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Tag: Smruti Bhalerao editorial business reporting

  • Delhi hosts the CLMP Loyalty Workshop as Loyalty Academy expands its India footprint

    According to Brian Almeida, Senior Faculty Member at Loyalty Academy, modern loyalty programmes must balance value, data, and trust

    New Delhi, January 2026: Delhi is set to host the Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional workshop for the first time as Loyalty Academy brings its flagship CLMP practitioner programme to the capital on 12 and 13 February 2026. The workshop is being organised jointly with The Wise Marketer, in partnership with Strategic Caravan, marking the fourth public CLMP workshop to be held in India.
    The two-day, in-person programme follows successful editions in Mumbai and Bengaluru and is designed for professionals involved in building, evaluating, or transforming loyalty strategies. Participants include brand leaders, marketers, consultants, technology specialists, and agency professionals working across sectors where customer retention, engagement, and long-term value creation are central.

    The CLMP workshop offers a structured deep dive into the strategic, operational, technological, and financial foundations of effective loyalty programmes. The curriculum draws from global best practices while addressing market-specific considerations relevant to India, enabling participants to apply frameworks that are both internationally benchmarked and locally grounded.
    Delivered by senior faculty members from Loyalty Academy, the programme covers all core CLMP modules along with select electives from the full certification curriculum. The format combines expert-led sessions with interactive exercises, peer discussions, and applied learning. Indian loyalty practitioners will also contribute through featured presentations, bringing regional perspectives into the classroom.

    Speaking on the evolution of loyalty marketing, Brian Almeida, Senior Faculty Member at Loyalty Academy, said that loyalty has moved well beyond points and rewards. He noted that sustainable programmes today are built on clear value exchange, data intelligence, financial discipline, and trust, and that the CLMP programme is designed to equip professionals with the rigour required to design initiatives that are measurable and meaningful to customers.
    The workshop concludes with a comprehensive case study and final examination, evaluated by Loyalty Academy. Participants who successfully demonstrate applied understanding are awarded the Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional credential, a globally recognised certification in the loyalty domain.

    The Delhi edition reflects India’s growing role in the global loyalty landscape, as organisations increasingly seek structured approaches to customer engagement, data-led decision-making, and long-term relationship management.
    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.

  • Circular economy principles enter mainstream appliance retail through Selsmart and Lloyd

    According to Nitin Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Attero, the Lloyd Eco Exchange Program simplifies responsible disposal and upgrades

    New Delhi, 15 January 2026: Circular economy practices are moving closer to everyday consumer decisions with the launch of the Lloyd Eco Exchange Program, a collaboration between Selsmart by Attero and Lloyd, the consumer durable brand of Havells India Limited. The initiative is designed to enable consumers to responsibly exchange old appliances while upgrading to new Lloyd products through a structured, transparent process.
    Under the programme, customers can exchange used appliances of any brand and receive fair value benefits that can be applied directly towards the purchase of new Lloyd air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, and other home appliances. The exchange is currently live across select Havells and Lloyd brand stores and is set to expand through partner retailers, enabling pan-India access across markets where Selsmart operates.

    The initiative integrates instant valuation and direct application of exchange benefits at the point of purchase, while ensuring that all collected appliances are routed through Attero’s compliant recycling infrastructure. By doing so, the programme aims to prevent discarded electronics from entering landfills and instead channel them into regulated recycling systems.
    Commenting on the launch, Nitin Gupta, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Attero, said the objective is to make responsible electronics recycling seamless and mainstream for Indian consumers. He noted that the programme combines economic value with sustainability, allowing customers to upgrade appliances without facing disposal challenges, while also supporting wider adoption of circular economy practices.

    Selsmart, which was launched in mid-2024 as Attero’s direct-to-consumer take-back platform, is currently active across more than 25 Indian cities and handles around 30,000 pickup orders each month. The platform offers doorstep collection, fair resale value, secure data wiping, and end-to-end traceability for used electronics and home appliances.
    The Lloyd Eco Exchange Program covers a wide range of appliance categories, including split and window air conditioners across capacities, single-door and double-door refrigerators, semi-automatic and fully automatic washing machines, and televisions across CRT and LED or LCD formats. The exchange benefit applies regardless of the brand of the old appliance, providing flexibility and convenience for consumers planning upgrades.

