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  • Capgemini Research Institute maps a shift where emotional comfort matters as much as affordability

    Dreen Yang explains why fairness, small indulgences, and cautious trust in AI are shaping consumer behaviour in 2026, based on findings from the latest Capgemini research

    As financial pressure continues to shape household decisions, consumer behaviour in 2026 is being defined by a careful balance between restraint and emotional relief. According to the latest findings from Capgemini Research Institute, shoppers are becoming more deliberate about everyday spending while still allowing room for small indulgences that provide comfort and a sense of control.
    The research highlights fairness as the new foundation of consumer value. Price transparency and honest communication have become critical to brand credibility, with a large majority of consumers indicating they would switch brands if they encounter price irregularities, unannounced reductions in pack size, or perceived shrinkflation. For many, a clear and modest price increase is viewed as more acceptable than subtle downsizing or quality changes without explanation.

    At the same time, the study shows that emotional considerations now sit alongside practicality in purchase decisions. Around seven in ten consumers report treating themselves to small indulgences as a way to cope with financial uncertainty. While spending on essentials is closely monitored, these limited discretionary purchases are seen as important for emotional wellbeing, reinforcing the idea that value is no longer measured by cost alone.
    The findings also point to a nuanced relationship with brands. While consumers are increasingly opting for smaller quantities or cheaper alternatives to manage budgets, trust remains strong in categories where quality and performance are critical. Products such as electronics and baby care continue to command loyalty, even as private labels gain traction in other areas.

    Speaking on the shift, Dreen Yang, Global Consumer Products and Retail Leader at Capgemini, said value today extends beyond price and quality to include fairness, transparency, and emotional connection. She noted that consumers expect brands to be clear, consistent, and responsible, particularly as technology plays a larger role in shaping shopping experiences.
    Artificial intelligence is emerging as a trusted guide for many consumers, moving beyond its earlier role as a convenience tool. From personalised recommendations to conversational support through chatbots and virtual assistants, AI is increasingly embedded in the buying journey. However, the research reveals clear limits to this trust. Most consumers want greater transparency around how AI systems operate, how recommendations are generated, and how personal data is used.

    Concerns around data privacy and disclosure remain high, with a strong preference for brands that explain AI driven decisions and clearly label AI generated content. Consumers also continue to value human assistance, especially during complex or high involvement purchases, indicating that technology alone is not enough to build lasting loyalty.
    Overall, the report paints a picture of a more cautious yet emotionally aware consumer. As affordability concerns persist, brands are being judged not just on price, but on fairness, clarity, and the ability to combine digital efficiency with genuine human connection. In this evolving landscape, trust has become as important as value, and emotional comfort now plays a central role in how consumers choose where and how to spend.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • A Year of Scale and Cost Discipline Put Hotelogix Into EBITDA Positive Territory 

    Under the leadership of Mr. Aditya Sanghi, the hospitality tech firm scaled room coverage across India and Southeast Asia while adding AI features, hourly booking and wider compliance support

    Hotelogix closed 2025 with a key financial milestone, turning EBITDA positive, as the hospitality technology company expanded its market footprint, strengthened its product platform, and deepened regulatory readiness across regions. The performance covered both Hotelogix and its distribution brand, AxisRooms, marking a defining year for the group.
    Reflecting on the year, Mr. Aditya Sanghi, Chief Executive Officer of Hotelogix, said 2025 was focused on disciplined execution. He noted that the company expanded across priority markets, improved platform efficiency and achieved EBITDA positivity, reflecting the scalability of its cloud-based hospitality technology business.

    During the year, Hotelogix strengthened its leadership position in India’s mid-market and emerging enterprise hotel segment. The company reported that it now powers more than 400,000 rooms across the country, representing an estimated 15 percent of India’s hotel inventory. This expansion reinforced its presence among independent hotels and growing hotel groups seeking cloud-based property management solutions.
    In Southeast Asia, Hotelogix crossed 15,000 keys in the Philippines and recorded more than 10,000 active users. Adoption increased across both independent properties and regional hotel chains, adding to the company’s presence in the market. The enterprise segment also emerged as a key growth driver, with revenue from enterprise customers rising 35 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year. According to the company, this growth was driven by hotel groups in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa migrating from on-premises systems to Hotelogix’s multi-property cloud platform.

    EBITDA positivity was achieved through a combination of AI-driven efficiencies, a focused approach toward mid-market hotels in select geographies, and continued investment in customer support. The company also reported improvements in net revenue retention as existing customers added new properties, adopted additional services and expanded their operations. Referrals from existing clients contributed further to growth during the year.
    On the product front, Hotelogix introduced several enhancements aimed at improving operational efficiency for hotel operators. These included a multi-property dashboard designed for hotel groups and chains, allowing consolidated tracking of key performance indicators across properties. The company also launched an hourly booking feature, enabling hotels to sell rooms by the hour in response to rising short-stay demand.

