logo
Shehnaaz Gill buys Mercedes-Benz SUV worth Rs 1.34 crore. See pics

Shehnaaz Gill buys Mercedes-Benz SUV worth Rs 1.34 crore. See pics

India Today30-04-2025

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is known for its cutting-edge technology and powerful performance. While the base model starts at Rs1.34 crore, the final price can vary depending on the variant and customisations, which Shehnaaz has not yet revealed.
Photo Credit : Instagram/shehnazgill

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Meta's short videos are reshaping how India shops
Meta's short videos are reshaping how India shops

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Meta's short videos are reshaping how India shops

New Delhi: Indians are increasingly turning to social media to discover, compare, and buy everything from daily groceries to luxury jewellery—often without stepping into a store. Nearly 8 in 10 shoppers in India rely on social platforms for product discovery, with an overwhelming 96% doing so through Meta's platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, according to the company's latest India Retail Purchase Journey report released Thursday. The report underscores Meta's growing influence not just in India's digital advertising space, but across the entire retail funnel - from discovery to purchase. As shoppers toggle between online research and offline shopping, especially in high-ticket categories, Meta is positioning itself at the centre of this omni-channel shift. The study, based on a Meta-commissioned survey of 2,548 internet users aged 16–64, tracked how consumers in India engage with retail categories ranging from electronics and clothing to luxury goods and groceries. Meta's dominance in India, its largest market globally by user base, adds weight to the findings. India had 448.1 million monthly active Facebook users as of 2024, according to data from commerce platform Shopify. Instagram, too, is among the country's most popular platforms, particularly among younger users in urban and semi-urban regions. Even among in-store buyers, product discovery is now digital-first. Facebook and Instagram outrank physical store browsing as discovery platforms, especially in high-involvement segments like electronics, according to the report. Nearly two-thirds of those buying large electronics in-store reported doing extensive research online beforehand. This phenomenon, often called 'showrooming,' is also evident in luxury jewellery, where two in three online purchasers first saw or evaluated the product in-store. Meta routinely publishes reports on digital shopping behaviour. Previously, the company has released reports on quick commerce, fashion, and beauty and personal care segments. Shoppers spend hours daily on these platforms, generating data and driving business for a multitude of small and large brands. 'More shoppers are tuning omni-channel,' said Arun Srinivas, director and head (India), ads business at Meta. 'Across categories, more purchases have happened in-store than online in the last 12-15 months. For these expensive categories, being able to see and touch the product, enjoying the experience of shopping in-store and the difficulty of shopping online are all key in-store purchase drivers.' Meta's report also pointed to seasonal spikes in offline shopping, for instance, during Karva Chauth and Valentine's Day, highlighting that occasions still drive footfall even as digital engagement rises. India's $820 billion retail market is in transition. More shoppers are comfortable buying online, but traditional retail remains dominant in certain categories. Over 80% of respondents had visited a physical store for grocery shopping in the past year, while 75% of clothing buyers reported offline purchases. Yet, most of these shoppers also relied on online platforms for product research, making the lines between offline and online increasingly fluid. 'There's a role for offline and for online—they're not going to go away,' Srinivas said. This hybrid behaviour is shaping advertising strategies too. According to media buying agency GroupM, India's advertising market is expected to grow 7% in 2025 to ₹ 1.64 trillion, with digital accounting for 95% of the incremental spend. Of the projected ₹ 10,730 crore in new ad spending, digital is set to capture ₹ 10,225 crore. Driving much of this digital momentum are short-form videos and reels, now the most popular formats for brand and product discovery on Meta platforms. Instagram, in particular, leads in daily short video consumption, with nearly three in four users watching Reels at least once a day. 'More than half the time spent on our platform is on reels and video,' said Srinivas. 'There's a lot of linkages also to people who have seen a reel and end up buying a product in store—over a third of them have actually done that.' Meta has also introduced omni-channel ad tools that help brands track whether a consumer who saw an ad online eventually made an in-store purchase. According to the report, 63% of WhatsApp users said they are somewhat or extremely likely to visit a store to research a product after seeing an offer on the app. According to Srinivas, both legacy players—such as retail brands under Tata Group and Reliance Industries—and smaller businesses are increasingly using Meta's ad platforms to drive footfalls and store visits. For categories like everyday clothing, beauty, and groceries, more than half of Reels users say they often seek more information or even make a purchase after seeing a short video. Even in high-value segments like luxury jewellery and apparel, over a third of users report making purchases after engaging with such content, according to the report. Longer videos, too, are gaining traction. Over 80% of Facebook users interact with 2–3-minute branded videos, and nearly one in four users on both Facebook and Instagram say they 'always' do. These videos are widely shared among family and friends, and about 30% of users who engage with them report eventually buying the featured product. Luxury shoppers, in particular, are more likely than average users to engage deeply with 2–3-minute brand videos and to follow up with a purchase or further product research.

