Featured Stories
UBS Launches YUMO to Strengthen Financial and Economic Literacy in Switzerland
NEW YORK, Sept. 9 -- UBS, a financial services provider, issued the following news release:
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UBS launches YUMO to strengthen financial and economic literacy in Switzerland
YUMO by UBS is a new Swiss learning platform designed to strengthen financial and economic knowledge in interactive ways that are relevant to everyday life and easy to understand. YUMO aims to help young people make informed financial decisions. UBS is committed to strengthening financial education and fostering curiosity about economic issues among younger generations.
Zurich - UBS is launching YUMO, a digital learning
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Sept. 9 -- UBS, a financial services provider, issued the following news release:
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UBS launches YUMO to strengthen financial and economic literacy in Switzerland
YUMO by UBS is a new Swiss learning platform designed to strengthen financial and economic knowledge in interactive ways that are relevant to everyday life and easy to understand. YUMO aims to help young people make informed financial decisions. UBS is committed to strengthening financial education and fostering curiosity about economic issues among younger generations.
Zurich - UBS is launching YUMO, a digital learningplatform that explains key topics related to finance and the economy in an accessible way. The new interactive learning course addresses issues that young people in Switzerland face in their daily lives. These include, for example, how to create a personal budget, how saving and investing work, and what role the economy plays in day-to-day life.
YUMO, short for "Your Money", focuses on concrete examples and interactive elements. By going through its short chapters, quizzes and videos, users will learn how to make financial decisions and avoid common mistakes. By engaging in YUMO's exercises, users will, among other things, better understand their personal money mindset and receive practical tips for managing money in everyday life. The focus is on how to use money to support personal goals.
YUMO is available free of charge in German, French, Italian and English.
Sparking curiosity and providing guidance
The platform is primarily aimed at young people seeking to engage with financial and economic topics to actively shape their future. At the same time, YUMO offers valuable financial and economic education to all ages, fostering a better understanding of current issues and encouraging dialogue between generations.
"As Switzerland's leading universal bank, we are proud to continue a tradition of promoting financial literacy. It's more important than ever for young adults to feel they can reach their full potential and gain control of their future", said Sergio P. Ermotti, Group CEO. "Financial literacy empowers young people to make smart choices that strengthen their financial independence and contribute to a stronger, more resilient society."
YUMO builds on a long-standing tradition of making financial and economic knowledge accessible to a broad audience. As early as the 1970s, Money and Economics, a widely distributed guide by the Schweizerische Volksbank, one of UBS's predecessor banks, made financial and economic knowledge understandable to everyday Swiss. With YUMO, UBS carries this tradition into today's digital world.
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Original text here: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/media/display-page-ndp/en-20260909-mr-yumo.html?caasID=CAAS-ActivityStream
[Category: BizFinancial Services]
Stephen B. Lebau Recognized by Super Lawyers for Employment Law
TOWSON, Maryland, Sept. 9 -- Lebau and Neuworth, a law firm, issued the following statement on Sept. 8, 2026:
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Stephen B. Lebau Recognized by Super Lawyers for Employment Law
Lebau & Neuworth LLC is proud to announce that attorney Stephen B. Lebau has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his work representing individuals in employment law matters, including:
* Employment Law - Individuals
* Litigation - Labor and Employment
The recognition reflects Stephen's continued work on behalf of employees facing workplace disputes and employment-related legal issues in Maryland and Washington,
... Show Full Article
TOWSON, Maryland, Sept. 9 -- Lebau and Neuworth, a law firm, issued the following statement on Sept. 8, 2026:
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Stephen B. Lebau Recognized by Super Lawyers for Employment Law
Lebau & Neuworth LLC is proud to announce that attorney Stephen B. Lebau has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his work representing individuals in employment law matters, including:
* Employment Law - Individuals
* Litigation - Labor and Employment
The recognition reflects Stephen's continued work on behalf of employees facing workplace disputes and employment-related legal issues in Maryland and Washington,DC.
