient access to the city’s key landmarks and transport hubs. Situated approximately 30 minutes from Jabalpur Airport, the property ensures seamless connectivity for domestic travellers. Guests can explore nearby attractions such as Tilwara Ghat and Pisan Hari ki Madiya Jain Temple, while the hotel also serves as a gateway to renowned wildlife destinations including Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh national parks, all within a three- to five-hour drive. 

Strengthening Presence in Central India

“With the opening of Park Inn by Radisson Jabalpur, we are strengthening our presence in central India and responding to the rising demand for quality hospitality in fast-growing cities like Jabalpur. The city is witnessing steady growth across business, social celebrations, and leisure travel, supported by improving infrastructure and connectivity. The Park Inn by Radisson brand is particularly well-suited for such a market, offering globally benchmarked hospitality experiences with strong local relevance. We are confident that it will become a preferred choice for travelers seeking contemporary comfort and seamless service,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. 

Contemporary Stay and Dining Experiences

The hotel features 107 well-appointed rooms and suites designed with contemporary interiors and modern comforts to cater to both business and leisure travellers. Guests can enjoy all-day dining at RBG, the brand’s signature restaurant serving a curated mix of local and international cuisine. 

Positioned as a leading venue for weddings, conferences, and social gatherings, the hotel offers versatile banquet and meeting spaces, including indoor halls and an outdoor lawn. Additional facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre and an infinity swimming pool, providing guests with opportunities to relax and unwind. 

Shaping Strong Partnerships

“We are proud to partner with Radisson Hotel Group to introduce Park Inn by Radisson to Jabalpur. This development reflects our long-term vision of contributing to the city’s growth by introducing high-quality hospitality infrastructure that meets international standards. With the spaces designed to support large-scale weddings and MICE events, along with contemporary accommodations for modern travellers, we believe the hotel will play a significant role in elevating Jabalpur as a destination for both social and business gatherings,” said Mahesh Kemtani, Managing Director, Kemtani Projects Private Limited. 

“We are thrilled to open Park Inn by Radisson Jabalpur and offer guests a welcoming and refreshing hospitality experience. Our team is committed to delivering thoughtful service, comfortable stays, and memorable moments for every guest who walks through our doors,” said Santosh Pandey, General Manager, Park Inn by Radisson Jabalpur. 

Radisson Hotel Group continues to command a leading presence in the Indian market and is one of the country’s largest international hotel operators with over 200 hotels in operation and development. It continues to be the largest hotel operator in a tier-1 market like Delhi NCR, while over 50% of its portfolio is in tier-2 and 3 markets. The Group has successfully introduced various brands to the growing Indian market, including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, and Radisson Individuals and its extension Radisson Individuals Retreats.

Avio Smart Market Stack Inks Shareholders Pact with Huwel to Tap Public TB Diagnostics Market

Avio Smart Market Stack Limited Signs Shareholders Agreement with Huwel; Targets Large-Scale Public TB Diagnostics Opportunity

Mar 02:Avio Smart Market Stack Limited (“ASMS”) (formerly Bartronics India Limited) has signed a Share Subscription cum Shareholders’ Agreement with Hyderabad-based Huwel Lifesciences pursuant to and in furtherance of the MoU signed between the parties in September 2025.

Under the agreement, Avio Smart Market Stack will acquire a minority stake in Huwel and collaborate on business development and project execution. Under this structure, ASMS is contractually entitled to receive a defined share of the net project revenues arising from orders secured and executed through its institutional engagement and business development efforts.

Huwel Lifesciences’ tuberculosis diagnostic platform has recently undergone a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) conducted by the Department of Health Research under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The assessment evaluated molecular tuberculosis diagnostic platforms deployed nationwide. As per its findings, Huwel’s Quantiplus® MTB FAST platform enables testing at an approximate cost of ₹340 per sample, whereas molecular testing systems currently used in government programmes typically range between ₹700 and ₹1,000 per test. A key differentiator for the Quantiplus platform is its compatibility with open RT-PCR systems. This enables the Government to leverage the thousands of RT-PCR machines installed across India during the COVID-19 response, facilitating rapid deployment of the platform without the need for proprietary hardware or significant additional capital expenditure.

India conducts close to one crore tuberculosis tests annually under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). With detection and drug-resistance testing combined, the annual molecular TB diagnostics market is estimated at around ₹1,000 crore. The HTA findings position Huwel Lifesciences’ Quantiplus platform in a potential monopoly position within the public molecular TB diagnostics segment. With the assessment now available, central and state procurement authorities can evaluate and consider the platform for wider adoption under the National TB Elimination Programme.

