Business
Innovation over inflation: UK SMEs double down on AI
Against a backdrop of rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, new research from Alibaba.com suggests that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are choosing to innovate their way through adversity rather than retreat from it. According to a survey of 1,000 SME decision-makers, nearly half (48%) of UK SMEs are planning to increase their spending on product innovation and R&D in the months ahead.
This appetite for innovation, despite challenging conditions, reflects a widespread belief among business leaders that developing new or improved products is essential for growth and long-term success. Indeed, 86% of respondents said they view product innovation as a key driver of business performance – a sentiment that underscores the resilience and ambition of the UK’s SME sector.
For many SMEs, investing in innovation is not just about staying afloat but staying ahead. Among those planning to increase spending, more than a third (35%) said their focus will be on improving the quality of existing products, while 33% plan to channel investment into responding more effectively to customer needs. Meanwhile, more than a quarter (27%) see innovation as a way to gain a competitive edge over rivals.
This commitment to creativity and improvement is all the more striking given the obstacles SMEs face. Half of those surveyed said that the cost of innovating or financing innovation remains a major hurdle, while almost two-thirds (58%) cited high costs as a key challenge when sourcing new products. Other barriers include keeping up with the fast pace of change (32%), a lack of in-house resources (26%), and a shortage of expertise or knowledge (20%).
Still, the picture isn’t all about constraints. UK SMEs are finding new ways to overcome these barriers, increasingly turning to digital tools and AI to drive efficiency and spark creativity. In fact, nearly two-thirds (59%) said they feel confident using AI tools to support product innovation. In addition, large language models (LLMs) can help buyers understand their procurement needs, build a comparison, perform the analysis, eliminate unsuitable options, and ultimately recommend the optimal solution. Broadly, AI is spelling a new era in the B2B e-commerce market where technology helps smaller businesses punch above their weight and trade on a global scale.
The findings come following the launch of Alibaba.com’s CoCreate Europe, its flagship B2B event. Following several successful editions in Las Vegas, the event made its European debut to great acclaim , drawing together thousands of SMEs, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and investors from across the continent.
The one-day programme was designed to inspire and empower businesses to innovate smarter, offering practical advice on cutting costs, building more resilient supply chains, and leveraging AI to accelerate growth. Through a series of sessions and workshops, attendees gained access to Alibaba.com’s powerful suite of digital sourcing tools, including AI Mode and Accio – intelligent systems that automate the sourcing process and connect buyers with over 200,000 verified suppliers across 76 industry categories and more than 200 million product listings.
AI Mode can automatically compare and filter results and find product listings for SME buyers, saving them time and money. It also goes deeper, extracting data from images, documents, certifications and transaction records to unlock previously ‘unseen’ products. In other words, AI Mode sees what others miss and finds the right match more precisely than others can.
At the event, participants also learned how to make use of Trade Assurance, Alibaba.com’s built-in protection service that helps businesses manage risks and build trust in their supply chains – a critical factor for SMEs looking to expand globally.Combined, these tools enable entrepreneurs to save time, reduce costs, and focus more energy on what really matters: growing their businesses.
One of the highlights of the event was CoCreate Pitch, the world’s largest product-based pitch competition. Some 30 aspiring product innovators from across Europe took to the stage to showcase their most innovative product ideas, spanning sectors from sustainable fashion and smart home tech to health and wellbeing.
Ten winners were selected by a panel of judges, each receiving $20,000 worth of prizes to help bring their ideas to life. The overall grand winner was awarded $200,000 in funding support – part of a global prize pool worth $400,000 – reflecting Alibaba.com’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of product pioneers.
The success of CoCreate Europe reinforces London’s status as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, and highlights Alibaba.com’s growing role in supporting SMEs to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. By combining global reach with local insight, Alibaba.com continues to act as a bridge between ambitious UK businesses and the suppliers, technologies, and tools they need to scale.
As the research makes clear, UK SMEs are not standing still. They are responding to economic headwinds with creativity, optimism, and a readiness to invest in the future. And with platforms like Alibaba.com providing the infrastructure and support to turn ideas into tangible products, the outlook for innovation across the UK’s SME landscape looks brighter than ever.
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Foreign Portfolio Investors put Rs 19,675 crore into Indian equities in early February, ending three months of selling amid global cues and a US-India trade pact.
US-India trade deal hopes lift FPI inflows to Rs 19,675 cr in early Feb
Foreign Portfolio Investors Reverse Trend With Rs 19,675 Crore February Buying: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) made a notable comeback in early February, infusing Rs 19,675 crore into Indian equities during the first half of the month, aided by improving global conditions and the US-India trade agreement.