Table of Contents
1. Representing Employees in Maryland and Washington, DC
2. Super Lawyers Recognition in Employment Law
Representing Employees in Maryland and Washington, DC
Stephen's practice focuses on representing employees, from providing guidance on workplace rights to handling employment litigation when disputes cannot be resolved outside of court.
At Lebau & Neuworth LLC, we work with employees facing a wide range of issues, including workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and other employment law matters. We also represent employees in disputes involving employment agreements and severance agreements.
For employees dealing with a problem at work, having an experienced employment attorney can provide a clearer picture of their legal options and the steps available to protect their rights.
Super Lawyers Recognition in Employment Law
Super Lawyers recognizes attorneys across a range of practice areas using a selection process that includes independent research and peer evaluation. Stephen's recognition for Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment reflects the areas that have been at the center of his legal practice.
We congratulate Stephen on this recognition and his continued work advocating for employees throughout Maryland and Washington, DC.
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About Lebau & Neuworth LLC
Lebau & Neuworth LLC represents employees in employment law and workplace disputes throughout Maryland and Washington, DC. The firm works with individuals facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage disputes, and other employment-related legal matters.
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Original text here: https://lebauneuworth.com/blog/stephen-b-lebau-recognized-by-super-lawyers-for-employment-law/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Residence Halls at Merrimack College Now Open for Students
WATERTOWN, Massachusetts, Sept. 9 [Category: BizEngineering] -- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a provider of transportation planning, engineering, design, land development and environmental services, posted the following news:
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New Residence Halls at Merrimack College Now Open for Students
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This week, a ceremony marked the opening of Shawsheen and Essex Halls at Merrimack College, two new residential buildings that reflect a significant investment in Merrimack's future. Creating an open hub for collaboration, learning, and wellness, this addition will enhance the overall campus experience
... Show Full Article
WATERTOWN, Massachusetts, Sept. 9 [Category: BizEngineering] -- Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a provider of transportation planning, engineering, design, land development and environmental services, posted the following news:
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New Residence Halls at Merrimack College Now Open for Students
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This week, a ceremony marked the opening of Shawsheen and Essex Halls at Merrimack College, two new residential buildings that reflect a significant investment in Merrimack's future. Creating an open hub for collaboration, learning, and wellness, this addition will enhance the overall campus experiencefor current and upcoming students.
Along with the recently completed Lecture Hall, this new development represents a major milestone in Merrimack's ambitious Agenda for the Future. Building upon the preceding Agenda for Distinction, the Agenda for the Future represents a community effort to advance the college's mission, expand upon the school's recent growth, and further enhance the student experience.
In alignment with this vision, Merrimack is advancing a comprehensive campus plan that prioritizes new academic, residential, and student life facilities, as well as infrastructure upgrades, to create a more cohesive, modern, and future-ready campus environment. VHB has been a key contributor in fulfilling Merrimack's strategic vision for the campus, supporting more than 30 projects with our integrated services approach.
Seamless coordination between multiple public and private organizations was crucial to the development of Shawsheen and Essex Halls. VHB worked closely with Greystar Development East, LLC and Merrimack College to advance the P3 development. Working across disciplines, the VHB team leveraged our integrated services approach to deliver site/civil, landscape architecture, traffic engineering, transportation planning, survey, stormwater design, environmental, and permitting services.
The Project approvals required close review and coordination with various departments from the Town of North Andover including the Planning Department, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission and the Department of Public Works. Additionally, the team worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to coordinate overlap between the Merrimack project's frontage along Route 114/125 and Andover Street with MassDOT's concurrent corridor improvement project.
With approximately 12,600 square feet of ground-floor academic and classroom space and 540 beds of residential space on its upper floors, this project represents the most significant upgrade to the College's on-campus housing stock in nearly a decade. The new buildings are designed to frame the Collegiate Church of Christ, the Teacher and Student Union building and incorporate inviting outdoor open spaces and plazas.
