D-Street catches flu

Headwinds for markets at the start of the year include higher US 10-year yields and a stronger dollar, the potential imposition of additional US tariffs on Asia-Pacific economies, and elevated economic policy uncertainty and geopolitical risk, Goldman Sachs strategists said in a note while trimming the MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan index's target to 620 from 630, as per a Bloomberg report.

The expansion of dark commerce will be driven by new entrants, increased investments, and established players. As the established players foray into tier II and III cities, the demand for gig workers is expected to skyrocket. There will be a record of 100% in gig employment in smaller cities, where e-commerce operations are set up from scratch," said Puri, associate professor of organizational behaviour & management at IMI Kolkata. Sheila Roy, associate professor of operations and supply chain management at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, underlined the need for additional staffing. "Each new dark store requires significant hiring for order fulfillment and delivery operations," she said. The rapid expansion mirrors the broader growth of India's gig economy. Between 2019 and 2024, the gig workforce saw a growth of 14-15%, with demand increasing by 22% in 2024 alone due to e-commerce and digital transformation. Overall, the gig worker