Senco Gold and Diamonds proudly announces its achievement as the first Qualified Jeweller from East India to import gold on the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) following the integration with ICEGATE.
Recognized as a Qualified Jeweller by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in March 2023, Senco Gold and Diamonds gained authorization to purchase Bullion Depository Receipts (BDRs) on IIBX for gold imports. The company successfully completed its first trade, settling the BDR within a remarkable 30 minutes. Additionally, Senco also holds the distinction of being the first East Indian company to trade the Gold Mini 999 100 grams contract after the implementation of ICEGATE.
The India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX), inaugurated in the GIFT city (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) in July 2022, serves as the gateway for bullion imports into India, facilitating the streamlined import of bullion for domestic consumption through the exchange.
The integration of ICEGATE, the national portal of Indian Customs, with IIBX on May 10, 2023, has further enhanced the processes, enabling exporters of jewelry to leverage competitive rates when importing gold through IIBX. This development opens up new opportunities for the jewelry industry to benefit from the exchange’s efficient and transparent trading ecosystem.
Suvankar Sen, MD and CEO, Senco Gold and Diamonds, said, “The launch of IIBX was indeed an important reform which allowed qualified jewellers to import gold. Being one of the first companies to trade on the platform post ICEGATE implementation is an important milestone for us at Senco as we believe in staying ahead of the curve and importing gold through the platform gives us the advantage of price discovery and assurance of quality. We are happy that we could utilise the benefits provided by IIBX and are thankful to IFSCA, Customs authorities, Ashok Gautam and team IIBX.”
Blaupunkt, the renowned German brand celebrated for its exceptional audio products, is delighted to announce the launch of its latest offerings in the Atomik series: the BB25 and BB50 boomboxes. These cutting-edge devices are designed to unite people through the power of music, providing an unmatched audio experience that will captivate even the most discerning music enthusiasts.
The BB25 and BB50 boomboxes produce extraordinary sound that elevates the senses to new heights. With an impressive 35 Watts, the BB25 delivers impressive audio power, while the BB50 takes it a step further with an astounding 50 Watts. The clarity, deep bass, and impressive volume produced by these devices create an unforgettable auditory journey.
Both boomboxes are equipped with high-capacity batteries that offer extended playtimes without compromising performance. The BB25 is equipped with a robust 3000mAh battery, while the BB50 boasts an impressive 4500mAh battery. Drawing on Blaupunkt’s nearly 100 years of expertise, these larger batteries support TurboVolt technology, ensuring rapid charging capabilities.
Meticulous design and the use of high-quality materials in these boomboxes eliminate vibrations and distortions, guaranteeing uninterrupted sound excellence. Elevate your gatherings and add a touch of elegance with the built-in RGB lights of the BB25 and BB50. These vibrant lights come to life and synchronize with the music, creating an immersive visual experience.
These boomboxes are poised to amplify your talent, featuring specially tuned microphones that deliver outstanding results. The balanced audio mix, rivaling professional studio levels, ensures an exceptional performance that will impress both you and your audience. Let the BB25 and BB50 transform any gathering into an unforgettable karaoke extravaganza.
Conglomerate Aditya Birla Group revealed in a media release that it will invest Rs 5,000 crore to establish a new branded jewellery brand called ‘Novel Jewels’. The company’s plan involves the creation of large-format jewellery retail stores throughout the country, featuring in-house jewellery brands.
“Aditya Birla Group’s entry into the branded jewellery retail sector represents a significant milestone in our long-standing tradition of building businesses based on trust. This venture is a strategic decision that enables us to explore new avenues of growth and expand our footprint in the dynamic Indian consumer market,” stated Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group.
Birla added, “This initiative will leverage Aditya Birla Group’s extensive expertise in lifestyle retail and deep understanding of consumer preferences.” The company intends to assemble a new leadership team with expertise in retail and product categories to develop the jewellery brand.
With the gems and jewellery market contributing approximately 7 percent to India’s GDP, the jewellery sector is projected to reach $90 billion by 2025, as it undergoes a gradual shift from an unorganized to an organized industry. Aditya Birla Group has recently ventured into the paints and B2B e-commerce segments for building materials, preceding their entry into the jewellery market in the past two years.
Zighrana, an emerging luxury perfume brand, has joined hands with Khazana, the prestigious lifestyle brand of the Taj Group of Hotels, to create an enchanting collaboration. This unique partnership aims to present an exquisite range of traditional Indian attar and eau de parfum, inspired by the rich cultural heritage of India.
Through this harmonious alliance, customers can embark on a sensory journey that unveils the beauty and splendor of Indian culture through the opulent fragrances crafted by Zighrana Perfumes. It is more than just a scent; it is a tribute to the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative in Uttar Pradesh and the esteemed Geographical Indication (GI) tag of Kannauj, a city renowned for its expertise in attar-making.
Zighrana, with a century of experience in perfume-making, made its captivating debut earlier this year from the historic city of Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. In a momentous collaboration, the brand has partnered with the renowned celebrity chef and recipient of the Michelin star, Vikas Khanna.
Swapnil Pathak Sharma, the CEO of Zighrana expressed, ‘Our perfumes are more than a mere scent. Through Zighrana, we strive to capture the essence of incredible India, personifying the essence of Kannauj and sharing it with the world. We aim to showcase the traditions and legacy of Kannauj’s perfume-making families, infusing a touch of luxury into the lives of our customers. This collaboration with Khazana holds a special place in our hearts, as it enables us to reach a broader audience and adds an extra layer of charm to our cherished journey.”
Portronics, a leading provider of innovative and portable gadgets, is delighted to announce the completion of 13 successful and prosperous years in India. With a vision to make technology accessible, affordable, and inclusive for everyone, Portronics has become synonymous with innovation and portability. The brand attributes its nationwide reach to the immense love, support, and trust of its fans and patrons, with a strong foundation built on innovation, aesthetics, quality, and outstanding customer satisfaction.
Portronics has launched a massive discount period to commemorate this milestone, offering up to 75 percent off on nearly its entire range of products for fans and customers. But that’s not all! Customers can also enjoy an additional 13 percent off on Portronics’ range of audio, mobile, PC, and car accessories. Moreover, everyone has a chance to win amazing Portronics gadgets every day by participating through the brand’s official website Portronics.com and social media handles.
Portronics offers a wide variety of portable, innovative, and valuable goods across its portfolio, consistently enhancing productivity, entertainment, and well-being for people. The brand’s mission is to make everyday devices portable and easily accessible to a broader audience. In the past 13 years, Portronics has launched over 2000+ products in 30+ categories, selling more than 50 million units. Last year alone, the brand achieved unprecedented sales of over 1.3 million products, with speakers, power banks, and chargers being the top segments. With an impressive product lineup and continued customer support, Portronics has sustained remarkable growth and aims to raise the bar even higher.
Portronics has established a strong presence in India, selling through a vast network of offline and online avenues, including partnerships with major brands such as Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Tata Croma, Vijay Sales, D-Mart, and Reliance Digital. The brand offers smart wearables, laptop and mobile accessories, projectors, digital writing pads, smart plugs, car accessories, power products, gaming accessories, and AV conferencing solutions.
Baby Forest, renowned for its holistic and Ayurvedic-inspired baby care products, has witnessed extraordinary growth since its establishment in October 2022, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the market. This exceptional success can be attributed to the brand’s unwavering commitment to innovation and the production of high-quality products.
Distinguishing itself as the sole luxurious Ayurvedic baby care brand, Baby Forest offers natural and Ayurvedic care solutions for newborns, toddlers, and children. Drawing inspiration from ancient wisdom and Ayurvedic formulations that have been passed down for over 5,000 years, Baby Forest meticulously crafts its products using organically grown herbs, flowers, medicinal roots, and nuts. By prioritizing natural and organic ingredients and conducting extensive research and development, the brand has positioned itself as an industry leader. Baby Forest takes pride in its range of Natural, Organic, Cruelty-Free, and FDA-certified products, catering to customers who prioritize sustainability and innovation and ensuring a unique and gratifying shopping experience.
In its inaugural financial year, Baby Forest achieved a record-breaking total sales revenue of over Rs 2 crore, with approximately 33,000 products sold. This outstanding performance underscores the brand’s ability to meet the evolving needs of modern parents who seek the best for their babies. By maintaining the highest standards of quality and consistency, the brand has successfully differentiated itself in the market.
The recent surge in the Baby Care Industry reflects a significant shift in parental awareness and purchasing behavior. Today’s parents possess extensive knowledge about the right products and ingredients for their babies, actively seeking safe and gentle solutions. This evolving landscape has prompted brands to create products that not only meet safety standards but also cater to the diverse needs of babies. To further expand its reach, Baby Forest plans to establish flagship stores in metro cities, with two stores scheduled to open in Delhi in the upcoming financial year. Additionally, the brand aims to strengthen its online market presence through strategic partnerships with luxury e-commerce platforms.
With its remarkable sales achievements, dedication to Ayurvedic-inspired care, and ambitious growth plans, Baby Forest is poised to shape the future of the baby care industry.
Bagrry’s, a leading brand in breakfast cereals and health foods in the Indian subcontinent, celebrates its growth with the introduction of its long-awaited plant-based drinks. These beverages cater to the preferences of health-conscious individuals seeking ethical, vegan, and sustainable options, marking a significant expansion in the ever-growing market of vegan-friendly beverages.
Bagrry’s plant-based drinks are meticulously crafted with the finest plant-based ingredients, ensuring a healthy and nourishing experience. Baristas oversees the perfection of these vegan-friendly drinks with utmost care and precision. Each sip offers a delightfully creamy, smooth, and guilt-free experience that pleases the palate while promoting sustainable living.
Bagrry’s plant-based drinks are 100 percent dairy-free, lactose-free, hormone-free, and vegan-friendly. They are available in oat, almond, and oat + nut delicious variants, conveniently packaged in Tetra packs that are easy to carry, consume, and store. Each variant is thoughtfully developed through extensive research and development to deliver a nutritional and creamy flavor experience. These unsweetened plant-based drinks are rich in calcium and protein, free from added preservatives, and guilt-free. They serve as a perfect dairy swap for coffee, smoothies, muesli, or cake preparations.
These plant-based drinks serve as dairy alternatives, offering a healthy and delicious option for consumers seeking vegan alternatives and a dairy-free lifestyle. They are incredibly creamy, delightfully smooth, healthy, and guilt-free. Bagrry’s aims to reshape perceptions about dairy-free beverages by providing products that not only taste better but also offer more to consumers.
Bagrry’s, with its motto of ‘LET’S PUT HEALTH FIRST,’ has established itself as a trusted brand for over 50 years. They prioritize health, honesty, innovation, and exceptional quality in their product offerings. Bagrry’s has set new standards in innovation, responsible nutrition, and quality manufacturing. They have been pioneers in introducing products such as muesli, oats, bran, and corn flakes enriched with fiber, and their product range now includes a wide variety of healthy snacks, cereals, nutrition foods, and daily superfoods. Their mission is to become India’s most trusted health brand.
Aditya Bagri, Director – Bagrry’s Group expressed, “We are ecstatic to announce our latest range of vegan friendly drinks, complementing our plans to be more sustainable within the plant-based drinks industry. We are committed to our consumers demanding more inclusivity and vegan-friendly drinks. Bagrry’s dream is to empower consumers to make conscious choices without compromising their tastes, nutrition or values. We have introduced three vegan-friendly beverages in 1L Tetra Packs with an inaugural offer on top e-commerce and Q-commerce channels. Bagrry’s is based on strong family principles and prioritises offering healthy and modern products to India. Bagrry’s innovates to prioritise health while assuring great flavour, and we have stayed true to this commitment with the launch of these new plant-based vegan drinks. Join us in this exciting chapter as we redefine refreshment and motivate a healthier, more compassionate society.“
Maxima Watches, a renowned name in the world of timekeeping, is delighted to introduce its latest groundbreaking innovation, the Max Pro Turbo 2. Tailored for the tech-savvy and fashion-forward youth, this smartwatch promises to redefine their connectivity, activity, and style. Packed with a wide array of features and priced at an affordable 1999 rupees, the Max Pro Turbo 2 offers exceptional value while maintaining superior quality and functionality. Let’s explore what makes this smartwatch an essential accessory for today’s youth:
The Max Pro Turbo 2 boasts an impressive 1.96-inch Ultra HD display that delivers vibrant colors and crystal-clear visuals, immersing users in an unparalleled digital experience. Stay effortlessly connected with the one-tap Bluetooth calling function, enabling you to make and receive calls directly from your wrist, ensuring constant connectivity with friends, family, and colleagues on the move. Navigate through menus and features effortlessly using the active rotating crown function. Stand out from the crowd and streamline networking with the personalized QR code feature, effortlessly sharing contact information or social media profiles for convenient connections.
“Our commitment has always been to provide technologically advanced smartwatches, and in line with the diversity of our nation, the Max Pro Turbo 2 offers Hindi UI support, catering to the needs of Hindi-speaking users and delivering a seamless and intuitive experience. The built-in AI voice assistant takes your experience to the next level, allowing you to simply speak your commands and receive assistance with tasks such as setting reminders and checking the weather, all through natural and intuitive conversations. The growing trust of consumers in our brand inspires us to continue innovating and designing the best-in-the-market smartwatches,” said Manjot Purewal, Managing Partner of Maxima.
Equipped with advanced ambient sound detection technology, the Max Pro Turbo 2 adjusts audio settings based on your surroundings, ensuring an optimized audio experience regardless of whether you find yourself in a noisy environment or a tranquil setting.
The Max Pro Turbo 2 can be purchased at all leading retail stores and through Maxima Watches’ official website, starting from 1st June 2023. Embrace the future of timekeeping and join us in experiencing the technological marvel that is the Maxima Max Pro Turbo 2!
Livpure, a leading manufacturer of water purifiers in India, has expanded its brand presence to become one of the most trusted consumer brands in the country, serving over 1 million customers across various product categories. In order to establish a robust and automated customer support system integrated across all touchpoints, Livpure has recently adopted Kapture CX, a renowned SaaS-based Customer Experience platform.
With a decade of experience, Livpure operates in multiple consumer wellness-focused categories, including Water Purifiers, Appliances, Water Purifiers on Subscription, Mattresses and Sleep Accessories, and Smart Home Solutions. The increasing number of customer inquiries through various channels each month necessitated the development of a strong customer support system.
To enhance their digital customer experience strategy, Livpure utilizes Kapture’s omnichannel platform to manage end-to-end support for customers across all product categories. This includes handling customer queries from sources such as Email, Chat, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Play Store, Appstore, and Google reviews.
Sheshgiri Kamath, CEO of Kapture CX, expressed, “As a comprehensive CX platform, Kapture helps Livpure consolidate all customer interactions into a single platform. The deep integrations and AI capabilities enhance the customer support team’s ability to provide hyper-personalized resolutions, resulting in delightful customer experiences. Livpure is one of our focus verticals, and we are honored that the company has entrusted us to deliver an authentic customer experience that contributes to their growing customer ecosystem. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.“
Prior to integrating Kapture, Livpure faced challenges in achieving the desired level of customer support, which hindered their scalability and growth. Implementing an integrated system to automate and handle customer queries became essential for Livpure’s fast-paced business, as it brought agility and accelerated the company’s growth trajectory.
Sachin Malhotra, Customer Success Leader at Livpure, commented, “We are delighted with our engagement with Kapture, as it allows us to enhance customer support in our fast-moving business and provide better CX. By consolidating all channels in one place and introducing new channels such as Play Store, App Store, and business reviews, we can improve our customer strategy and significantly enhance first call resolution. In phase 2, we plan to integrate our in-house OMS to further strengthen our system.“
The integration of Kapture’s SaaS-based platform enables Livpure to leverage the extensive data generated by their digital customer channels, including customer concerns, queries, and purchase history. This integration helps Livpure understand critical challenges and customer preferences in their business verticals, enabling them to offer self-serve options and interact with customers in a hyper-personalized manner.
Livpure continues to shape the dynamic landscape of the Indian consumer market. With a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit dedicated to research, development, and refining of appliances, products, and services, Livpure remains committed to delivering superior wellness-driven products to its valued customers.
As a resident of Mumbai, we have all witnessed the unwavering dedication of traffic policemen who dutifully perform their duties regardless of the changing seasons and weather conditions. From relentless monsoon rainstorms to scorching summer heatwaves, their efforts often go unnoticed, and gratitude takes a backseat.
Recognizing their invaluable service, Storia launched a heartwarming campaign by distributing Storia Coconut Water bottles to the traffic police squads stationed on-ground across Mumbai, precisely in (exact location), during the sweltering afternoon heat.
In recent weeks, as temperatures continued to soar, Storia ensured that those who tirelessly stand under the scorching sun for hours on end stay hydrated with their #StayHydrated campaign. Storia 100 percent Tender Coconut Water, with no added sugar and low calories, provided a refreshing beverage option to combat the hot sunny afternoons.
Shalin Desai, CMO of Storia Foods and Beverages stated, “During the summer season, it is crucial to stay properly hydrated and replenish electrolytes. Storia aims to be the preferred choice for customers seeking a chilled beverage to beat the scorching heat. This initiative was focused on reminding our frontline warriors to #StayHydrated amidst their duties.“
As the scorching afternoon transitioned into a beautiful evening sunset, radiant smiles adorned the faces of every policeman across the streets, reflecting the impact of Storia’s gesture of appreciation.
Eli Bitton, a renowned fashion label with Israeli origins, is delighted to announce the release of its latest collection, titled ‘The Majestic Vesper Collection.‘ This exquisite collection seamlessly combines embroidered sequins, crystals, and beads, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and emanating a sense of elegance, luxury, and comfort.
The highly anticipated collection features standout pieces such as the Halter-cut top embroidered Gown with satin skirt Andrea-Fuchsia pink, the Top Embroidered Mini Dress with belt-pistachio green, and the Eli Bitton Double Slit Maxi Dress-Mustard. These eye-catching garments, part of a captivating color palette, encompass a blend of bold and daring hues. The collection, designed for the summer season, offers a range of evening gowns, mini-dresses, asymmetrical dresses, and more, each adorned with exquisite design details and undeniable charm.