"This opening is a critical achievement in our long history of collaboration with Merrimack College," said Senior Project Manager Jeff Koetteritz. "The strong relationships and teamwork between all organizations involved is what pushed this development over the finish line. We're proud to be part of Merrimack's investment in their students' learning, connection, and well-being, as well as supporting the Greystar and Cube 3 Architecture team in successfully delivering a high-quality project to support the College's mission."
Learn how VHB works with a full array of private and public institutions to address their growth and development challenges.
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Original text here: https://www.vhb.com/news/merrimack-college-residential-buildings-opening/
McGuireWoods Bolsters Insurance Recovery Practice With Chicago Partner Andrew Barrios
RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 9 -- McGuireWoods, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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McGuireWoods Bolsters Insurance Recovery Practice with Chicago Partner Andrew Barrios
McGuireWoods continues the expansion of its nationally ranked Insurance Recovery Practice Group with the arrival of partner Andrew M. Barrios, who brings more than a decade of complex litigation experience and represents corporate policyholders in high-stakes coverage disputes. Barrios joins the firm's Chicago office to help lead the growth of the insurance recovery practice in that market.
Barrios' practice spans
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept. 9 -- McGuireWoods, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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McGuireWoods Bolsters Insurance Recovery Practice with Chicago Partner Andrew Barrios
McGuireWoods continues the expansion of its nationally ranked Insurance Recovery Practice Group with the arrival of partner Andrew M. Barrios, who brings more than a decade of complex litigation experience and represents corporate policyholders in high-stakes coverage disputes. Barrios joins the firm's Chicago office to help lead the growth of the insurance recovery practice in that market.
Barrios' practice spansa broad range of coverage areas, including general and excess liability, first-party property and business interruption, directors and officers (D&O) liability, errors and omissions (E&O) and professional liability, cyber and data breach liability, and representations and warranties insurance. He also handles disputes involving contractual indemnity and risk transfer, often in parallel with insurance recovery efforts.
Barrios has helped clients recover more than $200 million from their insurers. A member of the Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, he has tried cases to verdict in both Illinois and Texas. He serves clients across industries including manufacturing, logistics, energy, agriculture, commercial real estate, healthcare, and media, with significant experience in product liability and environmental coverage disputes. He comes to McGuireWoods from Reed Smith.
"Drew's reputation for tenacious advocacy on behalf of corporate policyholders and his ability to navigate complex, multi-layered coverage disputes will be a tremendous asset to our clients," said Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods' deputy managing partner and head of litigation.
"Drew is a standout addition to our practice," added Shelby Guilbert, chair of McGuireWoods' Commercial Litigation Department and a member of the Insurance Recovery Practice Group. "His track record of securing substantial recoveries for corporate policyholders enhances our ability to serve clients nationwide. Our team recovers nearly $1 billion each year for clients, and Drew's strategic insight and industry knowledge will help us build on that success."
McGuireWoods' Insurance Recovery Practice Group represents clients across industries, including healthcare, energy and utility, private equity, financial services, manufacturing, food and beverage, sports and entertainment, retail, aerospace, and real estate. The group is ranked nationwide for insurance policyholder work by Chambers USA and is recognized nationally by The Legal 500 United States. In addition, Business Insurance magazine named McGuireWoods the Legal Team of the Year in its 2026 U.S. Insurance Awards.
"McGuireWoods' Insurance Recovery Practice Group has an outstanding reputation for delivering results for corporate policyholders, and I am thrilled to join such a talented team," Barrios said. "The firm's coast-to-coast bench of attorneys and commitment to resolving disputes strategically, whether in the courtroom or through negotiation, align perfectly with how I approach client service."
Yuan-Ying Hsu, managing partner of McGuireWoods' Chicago office, said, "Drew has built lasting relationships with clients who trust him to protect their interests when coverage is on the line, and his hands-on, collaborative approach will resonate with the business leaders we serve in the Midwest and beyond."