Commenting on the development, Mr Vidhyasagar Reddy,  Managing Director, Avio Smart Market Stack Limited, said:

“The Health Technology Assessment provides important validation for cost-efficient molecular testing within a nationally significant programme. Through this strategic collaboration, we are aligning with scalable public health solutions while building our presence in the life sciences segment.”

The company indicated that this collaboration marks the beginning of its broader entry into healthcare and diagnostics-linked opportunities.

Why Wealth Changes How We Think About Fair Prices

By Kirsten Hilgeford

When it comes to the price of financial services such as loans, mortgages, and insurance, the perception of what is “fair” has a lot to do with how wealthy you are. In the study “Seeing Like a Company or a Customer: Selective Empathy in Pricing,” appearing in the February 2026 issue of the American Sociological Review, authors Barbara Kiviat (Columbia University) and Carly R. Knight (New York University) examine how Americans evaluate the fairness of risk-based pricing—where consumers who are predicted to be high-risk/costly are charged more. 

Grounding their approach in previous sociological research on empathy, Kiviat and Knight demonstrate that either side of an economic transaction—company or customer—can become the object of empathy. To establish this, Kiviat and Knight conducted three studies on risk-based pricing, focusing on transactions between customers and companies. In the first study, they analyzed two nationally representative surveys to examine the relationship between household income and beliefs about the fairness of charging high-risk people more for insurance and credit. The authors uncovered a pattern in which wealthier individuals, regardless of their economic self-interest or ideology, were more likely to accept the moral legitimacy of tying prices to a person’s behavior.  

The authors then proposed the new lens of “selective empathy” to apply to their remaining two studies. Selective empathy is when an individual disproportionately directs their empathy to and takes the perspective of either the company or the customer in evaluating pricing arrangements. Kiviat and Knight found that wealthier individuals are more likely than lower-income individuals to empathize with companies—and less likely to empathize with high-risk consumers. 

“Our findings show that support for pro-business pricing practices is not simply about self-interest,” said the authors. “Instead, wealthier Americans more easily see things from a company’s ‘point of view,’ making these practices appear fair even when they consistently burden high-risk consumers. This class-based split in perspective matters to how people judge the fairness of our economy.” 

The authors note that their findings ultimately “reveal that risk-based pricing—even in its most institutionalized, ostensibly innocuous form—reflects a class-based understanding of market fairness.” 

Honda Cars India Registers Total Sales of 7,212 units in February 2026

New Delhi, Mar 02: Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, announced that it recorded total sales of 7,212 units with domestic sales of 5,629 units and exports of 1,583 units in February 2026.

Sharing his thoughts on the sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, “We maintained our sales momentum through February, driven by strong popularity of Honda Amaze as a practical sedan with outclass safety. Honda City and Elevate also recorded steady volumes with exciting promotions during the month. As we approach the final month of the fiscal, we remain optimistic about market performance.”

The company had registered 5,616 units in domestic sales and 4,707 units in exports during February 2025.

Oil prices could hit USD 100/bbl as Strait of Hormuz traffic halts

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, Mar 2: Higher oil and gas prices are certain as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to disrupt 15% of global oil supply and 20% of global LNG supply, with oil prices potentially exceeding $100/bbl if tanker flows are not quickly restored, according to Wood Mackenzie. Following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facilities, Iran warned shipping away from the waterway and insurers withdrew coverage, effectively halting tanker traffic.

The disruption creates a dual supply shock: not only are current exports through the Strait halted, but OPEC+ additional volumes and ultimately most of OPEC’s spare capacity—typically a key lever for balancing the global oil market—are inaccessible while the waterway remains closed.

“The key question is when do vessels re-establish export flows,” said Alan Gelder, SVP of Refining, Chemicals and Oil Markets at Wood Mackenzie. “No doubt, tanker rates and insurance will increase dramatically, but these costs would only be a small part of the oil price impact associated with a curtailment of oil flows if they last for more than a few days.”

Given the uncertainty around events, it is plausible that it takes a few weeks for export flows to re-establish themselves in the most optimistic scenario (in which the Iranian regime elects to co-operate with the US), Gelder added.

“During that time, oil prices are heavily risked to the upside,” Gelder said. “The most recent comparison is during the early days of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, when the fear of loss of Russian supplies drove the oil price to over US$125/bbl.”

In the current scenario, oil prices over US$100/bbl are possible if transit flows are not re-established quickly, according to Gelder.