Yehuda Bitton, COO and Fashion Designer at Eli Bitton, expressed, “At Eli Bitton, our utmost dedication lies in creating the finest pieces that gain global recognition for their exceptional craftsmanship and tailored quality. With our Majestic Vesper Collection, we aimed to capture the essence of elegance, luxury, and comfort in every design. Through shimmering crystals, a perfect color palette, and intricate embroidery that complements summer cocktails and weddings, our goal is to inspire and empower our customers.“
Recognized as a trailblazer in women’s luxury apparel, Eli Bitton inaugurated its flagship store in New Delhi, India in December 2022. The fashion label places great emphasis on trending styles fused with comfort, making it an ideal choice for summer cocktails and weddings.
Barista Coffee Company Limited, established in 2000 with the mission of delivering an authentic international coffee experience in a welcoming, sociable, and tranquil setting, has recently unveiled its latest range of revitalizing beverages perfect for the summer season.
These beverages are thoughtfully crafted to offer a harmonious fusion of flavors that cater to diverse taste preferences, ensuring they meet the demand for refreshing cold beverages during the hot summer months. The goal is to create an additional delightful experience for guests, encouraging them to indulge further with the brand, while also enabling Barista to stay in tune with evolving market and consumer trends. These newly launched beverages will be available for enjoyment at all Barista outlets across India.
Rajat Agrawal, CEO, Barista said, “Product Innovation has always been key to our success, we have expanded our product range over the years keeping in mind changing consumer preferences. I am sure these products would add further to our guest delight.”
GARRTEN, a renowned luxury leather fashion brand, has unveiled an exquisite collection of functionally chic leather accessories for both men and women. The newly launched range includes four styles of leather backpacks – signature, slim, rolltop, and travel – as well as two styles of leather accessories, namely dopp kits and wallets, available in full grain and saffiano leather. These products are offered in a wide array of captivating colors.
GARRTEN’s backpacks and accessories have been meticulously designed after years of research, aiming to embody a perfect blend of stylish luxury and practicality. Crafted using the finest 100 percent full-grain leather, GARRTEN’s leathers boast a soft and supple texture with a luxurious sheen. The brand’s emphasis on durability merges with a playful touch by incorporating top-grade polyester interior lining in elegant contrasting colors like red and cinnamon, beautifully complementing the exterior leather tones. All products are equipped with renowned Japanese YKK metallic zippers, known for their exceptional quality, standard, and durability.
The leather backpacks from GARRTEN come with various features, including leather top handles that add a stylish touch while supporting the demands of a modern lifestyle. They feature double zipper closures, a front zipper pocket with pen and card slots, cable loops, pockets for mobile devices, and a key strap. Additionally, there’s a back zipper pocket for convenient access to small essentials, hand-pounded rivets at stress points for enhanced durability and weight management, and a padded laptop compartment.
Harshminder Sidhu, Founder and Chief Brand Officer at GARRTEN expressed, “Our focus is to provide customers with exclusivity, high quality, and exceptional customer service. Everything in our collection can be summarized in two words – Stylish Luxury. While drawing inspiration from the classics, such as design, fashion, and architecture, we love infusing our creations with functional luxury to meet the needs of our modern lifestyle. The result is a luxury leather accessories brand that innovates to enhance the personal experiences of today’s global citizens who are always on the move.“
Notably, GARRTEN products are meticulously handcrafted by local artisans who possess generations of craftsmanship skills, thereby directly benefiting them and their families. This approach empowers them to earn a stable and sustainable income through dignified work and a supportive environment.
The Indian market demonstrates significant demand for leather products, with Statista projecting an 8.33 percent growth (2023-2028) in the Leather and Related Products market in India, leading to a market volume of $3.65 billion by 2028.
Enhance your father’s workspace with the mesmerizing beauty of the Geodesic Desk Lamp. This extraordinary and fashionable lamp seamlessly merges contemporary design with the timeless grace of geodesic structures, creating an eye-catching lighting fixture that will enrich any desk or office space.
Inspired by the intricate patterns found in geodesic domes, the Geodesic Desk Lamp boasts a geometric framework that is both visually appealing and structurally robust, ensuring a sturdy foundation for the lamp. The lampshade is ingeniously designed to emulate the faceted surface of a geode, producing a captivating interplay of light and shadow when illuminated.
Crafted using top-notch materials, the Geodesic Desk Lamp not only offers aesthetic allure but also durability and functionality. It provides ample illumination for reading, working, or simply creating a warm and inviting ambiance in the workspace. With its adjustable arm and swivel head, the lamp allows for personalized positioning, ensuring optimal lighting for various tasks and individual preferences.
Beyond its practical attributes, the Geodesic Desk Lamp stands as a statement piece, infusing a touch of sophistication and style into any desk or office decor. Regardless of whether your father has a contemporary or traditional taste, this lamp’s exceptional design will make a striking and graceful statement, elevating the overall aesthetic of the workspace.
Surprise your father on Father’s Day with the Geodesic Desk Lamp—an thoughtful and functional gift that seamlessly combines artistic design, practicality, and the joy of illuminating his workspace in a visually captivating manner.
Livpure, a prominent home appliances and solutions brand, has announced a remarkable 50 percent year-on-year growth for the fiscal year 2023, according to a press release. With a strong vision to expand and become 2.5 times its current size in the coming years, the company aims to enhance its retail presence, broaden its product portfolio, and collaborate with national and regional modern trade partners to ensure the availability of its air coolers on leading e-commerce platforms.
Rakesh Kaul, MD of Livpure said, “We now look forward to getting our distribution even deeper and ensuring our entire portfolio is available across multiple channels. We believe Livpure can double its revenue in the next couple of years, owing to tremendous growth opportunities in the overall water business and smart home segment.“
Founded in 2010 by Rakesh Malhotra and Navneet Kapoor, Livpure specializes in the sale of smart products, including water purifiers, air coolers, mattresses, and other sleep accessories. With its recent impressive growth, Livpure is poised to capitalize on the thriving retail market in India and expand its market presence across the country.
The Adani Group has unveiled its annual Adani Portfolio Result Snapshot for the fiscal year FY23. The group, which spans various sectors such as ports, airports, electricity generation and distribution, edible oil, FMCG products, logistics, cement, and roads, achieved its highest-ever EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) at the group portfolio level, reaching Rs 57,219 crore. This represents a remarkable growth of 36 percent compared to the previous financial year. The run-rate EBITDA, which annualizes the EBITDA from projects commissioned within the year, reaches an impressive Rs 66,566 crore.
The Compendium highlighted that Adani Portfolio companies predominantly operate in utility and infrastructure businesses, generating over 83 percent of EBITDA from core infrastructure operations, ensuring a steady and reliable cash flow. With a strong asset base built over three decades, the Adani Group is well-equipped to support resilient critical infrastructure and deliver top-notch performance throughout the entire life cycle of its assets.
The Adani Portfolio update also emphasized the absence of material refinancing risks and near-term liquidity requirements, as there are no significant debt maturities in the near future. The group’s credit quality received affirmations from both international and domestic rating agencies, reflecting its robust financial profile. While many businesses within the group hold an underlying rating of “BBB,” their creditworthiness remains limited by sovereign ratings.
Les Petits, the renowned luxury fashion brand for kids, has integrated a brand-new toy vertical into its comprehensive range, enhancing the children’s experience. This strategic diversification aligns perfectly with the brand’s vision of establishing a one-stop shopping destination for children.
Since its inception, Les Petits has tirelessly worked towards creating an ecosystem where a wide array of products from leading international brands are available under a single roof. Continuing this proposition, the brand has successfully ventured into the toy section, introducing an entirely new category. By breaking down the rigid market divisions, Les Petits is redefining the perception of the kids’ segment and acting as a gateway for kidswear, accessories, furniture, and now, toys.
The toy section is thoughtfully curated to provide children with a playground that unlocks their integrated development through recreational activities. This new category offers an extensive range of art, craft, and games, enabling children to unleash their creative and cognitive skills from an early age.
Les Petits sources premium products from renowned international brands such as Janod, Leblon, Kid Made Modern, Dwinguler, Doodle Hog, Play Shifu, and Jar Melo. These products contribute to the overall development of children, capturing their interest through captivating toys, art and craft supplies, and figurines. By stimulating imagination, these premium products tap into children’s untapped creativity, fostering the development of new skills. They create an immersive environment for interactive activities, enriching children’s experiences and enhancing their learning and comprehension abilities.
Additionally, the brand offers groundbreaking games based on augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR), promoting STEM skills and providing immersive learning experiences. Taking it a step further, Les Petits has recently introduced a talking pen and sound playmat, in collaboration with Dwinguler. This unique concept allows the pen to name characters when placed on specific areas of the mat.
Swati Saraf, President, Les Petits said, “The addition of the toy section is another milestone that has been added to our accomplishment. As the brand was born out of the desire to reduce the hassles of the parents where they can go for end-to-end shopping for their kids, the recently added toy section leverages the various requirements of the kids in a single place. We wanted to bring our expertise to full use for providing enticing recreational products from premium brands, driving the overall development of the children. We are progressing in the segment with leaps and bounds where we have onboarded 7 brands in a span of less than 2 years. Keeping up the expansion, we plan to keep adding new products and categories in the future as well.”
Mohan Murjani, in collaboration with Neometa, an emerging fashion brand with experienced co-founders, announces an exclusive agreement to design and retail the prestigious Gloria Vanderbilt brand in India. This alliance brings together Murjani’s unmatched expertise with Neometa’s fresh perspective and “Design-First Approach,” aiming to provide an exceptional fashion experience for modern Indian women.
With the goal of becoming the leading women’s jeans brand in India, Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans, renowned for its exceptional fit, plans to establish 12 exclusive brand outlets within the next two years and expand further in the future. Additionally, the brand will collaborate with top retailers to set up approximately 400 points of sale over the next five years through a shop-in-shop model. Gloria Vanderbilt products will also be available on major digital platforms in India, with the first store set to open in Bangalore in October 2023.
Mohan Murjani expresses his enthusiasm for this partnership said, “After a decade away from India, where I successfully built Tommy Hilfiger into the largest international designer brand, I am thrilled to return and collaborate with Neometa. Their co-founders’ capabilities and extensive experience impressed me, and their commitment, passion, and deep respect for the Gloria Vanderbilt brand captivated me. I have no doubt that this partnership, with such a highly talented team, will not only provide the best fitting women’s jeans in India but also offer a wide range of highly desirable products.“
Anupam Singh, Founder of Neometa, expresses gratitude to Mohan Murjani for entrusting them with the exclusive rights to the design and retail Gloria Vanderbilt jeans and apparel in India. He emphasizes Neometa’s intention to redefine the fashion landscape by blending contemporary trends and classic aesthetics tailored for the discerning Indian woman. Singh adds, “This partnership allows Neometa to unleash its creative and technological prowess in curating captivating collections that resonate deeply with the modern Indian woman while honoring the essence of the revered Gloria Vanderbilt.“
The Gloria Vanderbilt brand carries a legacy of over 200 years, representing timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. Gloria Vanderbilt herself introduced the first jeans designed by a woman, for women, incorporating her family’s journey into denim fabric. The brand symbolizes luxury, sophistication, and empowerment for women worldwide.
Neometa is eagerly preparing for the anticipated launch of the Gloria Vanderbilt brand collection in Fall/Winter 2023. This collection will feature three distinct lines: Heritage, Wearable Art, and Gen Meta. Each line caters to diverse consumer needs, celebrates individuality, and ensures the perfect fit. By seamlessly blending Gloria Vanderbilt’s rich heritage with Neometa’s innovative design approach, these lines aim to revolutionize the denim fashion landscape in India, providing women with an extraordinary and personalized denim experience.
The introduction of the exclusive Gloria Vanderbilt Collection marks a significant expansion of the brand’s offerings in the Indian market. Customers can anticipate a wider range of exquisite clothing options that combine impeccable tailoring, premium fabrics, and a contemporary twist. With meticulous attention to detail, Neometa strives to create garments that embody the perfect fusion of comfort, elegance, and versatility.
Neometa’s partnership with Gloria Vanderbilt represents a groundbreaking stride in its endeavor to revolutionize the Indian fashion landscape. Through this landmark venture, Neometa reaffirms its unwavering commitment to delivering extraordinary fashion experiences, empowering women across India, and making a lasting impact on the global fashion stage.
VAHDAM India, the largest home-grown Indian teas and wellness brand, has unveiled its annual Impact Report, highlighting its efforts in environmental and social initiatives. The report underscores the company’s commitment to achieving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
For the third consecutive year, VAHDAM India maintains its status as a climate and plastic-neutral brand. It offsets its carbon footprint by purchasing verified carbon credits from the Gold Standard Foundation in Switzerland and strives to become a net-zero emission organization.
To combat plastic waste, VAHDAM India has achieved a net-zero plastic footprint by offsetting its plastic usage through investments in the Neela Sagar project in Hyderabad. The brand also collaborates with rePurpose Global, a leading Plastic Action Platform dedicated to waste reduction, livelihood improvement, and ecological restoration.
Bala Sarda, Founder and CEO of VAHDAM India said, “At VAHDAM India, we are committed to making a sustainable impact on both people and the planet, following the ethos of ‘DO GOOD BY DOING GOOD.’ We have been certified as a climate and plastic-neutral brand for three years in a row. Our organization is dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and actively works on developing packaging materials that prioritize recyclable and sustainable options.“
VAHDAM India is actively engaged in the development of packaging materials and designs that utilize less plastic and incorporate a higher proportion of recyclable and environmentally friendly substances. Their pyramid tea bags are now crafted from 100 percent Non-GMO cornstarch known as PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), which decomposes within four days in industrial facilities and within 22-44 months in home composting.
Alongside its environmental endeavors, VAHDAM India allocates a minimum of 1 percent of its revenue to the education of farmers’ children through its flagship CSR initiative, TEACH ME. Since its launch in 2018, TEACH ME has positively impacted nearly 13,000 children across 68 tea estates, schools, and community centers in West Bengal, Assam, and the Nilgiris. The company aims to expand TEACH ME’s reach to tea, spices, and herb producers, establish direct partnerships with tea growers, enhance digital teaching capabilities in schools, and support alternative career paths for students.
Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a prominent FMCG conglomerate, has announced the acquisition of The Good Stuff Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Global CP Pvt Ltd), the brand owner of LuvIt Chocolate and Confectionery. This strategic move aims to bolster DS Group’s confectionary portfolio and extend its distribution network across grocery and other retail outlets.
DS Group ventured into the confectionary business in 2012 and has established a strong lineup of popular non-chocolate brands, including Pass Pass, Pulse, Chingles, Rajnigandha Silver Pearls, Maze, and a recent partnership with luxury Swiss chocolate brand Läderach for its debut in India. Pulse has held a leadership position in the hard-boiled candy segment for the past seven years. With the addition of LuvIt, DS Group will enhance its confectionary offerings with a diverse range of indulgent chocolates and confectionery products, such as rich milky chocolate, delightful wafer treats, fruit/chocolate flavored lollipops, eclairs, sugar-coated chocolates, and choco snacks.
Shri Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman of DS Group said, “The acquisition of LuvIt was a strategic decision to enrich our confectionary portfolio and establish a strong presence in the chocolate segment. This expansion allows us to diversify our product range, reach new consumers, and explore untapped markets. LuvIt perfectly complements our existing portfolio and aligns with our commitment to innovation and premium quality.“
This integration will enable DS Group to strengthen its geographical footprint, particularly in Southern India, and expand its product offerings. DS Group already holds a significant position in the non-chocolate confectionary segment and will leverage its robust distribution network to benefit Brand LuvIt nationwide.
The Good Stuff Pvt Ltd was founded in 2014 with a mission to deliver innovative and unique consumer experiences. In the fiscal year 2021-2022, the company achieved a turnover of over Rs 100 crore, with nearly 90 percent of the revenue attributed to the LuvIt brand. The Indian confectionery market, valued at approximately Rs 23,000 crore, is dominated by chocolates, which account for 60 percent of the market share at Rs 13,800 crore. According to a report, the Indian chocolate market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.69 percent until 2028.
DS Group remains committed to creating successful brands across diverse business categories to delight consumers, while their unwavering pursuit of quality and innovation ensures customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Ikonic Professional, a prominent brand in the hair styling/grooming industry, is excited to unveil its highly anticipated launch, the innovative Vibe Range. Designed specifically for salon owners, stylists, and high-end customers, the Vibe Range promises to revolutionize the approach to hair styling for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Distinguished by its vibrant Teal, Peach, and White shades, the Vibe Range breaks away from traditional black-colored devices. Ikonic Professional recognizes the preference of individuals who seek colorful tools to enhance their styling experience. The standout feature of the Vibe Range is the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Infrared Technology. This is the first time in India that AI technology has been combined with an infrared light system, allowing the Vibe Range to adjust the temperature according to the user’s hair type. This groundbreaking innovation ensures outstanding styling results with optimal efficiency and minimal risk of heat damage.
Infrared technology offers numerous benefits for hair care. The use of non-damaging heat promotes the appearance of healthy and strong hair while maintaining its overall health. Additionally, infrared tools are highly effective on clean hair, reducing the need for additional products. The technology also saves time by providing extra shine and allowing hairstyles to last up to three days, even in extreme weather conditions. With its ease of use and suitability for all hair types, infrared technology appeals to a wide range of individuals, particularly those with processed or chemically treated hair.
Harnessing the gentlest form of heat that warms hair from the inside out, the Vibe Range utilizes infrared heat in conjunction with ceramic plates to generate negative ions. This process stimulates natural oils within the hair shaft, resulting in lustrous and healthy-looking hair. Furthermore, the Vibe Range effectively eliminates frizz and static, while locking moisture into the hair for long-lasting styles.
Sonal Hankare, Head of Marketing and Communications at Ikonic Professional.at Ikonic said, “We are thrilled to present the Vibe range to the market. With its stunning colors, intelligent AI technology, and infrared light innovation, the Vibe range is set to redefine the hair styling experience. Whether you are a professional stylist or an individual passionate about styling your own hair, the Vibe range is designed to meet your needs, leaving you with healthy, beautiful hair.”
The Vibe Range, available at an affordable price of Rs 5,900, offers an array of exceptional features. These include a 60-minute automatic shutoff for added safety, a side lock switch for convenient storage, a 360-degree swivel cord for easy maneuverability, and an LED temperature display for precise control. The temperature is adjustable from 130 to 230 degrees, catering to diverse hair types. Additionally, the Vibe Range incorporates floating plates, and PTC heater technology, and comes with 1-inch plates.