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Original text here: https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/press-releases/2026/9/mcguirewoods-bolsters-insurance-recovery-practice-with-chicago-partner-andrew-barrios/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Littler's Workplace Policy Institute Releases 2026 Labor Day Report
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 9 (TNSrep) -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Littler's Workplace Policy Institute Releases 2026 Labor Day Report
WASHINGTON - Littler's Workplace Policy Institute(R) (WPI(R)) - the government relations and public policy arm of Littler, the world's largest employment and labor law practice representing management - has released its 2026 Labor Day Report. Now in its ninth edition, the report provides an update on the top workplace trends impacting employers in 2026.
"Employers have adjusted to a new normal in the second year of the second
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 9 (TNSrep) -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Littler's Workplace Policy Institute Releases 2026 Labor Day Report
WASHINGTON - Littler's Workplace Policy Institute(R) (WPI(R)) - the government relations and public policy arm of Littler, the world's largest employment and labor law practice representing management - has released its 2026 Labor Day Report. Now in its ninth edition, the report provides an update on the top workplace trends impacting employers in 2026.
"Employers have adjusted to a new normal in the second year of the secondTrump administration, and there is more change on the horizon," said Shannon Meade, WPI's executive director, and WPI co-chairs Alex MacDonald and Jim Paretti in a joint statement. "With quorums reinstated at the NLRB and EEOC, and midterm elections poised to further shift the labor and employment law landscape, employers may have even more to contend with heading into 2027."
This year's report examines key issues facing employers as federal agencies gain momentum and workplace policies evolve, including immigration policies impacting the workplace and work travel, legislation like the Faster Labor Contracts Act and American Franchise Act, the rise of state level paid leave laws, and state regulation of AI. The report is divided into the following sections:
* U.S. Department of Labor Proceeds with Active Rulemaking Itinerary
* OSHA's Proposed Rule for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention - Yes, it's Still On
* More than a Quorum at the NLRB
* Bipartisan, Bicameral Labor Reform Efforts Happening on Capitol Hill
* With a Restored Quorum, a Re-Empowered EEOC Moves Aggressively to Advance Administration's Agenda
* Employers Continue to Face Heightened Enforcement of Evolving Worksite Immigration Rules
* Legislation Advances to Protect Franchise Business Model
* States Continue to Regulate AI in the Absence of Federal Action
* Absent Federal Action, States Continue the Expansion of Paid Family and Medical Leave Laws
* Events at the ILO Complicate the Compliance Picture for Multinational Firms
In addition to Meade, Paretti and MacDonald, the report was authored by shareholders Jorge Lopez and Joy Rosenquist; and senior counsels Peter Vassalo and Felicia Watson.
View the full report (https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/littler-report/wpi-labor-day-report-ten-issues-shaping-workplace-2026)
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About Littler
With more than 1,800 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what's happening today, and what's likely to happen tomorrow.
