FastMarket.news

Google Launches Direct Online Sales of Pixel Devices in India

Published 1 days agoGOOGL
Google Launches Direct Online Sales of Pixel Devices in India

Google has begun selling its hardware, including Pixel phones, watches, and earbuds, directly to Indian consumers through its official Google Store website. This initiative marks the first instance in which Indian buyers can purchase Google's hardware directly online. The move aims to bolster Google's footprint in the Indian market as it prepares to roll out physical retail locations in the country.


India, with its roughly 712 million smartphone users, is a critical growth market for Google. The launch of direct online sales is part of a broader strategy to increase Google's market presence. According to Reuters, Google's Pixel phones currently capture a 2% share of India's premium smartphone market, significantly trailing behind Apple, which holds a commanding 55% share.


In addition to direct online sales, Google is keen on establishing a local manufacturing base for its Pixel devices in India, aligning with the government’s 'Make in India' initiative. Furthermore, the tech giant is nearing completion of selecting sites in New Delhi and Mumbai for its inaugural physical retail stores outside the United States, a strategic move to better compete with Apple's established retail dominance.

Share this article

Recent Articles

UiPath Stock Soars Over 26% After Strong Earnings Report

UiPath Stock Soars Over 26% After Strong Earnings Report

2 minutes agoPATH

UiPath's latest earnings report has sent its stock soaring, as the company smashed Wall Street estimates in its recent quarterly performance. The automation software maker reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.12 for the third quarter, far surpassing analyst expectations of $0.07. Reuters noted that this result comes alongside revenue figures hitting $325.9 million, exceeding predictions of $315.6 million. In addition to its strong earnings performance, UiPath also reported a year-over-year increase of 24% in its Annual Recurring Revenue, which reached $1.38 billion. Such figures reflect robust customer retention and growth momentum. This success in key financial metrics has spurred a remarkable boost in share price, with UiPath's stock climbing over 26% to close at a 52-week high of $25.04 per share. UiPath's rise is partly attributed to its successful integration of generative AI into its automation platform, which has been well-received by enterprise clients. The company's management has also raised its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2024 outlook for Annual Recurring Revenue, signaling strong confidence in its growth trajectory. Meanwhile, investors remain optimistic about the company's ongoing developments and market positioning moving forward.

Shoe Carnival Advances Premium Brand Strategy Amid Cautious FY25 Outlook

Shoe Carnival Advances Premium Brand Strategy Amid Cautious FY25 Outlook

17 minutes agoSCVL

Shoe Carnival has announced plans to step up its investment in premium brand shoes while keeping its annual financial guidance steady. As part of this strategy, the company will rebrand 175 stores into Shoe Station outlets over the next two years, ultimately aiming to have 218 Shoe Station stores—making up 51% of its current fleet, according to their investor relations page. The expansion comes with a projected decrease in operating income of $20 to $25 million in Fiscal 2025, reflecting expenses related to store closures, new construction, and customer acquisition. This translates to an estimated drop of $0.65 in earnings per share for the same fiscal year. Despite these short-term impacts, Shoe Carnival expects the rebannered stores to boost net sales by over 10% and increase profit contributions by over 20% by Fiscal 2027. For Fiscal 2025, Shoe Carnival has issued a conservative guidance, anticipating net sales between $1.15 billion and $1.23 billion, with GAAP earnings per share ranging from $1.60 to $2.10. These projections account for the initial costs related to the rebranding initiative. Meanwhile, as reported by fibre2fashion.com, Shoe Carnival's shares were last traded at $18.44, reflecting a slight decline from the previous session.

El Pollo Loco Fends Off Biglari Advances with Shareholder Rights Plan

El Pollo Loco Fends Off Biglari Advances with Shareholder Rights Plan

32 minutes agoLOCO

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. recently took decisive action amidst growing pressure from activist investor Sardar Biglari and his affiliates. In August 2023, the company's Board of Directors adopted a limited-duration shareholder rights plan. This move was made after Biglari Capital Corp. rapidly increased its stake in the company to 11.3% of outstanding shares. The initiative, effective immediately and expiring in August 2024, is designed to protect shareholder interests by preventing any external entity from gaining control without providing adequate value to existing shareholders. Following the implementation of the rights plan, Biglari entities continued to expand their holdings in El Pollo Loco. Between August 14 and August 22, 2024, they purchased approximately $4.5 million worth of shares, with individual share prices ranging from $12.47 to $13.59. This acquisition reflects Biglari's ongoing interest in influencing the fast-food chain's strategic path. In October 2024, El Pollo Loco received an unsolicited acquisition proposal from Biglari Capital, as noted by Investing.com. This indication of interest is currently being evaluated by the company's board with the help of financial and legal advisors. While no timeline has been set, these developments underscore the significant shareholder activism El Pollo Loco is currently facing, potentially leading to strategic alterations within the company.

Evercore ISI Boosts Netflix Price Target to $1,150 on Growth Optimism

Evercore ISI Boosts Netflix Price Target to $1,150 on Growth Optimism

47 minutes agoNFLX

Evercore ISI has increased its price target for Netflix to $1,150, maintaining an "Outperform" rating. This adjustment reflects heightened optimism in Netflix’s ability to drive growth, particularly through strategic initiatives like live events. Reuters noted the success of a recent live event, the "Paul vs. Tyson" boxing match, which attracted 108 million viewers, highlighting this potential area for expansion. Supporting this upward revision, Evercore ISI points to the significant potential in advertising revenue, estimating a $2.2 billion opportunity from live events alone. Alongside this, Netflix's robust library and original content are expected to aid in customer retention, giving it a competitive edge over rivals struggling with higher customer churn. The firm's positive outlook is bolstered by extensive research, including surveys conducted in the U.S., France, and Germany, which reveal a mid-single-digit percentage increase in earnings per share estimates by 2026. This comprehensive analysis underscores Evercore ISI's confidence in Netflix's strategic moves to harness the live event market for future growth.