Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Revolutionizes Customer Experience with UPI Payments

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Revolutionizes Customer Experience with UPI Payments

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 9, 2024

Galeries Lafayette Haussmann has recently announced the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, introducing a new level of convenience and security for its customers. This initiative is part of the store’s continuous efforts to modernize and streamline the payment process for its customers.

The Unified Payments Interface, a revolutionary payment technology developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has transformed the digital payment landscape in India. Since its inception in 2016, UPI has enabled instant and interbank money transfers via mobile applications, allowing users to link multiple bank accounts to a single app using unique virtual identifiers.

Established in 2008, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing India’s payment infrastructure. Through innovations like UPI, NPCI has played a crucial role in digitizing the Indian economy, making digital payments more accessible and inclusive for millions of citizens. This transformation has facilitated everyday transactions and significantly advanced financial inclusion on an unprecedented scale.

To celebrate the launch of UPI payments at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a cocktail event was held on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024. The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Jawad Ashraf, Ambassador of India, and Nicolas Houzé, CEO of Galeries Lafayette. This exclusive gathering provided a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between the Parisian department store and the Indian diplomatic community, highlighting the importance of international relations in the store’s commercial and cultural endeavors.

"We are delighted to be the first department store in Europe to offer the UPI payment solution at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. By introducing UPI, we facilitate seamless and secure transactions for our Indian customers and strengthen cultural and economic ties between France and India. As the number of visitors from India is growing, we are proud to offer this innovative payment option, ensuring a convenient and memorable shopping experience. With the opening of our first Indian store in Mumbai in 2025, followed by New Delhi, this initiative becomes even more significant, symbolizing our commitment to reinforcing the ties between our two countries," declared Vincent Sénéquat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann.

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The integration of UPI payments by Galeries Lafayette Haussmann marks a significant milestone for both customers and the store, highlighting their dedication to leading technological innovation and continuously improving the shopping experience, thereby strengthening customer trust. This initiative cements the department store’s position as an industry leader and underscores their commitment to simplifying transactions by providing payment solutions that meet the demands of today’s consumers.

About Galeries Lafayette: Famous the world over, Galeries Lafayette is France’s leading department store brand. It has dominated the fashion and retail event stage for the past 130 years, offering each visitor a unique shopping experience and ensuring that French and international customers can choose from a constantly fresh range of classic as well as more exclusive brands. Home to fashion & accessories, beauty, lifestyle, as well as a food hall and dining spaces, Galeries Lafayette enjoys a global reputation thanks to a network of 67 stores in France and worldwide, its e-commerce site, galerieslafayette.com, and its factory outlet business Galeries Lafayette L’Outlet.

About NPCI International:

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India. NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India. Currently, there are several countries that seek to establish a real-time payment system or a domestic card scheme. NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing and consulting for building real-time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses. NIPL focuses on transforming payments across the globe through technology and innovation. It will not only enable payments for Indians but also support other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.

Indulge in a seamless shopping experience at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann with the newly integrated UPI payment system, marking a new era of convenience and innovation.


Eternal Pumps Rs 450 Crore Into Blinkit as the Quick Commerce Race Gets More Intense

Eternal Pumps Rs 450 Crore Into Blinkit as the Quick Commerce Race Gets More Intense

By Hariharan U

Published on March 16, 2026

The quick commerce battle in India is moving fast, and Eternal is making sure Blinkit keeps pace. The Gurugram-based parent company has infused Rs 450 crore into its quick commerce arm Blinkit, according to a regulatory filing with the Registrar of Companies. This is Eternal's first capital injection into the business in 2026, following a total of Rs 2,600 crore pumped in across 2025.

To put the 2025 numbers in context, Eternal injected Rs 500 crore in January, Rs 1,500 crore in February, and another Rs 600 crore in November of last year. The latest infusion signals that the pace of investment isn't letting up as competition in the 10-minute delivery segment continues to intensify.

Blinkit has reasons to feel confident heading into this next phase. The company turned profitable in the December quarter, reporting an adjusted EBITDA profit of Rs 4 crore in Q3FY26 compared to a loss of Rs 103 crore in the same period the previous year. Revenue jumped to Rs 12,256 crore from Rs 1,399 crore a year earlier, and gross profit climbed to Rs 3,539 crore from Rs 1,300 crore. Those are significant numbers, and they reflect a business that has found its footing even as it continues to scale aggressively.