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About Littler WPI
WPI advocates for employers on a global scale. Working closely with businesses and trade associations, WPI serves as a strong voice for employers and their workplaces to navigate real-time changes in employment and labor law, while influencing the legislation of tomorrow. By harnessing Littler's global depth of knowledge and expansive resources for tracking emerging issues that affect the workplace, WPI brings employers' interests to the forefront of today's rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/press/press-release/littlers-workplace-policy-institute-releases-2026-labor-day-report
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
India's Smart Wearable Shipments Fall 7.4% in Q2 2026 As Premiumisation Drives Record 8.8% YoY ASP Growth to US$21.0
NEEDHAM, Massachusetts, Sept. 9 -- International Data Corp., a provider of market intelligence and advisory services, issued the following news release:
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India's Smart Wearable Shipments Fall 7.4% in Q2 2026 As Premiumisation Drives Record 8.8% YoY ASP Growth to US$21.0
Smartwatch and Earwear Volumes Shrink as Brands Chase Premiumisation, While Wristbands and Smart Glasses Emerge as the Market's Fastest-Growing Categories
INDIA - According to International Data Corporation's (IDC) India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, India's wearable device market declined 7.4% year over year in Q2 2026,
... Show Full Article
NEEDHAM, Massachusetts, Sept. 9 -- International Data Corp., a provider of market intelligence and advisory services, issued the following news release:
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India's Smart Wearable Shipments Fall 7.4% in Q2 2026 As Premiumisation Drives Record 8.8% YoY ASP Growth to US$21.0
Smartwatch and Earwear Volumes Shrink as Brands Chase Premiumisation, While Wristbands and Smart Glasses Emerge as the Market's Fastest-Growing Categories
INDIA - According to International Data Corporation's (IDC) India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, India's wearable device market declined 7.4% year over year in Q2 2026,to 24.7 million units, a sharper fall than the 1.1% dip seen in Q1'26, as fewer model launches skewed toward higher price points weighed on volumes. Even so, the average selling price (ASP) surged a record 8.8% YoY to US$21.0 in Q2'26, a sharp turnaround from the 1.1% decline seen in Q1'26, signaling a clear pivot toward higher-value devices. Across H1 2026, the market contracted 4.4% YoY to 49.4 million units, while ASP rose 3.9% YoY to US$19.5, as the premiumization that took hold in Q2 began lifting value trends even as shipments stayed under pressure.
India Smart Wearable Device Shipments (000) by Product and Year-over-Year Growth (2Q26)
Product ... 2Q25 Shipments ... 2Q26 Shipments ... 2Q25 vs 2Q26 Growth
1. Wrist Band ... 88.2 ... 184.4 ... 109.2%
2. Smartwatch ... 6645.5 ... 6376.8 ... -4.0%
3. Earwear ... 19860.2 ... 18048.1 ... -9.1%
4.Smart Rings ... 74.7 ... 57.1 ... -23.5%
5.Smart Glasses ... 50.2 ... 69.4 ... 38.3%
6. Other ... 0.0 ... 1.2 ... 4632.0%
Total ... 26718.8 ... 24737.1 ... -7.4%
Source: IDC India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, September 2026
Why It Matters
Q2 2026 makes clear that India's wearables story is no longer just about volume. Shipments in smartwatch and earwear kept shrinking, yet rising ASPs and a shift toward premium devices kept value trends firmly positive, while emerging categories posted sharp gains.
* Smartwatch: Shipments fell for a tenth straight quarters, down 4.0% YoY to 6.4 million units in Q2'26, yet the category's share of the overall wearables market climbed to 25.8%, up from 24.9% a year ago. Even as volumes slipped, ASPs surged 23.9% YoY, from US$22.0 to US$27.3, as consumers traded up to higher-quality, feature-rich devices. Advanced smartwatches stood out further, shipments nearly doubled, up 94.8% YoY, lifting their share from 2.2% to 4.5%.
* Earwear: The category declined faster than smartwatch, down 9.1% YoY to 18.0 million units in Q2'26. Even so, value held firm, ASP rose 2.2% YoY to US$17.8, as brands leaned on more premium offerings and newer innovations to support the category's long-term sustainability. TWS held on to its dominant 71.1% share despite a 9.3% YoY dip in volumes, a sign of market maturity and longer replacement cycles, while neckband shipments fell sharply, down 22.9% YoY. Over-the-ear bucked the trend, surging 31.5% YoY to 2.0 million units on the back of hybrid work trends and rising premium audio demand.
* Emerging categories: These are carving out real momentum of their own. Wristband shipments more than doubled YoY to 184.4K units, led by Pebble(IN) and Samsung, while smart glasses shipments were 69.4K units in Q2'26, led by Meta and Fire-Boltt, both categories are still building off a modest base but pointing to genuine early traction.