This marks a clear shift after three consecutive months of net selling. Depository data shows FPIs withdrew Rs 35,962 crore in January, Rs 22,611 crore in December, and Rs 3,765 crore in November.
Even with the renewed buying in February, the broader trend for 2025 remains negative. So far this year, foreign investors have pulled out a net Rs 1.66 lakh crore (USD 18.9 billion) from Indian equities, making it one of the weakest periods for overseas inflows in recent times. Currency volatility, global trade tensions, concerns over potential US tariffs, and elevated valuations had weighed heavily on flows earlier.
Global Cues And Domestic Stability Support Recovery
Himanshu Srivastava, Principal Manager–Research at Morningstar Investment Research India, as quoted by PTI, said the latest inflows were largely driven by easing global macro pressures. Softer US inflation data improved expectations around the interest rate cycle, helping stabilise bond yields and the US dollar. This, in turn, enhanced investor appetite for emerging markets such as India.
On the domestic front, stable inflation, resilient macro indicators, and corporate earnings largely in line with expectations strengthened confidence in India’s economic trajectory, he noted.
Vaqarjaved Khan, Senior Fundamental Analyst at Angel One, also attributed the renewed interest to the US-India trade pact, the growth-oriented Union Budget 2026, easing global trade uncertainties, and steady domestic interest rates.
Volatility Persists Despite Net Buying Days
FPIs were net buyers in seven out of eleven trading sessions in February up to the 13th, turning sellers on four occasions. However, cumulative data indicates a net equity outflow of ₹1,374 crore so far this month.
The divergence was largely due to a sharp sell-off of Rs 7,395 crore on February 13, when the Nifty dropped 336 points. The period also witnessed substantial selling in IT stocks amid the so-called “Anthropic shock.” VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said as quoted by PTI, foreign investors likely reduced exposure to IT stocks aggressively in the cash market, as the IT index fell 8.2 percent in the week ended February 13.
(With PTI Inputs)
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February 15, 2026, 16:54 IST
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New Delhi: Gold continues to remain the most trusted investment option among young Indians, even as access to financial products like mutual funds, stocks, and cryptocurrencies expands, according to a recent consumer survey.
The Smytten PulseAI survey, conducted among 5,000 consumers aged 18–39, found that 62 percent of respondents chose gold as their preferred investment, highlighting the metal’s enduring appeal among Gen Z and Millennials.
When asked how they would invest Rs 25,000, about 61.9 percent said they would choose gold, far ahead of mutual funds (16.6 percent), fixed deposits (13 percent), stocks (6.6 percent), and crypto (1.9 percent), the survey showed.
The findings also indicate that gold buying is becoming more personal and investment-driven rather than tradition-led. Around 66.7 percent of respondents said their gold purchases were primarily their own decision, reflecting a shift in mindset among younger investors.
Another notable trend is the move toward smaller and more frequent purchases. Nearly 62 percent of recent gold purchases were below 5 grams, suggesting that younger buyers are entering the market gradually instead of making large, occasional purchases.
Gold’s appeal becomes even stronger during uncertain economic conditions. The survey found that 65.7 percent of respondents consider gold the safest investment option compared with bank savings, mutual funds, or equities.
For many young earners, gold is no longer bought only for weddings or family occasions. Nearly 24 percent said their first gold purchase was linked to receiving their first salary, while 23.9 percent bought gold as an investment decision, signalling changing motivations behind gold ownership.
Overall, the survey highlights that while investment behaviour among young Indians is evolving, gold continues to play a central role as a trusted store of value and financial safety net.
Business
PPF account rules: Why you can open only one PPF account and what it means for your tax savings
New Delhi: The Public Provident Fund (PPF) is one of India’s most popular long-term, government-backed savings schemes. But many investors often wonder whether they can open multiple PPF accounts to increase their tax-saving investments. The government’s rules are clear — an individual can hold only one PPF account in their own name.
Opening additional PPF accounts in different banks or post offices is not permitted under the PPF Scheme. If more than one account is discovered in the same person’s name, the extra account will be treated as irregular and may have to be closed, with interest on the additional account typically not paid.
However, the rules allow parents or guardians to open a separate PPF account for a minor child. Even in such cases, the total annual contribution across the individual’s own account and the minor’s account cannot exceed Rs 1.5 lakh in a financial year, which is the maximum investment limit under Section 80C.
The PPF scheme remains a long-term savings instrument with a 15-year maturity period, offering tax-free interest and government-guaranteed returns. Investors can deposit a minimum of Rs 500 and up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually, making it a widely used option for retirement and tax planning.
In short, while you cannot open more than one PPF account in your own name, you can still invest in separate accounts for eligible family members such as minor children, within the overall contribution limits set by the government.
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