    Artificial intelligence was integrated into the Hotelogix property management system to support dynamic pricing, forecasting, upsell recommendations, guest sentiment analysis and workflow automation. The company stated that these additions were intended to help hotels optimise revenue and operations while managing leaner teams.
    Hotelogix also expanded its compliance coverage across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In Malaysia, the platform implemented e-invoicing capabilities, allowing hotels to generate verified electronic invoices directly from the system. In the Philippines, Hotelogix achieved Bureau of Internal Revenue certification to support audit-ready financial reporting. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the platform was integrated with the Shomoos Security System to automate guest data reporting.

    The company further strengthened its third-party ecosystem during the year, expanding its marketplace to more than 200 integrations spanning distribution, booking engines, revenue management, loyalty tools and accounting solutions. This enabled hotels to build tailored technology stacks around the core Hotelogix platform.
    Industry engagement was another focus area in 2025. Hotelogix hosted the second edition of the “Hotelogix and AxisRooms Connect” event in India, bringing together mid-market hoteliers, technology leaders and industry stakeholders. In the Philippines, the company organised the “Tech and Tonic” hospitality meetup to discuss sector trends and technology adoption.

    Looking ahead to 2026, Hotelogix stated that it plans to expand its product roadmap with AI-native solutions while accelerating internal AI adoption to improve enterprise-wide efficiency. The company said it aims to expand its enterprise footprint by more than 50 percent across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with the mid-market hotel segment remaining its core focus.
    At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • While Big Corporations Talk ESG, Aksum Trademart Actually Built a Profitable ₹240 Crore Sustainable Business

    Backed by Inflection Point Ventures, Aksum’s expansion into 40+ cities, 600+ SKUs, and AI-driven procurement solutions is fueling a new B2B revolution.

    While many corporations make ambitious ESG claims, Aksum Trademart Pvt. Ltd. has turned sustainability into a high-growth business model, reporting a 143% year-over-year revenue surge to ₹240 crore in FY24. With a 700% increase in profit before tax, the company has established itself as one of India’s fastest-growing B2B supply chain disruptors, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
    Backed by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), Aksum Trademart has expanded into 40+ cities, offering 600+ unique SKUs across steel, scrap, chemicals, polymers, and construction materials. With a tech-driven approach, Aksum is transforming procurement for corporates and MSMEs, eliminating inefficiencies, and accelerating India’s shift towards sustainable supply chains.

    Sustainability is More Than Just a Buzzword, It’s a ₹240 Crore Reality
    Unlike companies treating ESG as a PR exercise, Aksum Trademart has embedded sustainability into its core revenue model. Over 50% of its revenue comes from scrap and secondary steel, helping businesses reduce waste, cut procurement costs, and enhance operational efficiency.
    This approach supports a circular economy, turning industrial waste into high-value raw materials, lowering environmental impact, and offering cost-effective procurement alternatives for Indian businesses. With demand for sustainable materials surging, Aksum’s growth trajectory proves that green business models aren’t just responsible, they’re profitable.
    Sumit Bhatia, Co-founder of Aksum Trademart, highlights the company’s vision for sustainable growth:
    “Our goal is to create sustainable, tech-driven supply chains that empower both large enterprises and MSMEs. Aksum’s rapid growth shows that when businesses prioritize efficiency and sustainability, profitability follows naturally.”

    Tech-Driven Supply Chain Innovation & Financial Strength
    Aksum’s AI-driven procurement automation is making B2B supply chains smarter and more efficient. By integrating real-time vendor-client collaboration, predictive analytics, and digital procurement solutions, Aksum has eliminated manual inefficiencies that slow down traditional supply chains.
    Additionally, the company has secured partnerships with leading financial institutions, including State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Yes Bank, offering working capital solutions that make procurement more accessible for MSMEs.
    To further strengthen transparency and corporate governance, Aksum has appointed Grant Thornton as its statutory auditor, ensuring accountability and investor confidence.

    Aksum’s Vision for FY25: Scaling Sustainability, Tech & MSME Inclusion
    As Aksum enters FY25, it is doubling down on its mission to:

    • Expand sustainable procurement solutions, Increasing the use of scrap and secondary materials to further reduce industrial waste
    • Enhance AI-powered procurement automation, Bringing predictive analytics and smart vendor management into mainstream B2B procurement
    • Strengthen financial inclusion for MSMEs, Providing easier access to working capital and digital credit solutions
    • Scale into new markets, Targeting growth beyond 40+ cities and expanding product categories

    With India’s supply chain ecosystem rapidly evolving, Aksum Trademart is not just growin, it’s redefining how businesses procure, trade, and scale in a world that demands both efficiency and sustainability. For more information, visit Aksum Trademart.

    About Aksum Trademart
    Aksum Trademart Pvt. Ltd. is a technology-driven B2B supply chain platform that provides businesses with streamlined procurement solutions across steel, scrap, chemicals, polymers, and construction materials. Founded with the mission of making supply chains smarter, more transparent, and sustainable, Aksum is backed by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) and has expanded its operations to 40+ cities across India. With a focus on sustainability, financial inclusion, and AI-driven automation, Aksum is creating a future-ready supply chain ecosystem that benefits corporates, MSMEs, and the environment alike.
    At Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.