    All products collected through the programme will be processed using Attero’s proprietary recycling technologies, which combine mechanical, hydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical processes. These systems enable the recovery of high-purity metals such as copper, gold, silver, and critical battery materials, achieving recovery efficiency of over 98 percent and purity levels exceeding 99.9 percent. The recovered materials are reintroduced into domestic manufacturing supply chains, supporting resource efficiency and reducing dependence on primary raw materials.
    Through this collaboration, Selsmart by Attero and Lloyd aim to align consumer appliance upgrades with responsible disposal practices, contributing to reduced landfill pressure and reinforcing circular economy adoption within India’s consumer durable market.
    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.

  • National safety standards come into focus as WAE secures BIS certification for drinking water coolers

    A Vikram Joshe, Founder and President of WAE, explains what IS 1475:2024 compliance means for public and institutional hydration systems

    New Delhi, January 15, 2026: National standards governing drinking water infrastructure moved into sharper focus with WAE securing certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards for its complete portfolio of drinking water coolers under IS 1475:2024. The certification reinforces compliance with India’s prescribed benchmarks for safety, hygiene, and performance in institutional and commercial hydration systems.
    The certification applies to all WAE drinking water cooler models with rated capacities ranging from above 10 litres per hour up to 150 litres per hour. IS 1475:2024 is the country’s principal standard for drinking water coolers and evaluates products across parameters including material safety, hygienic water contact surfaces, electrical protection, mechanical integrity, and operational reliability. The scope of the certification is limited strictly to drinking water coolers and excludes units that incorporate hot water dispensing or reverse osmosis functionality.

    The milestone strengthens WAE’s compliance framework at a time when public and institutional buyers are placing increasing emphasis on regulatory alignment for water infrastructure. The certified portfolio is designed for high usage environments such as educational institutions, healthcare facilities, offices, industrial workplaces, public infrastructure, commercial establishments, and residential complexes, where equipment performance has direct implications for user safety and service continuity.
    Commenting on the certification, A Vikram Joshe, Founder and President of WAE, said that standards governing drinking water equipment are foundational to public health protection, institutional trust, and system reliability. He noted that the certification process required embedding compliance at the design and manufacturing stages rather than addressing it after production, including a detailed review of material selection, component traceability, assembly protocols, and validation testing.

    He further added that when institutions deploy drinking water infrastructure, they carry daily responsibility for the health and wellbeing of large user populations. BIS certification, he said, provides independent third party validation that systems conform to nationally prescribed benchmarks for safety, hygiene, and performance, which is critical for procurement professionals and institutional decision makers.
    With the certification in place, WAE’s drinking water cooler portfolio is now available across its national distribution and service network. The company stated that detailed technical specifications, test reports, and certification documentation can be made available to institutional customers, consultants, and procurement authorities as required.

    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.

  • Wood fibre constraints pose growing risks for India’s packaging and textile supply chains, warns Canopy

    Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy, explains how tightening global pulp supply and new EU regulations could impact Indian exporters

    National, India, 15 January 2026: Growing constraints on global wood fibre supply are creating mounting risks for India’s packaging and man-made cellulosic fibre textile supply chains, according to a new issue brief released by Canopy in partnership with Finance Earth. Titled Paper Thin Comfort: Wood Fibre Risk in a Finite Forest World, the brief examines how rising demand, climate pressures, and regulatory changes are converging to challenge India’s export-oriented manufacturers.
    The analysis comes at a time when India’s paper demand is increasing by nearly one million tonnes annually, while sectors such as e-commerce packaging and MMCF textiles including rayon and viscose grow more dependent on imported wood pulp and recovered fibre. The brief cautions that tightening global wood availability, combined with climate-driven disruptions, could raise cost, continuity, and compliance risks across supply chains.

    The issue brief highlights that Asia’s paper production grew by 60 percent between 2000 and 2021, intensifying competition for finite forest resources. At the same time, demand from bioenergy, construction, and packaging continues to outpace sustainable wood supply. Climate stressors such as wildfires, land-use pressures, and ecosystem degradation are further constraining pulp availability, increasing India’s exposure as reliance on imported fibre rises.
    A key concern flagged in the brief is the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which comes into effect in December 2026. The regulation will require exporters to certify products as deforestation free, introducing new compliance and market access challenges for Indian exporters supplying textile hubs such as Tiruppur and Ludhiana, as well as packaging clusters serving e-commerce, food, and FMCG sectors.

