The energy-to-digital conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) has built a “digital layer” (Jio Platforms) on top of the existing “physical layer” of retail shops across electronics, grocery and apparels in the last four years. The company is now believed to add a third “layer of commerce” and monetize the existing investments in the next four years.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday invited startups to register at public procurement portal GeM and offer goods as well as services to government organisations and PSUs. He said that about 4,000 startups have already registered at Government e-marketplace (GeM).

Samsung on Thursday said it has partnered with Walmart-owned Flipkart to launch Galaxy F series smartphones in India as the Korean tech giant looks to further strengthen its position in the online retail segment. The F series of devices, which is being launched in India first, will make its debut during Flipkart's Big Billion Days (BBD) sale and help Samsung cash in on the festive demand. The dates of BBD sale are yet to be announced.

Walmart is teaming up with a company called Zipline to launch drone delivery program early next year that will deliver health and wellness products close to the retailer's headquarters in Northwest Arkansas. Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, said Monday that it plans to eventually expand to general merchandise.