News Analysis India

Tag: Amazon

  • Chhattisgarh Herbals boom on Amazon: In a few hours, the stock of Current-Unavailable State Minor Forest Produce Association has arranged for supply according to the increased demand.

    The herbal products of Chhattisgarh have gone on sale on the online platform Amazon. Within a few hours of their launch, there were so many orders that the status of various products appeared as currently-unavailable. However, the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association, taking immediate initiative, has made arrangements for supply according to the demand. The Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association has tied up with Amazon for the sale of these products.
    The herbal products of Chhattisgarh are now available on the online platform Amazon App under the brand name of ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’. Soon after its launch on Amazon, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel became the first customer to purchase a Chhattisgarh Herbals product. He had placed an order on this app for ‘Van Honey’ prepared by women self-help groups. 23 products like Van Honey, Organic Bastar Cashew, Chironji, Mahua Laddu are now available on Amazon.
    Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association has tied up with Amazon to encourage women entrepreneurs under its Saheli program. As part of Amazon’s Saheli program, a team provides specialized support and training for products created by women entrepreneurs to increase their sales. For the upliftment of about 13 lakh 50 thousand forest dwellers, continuous efforts are being made by the Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Association. Minor forest produce collected by the forest dwelling tribes is purchased at minimum support price and converted into various consumer products at Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, run by women self-help groups. The products made from these invaluable minor forest produce of the forests of Chhattisgarh are being made available in the market under the brand of Chhattisgarh Herbals. Many products like Van Honey, Organic Bastar Cashew, Chironji, Mahua Laddu are now being distributed on Amazon also.

  • Flash sales bar in basket of proposals to turn heat on e-commerce biggies

    Express News Service
    BENGALURU: After making defiant social media giants fall in line, the Centre seems all set to go after e-commerce biggies such as Amazon and Flipkart by proposing to make the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 more stringent. On Monday, the ministry issued a notification seeking suggestions from stakeholders on amending the Rules.

    Among the major changes mooted by the ministry are appointing a Chief Compliance Officer and a Resident Grievance Officer. Also on the table are compliance with government requests on information sharing, registering with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), prohibition of ‘flash sales’ offering deep discounts, and banning misleading ads. 

    E-commerce firms must now also register with the DPIIT within a prescribed period and also display the registration numbers. In case of any imported goods, the country of origin will have to be displayed along with name of the seller to ensure the ranking mechanisms don’t discriminate against domestic sellers. The chief compliance officer shall ensure implementation of the rules, while the resident grievance officer will redress user complaints. Besides, e-tailers shall provide information sought by government agencies for investigations, verification of identities or cyber security activities within 72 hours.

    The government has given stakeholders 15 days time to convey their views. The changes seek to hold e-commerce firms operating in India accountable, said Archana Tewary, partner, J Sagar Associates. But the changes are so wide-ranging it needs to be seen how it will pan out, she added. 

    The announcement comes at a time when the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has dragged the e-commerce giants to the Karnataka High Court seeking a probe into their business models. Welcoming the notification, CAIT general secretary Praveen Khandelwal termed it the first logical step to making e-commerce an even-playing field.

    “The gross violation of FDI policy and other laws by the foreign funded e-commerce firms has forced thousands of (brick-n-mortar) shops to close,” he claimed. Amazon declined to comment but sources said Flipkart has appointed key officers to comply with the rules. 

  • SGPC notice to Amazon for selling sacred Sikh texts online

    By PTI
    AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has sent a legal notice to e-commerce giant Amazon for selling copies of holy books Guru Granth Sahib and Gutka Sahib, an office bearer said Thursday.

    SGPC chief secretary Harjinder Singh Dhami said there is “outrage” over the sale online of the Gutka Sahib, a collection of sacred verses.

    He said the Amazon practice went against the principles of the Sikh religion.

    “There is huge devotion and respect for the Gurbani in the minds of the Sikh community and there is outrage among the Sikhs over the sale of the Gutka Sahib online by Amazon,” he said Dhami asked Amazon to immediately remove the two holy books from its website and warned of legal action if the company failed to do so.

  • Bezos gets the lion’s share: Amul’s ‘topical’ doodle celebrates Amazon’s acquisition of MGM

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Known for its light-hearted billboards and topicals, Dairy brand Amul on Saturday, celebrated Amazon’s acquisition of the iconic Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studios in a USD 8.45 billion deal, by dedicating a special cartoon to the e-commerce company’s founder Jeff Bezos.

    On Twitter, Amul shared the new cartoon titled ‘My Golden Makhan’ with the MGM letters marked in golden ink, in line with the legendary movie houses.