For those desiring enhanced coverage, Ikonic Professional presents the Vibe Plus variant, priced at Rs 6,400, featuring wider plates measuring 1.75 inches. This addition ensures more efficient styling for individuals with thicker or longer hair. The Vibe Range from Ikonic Professional sets a new standard in the hair styling industry, providing salon owners, stylists, and enthusiasts with an unparalleled experience that combines innovation, efficiency, and outstanding results.
Ace Turtle has announced the appointment of renowned Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana as the brand ambassador for Wrangler. Mandhana’s vibrant presence and compelling storytelling will bring a fresh perspective to Wrangler’s narrative, connecting with fashion-conscious consumers who value comfort and quality in their denim choices. Nitin Chhabra, CEO, Ace Turtle expressed excitement about the partnership and highlighted how Wrangler’s sales in India have more than doubled in the past year, thanks to Ace Turtle’s vertical commerce business model.
Mandhana, a highly acclaimed figure in international women’s cricket, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with her exceptional talent and fearless approach. Her outstanding performances on the field and her off-field persona align perfectly with Wrangler’s values of confidence, authenticity, and self-expression.
Talking about her association with Wrangler, Mandhana expressed her honor and mentioned how Wrangler had witnessed remarkable growth in India since Ace Turtle became the exclusive licensee. She looked forward to showcasing the diverse range of denim, promoting the spirit of freedom, inspiring individuals to embrace their unique journeys, and celebrating the joy of self-expression through Wrangler’s timeless creations.
Baseline Ventures, the facilitating agency, expressed their delight in bringing together Smriti Mandhana and Wrangler, highlighting Mandhana’s popularity and sports youth icon status in India. They see the association as a proud moment for both entities, which share a similarly bold and forward-thinking mindset.
Ace Turtle, with its expertise in omnichannel commerce technology and tech-driven offline retail store experience, is driving the next phase of evolution for its brands. With a vertically integrated approach spanning design, local manufacturing, and marketing, the company aims to reach consumers directly.
By leveraging its proprietary technology, which incorporates data science throughout the design and fulfillment processes, Ace Turtle can meet ever-evolving consumer expectations effectively. The company’s expansion plans for Wrangler in India in FY24 include opening 40 new stores in addition to the existing 44, making the brand accessible offline through exclusive mono-brand retail stores and popular departmental chains. Wrangler is also available online through its dedicated website and various online marketplaces.
Keventers, the renowned Indian dairy brand known for its 97-year legacy in milkshakes and ice creams, has launched an exciting new range of smoothies this summer! These delectable smoothies combine the goodness of fruits, the creamy texture of a chilled beverage, and a burst of delicious flavors, specially crafted and served in a bottle to help you cool down during the scorching season.
Prepare yourself for delightful combinations of your favorite fruits, expertly blended at select Keventers outlets. These fruit smoothies are made with 100 percent real fruit, offering an indulgent option without any added colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors. As part of their expanding beverage portfolio, which already offers a wide variety of options, this latest launch showcases Keventers’ commitment to innovation and providing greater choices to consumers.
Carrying forward the legacy of Keventers’ great taste and crafted recipes, these smoothies arrive just in time to revive your summer with refreshing flavors and satisfy all your cravings. Embark on a fruity journey with four tantalizing recipes. The Blueberry Blast Smoothie combines blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and juicy apples for a burst of berry goodness. If you’re a fan of berries, this one is perfect for you. For a revitalizing pick-me-up during the day, opt for the Simple Love Smoothie—a power-packed blend of succulent strawberries, sweet apples, creamy bananas, and earthy beetroot to keep you energized.
If you prefer fruity and citrusy flavors, quench your thirst with the Summer Hummer Smoothie—a perfect fusion of juicy mangoes, zesty oranges, and mighty carrots. And for all the mango lovers out there, the classic Mighty Mango Smoothie infused with the sweetness of pulpy mangoes and a tangy touch of fresh strawberries is designed to satisfy your palate.
Keventers is committed to introducing innovative and unique flavors with each addition, and the new smoothies expand their growing and diverse beverage portfolio, which recently saw the introduction of sparkling iced beverages and thick shakes. This launch caters to the rising consumer demand for more variety, and extensive research has been conducted to ensure an enhanced flavor profile.
Agastya Dalmia, Founder and CEO of Keventers, expressed, “Our latest collection brings you the delicious fruits of summer in the creamiest and most exotic range of smoothies. We strive to enhance the customer experience and provide a wider variety across our expanding beverage portfolio. Through consistent innovation and diverse flavor profiles, we aim to introduce new products and variants across categories for our consumers. The fruit smoothies we have launched are made from high-quality ingredients, meticulously chosen to deliver maximum taste and quality.“
Priced at Rs 239, Keventers Fruit smoothies are available at select Keventers outlets in the country and can also be ordered online through Zomato and Swiggy. Served in the iconic Keventers bottle, this indulgent treat is perfectly timed for the season. It’s all about embracing the freshness of summer fruits with Keventers.
Leading global brand in child safety, CYBEX, has teamed up with AllThingsBaby as its exclusive partner to bring advanced car safety solutions to the Indian market. This strategic collaboration aims to raise awareness about the crucial importance of child passenger safety by introducing innovative and technologically advanced safety products.
“At CYBEX, we are constantly striving to develop safe, innovative and stylish products that meet the needs of modern families, and working with AllThingsBaby as our partner will help bolster our brand ethos in India. Together, we look forward to strengthening our market presence in India and raising awareness not just with our award-winning products but with our extensive expertise in the field of child road safety,” Irfan Porbanderwalla, CEO CYBEX IMEA.
Through the AllThingsBaby platform, a wide range of car seats specifically designed for infants and toddlers will be offered. These seats will feature an energy-absorbing shell and linear side impact protection. The product lineup includes the Aton 5 infant car seat, which is a secure and dependable travel companion for newborns, equipped with an adjustable headrest and a large sun canopy. The Sirona Z2 i-Size provides the flexibility of rear and forward-facing options and a convenient 360⁰ rotating base for easy boarding and off-boarding. Additionally, the Solution B2-Fix is a robust high-back booster seat that offers adjustable protection and grows with the child for up to 12 years.
Tejal Bajla, Co-Founder at AllThingsBaby shared, “We are thrilled to add CYBEX to our portfolio to bring innovative solutions that prioritize child passenger safety. At AllThingsBaby, our mission has always been to simplify the journey of new parents, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment. We look forward to working with CYBEX and aim to create awareness and provide parents with high-quality products that ensure the utmost safety for their children.“
The partnership between CYBEX and AllThingsBaby not only addresses the growing demand for child passenger safety in India but also highlights their shared dedication to promoting awareness and providing practical solutions to parents.
Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) announced the appointment of Aasif Malbari as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as part of a top-level reshuffle. Sameer Shah, GCPL’s current CFO, will transition to a Group role, leading consumer investments. The Board of Directors of the Godrej Group FMCG arm has approved Malbari’s appointment, effective from August 10, 2023. Malbari currently serves as CFO of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited and Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited.
Furthermore, GCPL’s Board of Directors has also approved the nomination of Shalini Puchalapalli as an Independent Director, effective November 14, 2023. Puchalapalli is currently the Managing Director and Country Head for Google Customer Solutions, where she is instrumental in developing the digital ecosystem for India.
GCPL aims to leverage its extensive expertise in digital and technology to guide its growth strategy. With her addition, the GCPL board will have six women directors, accounting for 50 percent of the board’s representation. In November 2023, Narendra Ambwani, an Independent Director, will retire after serving on the GCPL Board for 12 years.
Fastrack Smart, the pioneering youth fashion and tech accessories brand, continues to prioritize consumer needs and has announced the introduction of FPods, its latest range of Truly Wireless Buds. With three variants, FS100, FX100, and FZ100, FPods offer a diverse selection for audiophiles. These innovative earbuds have been specifically designed for the Indian audience, delivering an unparalleled audio experience with top-of-the-line features such as Bluetooth v5.3 technology, Extra Deep Bass, and low latency up to 60ms. They are now available at a special launch price of Rs 995 exclusively on Flipkart.
Remaining true to their commitment to providing products with exceptional technology and appealing design aesthetics, Fastrack Smart ensures that FPods cater to the preferences of Indian consumers. The brand has paid meticulous attention to the design elements while creating this latest range of Truly Wireless Buds.
FPods offer an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours, delivering uninterrupted and extended playtime. When it comes time to recharge, the NitroFast Charge technology ensures a quick power-up. With just a 10-minute charge using the included type C power cable, users can enjoy up to 200 minutes of playtime. The ergonomically designed Fastrack FPods ensure a comfortable fit in the ears and come with a variety of ear tips, guaranteeing a perfect fit for all users. All three variants, FS100, FX100, and FZ100, feature Quad Mic Environment Noise Cancellation (ENC), providing superior audio experiences and crystal-clear calls. With an IPX5 rating and Gaming Mode, FPods are ideal for workouts and intense gaming sessions, withstanding all the sweat and movement.
Ravi Kuppuraj, COO of Smart Wearables at Titan Company Limited said, “We are thrilled to expand the product portfolio for smart audio devices under Fastrack Smart with the introduction of the FPods series. This newly launched range of Truly Wireless Buds reaffirms our commitment to delivering functional, technology-led fashionable accessories to our consumers. The hearables category has much to offer, and we aim to provide our consumers with high-quality options as they continuously seek the best. FPods are packed with features such as Extra Deep Bass Drivers, Extra Playtime, and stylish designs that make them eye-catching accessories.“
FPods variants, FS100 and FX100, provide 40 hours of playback time and feature 10 mm and 13 mm Deep Bass Drivers, respectively. These variants are a must-have for music and movie enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the Fastrack FPods FZ100 is equipped with an Ultra Low Latency Gaming Mode of up to 40ms, an Extra Deep Bass Driver, and an impressive 50 hours of playtime, along with 3C NitroFast technology, making it the perfect audio companion for the Gen Z.
With an immersive sound experience, Fastrack FPods serve as exceptional audio accessories for everyday use, offering extended playtime. In addition to their impressive audio capabilities, the Fastrack F Pods boast a sleek and stylish design that is sure to capture attention. They are available in the classic black color variant, exclusively at a special launch price of Rs 995, on Flipkart.
Kolkata-based Ochre at Home (OAH) is renowned for its bespoke furniture and accessories, combining progressive designs with a strong foundation in tradition. The brand recently introduced its latest collection of coffee tables, featuring a seamless blend of Indian craftsmanship and modern aesthetics, resulting in timeless pieces.
These extraordinary coffee tables epitomize the seamless integration of traditional Indian heritage with contemporary design. The intricate Mother of Pearl inlay delicately adorns a navy-blue resin table, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and artistic prowess. Supported by solid teak wood legs, each handcrafted coffee table exudes an undeniable sense of sophistication, capable of elevating any living space.
Taking center stage in the room, a cluster of captivating coffee tables becomes the focal point of attention. Positioned in front of an elegantly curved sofa, adorned with silvery grey velvet upholstery, these tables emanate a timeless allure. Every table exemplifies unrivaled artistry and impeccable craftsmanship, a testament to the skill and dedication of Ochre at Home’s artisans. The combination of luxurious materials, including teak wood and Mother of Pearl, with thoughtful design choices, creates an ambiance that is both inviting and visually striking. Whether hosting a formal tea party or enjoying an intimate gathering with close friends, this ensemble transforms the living room into a functional and awe-inspiring space.
Quba Homes is an exclusive luxury styling studio that specializes in curating bespoke products and services for homes in India. With a focus on artistic, intricate, and contemporary/neo-classic impressions, Quba Homes aim to create highly customized, cutting-edge furniture from scratch, ensuring that each piece is unique.
Founded in 2010, Quba Homes initially started by importing German kitchens to India. However, recognizing the potential of Indian-made kitchens designed specifically for Indian cooking, the company soon ventured into in-house manufacturing at its plant in Gurugram. Over time, Quba Homes expanded its skillset to encompass the design, manufacturing, and installation of kitchens, wardrobes, doors, and millwork.
In 2019, Quba Homes observed a growing demand for curated luxury furniture, which prompted the company to introduce an all-encompassing design studio. This expansion allowed Quba Homes to cater to every room in the house, providing a comprehensive range of services. Drawing inspiration from both modern and classical eras, Quba Homes creates customized designs tailored to each project.
At Quba Homes, the primary goal is to curate thoughtful designs that transform living spaces into havens of pleasure. The company places a strong emphasis on understanding the materials used and focuses on delivering top-notch manufacturing to offer the best design solutions. Luxurious living, according to Quba Homes, revolves around investing in furniture made from high-quality materials, featuring timeless designs, and showcasing exemplary finishing. The company constantly pushes boundaries by experimenting with exciting color and material combinations, setting Quba Homes apart from its competitors. Ultimately, quality design serves as a fundamental principle guiding every aspect of their work.
Quba Homes pride itself on introducing authentic designs that converge modern interpretations with subtle tastes to create a timeless appeal. The latest collection, titled “Quasi by Quba Homes,” seamlessly combines elements of Neoclassicism and Modernism, resulting in an eclectic design aesthetic.
The collection boasts furniture pieces characterized by symmetrical geometric shapes, minimalistic design, absence of ornamentation, and clean lines. This intentional design approach imparts a sleek, bold, and clutter-free look to each furniture piece.
To further enhance the fusion of these two design styles, Quba Homes incorporates avant-garde materials, including leather, brass, and even straw. Each piece within the bespoke collection can be customized to suit the user’s specific requirements. Attention to detail and utmost comfort is paramount in the creation of every product, with quality serving as the cornerstone of Quba Homes’ philosophy.
This design intervention by Quba Homes epitomizes luxurious living, featuring high-quality materials, timeless designs, and impeccable finishing.
White Domus, a renowned design studio known for its exceptional craftsmanship and unique approach to stainless steel design, has once again pushed the boundaries of creativity with its latest creation, The Tronco Bench. Through meticulous experimentation and a deep understanding of materials, the studio has crafted a striking piece that captivates the eye and challenges traditional design norms.
The Tronco Bench is an exquisite furniture piece that flawlessly combines the natural beauty of the forest with contemporary design elements. Its stainless-steel structure is intricately designed to replicate the texture and appearance of an actual log, complete with a vibrant green hue. The matte-finished structure of the bench contrasts beautifully with the polished seat, creating a visually dynamic effect that adds depth and sophistication. The glossy seat allows light to reflect off its surface, further enhancing the overall aesthetic of the bench.
With meticulous attention to detail, the Tronco Bench not only serves as a functional piece of furniture but also stands as a work of art that elevates the ambiance of any space. It showcases the expert craftsmanship of White Domus, reflecting a deep appreciation for art and design, making it a truly unique and one-of-a-kind creation.
White Domus’ innovative and experimental approach, combined with its mastery of stainless steel design, solidifies its position as a leading design studio in India’s retail market. The Tronco Bench serves as a testament to its commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and delivering exceptional pieces that captivate and inspire.
Bengaluru-based urban snack brand, TagZ Foods, announced its collaboration with Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, who is both an investor and brand ambassador. Dhawan’s dynamic batting style, fitness enthusiasm, and appeal among young consumers make him an ideal fit for TagZ Foods, a brand committed to providing healthier snacking options. This partnership perfectly aligns with Dhawan’s focus on fitness and active lifestyle choices.
Shikhar Dhawan stated, “I am thrilled to be associated with TagZ Foods, a brand that is dedicated to promoting healthier snacking habits. As a sportsman, I understand the importance of better eating and leading an active lifestyle. I am excited to be part of TagZ Foods’ journey as it embarks on its next phase of growth and expansion. This is a deep and long-term partnership for me, both as an investor and as a brand ambassador for TagZ.“
TagZ Foods has batted on the front food to deliver nutritious and delicious snacking experiences to consumers. Their range of popped chips, hemp cookies, and international gourmet dips offers consumers a tasty and better-for-you snacking experience. With Shikhar Dhawan’s involvement, TagZ Foods aims to connect with more consumers and inspire them to make healthier snacking choices.
Anish Basu Roy, Co-founder, TagZ Foods, said, “We are delighted to welcome Shikhar Dhawan to Team TagZ as our brand ambassador. He embodies the values we stand for – healthier eating, fitness, and an active lifestyle. His association with TagZ Foods, as an investor and brand ambassador, represents a deep integration into our brand’s mission. Through our range of popped potato chips with 50 percent less fat, hemp cookies, and gourmet dips, we hope to provide his fans with the healthiest snacking experiences.“
TagZ Foods leverages cutting-edge food technology to produce popped potato chips with 50 percent less fat, free from cholesterol, trans-fat, artificial colors, and preservatives. The partnership between TagZ Foods and Shikhar Dhawan is set to launch soon, accompanied by a series of marketing and advertising campaigns aimed at promoting the brand’s healthier snacking experiences.
ITC Engage, on World Environment Day, unveiled its revolutionary Engage L’amante Luxury Perfume Sprays featuring cutting-edge Bag on Valve technology. This groundbreaking offering combines futuristic fragrances with an eco-friendly propellant, setting a new benchmark in India’s perfumery landscape. ITC Engage’s latest launch embodies the ethos of environmental consciousness, catering to the preferences of today’s consumers.
Engage L’amante Luxury Perfume Sprays introduce an unprecedented level of effectiveness through the utilization of advanced Bag-on-Valve (BoV) technology. By employing a barrier system that separates the fragrance liquid from the propellant, this BoV technology ensures the integrity of the scent while delivering a delightful olfactory experience. This conscious blend of luxury and sustainability provides consumers with a feather-like soft touch spray, enveloping them in an aura of elegance and eco-friendliness, distinguishing it from traditional aerosols.