OPEC+ production response

The group of eight OPEC+ countries responsible for voluntary production cuts – Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman – agreed on 1 March to resume unwinding the April 2023 1.65 million b/d cut. They will increase production by 206,000 b/d in April and meet again on 5 April to assess next steps.

“The OPEC+ decision does not come as a surprise, due to the uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran tensions, and that the market for non-sanctioned crudes is tight,” said Gelder. “There is, however, a risk that the OPEC+ decision is moot if flows do not resume through the Strait of Hormuz.”

While there are potential alternative supply routes available to Middle East producers—including Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline to the Red Sea and additional Iraqi volumes via the Mediterranean—no alternatives can fully compensate for the loss of exports that transit the Strait of Hormuz. Strategic stock releases by IEA member countries could provide some relief, but IEA members account for less than half of global oil demand.

Gas market implications

A halt in LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz would be equally disruptive for global gas and LNG markets, according to Wood Mackenzie. Around 81 Mt (110 bcm) of LNG transited the Strait in 2025—primarily from Qatar—accounting for nearly 20% of global LNG supply.

“Disruptions to LNG flows would reignite competition between Asia and Europe for available cargoes, particularly at a time when European storage levels are below seasonal norms and around 10% lower than at the same point last year, following a severe cold spell in January,” said Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President, Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie. “With approximately 1.5 Mt (2.2 bcm) of LNG exports at risk for each week that flows through the Strait of Hormuz are halted, both Asian and European markets would need to draw more heavily on existing storage and would increase the need for restocking over the summer. This would tighten market conditions well beyond the eventual resumption of trade through the Strait.”

Precautionary closures of the Leviathan and Karish gas fields in Israel—which supplied more than 10 bcm to Egypt last year—could add further pressure, as Egypt would likely increase LNG imports to offset lost volumes. Potential disruptions to gas exports from Iran to Turkey, which accounted for more than 7 bcm in 2025, could compound the supply strain.

A halt in LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz would be comparable in scale to the curtailment of Russian gas supplies to Europe, which sent prices soaring to nearly US$100/mmbtu at their peak and averaging US$40/mmbtu in 2022, according to Di Odoardo.

“This time, however, the reaction is unlikely to be as extreme,” added Di Odoardo. “Unlike the prolonged disruption of Russian pipeline flows, a blockage in the Strait could be viewed as temporary, tempering the upside. Still, Monday will see a dramatic price jump at market opening, and any signal that disruptions could drag on would add further fuel to the rally.”

Looking forward

“The nearest historical analogue in our view is the Middle East oil embargo of the 1970s, which increased oil prices by 300 percent to around US$12/bbl in 1974,” said Gelder. “That is only US$90/bbl in 2026 terms. Eclipsing this in today’s market concerned about significant losses of supply seems very achievable.

“The global economy is now far less oil intensive than 50 years ago. The shock at the time of the oil embargo was the pace and scale of the price increase. Oil prices would need to reach well over US$200/bbl to exert a similar level of shock to today’s global economy.”

Vodia Announces the New Vodia Partner Portal and Partner Program

BOSTON – Mar 1: Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and service providers, today announced the new Vodia Partner Portal and Partner Program. Vodia partners now have the exact tools they need to provide their customers with Vodia’s industry-standard phone system, in the cloud or on-prem, faster, more efficiently, and more profitably. 

The new Vodia Partner Portal and the Partner program help Vodia partners be truly competitive. Vodia partners need to get licenses quickly, access attractive pricing, reduce the burden on sales teams, and focus on CX and higher margins, and the portal and the program have been designed to address these day-to-day needs. Vodia partners can now purchase, manage, and track PBX licenses with just a few clicks. 

Partner certification is the first milestone in the Vodia Partner Program. Once certified, partners can move through different levels to gain more benefits. Partner levels and points structure apply to licenses purchased directly through the portal. 

The new Vodia Partner Portal and Partner Program

·        The partner program is structured around a transparent points system. Completion of the Vodia Partner Certification provides the points required to reach Silver level, after which partners accumulate points and progress to higher membership tiers.
Pre-qualified sales leads are accessible within the portal. Vodia partners receive contact information for potential customers who have already expressed interest in a VoIP solution.
Vodia partners have access to professionally crafted marketing collateral, sales presentations, and argumentation frameworks for immediate deployment in local markets. 

·        Partners can now access Vodia Professional Services, implementation support, and other technical assistance via the Portal. 

These capabilities are available now, with others to be introduced as the portal and program evolve:

·        Purchase experience: direct access to Vodia Professional Services, including training, implementation support, integration support, AI integration, call-flow optimization, and add-ons.

·         Knowledge transfer: certifications and regular webinars to help partners build their expertise and enhance their competitive advantage.