    The doodle features Bezos standing next to Leo, the eighth lion, that is being used in the MGM logo since 1957. The photo sees Bezos as he makes the gesture of his company Amazon’s logo by his hand (i.e of a smile on face), the lion’s mouth also features the smiling logo of Amazon, taking a cue from the acquisition of MGM by Amazon.

    With the doodle, Amul wrote, “Bezos gets the lion’s share.”

    “#Amul Topical: Amazon buys MGM in a major media deal!” tweeted Amul with the cartoon.

    #Amul Topical: Amazon buys MGM in a major media deal! pic.twitter.com/YI4CYCT5ll
    — Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) May 29, 2021

    On Wednesday, the movie studio home to the ‘James Bond’ franchise, entertainment company — Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM)– and Amazon announced a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire MGM for USD 8.45 billion.

    “MGM has a vast catalogue with more than 4,000 films – 12 Angry Men, Basic Instinct, Creed, James Bond, Legally Blonde, Moonstruck, Poltergeist, Raging Bull, Robocop, Rocky, Silence of the Lambs, Stargate, Thelma & Louise, Tomb Raider, The Magnificent Seven, The Pink Panther, ” said Mike Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Prime Video and Amazon Studios.

    Chairman of the Board of Directors of MGM, Kevin Ulrich said, “It has been an honour to have been a part of the incredible transformation of Metro Goldwyn Mayer. To get here took immensely talented people with a true belief in one vision. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the MGM team who have helped us arrive at this historic day.”

    Known for its roaring lion logo, MGM is one of the oldest Hollywood studios, founded in 1924 when films were silent.

  • Amazon bags global rights for Nicole Kidman’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ series

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Amazon has acquired the worldwide rights for Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy-starrer Hulu series “Nine Perfect Strangers”.

    Based on the book of the same name by “Big Little Lies” author Liane Moriarty, the eight-episode limited series will stream on Amazon Prime Video outside of the US and China later this year, the streamer said in a statement.

    Set at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation, nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living.

    “Watching over them during this ten-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies.

    ALSO READ | Elizabeth Olsen to star in Nicole Kidman-produced HBO Max series ‘Love and Death’

    However, these nine strangers have no idea what is about to hit them,” the official plotline read.

    The Jonathan Levine-directed show’s ensemble cast also include Luke Evans, Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Melvin Gregg, Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto, Asher Keddie, Michael Shannon, Grace Van Patten, and Samara Weaving.

    Kidman has also executive produced the series along with her “Big Little Lies” executive producer Bruna Papandrea and creator David E Kelley, who has penned the series with John Henry Butterworth.

    “I’m so proud of what we were able to pull together this past year, bringing ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ filming to Australia during the global COVID-19 pandemic,” Kidman said.

    “Partnering with Melissa McCarthy, working with David Kelley, Liane Moriarty and my producing cohorts again, joining forces with Hulu in the USA and now this, a global distribution deal with my home studio of Amazon.

    The stars have aligned and I am thrilled,” she added.

    The show’s executive producers also include Per Saari, Jodi Matterson, Steve Hutensky, McCarthy, Butterworth, Samantha Strauss, Levine, Molly Allen, and Moriarty.

  • Serena Williams signs first-look TV deal with Amazon

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Tennis star Serena Williams has inked a first-look television deal with Amazon Studios.

    As per the pact, the 39-year-old sportswoman, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, will create scripted and unscripted projects for the studio.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first project from the deal is an untitled docuseries that will chronicle Williams’ personal and professional life.

    “I’m very excited to be partnering with Amazon Studios – they are developing some of the most inspiring and important content for a global audience,” Williams said.

    “I have a lot of stories I’m eager to tell, including a continuation of my own, and I look forward to sharing those with the world,” she added.

    Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, hailed Williams as one of the “most inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs and women of her generation”.

    “We’re incredibly excited to share her journey in this new series, and to work with her to create new original content for our Prime Video customers worldwide,” she added.

    Amazon Studios will produce the docuseries along with Plum Pictures and Goalhanger Films.

    Williams will serve as executive producer alongside Patrick Mouratoglou, Stuart Cabb, and Tony Pastor.

  • Amazon ropes in five actors for sci-fi series ‘The Peripheral’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Amazon has added five actors to the cast of its upcoming series “The Peripheral”.

    Led by actors Chloe Grace Moretz and Jack Reynor, the sci-fi series is based on author William Gibson’s 2014 novel of the same name, reported Deadline.

    They are joined by actors Charlotte Riley, JJ Feild, Adelind Horan, T’Nia Miller and Alex Hernandez.

    Gibson’s book follows Flynne (Moretz) and her brother Burton (Reynor).

    In the novel, Burton, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps’ elite Haptic Recon force, is hired for a security job which takes place in what he thinks is cyberspace.

    When Flynne temporarily takes his place, she witnesses something that might have been murder.