Sameer Satpathy, Chief Executive of the Personal Care Products Business Division at ITC Limited, remarked, “ITC Engage has always been at the forefront of redefining the fragrance category through innovation. Today, we introduce a game-changing technology that supports a sustainable tomorrow, reaffirming ITC’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable olfactory experiences. The brand takes a conscious step towards making fragrances sustainable through the introduction of eco-friendly propellant in Engage L’amante Luxury Perfume Sprays.“
The Engage L’amante Luxury Perfume Sprays feature two exquisitely crafted fragrances — Engage L’amante Sunkissed and Engage L’amante Intensity. Engage L’amante Intensity captures the intensely joyful expression of love with its cheerfully vibrant blend of citrus and berries, followed by a soothing woody trail reminiscent of white driftwood by the shore. Engage L’amante Sunkissed, on the other hand, is a modern fragrance that thrives on contrasts. It emanates a lively essence with fruity, citrus notes, accentuated by hints of Tuberose and Jasmine, and a grounding, earthy Sandalwood trail, creating an irresistible fragrance.
In its commitment to sustainability and promoting environmentally conscious choices, ITC Engage emphasizes its dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a greener future. Customers can indulge in the luxury of Engage L’amante Perfume Sprays by visiting EngageShop.in, ITC E-store, and Nykaa. These skin-friendly fragrances are priced at an MRP of Rs 399 for 125ml, allowing consumers to experience the perfect blend of opulence and environmental responsibility.
Westlife Foodworld Ltd, the owner, and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, is taking significant steps towards sustainability on World Environment Day 2023. As part of its commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy, the company plans to progressively install rooftop solar panels in one-third of its new restaurants in FY24.
Over the past two years, Westlife has already made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint, saving 19.58 million units of electricity and reducing 16,308 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to planting 749,086 trees. By embracing renewable energy sources, Westlife not only enhances its operational efficiencies but also contributes to the reduction of climate risks.
Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson of Westlife Foodworld expressed, “the company’s dedication to lowering its carbon footprint through various initiatives such as recycling, renewable energy usage, and reduced consumption. Jatia emphasized the crucial role businesses play in addressing climate change and expressed pride in Westlife’s commitment to sustainable practices. The company is determined to continue its efforts towards a greener future while providing delicious and sustainable food to its customers.”
Westlife’s sustainability commitment extends beyond energy usage to include resource conservation measures. The company has eliminated single-use plastics from customer-facing packaging and is implementing energy-efficient measures in existing restaurants, such as LED lighting and order assembly table sets (OATS). The company also prioritizes sustainable sourcing, using green-certified ingredients like UTZ-certified coffee beans and converting cooking oil into biodiesel. Westlife is recognized for pioneering the recycling of converted biodiesel in India.
Notably, Westlife’s employees are actively involved in environmental conservation efforts. Over 10,000 employees have taken the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment’ Pledge, demonstrating their commitment to adopting environmentally friendly habits and participating in activities like beach cleaning, sapling planting, and raising awareness about water conservation. These actions mirror the company’s focus on green initiatives.
To encourage a greener future and celebrate World Environment Day, McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India are distributing Marigold seeds to customers, promoting planting initiatives within the community. Each of these steps, including the increased use of renewable energy, brings Westlife Foodworld closer to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The company’s pledge through the United Nations Climate Change highlights its unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and reducing its carbon footprint.
New Balance, the renowned sports footwear and apparel brand headquartered in Boston, MA, has appointed Radeshwer Davar as the Country Manager for India. In his new role, Radeshwer will spearhead the brand’s expansion as a direct entity in the rapidly growing Indian market.
With a mission centered around responsible leadership, New Balance aims to build global brands that athletes take pride in wearing, associates take pride in creating, and communities take pride in hosting.
Previously serving as Vice President at Reliance Brands, Radeshwer successfully led the business operations for Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, and Versace in India. With over 15 years of experience in the retail industry across luxury, athleisure, and sporting goods, Radeshwer brings a wealth of expertise to drive New Balance’s direct entry into the Indian market. His focus will be on establishing a strong presence for the brand among Indian customers and ensuring sustainable growth.
New Balance’s strategic decision to appoint Radeshwer Davar underscores its commitment to capturing opportunities in India’s expanding market. With his extensive experience and knowledge, Radeshwer is poised to lead New Balance toward a successful and impactful journey in the Indian sports and fitness industry.
Tanishq jewellery – Tanishq has introduced its revamped ‘Tanishq Gold Exchange Offer/Policy 2023‘ to cater to the evolving needs of customers in light of volatile gold rates and soaring prices. With the aim of providing the best value for customers’ gold, this exchange policy offers an opportunity to upgrade old gold with newer and exquisite designs offered by Tanishq. As a celebration of reaching an impressive milestone of 100,000kg of gold exchanged, Tanishq expresses gratitude for the unwavering trust and loyalty of 2 million customers who have chosen Tanishq to transform their old jewellery into stunning pieces.
Understanding the desire of customers to maximize the value of their old gold amidst rising rates, Tanishq has meticulously revamped its exchange policy to provide unmatched value. As a part of this celebration, a special exchange offer has been launched nationwide, providing customers with 100 percent value on old gold of 20KT and above.
Tanishq’s Gold Exchange Program stands as a symbol of trust, transparency, and unrivaled value for customers in today’s dynamic market. Beyond being a solution for customers during the rise of gold prices, Tanishq’s Gold Exchange Policy is a testament to their trust and confidence. The brand welcomes customers to join the growing community of satisfied patrons who have made Tanishq their preferred destination for jewellery exchange.
This policy is applicable across all Tanishq stores and comes at a time when people are planning to purchase gold for the wedding season and other special occasions. Whether you are a bride looking for exquisite bridal jewellery, a savvy shopper seeking the best value for your money, a fashion enthusiast keeping up with the latest trends, or someone with an eye for intricate craftsmanship and timeless elegance, Tanishq’s Gold Exchange Program caters to all, transcending boundaries and inviting women from all walks of life to explore a world of captivating designs and meticulous detailing.
Ajoy Chawla, CEO of the Jewellery Division at Titan Company Limited said, “The celebration of 100 tonnes of gold exchanged by 2 million Indians across the country is a testament to the trust and loyalty bestowed upon us over the years. Exchange is beneficial for customers given today’s high prices and idle gold lying in their lockers; it is beneficial for the country as it reduces imports, and it is beneficial for the planet as we recycle the gold. We invite everyone to join us in the celebrations and upcycle their old jewellery.“
Tanishq also offers an exchange offer for old gold purchased from any jeweller, providing customers with flexibility and convenience. The offer is valid across all Tanishq stores, and it applies to a wide range of jewellery, including Gold Plain, Glass Kundan, Kundan Polki, Open Polki, PJWS, Colour Stone, and more. As a brand committed to prioritizing its customers, Tanishq’s Gold Exchange Policy exemplifies its dedication to providing unmatched value, exquisite craftsmanship, and a transparent exchange process.
Vestige Marketing commemorates its 19th anniversary since its establishment in 2004. As it enters its second decade of operations, Vestige expands its core focus on health, which serves as the binding force connecting its products, people, partners, and the entire ecosystem. The company embarks on this new phase with the visionary theme of “Future Healthy.”
Vestige Marketing has played a pivotal role in driving the growth of the wellness sector, dedicated to providing consumers with a range of superior health and wellness products that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, Vestige has empowered and transformed the lives of millions of distributors across India and international markets, granting them access to health and wellness products for a brighter tomorrow. Celebrating 19 years of incredible achievements, Vestige embraces its legacy as a catalyst for individual empowerment, entrepreneurship, and positive impact, paving the way for a Future Healthy.
Central to the company’s vision is its commitment to enabling individuals to lead lives of economic independence on their own terms. With a steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence, Vestige is poised to sustain its growth and success in the direct selling industry by introducing innovative health and wellness products that contribute to a better and healthier future for all. The company’s meticulous strategies have cultivated an exceptional level of trust, respect, and readiness for the future.
Gautam Bali, MD, Vestige Marketing said ‘’Achieving the milestone of 19 years is a great feeling. As we step into our 20th year, we envision creating a healthier world to ensure that everyone’s future is healthy with us. As we celebrate this joyous occasion, we reflect on our journey of bringing high-quality health & wellness products for our consumers. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated team, partners and customers who have been an integral part of our success. Together we will continue to pave the way of spreading wealth through wellness and aim to build a healthier and more resilient future.’’
Vestige endeavors to expand its wellness product segment by introducing multiple world-class products that enhance the health and well-being of customers. Keeping in mind the needs of new-age consumers, great emphasis on natural ingredients is a priority. The company recently introduced several new revolutionary products such as CMD (Concentrated Mineral Drops), Energy Booster, Absorvit Vitamins Sublingual Sprays, etc. to address everyday wellness needs. With its commitment to innovation and excellence, Vestige is well-placed to continue its growth and success in the Direct Selling industry.
Vestige Marketing has created a large network of distributors that is constantly expanding year after year. It continues to enrich the lives of those who are a part of the company and those who believe in its healthcare and wellness products. In the coming years, the company is prepared for its journey of continued growth, empowering its customers with robust products and immunity-boosting solutions.
Ellementry, the lifestyle brand renowned for its thoughtfully handcrafted homeware products, embarks on a profound mission this World Environment Day. Since its establishment in 2018, Ellementry has been dedicated to enriching everyday lives with aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable handmade products.
With a diverse product range encompassing kitchenware, tableware, and furniture, Ellementry seamlessly blends utility and beauty. However, what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to empowering rural artisans and preserving traditional handcrafted techniques with a modern twist. As the world unites to celebrate World Environment Day, Ellementry stands at the forefront, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of elegance and eco-consciousness.
In honor of World Environment Day, Ellementry takes the lead in sustainable living by offering an innovative range of products. This collection, comprised of both existing and new items, is designed to inspire sustainable lifestyles while enhancing the beauty of our surroundings. Embracing their core values of craftsmanship and environmental consciousness, Ellementry presents a collection that seamlessly combines elegance, functionality, and ecological mindfulness.
At the heart of every Ellementry creation lies a profound appreciation for the environment, evident in their meticulous selection of materials. Each product is meticulously crafted using natural organic materials, reflecting their unwavering commitment to sustainability. With great care, Ellementry ensures that every step of the manufacturing process adheres to eco-friendly practices, leaving no harm on the environment. Moreover, every material utilized in their products not only prioritizes environmental friendliness but is also food-safe, highlighting their dedication to creating safe and sustainable homeware.
As the world celebrates World Environment Day, Ellementry remains a beacon of sustainable living, demonstrating how elegance, functionality, and ecological consciousness can harmoniously intertwine.
Ayush Baid, Founder, Ellementry said, “Sustainability is at the heart of Ellementry. We make terracotta products that are again a form of art that echo a life devoted to the ancient traditions of working in clay. Be it stoneware or earthenware, all are sourced from the earth, and when their use is over, they return to the earth. Not just this, we even recycle newspapers in our papier-mache unit to make beautiful handcrafted products.”
Along with creating sustainable products, Ellementry also maintains an eco-friendly workplace. It is not just their office that is surrounded by trees, they also encourage their neighbors and people in the locality by initiating plantation drives to reduce carbon footprints. Moreover, 70 percent of the power they use in their office and workshops come from solar panels. Through rainwater harvesting, and by building a greenhouse on the premise, they further contribute to saving the environment.
Bisleri International has introduced three exciting flavors to its lineup – Bisleri Pop (orange-flavored carbonated drink), Bisleri Rev (cola-flavored carbonated drink), and Bisleri Spyci Jeera, while also continuing with its zesty lemon-minty flavor. The addition of these new fizzy drinks caters to the modern taste preferences of GenZ, who seek the ultimate refreshing experience. Each beverage offers a distinct and bold flavor that complements its functional stimulation, providing a delightful choice for consumers.
Jayanti Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd said, “Bisleri International has a strong heritage of launching iconic products in the country. Taking the legacy forward, we have launched a range of refreshing carbonated soft drinks that would appeal to the young, modern consumers’ tastebuds. Today’s youth are enjoying OTT platforms as they produce interesting and evolved programming. Keeping this in mind, we have launched a new campaign with actors who are currently a sensation on the OTT platforms. They have a strong connection with the youth. We are confident that our campaign will resonate with the GenZ’s who are constantly looking at exploring newer products and creating a niche for themselves.“
The entire product category will be supported through a robust integrated marketing campaign focusing on digital and social media. Besides, Bisleri had undertaken sampling of Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Rev at the home-ground IPL matches where it was the Hydration Partner. Further, in-store branded promotions, including retail and point of sales, will be amplified across general stores and modern trade in the country to promote each beverage’s unique offerings.
Rangeelo, the highly anticipated Indian brand renowned for its celebration of Indian culture and meticulous craftsmanship, is thrilled to announce the launch of its breathtaking Co-ord Sets line as part of its Summer Collection. This captivating addition harmoniously blends timeless traditions with contemporary fashion, epitomizing the essence of Rangeelo.
Preeti Udaiwal, the founder of Rangeelo and a passionate advocate for her Rajasthani heritage, is dedicated to making intricate craftsmanship and the Indian legacy affordable for women across India. Inspired by her father, the esteemed national awardee craftsman, Shree Brij Ballabh Udaiwal, Rangeelo thrives on the legacy of skilled craftsmanship and intricate handwork.
The newly introduced Co-ord Sets line by Rangeelo exemplifies the brand’s commitment to bringing the beauty of ethnic and indo-western clothing to every woman’s wardrobe. Each piece in the collection is a testament to the vision and expertise of Indian artisans, who have transformed versatile fabrics like Chanderi, Georgette, Cotton, and Mulmul into accentuating silhouettes. Rangeelo takes great pride in its size-inclusive approach, catering to sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, ensuring that every woman can embrace the timeless allure of their designs.
Preeti Udaiwal, Founder of Rangeelo, expressed her vision for the brand said, “We believe that our culture has an abundance of potential, and through Rangeelo, we aim to bring all of it under one canopy and celebrate it in its full glory. Our Co-ord Sets line is a testament to the versatility of fabrics, reinventing color palettes and designs to offer something truly unique.“
U&i, a renowned brand in the gadget, accessories, and consumer electronics industry, introduces four new audio wearables that cater to the diverse needs and budgets of smartphone and tablet users. The KTV series and PERFUME BOX series offer budget-friendly wired earphones, while the JUMP and ENC AIR 06 represent the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) series. Each wearable boasts unique features and delivers excellent performance at an affordable price.
Wired for a competitive edge in gaming, the KTV is a USB-C headset with zero latency and exceptional audio delivery. It immerses you in your music, movies, and gaming with its 10mm drivers that create deep bass and rich trebles. The powerful inline microphones ensure crystal-clear calls. With wide compatibility across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and consoles, the KTV earphones are available in a sleek white color with Type-C connectivity, priced at Rs 999.
Designed for universal compatibility with computers, audio players, and portables, the PERFUME BOX series features a robust 3.5mm jack for high-quality audio. These headsets, equipped with comfortable earbuds and skin-safe silicone tips, are perfect for work and entertainment. The in-line control panel allows easy volume adjustment, and the high-fidelity microphone with CVC Noise Reduction ensures superior voice communication. Available in five attractive colors (Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, and Red), the PERFUME BOX earphones are priced at Rs 249.
Completely wireless and ultra-lightweight, the JUMP TWS earbuds offer BT V5.0+EDR connectivity. They feature sweat-proof and comfortable ergonomics for all-day wear. The JUMP delivers high-performance audio for music, movies, and gaming, and its noise-reduction technology ensures clear voice communication. With a remarkable total battery life of 25 hours, each earbud provides up to 5 hours of playtime, and the charging case can recharge them four more times. The JUMP can be rapidly charged with a USB-C cable in under 90 minutes and has a standby time of 500 hours. Available in dual-tone colors (Blue/Grey, Blue/White, Black/Yellow, and Red/Black), the JUMP TWS Earbuds are priced at Rs 2,499.
For non-stop music enjoyment, the ENC AIR 06 TWS earbuds offer an impressive 30-hour battery life. Whether you are at home, in the office, commuting, or traveling, these earbuds will keep you entertained without the need for frequent charging. With built-in surround sound technology and composite diaphragms, the ENC AIR 06 provides superior audio quality for an immersive content experience. The lightweight and ergonomic design ensures a snug fit and all-day comfort. Available in Black and White, the ENC AIR 06 Earbuds are priced at Rs 2,499.
Leading ready-to-wear brand, Dash and Dot, helmed by Ashray Gujral, has joined forces with renowned couturier Seema Gujral to create an exclusive Limited Edition collection that beautifully combines the finesse of pret-a-porter fashion with the alluring drama of couture. Seema Gujral, with her extensive design expertise and technical knowledge, seamlessly merges her rich design sensibilities and experience with Dash and Dot’s contemporary style and demeanor.
This unexpected yet harmonious collaboration has resulted in a stunning collection of 20 ensembles, each possessing its own unique identity. While the color palette and embroidery techniques stem from Seema Gujral’s expertise, the visual language remains true to the modern aesthetic of Dash and Dot. Deep down, Seema Gujral is undeniably a couture designer, but her desire to explore the realm of ready-to-wear fashion found its outlet in this collection.
The collection showcases Seema Gujral’s signature couture elements, intricate embroideries, and exquisite embellishments. From the “Lakeer” collection’s gota work to the distinctive blue-on-blue “Aari” lehenga featuring cut work, appliqué mirror work, and her distinctive approach to Indian couture, Dash and Dot has transformed these elements into ready-to-wear pieces that cater to a broader audience.
Featuring an array of styles, including pantsuits, co-ord sets, and dresses, the collection represents the breadth of Dash and Dot’s offerings, catering to people of various sizes and age groups. The silhouettes are sleek, linear, and adorned with trendy embellishments and embroideries that strike a balance between tradition and chic elegance. The dresses exude a playful charm with neutral tones and whimsical styling, while the co-ord sets showcase capes, jackets, bandeaus, and elegant bodices, all elevated with Seema Gujral’s distinctive touch.
Ashray Gujral said, “One of the most key learnings through this whole process has been to just watch Seema Gujral – how deeply involved and passionate she is, and at the same time how temperamentally even she remains at every point of time. The sense of calm has translated into the clothes to create a collection that is wholesome, complete and exquisite. This collection is the best of Dash and Dot with the grounded uniqueness of Seema Gujral, it is a means for a younger, more modern generation to own a piece of heritage couture.“
Drools has roped in the talented and popular Bollywood actress, Kiara Advani, as its latest brand ambassador. Kiara, Bollywood’s beloved young superstar, will embody the brand’s values and commitment to quality as she represents Drools Pet Food. Adding to the excitement, Kiara made a special appearance on the inaugural episode of Drools’ PAWCAST, a lively and engaging conversation with the show’s charismatic canine host, much to the delight of her fans.