Bollywood Actress Dia Mirza Buys BMW iX Electric SUV Worth Rs 1.39 Crore
Bollywood Actress Dia Mirza Buys BMW iX Electric SUV Worth Rs 1.39 Crore

NDTV

timean hour ago

  • NDTV

Bollywood Actress Dia Mirza Buys BMW iX Electric SUV Worth Rs 1.39 Crore

Bollywood celebrities are slowly adopting luxury electric vehicles, and the latest to join the list is Dia Mirza. The actress, known for her environmental activism, appears to be advancing her agenda with her latest purchase, a fully electric BMW iX. Classified as a luxurious electric vehicle in the Indian market, the EV comes at a starting price of Rs 1.39 crore (ex-showroom) and seems to be a perfect fit for the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Ambassador's garage. The update on Dia Mirza's new BMW iX was shared on Instagram with pictures and videos of her taking the delivery. With this EV in her garage, the actress has joined the list of celebrities like Riteish Deshmukh, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Ibrahim Ali Khan as an owner of the vehicle. Additionally, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has also been seen driving the vehicle. Dia Mirza's new EV also gets unique features, such as a hexagonal steering wheel and an extensive curved display that includes a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The iX is also equipped with numerous features, such as an electrochromic panoramic glass roof and multi-functional seats that offer memory and massage capabilities. Dia Mirza's BMW iX xDrive50 comes packed with a 111.5 kWh battery pack, which offers a WLTP range of 635 km on a single charge. The charge from the battery is transferred to two electric motors, one placed on each axle, giving it all-wheel-drive capacity. The combined output of these motors is rated at 523 hp and 765 Nm torque. When put to use, they can propel the SUV from zero to 100 kmph in 4.6 seconds. The battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 35 minutes using a 195 kW DC charger, in 97 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger, in roughly 5.5 hours with a 22 kW AC charger, and in about 11 hours when using an 11 kW AC charger.

2026 Discovery Sport showcased, gets a new variant and two new editions
2026 Discovery Sport showcased, gets a new variant and two new editions

Mint

time2 hours ago

  • Mint

2026 Discovery Sport showcased, gets a new variant and two new editions

Land Rover has refreshed the Discovery Sport line-up for 2025, introducing two new variants, Metropolitan and Landmark, alongside design and feature updates across the range. The changes aim to improve the practicality and appeal of the brand's SUV without straying from its core identity as a family-focused and versatile vehicle. The order books have been opened for the Discovery Sport in the UK at £45,440 (equivalent to ₹ 52.70 lakh); however, a confirmed India launch date is still awaited. In India, the Discovery Sport contends directly with rivals such as the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. Additionally, a new Dynamic S trim of the SUV now features revised exterior detailing, new alloy wheel designs, and streamlined option packs. These packs are meant to simplify customisation for buyers, with the model continuing to offer up to seven seats and a configurable interior that supports 24 different layouts. The boot space remains generous, with a capacity of up to 1,794 litres depending on seat configuration. The Metropolitan edition, now the top-spec variant in the Discovery Sport line-up, incorporates a number of cosmetic and feature upgrades. Externally, it is marked by Atlas Silver accents, 20-inch Diamond Turned alloy wheels, and subtle design tweaks. Inside, it includes Windsor Leather upholstery, 14-way adjustable heated and cooled seats, and additional tech such as a ClearSight Rear View Mirror and Cabin Air Purification Plus. A Meridian surround sound system is also included. These additions reflect similar upgrades previously seen in the full-size Discovery Metropolitan edition and aim to provide a more premium experience within the compact SUV space. The Landmark edition references Land Rover's heritage with the reintroduction of the mountain range logo, first seen on the original 1989 Discovery. The logo appears on treadplates and as a puddle light projection. Alongside this nod to history, the Landmark trim adds practical features such as a panoramic roof, Click & Go media holders, roof rails and a Surround View Camera to support everyday usability. All variants now include standard equipment such as a digital instrument cluster, steering-mounted paddle shifters, and an 11.4-inch curved touchscreen running the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system. This system features shortcuts for common tasks and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. The new Dynamic S variant also introduces a sportier look with 'Gloss Black' accents on the grille, wheel arches, and lower bumpers. The Discovery Sport continues to offer a mix of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines. The PHEV variant has a claimed electric-only range of up to 61 km and supports DC fast charging, allowing it to recharge from 0 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes under ideal conditions. The mild hybrid system assists with start-stop functionality and aims to improve urban drivability and fuel efficiency. Land Rover has also expanded its accessory pack offerings with new themed options such as Beach Days, Road Trip, and Snow Days, designed for specific lifestyle needs. These join existing packs geared toward biking and pet owners.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store