The capital will support Blinkit's ongoing dark store expansion, working capital requirements, and operating costs as it pushes towards its target of 3,000 micro-warehouses by March 2027. As of December 31st, the company had 2,027 stores operational.

The competitive landscape around Blinkit is getting busier. Swiggy raised Rs 10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement in December 2025, just over a year after its IPO. Zepto has filed confidential draft papers with SEBI for its own IPO. And larger players including Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance Industries are all stepping up their presence in quick commerce, making this one of the most actively contested spaces in India's consumer technology sector right now.

There's also been a notable leadership shift at Eternal. Founder Deepinder Goyal stepped down as Managing Director and CEO in February, with Blinkit founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa taking over the top role. Dhindsa continues to lead Blinkit as well, consolidating leadership of the quick commerce business at a critical growth phase.

One more number worth noting: in terms of net order value, Blinkit has now overtaken Eternal's core food delivery business. That's a remarkable milestone for a segment that didn't exist in its current form just a few years ago.


Devyani International Q3 FY26: Loss Widens to ₹109 Cr, Revenue Grows 11%

Devyani International Q3 FY26: Loss Widens to ₹109 Cr, Revenue Grows 11%

By Hariharan U

Published on February 9, 2026

Devyani International Ltd (DIL), one of India’s largest quick service restaurant (QSR) operators, reported a net loss of ₹109.78 crore for the December quarter of FY26, widening from a loss of ₹76.46 crore in the same period last year.

Despite the higher loss, the company posted steady top-line growth, with revenue from operations rising 11.31% year-on-year to ₹1,440.9 crore. Total income, including other income, stood at ₹1,453.22 crore, up 11.48% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Total expenses during the quarter increased 11.71% to ₹1,446.5 crore. However, Devyani International said it saw broad-based improvement in margins, supported by operational efficiencies and performance across formats. Notably, its Biryani By Kilo business, acquired last year through Sky Gate Hospitality, achieved breakeven during the quarter.

Commenting on the performance, chairman Ravi Jaipuria said, “Our business continues to grow in a sustained manner. India operations grew 12.1% year-on-year, while consolidated revenues reached ₹1,441 crore. Our international business continues to gather strength from both an operations and profitability perspective.”

As of December 31, 2025, Devyani International operated 2,279 stores globally, including 1,877 in India and 402 overseas. During the quarter, the company added 95 net new stores, led by 54 KFC and 18 Pizza Hut outlets, while Biryani By Kilo added 13 locations.

The company has also initiated a focused turnaround strategy for Pizza Hut by rationalising loss-making stores and optimising capital expenditure. Separately, Devyani International’s board approved the acquisition of an additional 11.4% stake in Sky Gate Hospitality for ₹57.5 crore.


Union Budget 2026–27 Opens New Pathways for Wellness-Led Tourism: Dharana at Shillim

Union Budget 2026–27 Opens New Pathways for Wellness-Led Tourism: Dharana at Shillim

By Hariharan U

Published on February 4, 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a growing recognition of tourism and hospitality as key enablers of experience-led travel in India. With a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support, the budget sets a positive direction for long-term destination growth.

For the wellness hospitality sector, the continued focus on India’s traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga signals a renewed intent to strengthen tourism offerings rooted in authenticity, wellbeing, and mindful engagement with cultural and natural heritage.

Sharing its post-budget perspective, Poonam Singh, Dharana at Shillim stated: "The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a considered recognition of tourism and hospitality as important enablers of experience-led travel. The emphasis on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support, alongside a continued focus on India's traditional wellness systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga, signals an intent to strengthen destinations grounded in authenticity, wellbeing, and a mindful engagement with cultural and natural heritage.

For the wellness and hospitality sector, these measures create opportunities to advance sustainable tourism, enable meaningful regional employment, and elevate service standards, reinforcing India's position as a globally credible destination for holistic wellbeing and conscious travel.”

The perspective underlines how policy support can encourage responsible investment, generate regional employment, and raise service standards across wellness-led destinations. As conscious travel continues to gain traction globally, such measures are expected to further strengthen India’s standing as a trusted hub for holistic wellbeing experiences. 

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