India - WORLDEF

Bombay High Court Orders Amazon to Hand Over Expired Goods for Disposal

The Bombay High Court has directed Amazon Retail India to hand over all expired and perished goods stored at its Bhiwandi warehouse to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for scientific disposal.

The order comes amid an ongoing dispute between Amazon and the Maharashtra FDA over the suspension of the warehouse’s licence.

Court Orders Scientific Disposal

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad directed Amazon to prepare an inventory of all expired and perished products at the Bhiwandi facility and transfer them to the concerned FDA officer.

The FDA will oversee the disposal process in accordance with applicable regulations, while Amazon will bear the associated costs.

The court has also directed the Maharashtra FDA to file its response to Amazon’s plea challenging the suspension of its warehouse licence by August 27.

Dispute Over Warehouse Operations

The case follows regulatory action against Amazon’s Bhiwandi facility in Maharashtra after the FDA alleged that expired food products had entered the retail market instead of being properly destroyed.

The High Court had previously criticised the FDA for what it described as an excessive approach toward the warehouse, urging the authority to implement enforcement measures in a more systematic manner.

The latest directive provides a temporary arrangement for handling the expired inventory while the broader legal dispute over Amazon’s warehouse licence continues.

Implications for E-Commerce Fulfilment

The case highlights the growing importance of inventory control, product traceability and regulatory compliance in e-commerce fulfilment operations, particularly for food and other perishable products.

As online retailers continue to expand their fulfilment networks, ensuring that expired or damaged inventory is identified, segregated and disposed of in accordance with local regulations remains a critical operational and consumer-safety responsibility.

The Bombay High Court’s decision puts the immediate focus on the safe disposal of Amazon’s expired inventory while the court considers the company’s challenge to the regulatory action.

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Cybez Takes Its E-Commerce Model from India to the UAE Market

India-based e-commerce marketing and consulting company Cybez has officially launched its operations in the United Arab Emirates. With its new office opened in Sharjah, the company aims to bring the e-commerce growth model it developed in India and the United States to D2C brands, retailers, and startups in the Gulf region.

Cybez to Focus on E-Commerce Brands in the UAE

Founded by Atul Jain, with Preeti Garg among its co-founders, the company offers solutions directly focused on e-commerce growth, unlike general digital marketing services. Its UAE operations will be carried out under “Cybez Worldwide FZC.” According to the company’s statement, the team has more than 40 years of combined experience in research, strategic planning, performance marketing, AI-powered SEO, website development, and conversion rate optimization.

Cybez states that it has completed 350 projects across 15 different sectors and served 150 clients to date. These sectors include fashion, lifestyle, food and beverage, health, and cosmetics. The company also has an office in Houston, United States.

AI-Powered SEO and Performance Marketing Stand Out

The services to be offered in the UAE include Shopify-based e-commerce website development, AI-powered SEO, Google and Meta advertising, performance marketing, customer retention, conversion rate optimization, marketplace marketing, competitive analysis, and digital audit services. The company follows a structure focused on increasing online traffic, converting visitors into customers, and retaining existing customers.

200 Percent Revenue Growth for D2C Brands

According to case studies shared by the company, premium footwear brand Rosso Brunello’s revenue increased by 200 percent through performance marketing efforts. In the same study, ROAS increased by 48.5 percent, while cost per acquisition decreased by 37 percent. Another client’s revenue nearly tripled within five months, while orders increased by 600 percent and a ROAS of more than 4x was achieved. In another project, the conversion rate increased from 0.77 percent to 1.16 percent within one week.

The brands Cybez has worked with include names such as Uniqlo, Sarita Handa, Raymond, Noise, Park Avenue, Lotus Herbals, and Callaway Golf. With its new UAE operation, the company plans to bring this experience to e-commerce and retail brands in the region.

ONDC Crosses 500 Million Transactions as India Expands Open Digital Commerce Network

India’s government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has surpassed 500 million cumulative transactions, marking a major milestone as the network expands beyond traditional e-commerce into mobility, public transport, logistics and other digital services.

ONDC Reaches 500 Million Transactions

ONDC crossed the 500 million cumulative transaction mark in July 2026, highlighting the rapid growth of India’s open digital commerce infrastructure.

The network recorded just 0.2 million transactions in FY2023 before reaching 218 million transactions during FY2026. Its ecosystem now includes more than 200,000 active retail merchants and over 1 million service providers across mobility and logistics.

Expansion Beyond E-Commerce

ONDC is increasingly being used for services beyond online shopping. More than 1 million drivers have joined the network’s ride-hailing ecosystem, while around 80% of India’s metro ticketing inventory is now available through ONDC.

As of June 2026, the network was facilitating more than 370,000 public transport trips per day through over 35 buyer applications, covering nine metro systems and four city bus operators.

The network is also expanding into tourism, agriculture and other service categories.

Supporting Small Businesses and Farmers

ONDC is playing a growing role in helping India’s small businesses participate in the digital economy.

Through the MSME TEAM Initiative, the Indian government has approved ₹277.35 crore for FY2025–FY2027. The programme supports MSMEs with onboarding, product cataloguing, account management, logistics and packaging.

More than 800 independent sellers and eight aggregator entities representing over 1,500 Farmer Producer Organisations have also joined the network through the Amazing India initiative.

Growing Logistics and Retail Ecosystem

ONDC’s logistics ecosystem includes more than 50 hyperlocal logistics providers, while over 60,000 merchants are using ONDC Logistics.

More than 50 brands across food delivery, quick commerce, pharmacy and other retail categories are also leveraging the network across more than 150 cities.

The DigiDukaan initiative has further supported digital adoption among local retailers, with more than 13,000 kirana stores onboarded across Hyderabad and Jaipur.

Building an Open Digital Commerce Infrastructure

Unlike conventional e-commerce marketplaces, ONDC operates as an open and interoperable network that allows buyers and sellers using different applications to connect through common standards.

The model is designed to reduce dependence on individual platforms while creating greater opportunities for businesses, consumers and service providers to participate in India’s digital economy.

The milestone of 500 million transactions reflects ONDC’s evolution from an e-commerce initiative into a broader digital public infrastructure connecting commerce, mobility, logistics and public services.

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Meta Fights $11,600 Penalty in India Over Facebook Marketplace Classification

Meta Platforms has approached India’s top consumer court to challenge the classification of Facebook Marketplace as an “e-commerce platform” under the country’s consumer protection regulations. The legal dispute could have major implications for how social media platforms are regulated in India’s growing digital commerce ecosystem.

The case stems from a January 2026 order issued by India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which investigated the alleged sale of unauthorized walkie-talkies on Facebook Marketplace. The regulator imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Meta and argued that Facebook Marketplace falls under the definition of an e-commerce entity.

Meta, however, argues that Facebook Marketplace functions only as a digital notice board where users can post listings, rather than a transaction-enabled marketplace like Amazon or Flipkart. According to the company, it neither processes payments nor earns commissions from transactions conducted through the platform.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has admitted it’s appeal and temporarily restrained the CCPA from taking coercive action against the company. The next hearing is scheduled for October 2026.

Why Meta’s India Case Matters for E-commerce Regulation

The outcome could reshape how governments regulate social commerce platforms and peer-to-peer marketplaces. If Facebook Marketplace is officially categorized as an e-commerce platform, Meta may face stricter compliance obligations related to consumer protection, product liability, and seller accountability in India.

The case also highlights the growing global scrutiny facing major tech platforms, especially around marketplace accountability, consumer safety, and platform governance.

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