To build anticipation, Drools cleverly employed its Instagram page by releasing an intriguing teaser before the official announcement. In the teaser, the adorable PAWCAST host extended a special invitation to a mystery guest for the grandest PAWCAST ever. While the video cleverly concealed Kiara’s identity, her voiceover accompanied the invitation, expressing her enthusiasm and gratitude for being the first guest. This strategic approach sparked conversations and debates among Drools’ followers, fueling speculation about the identity of the secret guest.
Kiara Advani’s genuine love for pets is well-known, evident to her vast fan base through her active presence on social media. Leveraging this connection, Drools has wisely chosen to collaborate with Kiara Advani as their ideal ambassador.
“We are thrilled to have Kiara Advani as the brand ambassador for Drools Pet Food. Kiara’s vibrant personality and passion for pets make her an ideal fit for our brand. With her association, we aim to strengthen our bond with pet owners and provide them with the best nutrition options for their furry companions. We are equally excited to announce the launch of our PAWCAST series, an exciting and unique platform that brings together fascinating guests for fun-filled and light-hearted conversations with our charismatic canine host. Having Kiara as our inaugural guest added an extra layer of excitement,” said Shashank Sinha, CEO and Veterinarian, Drools Pet Food Pvt Ltd.
Drools consistently endeavors to provide the best quality nutrition and products to pets. The brand understands the importance of a healthy and nutritious diet for a pet’s growth hence their in-house team of vets and nutritionists formulate the product, which then undergoes stringent quality checks to ensure superior quality food, specific to the growing needs of pets.
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), a leading FMCG company, witnessed a remarkable 19.3 percent surge in revenue from its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lakme Lever Pvt Ltd, during FY23. The subsidiary, engaged in the salon business, experienced a significant recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, generating Rs 328 crore in revenue compared to Rs 275 crore in the previous fiscal year, as stated in HUL’s annual report.
The report attributed the robust growth to the revival of the salon business, which demonstrated a commitment to safety, quality, expert treatments, and cost optimization. With over 450 owned/managed and franchisee salons, Lakme Lever continues to excel in the beauty services category. HUL also mentioned the success of their job work business.
The subsidiary’s focus on enhancing safety, quality, and expertise across customer touchpoints contributed to its strengthened position post-pandemic. Lakme Lever operates a manufacturing unit in Gandhidham, undertaking job work operations for HUL’s toilet soaps, bathing bars, and detergent bars.
Additionally, HUL reported that thematic campaigns like “Good Hair Day,” “Happy New You,” and “Skin Investment Plan” played a pivotal role in attracting new clients and retaining existing ones. The annual report highlighted the preference of professionals and entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellness category for owning their Lakme Salon franchise.
Apart from Lakme Lever, HUL’s other wholly-owned subsidiary, Unilever India Exports Ltd, achieved a revenue of Rs 1,268 crore in FY23, mainly from FMCG exports. HUL’s impressive top-line growth was driven by the success of brands such as Dove, Horlicks, Vaseline, Pears, Sunsilk, Glow and Lovely, Ponds, Lipton Hot Instant Tea, Lakme, and Lifebuoy, with substantial growth recorded in their focused markets. The overall turnover of HUL for the fiscal year ending March 31 recorded a significant 16 percent increase, amounting to Rs 58,154 crore.
Patanjali Foods Ltd (PFL), a company involved in the edible oil and FMCG sectors, has announced a 12 percent rise in its net profit to Rs 263.7 crore for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending in March 2023. This marks an increase from Rs 234.43 crore in the same period the previous year.
The company’s total income for the quarter reached Rs 7,962.95 crore, compared to Rs 6,676.19 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, as reported in a regulatory filing. For the full fiscal year 2022-23, Patanjali Foods reported a net profit of Rs 886.44 crore, up from Rs 806.30 crore in the previous year, with a total income of Rs 31,821.45 crore, an increase from Rs 24,284.38 crore in 2021-22.
The company attributed its growth to the significant expansion of its FMCG business, which contributed Rs 6,218.08 crore to the overall revenue, compared to Rs 1,683.24 crore in the previous fiscal year. Patanjali Foods also achieved volume growth of 21 percent in its edible oil business, reaching 1.91 million tonnes in volume and generating revenue of Rs 25,634.45 crore.
The company’s plans for its oil palm plantation are progressing well, with an increased cultivation area of 63,816 hectares during FY 2023, supported by MoUs signed with several state governments. Patanjali Foods was acquired by Patanjali Group through an insolvency resolution process in 2019.
Nikon India Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon Corporation renowned for its expertise in imaging technology, proudly presented its latest groundbreaking mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 8.
The newly launched Nikon Z 8 combines agility, portability, versatility, and state-of-the-art AI-enabled features, pushing the boundaries of the imaging landscape to new heights.
The grand showcase event held at Holiday Inn, Mumbai, witnessed the esteemed presence of Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India. The event celebrated the exceptional research and engineering invested in the development of the Nikon Z 8, evident through its extraordinary imaging performance, remarkable compatibility, high-speed frame capture, and impressive recording capabilities of up to approximately 125 minutes in 4K UHD/60p2 and around 90 minutes in 8K UHD/30p3.
Sajjan Kumar, MD of Nikon India Pvt. Ltd said, “We are delighted to showcase our latest versatile and innovative hybrid camera, The Nikon Z 8, an imaging powerhouse. The camera packs compactness and portability with top-notch features like 12-bit Internal 8K video recording, burst speeds of up to 120fps and our most advanced auto focus system. The Z 8 is our latest addition to Nikon’s mirrorless range specially designed to cater to videographers and photographers, across diverse genres like Sports, Fashion, Landscape, Wildlife, Weddings, and Cinematography. Z 8, the pinnacle of creativity and enhanced performance, is poised to set a new benchmark in the field of creative expression and video storytelling, empowering the youth of our country to take their creativity to new horizons.”
Nikon Z 8, an imaging masterpiece that represents astounding agility making it truly ready for action, anytime and anywhere which comes decorated with captivating features like the new HLG(HEIF) format for 10-bit still images, High-res zoom, skin softening, portrait impression balance and enhanced AI-algorithm for Auto-focus.
The Nikon Z 8 showcases Nikon’s strong dedication to producing top-quality imaging solutions, as they engage the Indian market with an immersive experience cantered around storytelling. Through a powerful fusion of storytelling and cutting-edge technology in Nikon Z 8, Nikon has yet again strengthened its bond with India’s videography and photography community.
Chhabra, an accomplished financial professional with a background as a chartered accountant and company secretary, brings over 25 years of extensive experience to his new role at Campus Activewear Limited. Prior to joining the company, he served as the vice president of finance at Whirlpool of India, a renowned American multinational specializing in manufacturing home appliances.
Throughout his career, Chhabra has also worked with reputable organizations such as Carlsberg Breweries, Dr Reddy’s Lab, OTIS Elevators, and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Chhabra’s expertise lies in both operating and strategic finance, and his previous positions involved managing various aspects such as M&A projects, margin expansion, working capital optimization, and improving cash flows.
He has played a significant role in strengthening controls and governance within organizations and has actively collaborated on cross-functional projects across multiple business verticals.
FMCG major CavinKare has introduced a new addition to the Nyle brand’s natural offering portfolio with a touch of exoticism. Today, the company unveiled ‘Nyle Natural and Pure,’ a range of No-Sulphate hair care products in the Clean Beauty Space. This carefully curated range features an innovative formula that combines high-quality ingredients to provide efficacy, an enhanced experience, and excellent value for consumers.
The No-Sulphate Range offers a variety of hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and the 1 Step Express Hair Spa (2in1 Shampoo + Hair masks), all enriched with natural and exotic ingredients. Positioned as a premium hair care brand, the launch of Nyle Natural and Pure reinforces CavinKare’s commitment to expanding its presence in the natural hair care segment. The products will be readily available in modern trade outlets across key markets, ensuring easy accessibility for consumers.
Rajat Nanda – Business Head Personal Care, CavinKare Pvt. Ltd. said, “Nyle has enjoyed a great reputation for being one of the finest natural hair care products in the FMCG space. The intent to launch ‘Nyle Natural and Pure’ No-Sulphate range, is an organic step towards further deepening our presence in the segment and bringing in a robust mix of offerings, tailor-made to each hair care challenge of the Indian consumers and available at a great price. The range is curated with best-in-class exotic natural ingredients, with an innovative gentle formulation that delivers on product efficacy and a better experience.”
The wide range of offerings under Nyle Natural and Pure is conceptualized with an innovative formulation that oozes the richness of exotic ingredients that are highly efficient and sourced from far and wide. The haircare range has shampoos, conditioners, and 1 Step Express Hair Spa (2in1 Shampoo + Hair Mask) which comes at a great price. The 3 variants have interesting exotic natural ingredient combinations – Argan Oil and Avocado that helps control frizz, Tea tree, and Rosemary that helps fight against dandruff, Murumuru butter that nourishes hair. The shampoo range is available in 300ml and 475ml bottles priced at Rs 369 and Rs 529 respectively. Conditioners in 300ml bottles are priced at Rs 489 and the 1 Step Express Hair Spa (2in1 Shampoo + Hair Mask) is available in 200ml tub packs priced at Rs 569. The products are available across modern trade outlets like retail stores and supermarkets.
Shiv Narayan Jewellers Pvt. Ltd, a renowned jewellery brand based in Hyderabad, has made history by achieving eight Guinness World Records titles, establishing itself as the first Indian jeweller to accomplish such a remarkable feat. To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, an extravagant celebration took place at the stunning Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, graced by esteemed dignitaries and celebrities, paying tribute to Shiv Narayan’s rich legacy.
The grand event featured the presence of Bollywood’s fashion icon, Disha Patani, who mesmerized the audience by elegantly showcasing one of Shiv Narayan’s exquisite high jewellery pieces. Her ethereal appearance not only highlighted the intricacy of the jewellery but also accentuated its craftsmanship and breathtaking elegance. The evening unfolded as a captivating showcase of fashion, glamour, and extraordinary jewellery, with a special focus on the unprecedented “Experiential Zone” that offered an immersive experience with the record-breaking jewels. Each of the four zones was dedicated to showcasing the inspirations, innovation, and nuances of the remarkable creations.
One of the outstanding pieces, “The Ganesh Pendant,” secured two Guinness World Records titles for “The Heaviest Pendant” weighing 1011.150 grams, and “The Most Diamonds Set On A Pendant” with 11,472 diamonds. This handcrafted jewel, exemplifying exquisite craftsmanship, took 6 ½ months to create.
Continuing their extraordinary achievements, Shiv Narayan Jewellers surpassed their own record with “The Ram Darbar,” setting the world record for “The Heaviest Pendant” at 1681.820 grams and “The Most Diamonds Set On A Pendant” with 54,666 diamonds. This exceptional diamond pendant, designed meticulously over 8 ½ months, features diamonds inscribing Sri Ram (Lord Ram) even on the back.
“The Satlada Necklace” became Shiv Narayan’s third award-winning masterpiece, boasting the records for “The Most Emeralds Set On A Necklace” with 315 emeralds and “The Most Diamonds Set On A Necklace” with 1971 fine diamonds. The sourcing of gemstones alone for this necklace took 2 ½ years, and the creation process spanned 5 ½ months. Paying homage to the ancient treasures of the Nizams, an integral part of Shiv Narayan’s heritage, “The Satlada Necklace” represents a resplendent creation that exemplifies the dedication and attention invested in each piece.
Elevating luxury to unprecedented levels, Shiv Narayan Jewellers’ “The Magnifying Glass” holds the distinguished title of “The Most Expensive Magnifying Glass” with a staggering value of $108,346. Weighing 171.010 grams and adorned with Shiv Narayan’s signature emeralds and diamonds, this unparalleled masterpiece redefines the concepts of opulence and elegance.
Tushar Agarwal, MD- Shiv Narayan Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., stated, “We are truly humbled to have achieved 8 Guinness World Records Titles. It is a huge advancement for the entire industry and we are truly grateful that our dedication, hard work and passion has been recognised at such a global level. We hope to continue to pioneer innovation in the industry and reach new heights.“
As the Only Indian Jeweller To Have Achieved 8 Guinness World Records Titles, Shiv Narayan Jewellers have solidified their position at the top in the gem and jewellery industry. Shiv Narayan Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. is a prestigious vintage and royal jewellery brand specializing in emerald jewellery. The company was started by Seth Sri Shiv Narayan Ji, the head jeweller to Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VII Nizam of Hyderabad. Since then, the brand has created many masterpieces. Today, it is in the hands of Kamal Kishore Agarwal and Tushar Agarwal, the current Chairman and Managing Director of the company.
Pansari Group has reported a remarkable 30 percent increase in sales volume during the fiscal year 2022-2023. This impressive growth can be attributed to the brand’s recent expansion efforts in the Western and Southern regions of India, positioning itself for success across the country.
Notably, Pansari Group’s retail GT segment, which comprises a wide network of over 729 distributors and 145,527 retailers nationwide, contributed to 70 percent of the brand’s sales. Building on this strong foundation, the group experienced substantial sales growth in the Uttar Pradesh region this fiscal year and now aims to replicate this success in other states in the upcoming months.
With its robust sales network and strategic focus on expansion, Pansari Group is well-prepared to establish itself as a leading player in the FMCG industry throughout India.
Shammi Agarwal, Director, Pansari Group, said, “The company has witnessed robust growth in the sales number compared to the previous Fiscal Year. This growth will broaden our brand’s reach while we continue to innovate and deepen our relationship with our customers. Our priority has always been “Sehat Aapki, Vaada Hamaara”, following that, we provide our customers with healthy food selections at reasonable pricing. The FY 2022-23 was essential for our growth as strengthening our presence in the Southern and Western Indian markets helped us to build a strong bond with consumers. Currently, we’re exporting to more than 61 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Hong-Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, and more. The Pansari Group is committed to providing the best food ingredients to consumers who wish to enjoy homemade food.”
“Keeping the momentum going from last year, we concentrated on increasing our presence across the range and geographically growing into various regions of India,” Agarwal said
“We recently began participating in regional and global events such as expos and culinary festivals in order to interact with more customers. During these events, we make certain that customers may enjoy our products and make informed decisions about choosing their foods. We are convinced that these actions helped us connect with our customers and paved the way for our success,” he further added
In terms of business expansion, the brand is looking to expand its services in various regions of the nation. Pansari Group never set back to embrace new opportunities. They are always seeking to achieve more through technology and innovation, to keep a close eye on the consumers’ ever-changing wants, and to react quickly to changing conditions.
During the fashion show, the actor stole the spotlight with a chic ensemble, wearing an Autograph pleated dress priced at Rs 5999 and pairing it with a white linen blazer worth Rs 5999 from the latest Summer Collection by M&S. The look served as a major inspiration for smart casuals and chic party wear, setting new OOTD (Outfit of the Day) goals.
The fashion show centered around Marks and Spencer’s signature “Re-think campaign,” aimed at guiding consumers to embrace new styles with confidence. Female models graced the ramp, showcasing bold and vibrant summer styles from M&S. The lineup featured floral dresses, smart separates, breezy shirts, and relaxed bottom wear for women.
For men, the collection presented bold botanical prints and pops of color through cool linen pastel shirts, and striking floral linen options paired with relaxed chinos, linen pants, shorts, and denims. The collection sparked a dialogue between stylish, ultra-cool, lightweight linen garments perfect for daily wear and holiday outfits. The highlight of the collection was the introduction of linen in bold botanical prints and vibrant colors never seen before.
The holiday wear lineup celebrated the essence of summer with an extensive swimwear assortment. The collection showcased figure-flattering swimsuits, statement tankinis, and bikini sets for women, accompanied by beautiful cover-ups and vibrant accessories, adding bursts of color and excitement to the swimwear line. For men, the classic beachwear combination included tie-dye t-shirts, and floral and bright striped shirts, paired with solid and printed shorts and sun hats.
Next, the spotlight shifted to the refreshing colors and prints in the M&S workwear collection for both men and women. The collection redefined workwear by incorporating colorful monotone pant suits with bright bralettes, beautifully printed co-ords and dresses, and wide-leg pants for women. In menswear, printed shirts and polo t-shirts were paired with smart blazers, complemented by well-fitted chinos and denims, creating stylish workwear ensembles.
In today’s fast-paced digital era, the majority of our time is spent working on laptops, both at home and in the office. While these portable computing devices offer great productivity and the freedom to work from anywhere, recent surveys have highlighted potential health issues arising from poor ergonomics and bad sitting posture. Addressing this concern, Portronics, a leading innovator in the digital and portable consumer electronics market, presents its latest offering in the ergonomic office solutions segment – the My Buddy K9 Laptop Stand. This cutting-edge accessory aims to revolutionize the work experience for professionals, providing unmatched comfort, convenience, and productivity enhancement.
The Portronics My Buddy K9 Laptop Stand is a sleek and versatile solution designed for both home and office users. By elevating laptops and tablets to an optimal viewing and typing height, this stand promotes proper posture, reduces strain, and improves airflow, thus creating an ergonomic workspace that maximizes comfort and minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal problems. It’s minimalist aesthetic and premium finish seamlessly integrate into the modern office or home environments, perfectly complementing the user’s personal style.
The My Buddy K9 Laptop Stand by Portronics is now available in the market, offered in two color variants: Black and White. It is currently priced at an introductory rate of Rs 1,599 (MRP 3,499). Backed by a 12-month warranty, customers can purchase this product from Portronics’ official website (Portronics.com), as well as popular online platforms such as Amazon.in and Flipkart.com, along with various leading online and offline stores.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), has successfully concluded the acquisition of a controlling stake in Lotus Chocolate Company Limited (LOTUS), as announced in the media release dated December 29, 2022. The developments are as follows:
a) RCPL has completed the purchase of a 51 percent controlling stake in LOTUS for a total consideration of Rs 74 crore.
b) RCPL has subscribed to non-cumulative redeemable preference shares of LOTUS, amounting to Rs 25 crore.
In addition, RCPL has finalized the acquisition of equity shares in compliance with SEBI Takeover Regulations through an open offer. Effective from May 24, 2023, RCPL has assumed sole control over LOTUS.