Top 5 Wearable Companies, Market Share, Year-over-Year Growth (2Q26)
Company ... 2Q25 Market Share ... 2Q26 Market Share ... 2Q25 vs 2Q26 Growth
1. boAt (Imagine Marketing) ... 28.0% ... 29.2% ... -3.4%
2. OPPO (OPPO + OnePlus + Realme) ... 14.5% ... 12.5% ... -20.4%
3. Noise (Nexxbase) ... 13.1% ... 10.0% ... -29.1%
4. GoBoult ... 10.8% ... 5.1% ... -56.7%
5. Fire - Boltt ... 1.7% ... 4.5% ... 149.4%
Others ... 31.9% ... 38.7% ... 12.5%
Total ... 100.0% ... 100.0% ... -7.4%
Source: IDC India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, September 2026
Market Dynamics: What Drove the Outcome?
Five distinct shifts shaped India's wearables market in Q2 2026, each pulling the story in a different direction:
* boAt (Imagine Marketing) strengthens category leadership: boAt's overall wearables share climbed from 28.0% to 29.2% in Q2'26, even as shipments fell 3.4% YoY, underscoring its grip across TWS, tethered, and over-the-ear categories with a 34.7% share of the earwear segment alone. In smartwatches, its share climbed from 13.7% in Q2'25 to 15.2% in Q2'26 with a 6.0% YoY growth at the second spot.
* Advanced smartwatches gain ground: The category was led by Apple, Samsung, and Garmin, with all three posting strong shipment growth on the strength of previous-generation devices, Garmin's momentum with 234.2% YoY growth was boosted by the rising popularity of fitness and sporting events.
* Over-the-ear and lifestyle audio see strong momentum: The segment was led by boAt (Imagine Marketing), Zebronics, JBL (Samsung) and Noise (Nexxbase), while Apple stood out with exceptional growth of 448.6% YoY, reflecting rising demand for premium, lifestyle-oriented audio.
* Price bands diverge sharply: Within smartwatches, the sub-US$50 mass segment declined 8.3% YoY, with its share slipping from 95.9% to 91.6% in Q2'26, while every other price band posted strong growth, the US$50-100 band alone saw its share rise from 1.9% to 4.3%. In earwear, the sub-US$50 segment declined 9.6% YoY though its share held flat at 96%, while the US$50-100 mid segment fell sharply, down 34.2% YoY, even as every band above the mass-market tier posted strong growth.
* Offline channel strengthens as online contracts: Offline shipments grew 2.1% YoY in Q2'26, lifting its share from 39.8% to 43.8%, while online shipments fell 13.7% YoY. The online pullback was driven largely by a steep 16.2% YoY drop in online earwear shipments, even as offline earwear grew 2.7% YoY on stronger retail traction; offline smartwatch shipments stayed largely flat while online smartwatch shipments fell 7.3%.
Top 5 Smartwatch Companies, Market Share, Year-over-Year Growth (2Q26)
Company ... 2Q25 Market Share ... 2Q26 Market Share ... 2Q25 vs 2Q26 Growth
1. Noise (Nexxbase) ... 30.9% ... 19.4% ... -39.5%
2. boAt (Imagine Marketing) ... 13.7% ... 15.2% ... 6.0%
3. Fire - Boltt ... 6.7% ... 13.4% ... 92.6%
4. Titan ... 8.1% ... 7.3% ... -13.2%
5. GoBoult ... 8.2% ... 4.2% ... -51.2%
Others ... 32.4% ... 40.5% ... 19.8%
Total ... 100.0% ... 100.0% ... -4.0%
Source: IDC India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, September 2026
Top 5 Truly Wireless Companies, Market Share, Year-over-Year Growth (2Q26)
Company ... 2Q25 Market Share ... 2Q26 Market Share ... 2Q25 vs 2Q26 Growth
1. boAt (Imagine Marketing) ... 31.9% ... 32.3% ... -8.3%
2. OPPO (OPPO + OnePlus + Realme) ... 15.3% ... 16.5% ... -2.4%
3. Noise (Nexxbase) ... 8.9% ... 7.6% ... -22.3%
4. GoBoult ... 14.9% ... 7.0% ... -57.2%
5. Samsung (Harman+Infinity+JBL+ Samsung) ... 3.0% ... 3.1% ... -5.5%
Others ... 26.0% ... 33.5% ... 16.7%
Total ... 100.0% ... 100.0% ... -9.3%
Source: IDC India Monthly Wearable Device Tracker, September 2026
India Smart wearable Market at a Glance - Q2 2026
* Total shipments: 24.7 million units (-7.4% YoY)
* Earwear: 18.0 million units (-9.1% YoY)
* Smartwatch: 6.4 million units (-4.0% YoY)
* Smart glasses: 69.4 thousand units (+38.3% YoY)