·         Ordering efficiency: integration of the portal with partner ordering systems.

·         Faster PBX customization: call-flow and industry-specific templates to accelerate deployments and tailor the Vodia PBX to customer needs. 

To celebrate the launch of the Vodia Partner Portal, every registered partner will receive an exclusive welcome package upon first login. To thank current Vodia partners for their loyalty, Vodia will give each partner complimentary premium support for the first 90 days after login, plus a starter kit with demo licenses and ready-to-use sales materials.

Goa Tourism to present its evolving tourism landscape at ITB Berlin

Goa; Feb 28: As the global travel and tourism industry gears up for the prestigious ITB Berlin, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is set to mark its presence at the international platform from 3rd to 5th March 2026 at Berlin ExpoCenter City, Germany.

At Stall No. 225, Goa Tourism will host structured engagements and business meetings with international tour operators, travel buyers, and industry leaders. Recognised as one of the world’s leading travel trade exhibitions, ITB Berlin brings together tourism boards, airlines, hospitality brands, travel companies, technology providers, under one roof. Goa’s continued participation at this prominent platform reflects its sustained focus on strengthening international partnerships, expanding outreach in key markets, and positioning Goa as a dynamic, year-round destination.

During the three-day event, the Goa delegation will undertake focused B2B meetings with tour operators, travel buyers, airline representatives, and media stakeholders to explore collaborative opportunities and enhance trade engagement. The participation will also enable Goa Tourism to assess emerging travel trends and align its offerings with evolving global preferences. At Stall No. 225, Goa Tourism will showcase a wide spectrum of tourism experiences that highlight the State’s depth and diversity.

These include heritage and cultural tourism, spiritual circuits, wellness and yoga retreats, hinterland exploration, adventure tourism, river cruises, culinary experiences, and immersive monsoon programmes. The emphasis will be on curated experiences that encourage meaningful travel and longer stays. Alongside its varied offerings, Goa Tourism will also present its broader vision for responsible and sustainable development through its regenerative tourism framework, demonstrating how tourism growth is being aligned with community participation, heritage preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte stated “Our participation at ITB Berlin 2026 reflects Goa’s sustained and strategic engagement with the global tourism industry. As one of India’s leading tourism destinations, it is important that we actively strengthen our presence in key international markets. This platform enables us to present the depth and diversity of Goa’s tourism offerings while engaging directly with global tour operators, travel buyers, and industry leaders. We are focused on building long-term partnerships that enhance destination visibility, attract quality tourism, and contribute meaningfully to the State’s economic growth.”

The Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik added that the focus will be on attracting quality tourism and building long-term collaborations with global stakeholders. Goa’s participation reflects a strategic approach to expanding its international footprint while reinforcing its identity as a destination offering authenticity, diversity, and responsible travel experiences. Through its presence at ITB Berlin, Goa Tourism continues to strengthen its global positioning and reaffirm its commitment to meaningful international engagement.

Decentralization and rising non‑metro demand are reshaping India’s retail sector

Multi‑party data and hyperlocal playbooks as key market differentiators, reveals a report by ClarityX and Mastercard, co-powered by MapmyIndia data

New Delhi, India, Feb 28: Decentralization of demand and rapid premiumization are accelerating India’s retail transformation, according to a new report published by ClarityX, an AI-driven data analytics and consulting firm supported by MapmyIndia founders and Mastercard. The report, “Winning in India’s Retail Sector–Harnessing Next‑Gen Analytics to Drive Transformative Growth”, leverages MapmyIndia data and examines demand and supply trends from 2023–2025 and highlights how multi-party data and hyperlocal decision-making are becoming essential in an increasingly diverse retail landscape.

“The ClarityX Mastercard India Retail report highlights how the 2Hs (Highways and Highstreets) are emerging as the new demand engines and the 3Fs (Fuel, Food and Fashion) are driving tier 3- 5 towns to grow twice as fast as their metro peers. The seeping of retail demand and its premiumization at lower demographics are strong markers of democratisation of purchasing power and inclusive economic growth. The evolution of AI-enabled retail intelligence is bringing together multi-party datasets that identify high‑potential geographies, shifting consumer demand and enabling precision-led expansion strategies,”said Rakhi Prasad, Co-founder, ClarityX and Non-executive Director, CE Info Systems Ltd (MapmyIndia Mappls)

“India offers extraordinary growth potential for retailers, but real success lies in understanding how consumer behaviour is evolving. Aggregated and anonymized payments data can tell us who customers are, how they shop and what they value. When this is combined with traffic patterns, POI (point of interest) intelligence and search analytics, it creates a powerful, holistic view of the market. The retailers who turn this intelligence into decisive action will be the ones who lead,” said Rajesh Chopra, Senior Vice President & Head, Advisors, South Asia at Mastercard.

