Brands
Paytm and RBL Bank band together to supercharge merchant payments
MUMBAI: Cash? So last decade. Paytm has joined forces with RBL Bank to make digital payments even smoother, smarter, and—dare we say—unavoidable. With this powerhouse partnership, RBL Bank’s merchant network will now have access to Paytm’s pioneering soundbox and advanced card machines, making transactions faster, easier, and, most importantly, 100 per cent cashless.
Paytm’s soundbox has already revolutionised in-store payments by offering instant audio confirmations for every transaction. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The NFC Card Soundbox takes it a step further, allowing tap and pay transactions using debit and credit cards—yes, even for international tourists. Say goodbye to the days of customers fumbling for exact change.
The Paytm Card Machines (EDC devices) give merchants even more flexibility by accepting UPI, Rupay credit card on UPI, UPI lite, debit cards, credit cards, and even EMI options from leading banks. And in case you were wondering, the soundbox supports 11 languages because, let’s face it, digital payments should be accessible in every tongue.
Merchants using Paytm’s technology get access to the Paytm for Business Dashboard, a game-changer that allows them to track transactions in real-time and enjoy instant settlements. More transparency. More control. Less waiting around.
“Our goal is to simplify payments for merchants by providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and trust. Partnering with RBL Bank allows us to expand the reach of our pioneering Soundbox and card machines, ensuring businesses of all sizes can accept digital payments with ease. With instant settlements, EMI options, and diverse payment methods, we continue to innovate and support businesses in their digital growth journey,” said Paytm CBO – offline payments Ripunjai Gaur.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Paytm to offer merchants on our network with advanced and innovative online payment solutions. This partnership aligns with our vision of enabling seamless, secure, and efficient transactions. With innovative offerings like Tap and Pay-enabled NFC Card Soundbox and feature-rich Paytm Card Machines, we are committed to supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey,” said RBL Bank president & head – branch banking & retail liabilities Narendra Agrawal.
This isn’t just a partnership—it’s a digital revolution for businesses looking to ditch cash and embrace the future of payments. With secure, seamless, and instant payment solutions, merchants across the country can streamline transactions and scale their businesses with confidence.
So, is cash finally dead? Not yet. But with Paytm and RBL Bank leading the charge, it might just become an endangered species.
Brands
Reliance Retail FY26 revenue rises 11.8 Per Cent to Rs 3.7 lakh crore
Q4 revenue up 11.1 Per Cent, hyperlocal orders surge 4x, PAT steady
MUMBAI: Reliance Retail isn’t just ringing up sales, it’s ringing doorbells faster than ever. Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) reported a steady FY26 performance, with growth powered by store expansion, a sharp surge in hyperlocal commerce, and consistent traction across grocery, fashion and jewellery. For the full year, revenue rose 11.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,70,026 crore. In the January–March quarter, revenue from operations climbed 11.1 per cent to Rs 87,344 crore, up from Rs 78,622 crore a year earlier.
Operating performance remained stable, with Q4 EBITDA inching up 3.1 per cent YoY to Rs 6,921 crore from Rs 6,711 crore. However, quarterly profit after tax held steady at Rs 3,563 crore. For the full fiscal, PAT grew 11.7 per cent to Rs 13,842 crore.
Expansion remained a key lever. RRVL added 1,564 new stores during FY26, while simultaneously scaling its digital and hyperlocal commerce play. The latter emerged as a standout, with daily orders surging more than fourfold year-on-year in Q4, underlining a clear shift towards faster, localised fulfilment.
In grocery, large-format stores maintained momentum, aided by festive demand and the expansion of Smart Bazaar, which crossed 1,000 stores. Promotional campaigns such as ‘Full Paisa Vasool’ delivered record results, with sales rising 26 per cent YoY.
Digital commerce also picked up pace. JioMart added 5.8 million new users in Q4, nearly doubling its registered base year-on-year. Hyperlocal orders grew 29 per cent sequentially and over 300 per cent annually during the quarter.
Fashion and lifestyle saw steady traction. Ajio recorded a 23 per cent YoY rise in average bill value, while fast-fashion platform Shein crossed 11 million app installs, scaling rapidly with expanding product lines.
The jewellery business added further shine, with average bill value jumping 53 per cent YoY, largely driven by rising gold prices and sustained consumer demand.
Commenting on the shift, RRVL executive director Isha Ambani said hyperlocal commerce has become a structural growth driver, with orders rising more than fourfold over the year.
Looking ahead to FY27, the company is betting on technology to deepen engagement. The focus, Ambani noted, will be on AI-led merchandising, sharper pricing strategies and disciplined execution turning scale into sustained customer value.
In short, the carts are fuller, the clicks are quicker, and the next phase looks less about reach and more about precision.