* Smart Rings: 57.1 thousand units (-23.5% YoY)
* Wristband: 184.4 thousand units (+109.2% YoY)
* Average selling price (ASP): US$21.0 (+8.8% YoY) -- a record growth
* Market value growth: +0.7% YoY despite volume decline
* Offline channel: 43.8% share (up from 39.7%); +2.1% YoY
* Online channel: 56.2% share (down from 60.3%); -13.7% YoY
* Top five companies: boat (Imagine Marketing) (#1), OPPO (OPPO + OnePlus + Realme) (#2), Noise (Nexxbase) (#3), GoBoult (#4), Fire-Boltt (#5)
Vikas Sharma, senior market analyst, Smart Wearable Devices, IDC India, said, "Earwear is rapidly evolving from an audio-centric category into a more intelligent, multifunctional wearable, with premium sound, ANC, low latency, comfort, and design increasingly complemented by AI, health sensing, and biometric capabilities. Brands are backing this shift with an aggressive wave of festive launches centered on longer playback time, stronger ANC, and AI-enabled sound partnerships. The bigger story, though, is the pull toward OWS (Open Wireless Solution) and OES (Open Ear Solution) form factors, as consumers increasingly prioritize comfort and ear health over sheer portability. Emerging innovations such as camera-enabled earbuds, real-time health monitoring, and context-aware AI could push TWS further into becoming a true everyday companion, and alongside this growing preference for over-the-ear designs, the category looks well placed for long-term resilience -- pricing is moving higher, and demand isn't backing off."
IDC Outlook: What's Next?
Two quarters into 2026, India's wearables market is confirming a decisive pivot from volume to value. Smartwatch shipments are set to stay under pressure through the rest of the year, while earwear is likely to decline in the low single digits or hold roughly flat. Even so, premiumization, richer health features, and a growing base of AI-enabled devices should keep ASPs climbing across both categories even as unit growth stays muted. Emerging categories such as wristbands and smart glasses, still building off a modest base, are shaping up to be the market's fastest-growing pockets through H2 2026.
* What could accelerate growth? AI-powered health and fitness insights, deeper ecosystem integration, and rising demand tied to fitness and endurance events such as HYROX and marathons that pull more consumers toward advanced smartwatches, alongside continued innovation in OWS/OES designs, spatial audio, and camera-enabled earbuds that broaden earwear's use cases well beyond music.
* What could slow it down? Persistent price hikes squeezing the mass-market base, longer replacement cycles as devices mature, and increasingly sophisticated counterfeits in physical retail chipping away at brand credibility just as offline becomes more central to the category.
* What should readers watch next quarter? Whether the momentum in advanced smartwatches, led by Apple, Samsung, and Garmin, carries through the festive season, whether over-the-ear and OWS/OES designs keep gaining ground within earwear, and whether wristbands and smart glasses can turn their early momentum into durable, lasting demand.
"Smartwatches and wristbands are moving from simple activity counters to genuine health companions," said Anand Priya Singh, market analyst, Smart Wearable Devices, IDC India. "Years of accumulated user data, paired with AI, are helping brands turn raw numbers into insights that feel personal, and consumers are increasingly willing to pay up for that depth rather than settle for the basics. Advanced smartwatches are leading this shift with richer sensing and stronger ecosystem integration, while wristbands are building a following of their own through minimal, screenless designs that trade some of that richness for longer battery life and lighter comfort, in service of a simpler way to track wellness."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the wearable market decline in Q2'26 despite ASP growth?
