MAM
Valentine’s Day spending rebounds in India
MUMBAI: Well, well, just as we were getting cynical about love and that romance is on the way down here is some contrarian news from affiliate network Admitad. According to data provided by it, the worst is behind us and love is blossoming; couples have returned to gifting with consumption rising 15 per cent during Valentine’s Day (VD) week.
Analysis of over 500,000 orders revealed an average spend of Rs 2,000, with mobile devices accounting for more than half of all purchases. Hotel bookings surged 20 per cent as couples opted for weekend getaways, whilst food delivery orders rose 15 per cent. Fashion items dominated gift choices at 25 per cent of purchases, followed by cosmetics at 15 per cent and electronics at 12 per cent. The most dramatic growth came in flowers and luxury goods, which saw sales spike 89 per cent and 67 per cent respectively compared to non-holiday periods.
Digital-savvy shoppers maximised value, with 20 per cent claiming cashback and 12 per cent using promotional codes. Affiliate stores influenced over a quarter of purchases, whilst online media recommendations drove 15 per cent of sales.
The strong performance marks a sharp reversal from 2024’s 10 per cent decline in Valentine’s spending, suggesting renewed consumer confidence in Asia’s third-largest economy.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