RRVL, along with its subsidiaries and affiliates, operates an integrated omnichannel network comprising 18,040 stores and digital commerce platforms across various sectors, including Grocery, Consumer Electronics, Fashion and Lifestyle, and Pharma. Through its New Commerce initiative, RRVL has partnered with over 3 million merchants. Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, the FMCG subsidiary of RRVL, offers a diverse range of products under a versatile brand portfolio to cater to the daily needs of millions of Indians.
As of March 31, 2023, RRVL reported a consolidated turnover of Rs 260,364 crore ($31.7 billion) and a net profit of Rs 9,181 crore ($1.1 billion).
ASUS India, a renowned Taiwanese technology giant, has secured the position of the second-largest consumer notebook company in India, capturing a notable 17.9 percent market share based on unit shipments. According to IDC’s Worldwide Personal Computing Devices Tracker for Q1 2023, ASUS experienced a remarkable 59.8 percent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth compared to Q4 2022, while the overall consumer notebook market witnessed a decline of 41.8 percent year-on-year (YoY).
ASUS has started the year 2023 with a series of robust product launches spanning across the consumer notebook, gaming, and creator segments in India. The brand has showcased its commitment to innovation by introducing cutting-edge advancements to the market, such as the Zenbook S 13 OLED, which holds the distinction of being the world’s slimmest laptop, weighing just 1 kilogram. Furthermore, ASUS has unveiled the Strix Scar series for gaming enthusiasts and the iconic creator series, powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core Processors.
Alongside its achievements in the consumer notebook market, ASUS has also established itself as a strong leader in the gaming segment, catering to the evolving needs of customers with its innovative ROG laptop series. With this impressive growth trajectory, ASUS continues to solidify its position as a key player in the Indian technology market, offering a diverse range of products to meet the demands of various consumer segments.
Arnold Su, VP, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, said, “We are elated to capture the No. 2 position in the consumer notebook category in India in Q1 2023. This is indeed great teamwork to receive this accomplishment in the very first quarter of the year, which will keep the team motivated and passionate to touch new benchmarks in the coming quarters and help the business grow exponentially in India. With this recognition, we are aligned with our vision and hoping to receive newer and bigger heights in 2023 by offering customers innovative and high-performance devices catering to every segment of customers.”
ASUS is also working towards innovations around health and hygiene concerns and introduced ASUS Antimicrobial Technology recently, which is available in most of the newly launched series of laptops of 2023 in the Consumer Notebook segment. ASUS Antimicrobial Guard inhibits the growth of bacteria, while ASUS Antimicrobial Guard Plus uses a denser treatment* that also inhibits viruses. The technology is scientifically proven — using the ISO 217021 and 221962 standards — to inhibit virus and bacteria growth by more than 99 percent over a 24-hour period.
Experience an instant party no matter where you are with the wireless Bluetooth karaoke speaker that guarantees endless fun and keeps the celebration going. JUST CORSECA, a leading brand in gadget accessories, proudly introduces Spin Bunny: the Portable Speaker with a microphone. This compact and versatile audio companion is more than just a small speaker; it caters to all your audio needs whether you’re at home, on the beach, by the pool, or camping in the wilderness.
Designed for an active lifestyle, the Spin Bunny features a highly compact form factor with a convenient handle for extreme portability. Despite its size, this little wonder packs a punch when it comes to features. Equipped with the latest Bluetooth V5.0 technology, it ensures uninterrupted connectivity and even allows you to take voice calls when paired with your smartphone.
With its 2-inch 5-Watt dynamic driver, the Spin Bunny delivers rich and immersive sound, whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie. You can play your favorite tracks from your smartphone or laptop, or simply load your preferred MP3 files onto a TF card and carry your music with you wherever you go.
The Spin Bunny becomes an instant karaoke machine with its rechargeable wireless microphone (500mAh battery), taking your party to new heights. All you need is a group of enthusiastic participants to liven up your gathering. Moreover, the built-in 2000mAh battery ensures you can keep the party going all night long.
The JUST CORSECA Spin Bunny Karaoke Wireless Speaker is available in three trendy colors—Blue, White, and Pink—for just Rs 3,999, accompanied by a 12-month warranty. You can purchase the product from the official website Corseca.in, as well as popular e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. Additionally, the product is available through various online and offline retail stores across India, giving you convenient access to this remarkable entertainment device.
Boddess Beauty, the multi-brand beauty retailer, has added renowned global brands such as Etude House, Dermalogica Cosrx, Klairs, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Azzaro, and OGX to its portfolio as part of its robust retail expansion plans. These brands will offer a diverse range of product categories and stock-keeping units (SKUs) both online and at Boddess’ offline stores. The demand for beauty products in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space is projected to thrive until 2030, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27percent. Recognizing the immense market potential, Boddess Beauty has capitalized on the popularity of Korean beauty brands in India, curating a collection that combines the best global and home-grown beauty brands.
With the ever-evolving landscape of direct-to-consumer business models, e-commerce platforms, expedited deliveries, and digital media, global brands have become increasingly accessible to the masses. In a highly competitive market, the pursuit of strategic growth to connect brands with their target customers is ceaseless. Boddess Beauty emphasizes the significance of an omni-channel presence and a digital-first approach as the way forward, a strategy embraced by existing and well-established brands to a great extent.
Ritika Sharma, Founder, and CEO of House of Beauty/Boddess, said, “Undoubtedly, homegrown Indian skincare brands are disrupting the beauty space in the country. At the same time, we are witnessing a phenomenon: demand for global beauty products from Tier ll and lll cities. In line with evolving consumer preferences, we want to share the best global experience with our consumers. We are thrilled to welcome them to our store as well as the online platform and are glad to offer the Indian consumers the best from the world of K-beauty and other internationally renowned brands.“
Paul Lee, MD, AmorePacific India said, “We are encouraged by the appreciation and overwhelming response that Etude has received from its consumers from different parts of India now. We are excited to open doors for Etude in Boddess, Ambience Mall Store. This will be Etude’s second multi-brand outlet and its first in Delhi. At Etude our endeavour is to provide our customers with the sweet moments in their lives and make them feel excited with the number of sensual colours that the brand has to offer. Discovering one’s true beauty and bringing sweet imagination of beautiful transformation to reality. We have a mix of makeup products, and our engine products are Water Tint, Fixing Tint and Eyebrow pencils. The products are developed to reflect four basic concepts: high quality, affordability, lovely design and a diverse colour range.”
Pushkaraj Shenai, Head, ProBeauty Brands, Unilever said, “Dermalogica believes in helping customers achieve their healthiest skin. We are the no.1 choice of skin experts across Europe and the USA and bring cutting-edge products and treatments to our Consumers. We are very happy to partner with Boddess to bring the globally loved and renowned Dermalogica products to the new host of discerning customers”.
Jua Lee,Team Leader, Wish Company (Dear Klairs) said, “We are thrilled to partner with Boddess Beauty as we continue to drive dynamic growth for Klairs, in India. With this platform, we see an amazing opportunity to expand into new and existing markets and introduce consumers to the world of Korean Skincare. The platform’s commitment to a diversified offering, combined with the Klairs brand portfolio will help us achieve the growth and success we are looking for. Since 2010 our team has been researching different ingredients and raw materials to develop functional products that are vegan and cruelty free. Through our products, we hope our consumers can resonate with our core value of living a well-balanced life”.
Etude House is a South Korean cosmetic brand owned by Amore Pacific. COSRX was founded in 2013 as a popular Korean skincare brand, with products making significant online ripples among the international skincare community and customers reporting fantastic, tangible results. Klairs is a vegan and eco-friendly Korean skin care brand best suited for sensitive skin. Klairs was launched in 2010 in Seoul, Korea, and focuses on developing functional products for sensitive skin. OGX is one of the leading premium Korean hair care brands, with various lines of shampoo and conditioner. It provides customised hair care for each individual and helps cleanse the scalp. Consumers across the country will now be able to experience the leading skincare, haircare, and bath essentials from these Korean brands through Boddess.
Micky Jagtiani has sadly passed away. As the founder of the Landmark Group, he played a pivotal role in establishing a multi-billion dollar corporate empire that spanned various markets in the region, subcontinent, and beyond.
Under Micky’s leadership, Landmark Group flourished, encompassing influential brands such as max, babyshop, Splash, homecentre, and many more. Beginning with the Gulf markets, Micky strategically expanded the network, extending its reach across the region and even into India.
While Forbes estimated his wealth at over $5 billion, Micky Jagtiani’s impact extended far beyond his financial success. Landmark Group emerged as a vital contributor to job creation in the Middle East, making a significant and lasting impact on the local economy. Micky Jagtiani was 70 years old at the time of his passing.
Sunpure has launched its latest marketing campaign, #Fantastic5WithSunpure, aiming to reinforce the oil’s five health features and the brand’s core values of purity, well-being, quality, care, and honesty. The year-long, multilingual campaign will be amplified across offline and online channels, including social media and digital platforms.
Building upon the theme of promoting health and quality, the campaign showcases the profound impact Sunpure Sunflower Oil can have on individuals and their families. The captivating ad campaign is centered on an engaging storyline around a heartwarming interaction between a grandfather and a granddaughter and emphasizes the significance of quality, health, ambition, and the positive impact Sunpure has on everyone’s lives. The ad campaign, running on diverse channels, serves to highlight the brand’s commitment to promoting health and well-being through its exceptional products.
Gokaran Pawar Singh, National Sales Head – M K Agrotech Pvt Ltd said, “Our mission with this campaign is to empower individuals and families to lead healthier and fulfilling lives. We are proud to showcase the outstanding features of Sunpure Sunflower Oil, a product that embodies quality, purity, and excellence. Through this campaign, we aim to inspire and educate consumers about the tremendous health benefits offered by our oil.“
The campaign highlights the five remarkable features that set Sunpure sunflower oil apart from the competition. Firstly, it is chemical-free and ensures purity and natural goodness in every drop. Secondly, the oil’s high content of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) contributes to maintaining a healthy heart. Additionally, apart from being India’s only physically refined sunflower oil, Sunpure is rich in Vitamins A, D, and E, promoting overall well-being. Furthermore, the oil aids in digestion, ensuring a healthy gut, and provides the energy needed to stay active all day long.
To reach a wide audience, #Fantastic5WithSunpure campaign will be amplified through multiple platforms. Engaging TV commercials will be broadcasted in two languages, Kannada and Tulu, ensuring maximum reach and impact in Karnataka. Moreover, for social media platforms, the campaign will be extended to Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, enabling the brand to connect with diverse communities across India. The brand aims to leverage digital performance marketing to target the audience effectively, and outdoor media will serve as a powerful avenue for creating brand visibility.
The current campaign is looking at further strengthening the deep connection the brand has developed with customers across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, and Maharashtra.
Coda Audio, Waves System, and Pequod Acoustics, three leading pro-audio brands based in Europe, have announced their entry into the Indian market at the Palm Expo in Mumbai. To enhance product awareness and strengthen their business in India, the brands have signed a strategic distribution partnership agreement with Alphatec, a Mumbai-based distribution house for the world’s best audio and video equipment across India.
Among the brands, Germany-based Coda Audio is a renowned name, offering a diverse range of products such as line arrays, point source systems, column speakers, compact full-range systems, and amplification. Coda Audio maintains the highest standards of quality and control by making its drivers, hardware, enclosures, crossovers, and electronics in-house at its dedicated European manufacturing facility. Through this partnership, the brands are set to cater to different requirements and settings in the Indian market.
Paul Ward – International Sales Manager, Coda Audio said,” We are thrilled to enter the vibrant Indian market with our cutting-edge audio solutions. We are committed to deliver exceptional sound experiences and are excited to bring our advanced technologies and renowned expertise to cater to the diverse needs of Indian audiences, venues, and events. We further aim to elevate the audio industry and contribute to the growth and success of the local entertainment and performance sectors.“
Another Germany-based brand, Waves System has built its reputation on the reliability of its solutions. It offers a range of audio players covering a wide spectrum of applications for background music, messaging, and interactive audio broadcast in public areas; Professional interactive audio/video players for museography and digital signage; Ultra directional speakers with high audio quality and focused beam of sound; and Digital signage software with 100 percent cloud-based solutions. Its expertise lies in providing immersive and impactful audio-visual experiences through its technologically advanced products namely EVP380, AP420, MicroPlayer mkIII+, Hypersound, IR Pad, Mono Earphone, VibroGlass 1 (30W), VibroPad, SensoPad, and PB22IR.
Thierry Roger, Customer focus CEO of Waves System shared, “We are delighted to bring Waves System’s advanced audio and visual solutions to the dynamic Indian market through Alphatec. Our vision is to enhance the audio-visual experiences across various industries. Together, we will create an immersive and unforgettable audio-visual experience that will captivate audiences and elevate the standard of excellence in the Indian market.“
Pequod Acoustics, on the other hand, is an Italian brand that makes high-quality audio equipment for professional users and audiophiles. The company began as a research project in pursuit of the highest acoustic quality possible, combining new technology with overlooked acoustical theory. After years of refinement and experimentation, the brand now has a range of speakers to meet any need, worldwide distribution, and many custom installations in nightclubs, discos, and other venues all over the world. It has a range of products like Kona Supra 17.1, Kona Supra 17.1, Zephirus 5, Borea SUB 12, Ovoid Sub 5.1, Ovoid Sub 5.1, Polyphemus, Ostro 11.2, and Zephyrus 5.
Andrea Ugolini, Co-Founder of Pequod Acoustics said, “We are excited to partner with Alphatec and make our way in the thriving Indian market. We look forward to transforming the way sound is perceived and appreciated in the Indian market, leaving a lasting impact on the audio industry.”
Devasis Barkataki, Founder and MD, Alphatec said, “We are proud to bring renowned global brands Coda Audio, Wave System, Pequod Acoustics to the Indian market. Our mission is to elevate the audio industry in India by introducing cutting-edge technology, top-notch quality, and unmatched performance through our partnerships with esteemed global brands. We aim to empower Indian professionals, businesses, and enthusiasts with the tools they need to create exceptional sound experiences. Together, we will redefine the standards of audio excellence and drive the growth and success of the Indian audio market.“
Global brands often invest heavily in research and development, leading to the creation of innovative technologies and cutting-edge products. By introducing these brands to India, the local market gains access to state-of-the-art audio equipment that can significantly enhance the quality of sound reproduction and overall audio experiences. Overall, the Indian market can benefit from the exceptional sound quality that enhances various applications such as live events, concerts, studios, cinemas, and more.
Adani Wilmar has announced its entry into the whole wheat category through its Fortune brand. With a guarantee to provide unparalleled access to the purest wheat seed of the most premium wheat varieties in the country, Adani Wilmar will be the only national player in this highly fragmented and commoditized category.
The company’s focus on exceptional sourcing from the best-growing regions, including Sehore in Madhya Pradesh, renowned for unmatched Sharbati wheat, will set the gold standard for whole wheat in India. These premium wheat varieties meet stringent AWL specifications to ensure the purity of variety, and they offer unbeatable qualities of softness, sweetness, and taste in roti.
Vineeth Viswambharan, Associate VP, Marketing and Sales, Adani Wilmar said, “Traditional wheat connoisseur households in the West and North of the country are very selective about their preferred wheat varieties which they get ground under their supervision in neighborhood chakki stores. The range of Fortune Whole Wheat varieties will give them just what they are looking for and will stand out for their clearly superior quality and variety assurance. There is a pressing need for genuine and unadulterated whole wheat options in the market. Our products will deliver a wholesome and unadulterated whole wheat experience to consumers across the country.”
The brand ‘Fortune’ is built on the pillars of trust, purity, and premium-ness, aiming to widen its product portfolio and cater to the brand’s patrons with niche preferences. The company aims to consistently increase its market share and expand its presence into high-value metro markets such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, and Ahmedabad.
FNP Ferns N Petals has announced the appointment of Shwetabh Mishra as the Deputy General Manager – Supply Chain Management. With over 14 years of leadership experience in operations planning and managing complex logistics networks, Shwetabh brings valuable expertise to FNP’s supply chain.
In his previous roles, he has successfully led transformative supply chain initiatives, resulting in improved inventory management, streamlined distribution networks, and enhanced customer satisfaction. With its diverse range of products and services, FNP’s decision to bring on board an experienced supply chain expert aligns with its vision to further enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Shwetabh’s role will be critical in ensuring seamless product availability and enhancing FNP’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Pawan Gadia, Global CEO and Director FNP said, “We are thrilled to welcome Shwetabh as our new Head of Supply Chain Management. With his extensive expertise and proven track record, we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in strengthening our supply chain capabilities, investing in simplifying our operations, and expanding our omnichannel and digital capabilities. This strategic appointment reflects our commitment to ensuring timely deliveries and exceptional quality across our vast product portfolio.”
“I am thrilled to be joining FNP at this point in its growth journey. I eagerly anticipate contributing my expertise to this team, driving operational excellence, optimizing costs, and reinforcing FNP’s position as the preferred gifting brand in India,” said Shwetabh.
The Indian Garage Co, a homegrown fast-fashion D2C brand, is on track to achieve a historic business milestone with a Rs 600 crore GMV by the end of FY 2023-24. This marks a 100 percent growth from the previous financial year and the company has been growing at 300 percent YoY since 2020, exceeding the industry growth rate of 12-13 percent CAGR.
The asset-light, bootstrapped, and EBITDA-positive company is known for its unique product portfolio, which includes over 2,500 styles across men’s casualwear and sportswear, and recently forayed into women’s wear and plus-size fashion under the house of brands format.
With complete control over design and delivery, The Indian Garage Co has achieved success in creating fashion bets quickly, thanks to their multi-product factories and commitment to efficiency. The brand has also been able to sell 5-6 lakh units per month, making it one of the most popular external fashion brands on Myntra and Ajio. The company’s commitment to tech-led fashion has led to the creation of Chanakya, an in-house technology product that promises to enhance the consumer experience.
The Indian Garage Co recently started selling its products exclusively on TIGC.in and announced star cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav as its brand ambassador to highlight this move. The company aims to expand its offline retail presence through phygital distribution and exclusive brand outlets in the near future.