Earwear, the market's largest category by volume, declined 9.1% YoY to 18.0 million units in Q2 2026, and that drop alone outweighed the gains seen in emerging categories such as wristbands and smart glasses. Combined with a 4.0% YoY decline in smartwatch shipments, this pulled the overall market down 7.4% YoY, even as ASPs climbed 8.8% YoY to a record US$21.0.
Which vendors and categories benefited most in Q2'26?
boAt (Imagine Marketing) strengthened its overall leadership, holding a 35% share of earwear and lifting its overall wearables share from 28.0% to 29.2%, while also climbing back to the second spot in smartwatches. Advanced smartwatches saw the sharpest gains, led by Apple, Samsung, and Garmin, with shipments up 94.8% YoY, and over-the-ear audio grew strongly too, led by boAt, Zebronics, and Noise (Nexxbase), with Apple posting standout growth of 448.6% YoY.
What emerging categories are gaining traction?
Among emerging categories, wristbands more than doubled YoY led by Pebble and Samsung, while smart glasses shipments grew 38.3% YoY led by Meta and Fire-Boltt.
What should we expect from the wearables market in 2026?
Smartwatch shipments are likely to stay under pressure through the rest of the year, while earwear should decline in the low single digits or hold roughly flat. Even so, premiumization and a growing base of AI-enabled devices should keep ASPs climbing across both categories, while wristbands and smart glasses, still building off a modest base, are shaping up to be the market's fastest-growing pockets through H2 2026.
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About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the technology intelligence layer of the AI economy. A global leader in research and data for more than 60 years, IDC's expert analysts, proprietary datasets, and rigorous methodologies are trusted by business and IT leaders to guide critical business strategies and IT investments. Today, that intelligence is built into the tools and workflows where work gets done with IDC Quanta, making work sharper, teams faster, and businesses harder to beat.
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Original text here: https://www.idc.com/resource-center/press-releases/india-wearable-shipments-decline-q2-2026/
[Category: BizConsulting]
Dentons Appointed to Government's Legal Panel for Public Sector
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons appointed to Government's legal panel for public sector
London--Dentons has been named as a supplier on Government Commercial Agency's (GCA) RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework. This follows the firm's reappointment in 2025 to six lots of GCA's RM6360 Legal Panel for Government framework, and appointment to National Energy System Operator Limited's (NESO) panel. Dentons advised the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on establishing NESO in 2024.
Dentons was successful in being appointed
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons appointed to Government's legal panel for public sector
London--Dentons has been named as a supplier on Government Commercial Agency's (GCA) RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework. This follows the firm's reappointment in 2025 to six lots of GCA's RM6360 Legal Panel for Government framework, and appointment to National Energy System Operator Limited's (NESO) panel. Dentons advised the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on establishing NESO in 2024.
Dentons was successful in being appointedto all of the lots the firm bid for:
* Lot 1a - Full Legal Service Provision for all Public Sector
* Lot 2 - Focused Legal Support
* Lot 3 - Litigation and Disputes
* Lot 4 - Projects and Complex Advice including PPP
* Lot 5 - Transport and Rail
Partners Gareth Tenner and Sarah Lima said, "We are delighted to be appointed to GCA's legal panel for public sector in addition to our long standing work with central government. We look forward to working with the wider public sector across our full range of specialisms, including major projects, technology, transport and rail."
GCA is the UK's central commercial and procurement organisation, connecting public and private sectors to achieve the best outcomes for the UK and its citizens. GCA uses its commercial expertise to create a simpler procurement experience that redirects valuable resources into essential public services - creating value for the nation. The new RM6374 panel supports organisations across government, education, health and care, housing, local government and the wider public sector.
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About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
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Original text here: https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2026/september/dentons-appointed-to-governments-legal-panel-for-public-sector
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
