e-commerce
ShopClues launches kids and gifting stores
MUMBAI: ShopClues has launched two new categories on its platforms namely kids store and gifting store.
ShopClues AVP – categories Nitin Kochhar said, “We are committed to becoming the preferred destination of online shopping for our users. To fulfil this goal, it is imperative that we constantly innovate and enhance our bouquet of selection to meet every need and desire. Kids shopping and gifting have emerged as very lucrative and segment in the e-commerce space and with the launch of these two categories on our portal, we would further consolidate our market leadership position in India.”
The Kids store will offer apparel, toys and accessories for children up to the age of 12. From prams to telescopes, footwear to dolls and soft toys, the entire gamut of children’s needs is available on the platform. Gifting store also will have a plethora of choice segmented by occasions, personalised gifting options and corporate gifting options. One can even shop for gift coupons, make a present of special experiences such as a spa session or a romantic wine dinner or buy bouquets and hampers.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