    Scott B Smith has created the show, which hails from “Westworld” creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy’s Kilter Films, Amazon Studios and Warner Bros TV.

    Greg Plageman will serve as the showrunner.

    Executive producers are Smith, Vincenzo Natali, Nolan and Joy, Athena Wickham and Steven Hoban.

  • Jack Reynor boards Amazon sci-fi series ‘The Peripheral’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Actor Jack Reynor will star with Chloe Grace Moretz in Amazon’s upcoming sci-fi thriller series “The Peripheral”.

    Based on author William Gibson’s 2014 novel of the same name, the show hails from “Westworld” creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy’s Kilter Films and Warner Bros TV.

    The novel focuses on the character of Flynne Fisher (Moretz), who lives in near-future America, reported Deadline.

    Fisher subs in for her brother Burton (to be played by Reynor), a cyber-enhanced combat veteran who now works security in a virtual world for the Milagros Coldiron company.

    Actor Gary Carr will also star in the series in a pivotal role.

    The show has been created by Scott B Smith, who will also executive produce alongside Nolan and Joy, Athena Wickham and Steven Hoban.

    Greg Plageman will serve as the showrunner.

    Reynor most recently featured in Anthony and Joe Russo’s “Cherry” opposite Tom Holland, and Ari Aster-directed “Midsommar”, co-starring Florence Pugh.

    He will next star in Amazon’s “Modern Love” season two.

  • HC restrains Future Group from moving ahead with Rs 24K crore Reliance deal on Amazon’s plea

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Thursday upheld Singapore’s Emergency Arbitrator’s (EA) order restraining Future Retail Ltd (FRL) from going ahead with its Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Retail to sell its business, which was objected to by US-based e-commerce giant Amazon.

    Justice J R Midha directed Kishore Biyani-led FRL not to take further action on the deal and held that the group wilfully violated Singapore Arbitrator’s order.

    The high court directed the Future Group and its directors to deposit Rs 20 lakh cost in Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for providing COVID-19 vaccines to senior citizens of Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

    The court directed the presence of Biyani and others before it on April 28 as also attachment of their properties.

    The high court asked them to show cause as to why they be not detained for 3 months under civil prison for violating emergency arbitrator’s order.

    The high court’s order came on Amazon’s plea seeking direction to order enforcement of the award by Singapore’s EA on October 25, 2020, restraining FRL from going ahead with its Rs 24,713 crore deal with Reliance Retail.

    Amazon, in its interim plea, has sought to restrain FRL from taking any steps to complete the transaction with entities that are a part of the Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani (MDA) Group.

    Future Group and Amazon have been locked in a battle after the US-based company took FRL into the emergency arbitration over alleged breach of a contract between them.

  • ‘Game of Thrones’ star Kit Harington, Anna Paquin to star in Amazon’s ‘Modern Love’ season two

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Several celebrities, including ‘Game of Thrones’ fame star Kit Harington and ‘True Blood’ fame actor ‘Anna Paquin’, have joined the cast of the second season of Amazon’s anthology series ‘Modern Love’.

    As per Variety, the series is based on the New York Times column of the same name. The second season of ‘Modern Love’ will be filmed in New York City, Albany, Troy and Schenectady, and Dublin.

    The cast for the season also includes Dominique Fishback, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Susan Blackwell, Lucy Boynton, Tom Burke, Zoe Chao, Maria Dizzia, Minnie Driver, Grace Edwards, Kathryn Gallagher, Garrett Hedlund, Telci Huynh, Nikki M. James, Aparna Nancherla, Larry Owens, Zane Pais, Isaac Powell, Ben Rappaport, Milan Ray, Jack Reynor, Miranda Richardson, Marquis Rodriguez, James Scully, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Lulu Wilson, Don Wycherley, and Jeena Yi.

    The showrunner John Carney commented on the upcoming season and said, “We’re so excited to bring the second season of this series to life, and give an opportunity to really shine a light on what matters most.”

    Carney added, “With so much uncertainty in our current world, these stories bring truth and love to people everywhere, and I’m so appreciative to be a part of making that happen.”

    Directors for season two include Carney, John Crowley, Marta Cunningham, Jesse Peretz, the duo of Celine Held and Logan George, and Andrew Rannells, who is helming an episode based on a ‘Modern Love’ essay he wrote for the Times.

    Amazon Studios, Storied Media Group, Likely Story, and The New York Times produced ‘Modern Love’. Carney executive produces with Todd Hoffman, Trish Hofmann, Anthony Bregman, and the Times’ Caitlin Roper and Choire Sicha. Sean Fogel serves as producer, Daniel Jones, the editor of the ‘Modern Love’ column, is co-producer.

    The second season is set to air later this year on Amazon’s Prime Video.