    Commenting on the findings, Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy, said India holds a strategic opportunity to strengthen fibre security by scaling alternatives such as agricultural residues and recycled textiles. She noted that materials like sugarcane bagasse and rice straw could help reduce pressure on global forests while improving resilience and competitiveness for Indian industry.
    The brief identifies three core risk areas for Indian manufacturers. Rising global demand is increasing price volatility for wood-based inputs across the country’s textile and paper ecosystem. Supply constraints driven by climate stress and land competition are limiting wood quality and availability, exacerbating India’s low waste paper recovery rate. Meanwhile, evolving environmental and human rights due diligence requirements are likely to add to compliance costs for exporters serving regulated markets.

    To address these challenges, the brief outlines a framework focused on scaling circular fibre alternatives, strengthening wood sourcing through certification and traceability, and applying scenario planning to anticipate regulatory and climate shocks. Canopy stated that it will engage with Indian brands, manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate adoption of these measures, with the objective of protecting forests while reinforcing India’s position as a low-risk supplier in global markets.
    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.

  • From chemicals to cognition, how crop protection thinking is changing at Godrej Agrovet

    Rajavelu NK, CEO Crop Protection Business, writes on AI led advisories, drone spraying and intelligence driven integration

    India’s crop protection sector is undergoing a structural transformation, moving beyond a narrow focus on yield preservation toward a broader objective of safeguarding food security under growing climate stress. Rising temperature extremes, erratic rainfall, labour shortages, and fragmented landholdings are forcing a fundamental rethink of how protection strategies are designed and applied.
    In 2025, this shift accelerated sharply. Climate volatility intensified pest pressure and resistance risks, exposing the limitations of repetitive, molecule-centric interventions. Farmers increasingly turned to integrated pest management and precision application methods, marking a transition from reactive spraying to intelligence-led decision making.

    Technological adoption played a critical role in this transition. Government-supported initiatives such as the Drone Didi programme brought targeted spraying into the mainstream through more than 15,000 women’s self-help groups. At the same time, around 20 percent of smallholders began using AI-driven pest advisories, supported by weather data and predictive analytics. These developments signalled a move toward anticipatory protection rather than post-damage response.
    Climate change has also altered the biological behaviour of weeds and pests. Heat stress, prolonged humidity, and unpredictable precipitation patterns have reduced the effectiveness of conventional control techniques. Increased frequency of pesticide use has raised the risk of resistance, creating a cycle of diminishing returns. As a result, crop protection is increasingly being integrated into adaptive farming systems that combine crop rotation, integrated pest management, and precision delivery using the right formulation, at the right dose, in the right location.

    Smallholder farmers remain central to the success of this transition. While they form the backbone of Indian agriculture, their access to capital and extension services remains limited. A digital layer has begun to bridge this gap, with a majority of farmers now receiving weather and pest alerts through SMS, messaging platforms, and vernacular applications. However, the adoption of advanced AI platforms remains uneven, highlighting the need for solutions that are practical, accessible, and locally relevant.
    Beyond product innovation, the emphasis is shifting toward advisory-led engagement. Crop specific guidance, bundled solutions, regional language support, and stewardship around dosage, protective equipment, and storage are becoming as important as active ingredients. Digital channels and field demonstrations are playing a growing role in ensuring correct and safe application.

    Counterfeit and substandard pesticides continue to pose a systemic threat. An estimated quarter of the market is affected, undermining farmer trust, distorting price signals, and creating environmental and safety risks. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated action across enforcement, retail accountability, packaging traceability, and farmer awareness rather than isolated interventions.
    Application technology is also evolving rapidly. Government approval of drone spraying under mechanisation schemes represents a significant inflection point. Precision delivery through drones reduces water usage, limits operator exposure, and improves timing and placement. In parallel, AI-powered pest surveillance and satellite-based advisories are enabling a shift from reactive spraying to predictive intervention, supported by initiatives such as the National Pest Surveillance framework.

    Public-private collaboration is emerging as a key enabler across drone adoption, pest monitoring, and counterfeit control. The complexity of agricultural challenges has made it clear that no single stakeholder can address them in isolation.
    India’s crop protection ecosystem stands at a decisive moment. Climate stress, resistance pressures, and smallholder constraints are intensifying, but advances in science, technology, regulation, and farmer-centric engagement offer a viable path forward. Success in the coming years will be measured not by volumes applied, but by resilience built through precision, integration, education, and enforcement that protect crops while preserving ecosystems and livelihoods.
    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.