Anant Tanted, Founder and CEO said, “We have come a long way; it is our moment of glory to see our brand being rewarded with much-needed growth at the right time! The next couple of years are very crucial for us, and we are committed to the idea of building ‘A Cult Indian Value Fashion Brand with a Global Appeal!“
With the right mix of value fashion offerings, excellent brand recall, and a dynamic marketing strategy, The Indian Garage Co. is all set to capture a considerable portion of the Indian fashion market.
Bonito Designs has appointed Jenis Makwana as the Head of Design, I-Labs, and R&D. With over 25 years of experience in the interior design industry and a focus on consumer needs, Jenis brings valuable expertise and leadership skills that will drive innovation in modern-day interiors.
In collaboration with Amit Parsuramka, CEO of Bonito Designs, Jenis will lead the innovation lab team with the aim of becoming the top brand in the organized retail segment in Bangalore and Mumbai markets by March 2024. Bonito Designs offers a personalized approach to home decor through 3D designs and its experience centers in Mumbai and Bangalore and has become the third largest interior design company in the country within the past four years. With Jenis on board, the brand is set to achieve an ARR of $100 million and an annual EBITDA of 100 crore. Prior to joining Bonito Designs, Jenis was a Design Consultant for Stanley Lifestyles where he led high-profile projects that contributed to the company’s significant growth.
Jenis Makwana – Head of Design and Innovation, Bonito Designs said, “I am very happy to have joined the extremely talented, creative, and innovative team at Bonito Designs. The brand has done some great work so far and I am really looking forward to bringing my expertise and leadership to the table that will enable us to achieve new heights in design and innovation.”
Amit Parsuramka, CEO, Bonito Designs said, “We at Bonito Designs are very excited to have Jenis Makwana on board with us as the Head of Design and Innovation. An extremely accomplished professional, Jenis brings with him over 25 years of experience in the interior design industry, with a proven record of transforming client ideas into stunning functional spaces. We are certain that his impressive background and professional skills will contribute immensely to the growth and success of Bonito Designs.”
With Jenis joining and spearheading the design team at Bonito Designs, the brand will further strengthen its position in the interior design industry as an expert in offering personalized solutions to its consumers. His leadership skills will enable the brand to achieve new heights in design and innovation.
Aditya Birla Capital, the financial services division of the Aditya Birla Group, has unveiled OneVerse, a Virtual Lounge in the Metaverse designed to provide customers with an immersive and interactive encounter with its comprehensive PIFA solutions: Protection, Investing, Financing, and Advising.
The range of offerings within OneVerse includes insurance solutions for life, health, motor, travel, corporate general insurance, and wellness, as well as investment options such as mutual funds, stocks and securities broking, wealth management, portfolio management services, and pension funds. Financing solutions encompass home finance, personal finance, SME finance, mortgage finance, loan against securities, corporate finance, debt capital market, loan syndication, and asset reconstruction. Additionally, the platform offers money advisory services to assist customers in fulfilling their financial needs.
This move establishes Aditya Birla Capital as a leading non-banking player in India to introduce a Virtual Lounge in the Metaverse. Aligning with its digital strategy to incorporate emerging technologies and innovative digitization initiatives across various age groups, OneVerse serves as an additional digital channel for engaging with tech-savvy customers, particularly the younger generation. It delivers a virtual replica of physical branches, enabling users to create their digital twin, interact with agents, and explore a wide array of product and service experiences. Accessible through the Aditya Birla Capital website, mobile app, or using the Oculus VR headset, OneVerse has been developed in collaboration with Hexaware Technologies to deliver a seamless virtual experience in the Metaverse.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd has initiated a nationwide digital float campaign at its rural outlets to expand its presence in semi-urban and rural regions. This innovative ‘Digital Float’ concept aims to address the need for deeper and more impactful penetration in these areas. As part of this initiative, Hyundai will directly deliver their popular hatchback, the “Grand i10 NIOS,” to consumers’ doorsteps, providing them with the convenience of experiencing the product firsthand at their own convenience. This strategic move by Hyundai aims to strengthen its reach and engagement with customers in rural communities across the country.
Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd said, “At Hyundai Motor India, we believe that in a dynamic market like India, phygital experiences are the need of the hour so as to reach the last mile and also ensure maximum penetration across geographies. With the ‘Digital-Float’ activations, we aim to showcase Hyundai products to existing and potential buyers and extend our footprint in the hinterland. The 36 Digital Floats will cover almost 582 rural locations across 27 states over the next two months. This initiative will help HMIL reach out to potential customers effectively at the tehsil and taluka levels. These digital floats will aid Hyundai Dealerships to provide a doorstep experience to our esteemed customers and generate inquiries for new as well as pre-owned cars. Scheduling test drives, booking their favorite Hyundai car and availing finance schemes is now simplified for our rural customers, thus fulfilling Hyundai’s vision of becoming a Lifetime Partner of our customers.”
Initially, the ‘Digital-Floats’ will be traveling across the rural territories of Punjab and Haryana for the customers to experience the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS without the need of visiting a physical showroom or booking a home visit. The new Grand i10 NIOS distinctively combines safety, comfort, and style with a host of best-in-segment features. This concept is expected to gain better reach and elevate Hyundai’s Customer Experience.
HMIL has established a strong network of 600 touchpoints in rural markets and the Grand i10 NIOS has contributed to 20 percent in Rural Sales volume for YTM’23. Moreover, acceptance of NIOS CNG variant has increased significantly over the past year. The ‘Digital-Float’ will act as a Showroom-on-wheels enabling customers and prospects to connect with their local Hyundai dealership for any product-related queries or new bookings, delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction and strengthening customer confidence in the brand Hyundai, all from the convenience of their doorstep.
Going forward, driven by innovation, HMIL will further tap the rural potential with digital-first initiatives. Hyundai Motor India is aiming to increase its rural reach and customer base by introducing several pioneering initiatives to enhance customer experience and association with the brand.
Wacoal, the renowned premium lingerie brand hailing from Japan, has appointed Hirokuni Nagamori as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wacoal India. In his new position, Nagamori will spearhead the brand’s expansion efforts while focusing on delivering value to a broader customer base by accelerating channels such as e-commerce and multi-brand outlets (MBOs).
Nagamori’s journey with Wacoal began in 2006 when he joined Wacoal Japan. Throughout his career, he has held various roles including Production Control and Merchandiser in Thailand and Indonesia. Having been involved in the global business department, Nagamori has gained valuable insights into the apparel industry. With his extensive experience in merchandising and supply chain management (SCM) in Japan, Nagamori plans to leverage his knowledge to strengthen Wacoal’s product range and contribute to the achievement of its goals. He aims to introduce bestselling, high-quality products in countries worldwide, utilizing Wacoal’s technology and innovation to develop products that cater to the specific needs of Indian women.
In the short term, Nagamori envisions establishing Wacoal as a prominent brand by expanding channels, and he is also determined to accelerate the company’s growth by diversifying Wacoal India’s product portfolio (to be confirmed with Kimaya). At every stage of product development, the focus will be on empowering women throughout the country to express their beauty confidently.
“We are excited to announce the appointment of Hirokuni Nagamori as CEO of Wacoal India. With his extensive experience and leadership, we are confident that Wacoal India will continue to expand its brand recognition and product offerings to meet the needs of Indian women. I am thrilled to work alongside Mr. Hirokuni Nagamori and the rest of our team as we strive toward our vision of becoming a leading brand in the Indian lingerie industry. With his guidance, we are confident that Wacoal India will continue to thrive and grow,” said Pooja Merani, COO of Wacoal India.
Hirokuni Nagamori, CEO of Wacoal India, stated, “As the CEO of Wacoal India, I am incredibly thrilled for the opportunity to lead this dynamic organization and excited for what lies ahead. At Wacoal India, we are committed to offering innovative products that not only meet the diverse tastes of Indian women but also provide them with greater comfort and beauty – and this will further help in expanding our brand awareness. I have seen the power of the Wacoal brand in action ever since I joined Wacoal. With our team’s dedication, Wacoal India is poised to become a true force in the Indian intimate apparel industry.”
Wacoal is all about science, technology, and innovation to provide the best and the most comfortable lingerie for women while boosting their confidence. Every Wacoal creation is an example of product uniqueness. With a customer loyalty rate of 70 percent + and a presence in online marketplaces, the brand’s focus remains to provide the accurate fit to make women feel comfortable inside and confident outside.
Wakefit.co, a leading home solutions brand in India, has announced its provisional unaudited financials for FY 2022-23, revealing a remarkable revenue of Rs 825 crore. This achievement can be attributed to the brand’s dedicated efforts in expanding its omnichannel presence, optimizing supply chain operations, and strengthening brand-building initiatives. With a notable 30 percent year-on-year growth compared to FY 2021-22, Wakefit.co is on a steady path of expansion, aiming to become the ultimate destination for all home-related needs in India.
Driven by a focus on profitability, Wakefit.co has set a target to surpass the Rs 1000 crore revenue milestone in FY 2023-24. The company’s future growth strategy relies on a continuously expanding product portfolio and broader geographic and demographic reach. Having already served customers in over 19,000 pin codes across the country, catering to the needs of more than 2 million customers over the span of seven years, Wakefit.co aims to be the go-to home solutions partner for Indians at different stages of their lives, offering comprehensive services and products.
Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, Director and Co-Founder, Wakefit.co said, “We are delighted to have served customers across the nation with our home and sleep solutions offerings. The 30 percent Y-o-Y growth in revenue is a testament to the immense satisfaction people have found in our products and we look forward to serving them even better this year. We are continuously working towards bringing premium-quality products at affordable prices and will continue to move towards achieving our vision of becoming India’s most loved home and sleep solutions brand.”
Ankit Garg, CEO, and Co-Founder, Wakefit.co, added, “We forayed into the home solutions market in 2020 and, since then, have witnessed rapid growth in those categories. FY 2023 further solidifies our position in the home and sleep solutions industry. This growth has been possible due to the continued support our customers have shown us. This year, our focus will be on pursuing our goal to become a market leader in the home and sleep solutions category.”
In FY 2023, Wakefit.co launched 22 physical stores across 15 cities in the country, which has helped in penetrating deeper pockets and being available closer to customer hubs in both metro and tier-ll cities. The offline stores have played a key role in clocking Rs 825 crore in revenue in FY 2023 with stores steadily contributing a higher percentage of monthly revenue. The omnichannel push will continue to be a strategic growth driver in the next 3 years, with plans to open close to 100 stores across the country.
In 2022, Wakefit.co unveiled India’s largest furniture factory, with the capacity to furnish almost 1 lakh Indian homes every month. This significantly improves the company’s manufacturing capabilities and positions it to become India’s most loved home solutions brand. With a range of products such as sofa, wardrobes, dining sets, bedside tables, shoe racks, coffee tables, bed frames, soft furnishings etc. that are part of the furniture portfolio, the segment currently contributes to ~20-25 percent of Wakefit.co’s revenue.
In FY 2022, the company clocked in a revenue of Rs 636 crore. In the past year, Wakefit.co has significantly ramped up its furniture portfolio and has also emerged as the most searched brand in the home and sleep solutions category. The company also emerged as the highest-reviewed home and sleep brand having recorded over 6,00,000 reviews across online platforms.
Campus Activewear proudly announces its collaboration with Umran Malik, India’s fastest bowler, for the highly anticipated release of the Nitrofly range. Renowned for his exceptional cricketing prowess and unwavering dedication to excellence, Umran Malik lends his expertise and passion for sports to endorse the Campus Nitrofly range. These cutting-edge athletic shoes, featuring the tagline ‘Why Run When You Can Fly,’ are equipped with Nitro Technology, enabling users to surpass their limits and achieve their peak performance.
Campus Activewear’s Nitrofly range revolutionizes athletic footwear, catering to both professional athletes and active individuals alike. With the invaluable endorsement of renowned cricketer Umran Malik, these shoes stand out from the competition by harnessing the power of state-of-the-art Nitro Technology. Offering exceptional cushioning, responsiveness, and energy transfer, the Nitrofly range empowers wearers to soar to new heights in their athletic endeavors. Just as Umran Malik exemplifies, Campus Activewear extends an invitation to all sports enthusiasts and active individuals to experience the unparalleled performance of the Nitrofly range.
Nikhil Aggarwal, CEO of Campus Activewear said, “We are delighted to partner with Umran Malik for the launch of our Nitrofly range. Umran’s exceptional skills as India’s fastest bowler perfectly align with our brand’s essence of pushing the boundaries and achieving extraordinary performance. With Umran’s endorsement, we are confident that Nitrofly will revolutionize the world of athletic footwear. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to providing our customers with the best possible products that empower them to soar beyond their expectations.”
With the Nitrofly range, Campus Activewear continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and providing consumers with high-quality activewear that empowers them to achieve their fitness and performance goals. The collaboration with Umran Malik reaffirms our brand’s unwavering commitment to continuously pursue excellence in delivering performance-driven products to our valued customers to maintain an active lifestyle. The Nitrofly collection will be available in select retail stores and brand’s website.
Truly Desi, a Pune-based company, has exciting news of its expansion in Mumbai. With its expansion, Truly Desi introduces a range of exquisite dairy products to the people of Mumbai. The product lineup in Mumbai includes Gir Cow A2 Milk, Gir Cow Cultured Ghee, A2 Paneer, and A2 Kullhad Dahi. The brand is deeply committed to providing families with dairy products that are pure, wholesome, and trustworthy.
Apart from their dairy offerings, Truly Desi also offers a diverse selection of desi dairy products, along with certified organic groceries, fruits, and vegetables. With their expansion, the company aims to cater to the growing demand for authentic and healthy dairy products in Mumbai, ensuring that customers have access to a wide array of options that meet their preferences and dietary needs.
Rupali Kakade, Co-Founder, Truly Desi said, “Consumption of adulterated milk and milk products led to my daughter’s illness a few years back, and that’s when Truly Desi was born to provide pure A2 products that families can trust. With the wonderful response we have received in Pune in the past four years, we are encouraged to start our operations in Mumbai.”
To manage their operations in Mumbai, Truly Desi has set up an in-house logistics and delivery team that will handle the operations from farm to doorstep delivery of all products. The team will ensure that the products reach the customers in a fresh and timely manner. The company has set a target to reach 2000 liters daily of Gir Cow A2 Milk in the next three months. The brand has been working on the operations and supply chain for the past couple of months and has received a positive response.
“The awareness towards A2 milk and organic food is increasing constantly which has led people to take a step towards better food choices which aligns with our brand’s vision and mission,” Rupali added.
Truly Desi will be expanding its services through online as well as offline stores. The milk subscription consumers are handled on their own application, while the brand is already available on Amazon, Nature’s Basket, You Care Lifestyle, Swiggy Minis, and other online stores. In terms of offline stores, all Nature’s Basket stores across Mumbai will carry Truly Desi’s products. The brand also plans to onboard its products at all the premium retail stores in Mumbai.
Started by Rupali Kakade and Mohit Rathod as an initiative to provide organic products, Truly Desi now provides desi dairy products, organic fruits and vegetables, and certified organic Products. Their farm has about 100 cows and they also generate electricity with the help of its Biogas plant. Currently, Truly Desi has 10 acres of land under cultivation and is planning to expand. They also have their own in-house organic fertilizer production which is made using cow dung, cow urine, biogas slurry, and bacterial cultures and is free of any chemicals.
Neeman’s, a renowned conscious fashion brand, has recently announced its collaboration with Unicommerce to streamline its supply chain and elevate the post-purchase experience for its customers. Unicommerce, India’s leading e-commerce enablement SaaS company, has equipped Neeman’s with cutting-edge order management and warehouse management solutions, enabling efficient logistics management, optimized warehouse operations, and accelerated order processing. Currently, Neeman’s manages four warehouses and handles orders from ten different sales channels through Unicommerce solutions, processing over 80,000 orders each month.
Known for its sustainable and comfortable footwear offerings at affordable prices, Neeman’s has emerged as a leader in its category. The company has ambitious plans for both domestic and international expansion. However, as part of this growth strategy, operational challenges such as unsynchronized inventory operations, return order management, order allocation, bulk order management, and logistics management have emerged.
To overcome these challenges, Neeman’s has implemented the Unicommerce platform and integrated all its warehouses into a unified system. This enables automatic order allocation to the nearest warehouse and streamlines the entire order management process. Furthermore, the centralized window provided by Unicommerce offers complete visibility of orders and inventory, simplifying the management of Neeman’s extensive product line of 200,000 items across multiple warehouses.
Thanks to Unicommerce’s support, Neeman’s has witnessed remarkable improvements in return order management and overall operational efficiency. This partnership will play a pivotal role in accelerating the brand’s growth plans and ensuring an enhanced shopping experience for its valued customers.
Kapil Makhija, CEO of Unicommerce said, “Unicommerce has been a torchbearer of simplifying e-commerce selling using technology solutions since its inception. Neeman’s has been able to grow exponentially while building sustainable products and we look forward to playing an active role in its growth through building an efficient supply chain system. We are committed to providing them with best-in-class technology to streamline their supply chain and automate their operations to manage the increasing order volume.”
Taran Chabra, Founder of Neeman’s said, “We have been able to expand our presence across India with an increasing number of consumers looking to buy comfortable and sustainable products. Our consistent focus is on providing our customers with a seamless experience across shopping platforms. We are also partnering with organized retailers to build an Omnichannel brand and our partnership with Unicommerce technology will help us further strengthen our operations. They have a great product that helps us solve our supply chain problems concerns and we are confident of the value that Unicommerce will keep adding in our next phase of growth.”
Unicommerce is one of the leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms in India that powers post-purchase experience for brands, marketplaces, and fulfillment providers. Deployed by e-commerce retail companies, traditionally offline brands, D2C brands, brand aggregator firms, fulfillment service providers, 3PLs, and marketplaces. The company has built a strong presence in India and has also expanded to international geographies and is serving clients in the Middle East (UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines).
Louis Stitch, the renowned brand for premium menswear, is expanding its product range beyond shoes and accessories to include apparel. Starting with premium shirts and polo t-shirts, Louis Stitch aims to redefine men’s fashion by offering a diverse collection of clothing options that cater to different style preferences. This expansion into the apparel segment signifies the brand’s progressive approach in becoming a comprehensive fashion destination for the modern man.