Non-metro India powering the next phase of growth

Tier 3–5 cities are growing almost twice as fast as metros, driven by higher disposable incomes, rising aspirations and a lower starting consumption base. Categories from dining to apparel are seeing clear trading‑up behaviour, but the meaning of ‘premium’ varies sharply by geography—making hyperlocal product assortments increasingly important as mass‑premium offerings lose relevance.

With Tier 1–2 markets approaching saturation, highway and high‑street retail corridors (2H) are emerging as new demand engines. Fuel and food consumption along these routes indicate rising footfall, first‑time brand adoption and the formation of new retail hubs. Future growth will depend on category mix, micro-marketing and the ability to understand consumers at a highly granular level.

Brands that can tailor their product, pricing, promotion and distribution strategies to local nuances will lead India’s next retail chapter.

Key findings from the ClarityX–Mastercard Retail Report

• Offline consumer spends grew 20% between 2023–25, while retail outlets expanded 25% in the same period.
• Electronics, durables and jewellery are still in early growth phases, while footwear has reached maturity across Tier 1–5; F&B and apparel are now nearing maturity.
• Grocery spending rose 74% nationally, but growth was uneven—32% in Tier 1–2 vs 104% in Tier 3–5 cities.
• Premiumization varies by income, exposure and city tier—making it a relative, not universal concept.
• Spending above Rs 25,000 saw the highest growth across categories, indicating unprecedented up‑trading.
• Among organized retail categories, F&B grew the fastest at 89% over three years.

YBE Nails Lashes Brows Opens in Chennai, Bringing International Nail, Lash and Brow Techniques to India’s Urban Youth Market

Feb 28: YBE Nails Lashes Brows, a specialised salon concept focused exclusively on nail, lash and brow services, is launched by Tip and Toe Salon, pioneers in the nails, lash and brow salon industry, with its first outlet in Chennai. The brand enters the market as a positioned alternative to both premium salons and unorganised budget setups – offering professionally delivered services at accessible price points, within a compact, design-forward format built for the urban youth demographic.

The Chennai outlet spans approximately 400 sq. ft. and is configured with four nail stations, three pedicure loungers, a dedicated lash and brow zone, and a digital-first booking and payment infrastructure supporting UPI and card transactions. The space has been designed to reflect the brand’s aesthetic identity – minimal, modern interiors with a beige-chrome palette – while maintaining operational efficiency.  Critically, every service on the menu is designed to be completed within 60 minutes, a deliberate operational commitment that sets YBE apart from conventional salons and directly addresses the time constraints of its core clientele: working professionals and college students who expect quality without the wait.

YBE‘s service offering spans three categories. The nails menu includes gel polish applications – among them Cat Eye and Nail Art formats – Gel X systems, manicures, and pedicures. Lash services cover Classic, Hybrid, and Volume extensions, as well as lash lifting. The brow bar offers lamination, tinting, and shaping. A number of these treatments, including Gel X application, advanced nail art techniques, lash lifting, and brow lamination, are not widely available in a standalone salon format in Chennai, positioning YBE as an early entrant in the city’s organised beauty bar segment. All techniques are drawn from international markets and delivered by a team trained by professionals from TIP&TOE, with senior technicians overseeing quality and consistency at the outlet.

The brand’s pricing model is designed to bridge the gap between premium and budget offerings. Gel polish and mani-pedi services are priced at accessible rates for the target demographic, lash services are competitively positioned against premium salons, and introductory offers are available at launch.

Chennai was identified as the first location on the basis of its rapidly growing urban youth population – college students, young working professionals, and content creators – and the relative absence of organised, specialised beauty bar formats in the city. YBE is structured as a scalable, franchise-ready model, with expansion planned across metro and Tier 1 cities including Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, and subsequent rollout into Tier 2 markets.

“YBE has been built to address a clear gap in the Indian beauty market – a focused, process-driven format that delivers international-standard services at a price point accessible to the Gen Z and young professional consumer. Chennai is the right starting point, and we are committed to building a consistent, quality-led experience as we scale.” – says Manisha Surave, South Zonal Operation Head, Grey Trendy Professional Pvt Ltd.

YBE Nails Lashes Brows now welcomes appointments at its Chennai outlet.
Address of Salon: 2nd floor, 46, Besant Ave Rd, URUR, ADYAR, CHENNAI, TN-600020