The collection, proudly made in India, embodies the brand’s legacy of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. To meet the evolving needs and styles of contemporary men, the company plans to launch 150-200 unique designs every month.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Louis Stitch embarked on a year-long research and development process to discover and source the finest raw materials from around the world. This includes premium cotton from various countries, including the prestigious Egyptian Giza cotton, as well as German Gutermann threads, Freudenberg collar fusing, and natural buttons. Each product will be meticulously crafted and manufactured in the company’s state-of-the-art facility located in Gurgaon.
Amol Goel, Founder and CEO, of Louis Stitch said, “The strategic expansion into men’s fashion marks an important milestone in our journey to become a one-stop fashion destination for men. With our focus on global and Indian sourcing, we are set to redefine quality standards in the industry while providing men with versatile options for varied needs and preferences. Our purpose has always been to provide men with the finest handcrafted fashion products, and now we are extending that commitment to include a wide range of premium apparel. We are hopeful that our shoppers will love our apparel collection as they do our shoes.”
Starting at Rs 1500, Louis Stitch’s all-new products will be available on its website and all prominent E-com marketplaces including Myntra, Amazon, and Flipkart, amongst others. This development follows the completion of Louis Stitch’s seed funding round of Rs 5 crore.
Consistent Infosystems, a rapidly growing IT brand that caters to the IT, Electronic, and Home Entertainment Industries, has introduced its latest product, the CTM 2100 Full High-Resolution LED Monitor. This monitor boasts a three-year warranty and offers enhanced picture quality, delivering sharp and clear images. It also includes built-in stereo speakers for exceptional audio performance. With VGA and HDMI inputs, the monitor is compatible with all major operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it suitable for various devices like desktops, laptops, servers, and gaming rigs.
Priced under 15,000, the CTM 2100 stands out as one of the top LED monitors for PCs in the market. Its slim and lightweight design, featuring a bezel-less front, provides a competitive edge. Available in a 21-inch variant, the monitor suits diverse needs. The LED-backlit display is exceptionally sharp, delivering stunning visuals in Full HD 1080p (1920*1080 pixels) resolution with remarkable image quality.
Yogesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder, CONSISTENT INFOSYSTEMS PRIVATE LIMITED said, “We at Consistent always try to bring the best of class products for our customers with the amalgamation of latest technologies. With this launch, we are expanding our monitor portfolio with updated and advanced features to provide our customers with exceptional user experience.”
Adding to the striking display quality are its twin 2x2W stereo speakers for a complete work and entertainment experience. Compatible with all known operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) and complete with VGA and HDMI inputs, the Consistent CTM monitor can convert your desktop into a high-definition entertainment hub for movies and gaming. All this is available in a slim and lightweight package that consumes less than 21 Watts of power, weighs just 2.45 kg and comes with a 3-year warranty period which is more than any other brand offered on their LED Monitors available in the market.
Recently, the brand also launched ‘CTM 2200’ and ‘CTM 2400’ its two new Ultra-Slim Full HD LED monitors in 22-inch and 24-inch variants at Convergence India and received a massive response from the customers priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 12,999 respectively.
The ongoing nationwide drive initiated by Central and State Tax administrations to identify and eliminate fraudulent GSTINs is posing difficulties for legitimate online sellers. Unlike previous drives, the jurisdictional officers now have the authority to not only verify but also suspend licenses during this campaign.
While the government allows businesses to register for GST using a virtual place of business (VPOB) address, provided the virtual office provider is registered and approved by the government, it has been observed that GST officers are demanding physical records and the presence of employees and/or directors for verification. This approach can have adverse consequences for genuine small sellers who typically register their businesses at their chartered accountant’s premises or in cost-effective co-working spaces to ensure compliance and cost efficiency.
Vinod Kumar, President, India SME Forum, and Trustee and President, FIRST India, said “In the current global economic slowdown scenario, the small sellers should be encouraged to utilize the provisions made by the government to grow their businesses. By expecting the small sellers to adopt a traditional office set up or have specific demarcation for goods in the warehouses can result in unfair cancellation of their GST licenses even though they are compliant to the law. It is crucial to ensure that tax officers at the ground level are familiar with the existing provisions, circulars, FAQs, judicial precedents, and other relevant information during this special drive to facilitate a successful and hassle-free process.”
While combating fake registrations is vital, it is equally important to acknowledge the specific challenges faced by small sellers who conduct business through online channels. The business model of e-commerce sellers and the associated registration complexities are nuanced. These sellers heavily rely on e-commerce operators (ECOs) for various services, and their circumstances should be duly considered throughout the drive. Due importance should be given to safety and legal provisions such as bank account validation, Aadhaar authentication, clarifications, and rulings.
As part of their commitment to promoting healthy eating habits, Bonn Group of Industries, a renowned FMCG Food products manufacturer in India, has unveiled a range of millet-based bakery products. This includes Millet Bread, as well as delectable offerings such as Millet Pizza and Millet Burger. These innovative products harness the nutritional benefits of Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi, making them an ideal choice for health-conscious individuals.
Bonn Millet bakery products serve as a valuable superfood, packed with essential nutrients that contribute to overall well-being. By incorporating millets into their offerings, Bonn Group of Industries aims to support the International Millets Year and the Indian government’s Millet Mission. The brand’s tagline, “Go Healthy With Millets,” underscores their dedication to providing Indians with a nourishing diet and embracing the goodness of millets. Through these millet-based bread and bakery products, Bonn Group of Industries aims to encourage a healthier lifestyle and contribute to the promotion of millets in India.
Amrinder Singh, Director, Bonn Group of Industries said, “Our brand’s objective has always been to provide naturally healthy bread and bakery products that have multiple health benefits. The year being declared as International Millet Year by WHO has given brands like us yet another opportunity to introduce something healthy like Millet bread for our consumers that is cholesterol-free, trans-fat-free, a source of protein, is good for digestion, contains high fiber and helps people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, low in GI. The launch gives a fresh perception of the values and character represented by our products. The product has been developed after extensive consumer research and we are confident that it will soon be the preferred choice in its category amongst all healthy snack lovers.”
Dawinder Pal, Marketing Head, Bonn Group said, “The launch of Millet bread and bakery products is in conjunction with Bonn’s Mission Millet initiative. With Mission Millet, we have embarked on a journey to build a culture of millet consumption through an exciting range of product portfolio. The new millet products are an integral step towards that mission. We believe that these millet bakery items will not only satisfy the taste buds of our consumers but also have nutrients.”
Bonn Millet Bread will be available in 300gms pack and is priced at Rs 50. Bonn Millets Pizza base and burger will come in 200gms pack and 160gms pack, priced at Rs 50 and Rs 30 respectively. The products will be available in selected leading outlets in Delhi NCR, Punjab and Chandigarh. As one of India’s largest segments in the food processing sector, the bakery industry offers huge opportunities for growth, innovation, and job generation, which are also a few of the brand’s key objectives.
In a strategic partnership, IKEA India and HDFC Bank have joined forces to offer a convenient and seamless consumer financing option for all IKEA customers. The aim of this collaboration is to provide customers with an effortless and affordable method of purchasing their favorite home furnishing products.
Under this partnership, IKEA will introduce an EMI-based financing option, enabling customers to buy furniture and home decor items in convenient installments without any financial constraints. The financing option includes a combination of no-cost (0 percent) and low-cost (up to 10 percent) EMIs, with flexible terms ranging from 3 months to 30 months, catering to diverse home furnishing needs.
To avail of this financing option, customers are required to provide their KYC information to the HDFC Bank agent at IKEA stores. This new consumer financing solution will be available at all IKEA stores across India starting from May 6, 2023, and will soon be accessible online as well. Customers can select the financing option that best suits their requirements and conveniently pay for their purchases through easy EMIs.
Elena Pogosova, Country Commercial Manager, IKEA India said, “We are extremely delighted to partner with HDFC Bank to provide an easy financing option for our customers. We understand that buying furniture can be a significant investment, and our aim is to make it affordable and accessible to everyone. This collaboration is a step in the direction of achieving our goal of making a better everyday life for many people.”
Earlier this year, the company announced lower prices for products across categories including store and organize furniture, storage solutions, living room seating, bedroom furniture, office storage, kitchen accessories, children’s storage, etc. This is a long-term initiative for IKEA to strengthen its affordability agenda. Additionally, IKEA is also offering a 5-year limited warranty for frames and sofa cushions, armchairs, sleeper sofas, and ottomans.
Adani Wilmar Limited has introduced a fresh television commercial to promote their Alife Soap. The commercial, titled ‘Ab Chaleyga Khoobsurati Ka Jadoo’, has been crafted by HCF and directed by the renowned film director and ad-filmmaker Rensil D’Silva. It aims to showcase the soap’s exceptional qualities and advantages, emphasizing its ability to provide affordable beauty with the finest quality ingredients.
Starting today, the TV commercial focuses on individuals who are captivated by the beauty of a girl who uses Alife Soap. The advertisement highlights the product’s superior quality and value proposition, which has garnered significant attention among consumers. To maximize visibility, the TVC campaign will be extended to digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Additionally, a below-the-line (BTL) campaign will be carried out in the Central, East, and Northern Regions of India, targeting major festivals and ground activations to enhance brand visibility.
Vineeth Viswambharan, Associate VP, Marketing and Sales, Adani Wilmar said, “Adani Wilmar operates the country’s single largest soap noodles manufacturing facility at its integrated state-of-the-art edible oil refining plant at Mundra, ensuring the best quality raw material for its foray into upstream value-added personal care products with its brand Alife. Alife soap has been rewarded by consumers for its high-quality and affordable price thereby making it more than 150 cr brand in a short span of time.”
“Initially launched in Central and Eastern India, the brand quickly developed a strong following because of its product quality, affordability and unique fragrances. AWL is now in the process of rolling out the Alife soap range pan-India backed with its strong advertising and marketing campaigns, showcasing its proposition of ‘Khoobsurati Ka Jadoo’,” he added.
Alife soap is available in bundle packs of 100gm and 58gm in variants that include Lime, Rose, Sandal, and Lily along with Glycerin soap. The launch of the new TV commercial for Alife Soap is yet another step forward for Adani Wilmar, as the company continues to expand its portfolio of high-quality consumer goods products.
“Very rarely does one get a script in the beauty category that ticks all the boxes. The Alife script for the latest campaign did that for me. It takes the conventions of the category and turns it in its head while still making as big if not a bigger impact. The idea that one is wide eyed when confronted with a girl whose beauty “comes Alife” through the soap struck a chord with me. And directing the film was a real pleasure,” said Rensil D’Silva, Director and Film Maker.
Premium watch retailer Ethos reported significant growth of 30.8 percent in revenue, amounting to Rs 207.6 crore, for the quarter ending on March 31, 2023. The company made this announcement through a regulatory filing. Ethos attributed its quarterly solid results to robust demand and focused marketing initiatives.
In addition, the company’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and profit after tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter reached Rs 30.5 crore and Rs 13.3 crore, respectively. These figures demonstrate growth due to the company’s cost optimization initiatives and operating leverage benefits. Comparatively, Ethos’ PAT during the same period last year amounted to Rs 7.8 crore. Pranav Saboo, CEO of Ethos, commented on the encouraging results from the last quarter, emphasizing the increase in both revenue and profitability.
The company had previously shared its unaudited numbers, and Ethos Chairman and Managing Director, Yashovardhan Saboo, mentioned in a statement that the billings for the year had increased by approximately 36.6 percent, surpassing the highest level of guidance provided. Based on the Q3 results, he expressed confidence that the company would exceed the profit guidance as well.
Landmark Group has made a strategic move by appointing Karan Mehta as the new CEO of Easybuy, one of its highly promising businesses in India. This appointment aims to accelerate the growth and expansion of Easybuy, further establishing its leading position in the super-value fashion segment.
Easybuy was introduced in India as a groundbreaking fashion brand, offering affordable prices and catering to the fashion needs of young Indians. Within a short span, Easybuy swiftly expanded its store network to an impressive 130 locations and achieved a turnover of 500 crores. With a strong presence in South India, Easybuy has become a formidable player in the super-value fashion segment through its innovative sourcing strategy and efficient store model. It is well-positioned to extend its footprint to other regions in India, particularly Tier II and Tier III cities.
Karan Mehta, a seasoned professional in the industry and former COO of Pantaloons, assumes the role of CEO at Easybuy to spearhead its next phase of rapid growth. With his extensive experience in retail operations, buying, and business development from his previous roles at Aditya Birla and Rivoli Group in Dubai, Karan brings a versatile skill set and a wealth of knowledge to his new position.
Shital Mehta, MD of Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd stated, “Karan’s multifaceted experience in his previous assignments will be an added advantage to Easybuy. His appointment shows our commitment to Easybuy and our confidence in the future of this brand.”
Karan Mehta expressed, “I am thrilled to embark on this new journey with Landmark Group and contribute to the growth of Easybuy. My goal is to build Easybuy into a leading brand under the Landmark Group umbrella, with a vision to reach every district headquarters in India.”
Landmark Group looks forward to a dynamic and prosperous future for Easybuy. The company remains dedicated to providing Indian consumers with fashionable and affordable clothing options, while simultaneously expanding its market presence and strengthening its position as a leader in the super-value fashion segment.
Whirlpool of India Ltd, a leading consumer durables manufacturer, has announced a 24.58 percent decrease in its consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter ending March 2023. The company’s net profit stood at Rs 63.71 crore during this period, compared to Rs 84.48 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. This information was disclosed in a regulatory filing by Whirlpool of India, a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation.
In terms of revenue, the company experienced a 2 percent decline in operations, generating Rs 1,672.65 crore in the quarter under review, as opposed to Rs 1,706.91 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Total expenses for Whirlpool of India in the quarter reached Rs 1,624.89 crore, representing a 1.08 percent increase from the previous year. The total income for the March quarter was marginally lower at Rs 1,704.94 crore.
The consolidated financial results include both the company’s financial performance and that of its subsidiary, Elica PB, a kitchen appliances maker, which was acquired during FY2021-22.
For the fiscal year ending March 2023, Whirlpool of India witnessed a significant decline in net profit by 60.51 percent, amounting to Rs 224.01 crore compared to Rs 567.37 crore in the previous year. However, the consolidated revenue from operations for FY2022-23 reached Rs 6,667.65 crore, reflecting a 7.6 percent growth over the preceding fiscal year.
In a recent board meeting, the Board of Whirlpool of India recommended a final dividend of Rs 5 per equity share with a face value of Rs 10 each for the financial year 2022-23.
Gautier has declared its re-entry into the Indian market for the third time, and to ensure a successful comeback, the company will collaborate with Franchise India, the world’s largest franchise consulting firm.
The company’s strategy involves establishing stores spanning 3,000-5,000 square feet in major cities and metros, with a primary focus on the South initially. While currently relying on furniture imports from France, Gautier has future plans to establish a manufacturing line as its business in India expands.
With a rich heritage of over 60 years, Gautier Furniture has positioned itself as a leading player in the global furniture industry, renowned for its opulence, sophistication, and practicality. The brand’s distinctive designs and exceptional craftsmanship have captivated customers worldwide, making it a highly desirable name in the furniture market.
Franchise India plays a pivotal role in facilitating Gautier’s expansion in India. They provide crucial support in terms of market research, analysis, and strategic guidance to ensure a successful entry and sustained growth in the Indian market. Additionally, Franchise India aids Gautier in identifying potential franchise partners and establishing fruitful franchise agreements with them.
Gaurav Marya, Founder, Franchise India said, “Gautier has been successful in the Gulf, with most buyers being of Indian origin, which has attracted them for a re-entry. Gautier is re-entering India. While initially, it is exploring franchisee routes to set up a couple of stores with local partners, eventually it may take the equity route. The brand is still strong in India.The size of the furniture and home décor market in India is around $25-billion, of which around 14-15 percent is organised. India has become an attractive market for European companies, given their overseas expansion and business hit due to the Russia-Ukraine war and recession in most European nations.”
“I am very excited about Gautier’s entry into India. It is a significant milestone for our brand, and we are eager to share our unique French designs and quality furniture with the Indian market. We are confident that Franchise India’s expertise and support will help us establish a strong presence in India and provide customers with a world-class retail experience. Our aim is to create beautiful, functional, and sustainable furniture that resonates with Indian customers and enhances their living spaces,” – Richard Ravel, MD, Caucasus chez Gautier France
Bevzilla has joined forces with local tea stalls, commonly known as ‘chai tapris’. The objective is to establish 100 tapris by the conclusion of May 2023, followed by an ambitious target of a thousand tapris within three months in Delhi NCR.
To assist cart owners, the brand will offer a range of resources such as Bevzilla T-shirts, coffee, cups, marketing support, and training. Bevzilla’s assistance will extend to the sale of cold beverages, as they aspire to eventually reach 10,000 carts. Through this endeavor, the company aims to bolster small businesses and empower local chai vendors, ensuring their continued relevance in the face of the rising popularity of branded coffee and cafe culture.
Bevzilla aims to help these small businesses boost their profit margin by 50 percent, the release added.
“This is an initiative that has never been done before in India, and we have taken such a step to do our bit for society and give back to these Tapri Walas who have been serving us for a long time since we were kids,” said Anurag Chhabra, Co-Founder, Bevzilla.
“Improving the quality of beverages offered by Tapris to attract the new generation and compete with international brands is our primary motive. By helping Tapri Walas gain better margins and thrive, Bevzilla intends to contribute to community growth, preserve tradition, and foster a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for local businesses, which were becoming irrelevant amidst the growth of the branded coffee and cafe culture,” added Chhabra.
“We at Bevzilla are vigilant towards society and understand the challenges that small businesses are facing. Therefore, we want to do our part to help them thrive,” said Divisha Chaudhry, Co-Founder, Bevzilla.
Launched in September 2020 by Anurag Chabbra and Divisha Chabbra, Bevzilla is a Delhi-based beverage brand that aims to bring instant products to the customers such as coffee and milkshake cubes.
In the last one year, the brand has managed to achieve 10 times growth, Anurag Chabbra, co-founder, Bevzilla told IndiaRetailing in an exclusive interaction. In January 2022, the brand clocked a revenue of Rs 22 lakh and by January 2023, it had touched Rs 2.2 crore, Chabbra added.
PVR INOX has revealed its intention to close around 50 underperforming cinema screens over the next six months. These closures are attributed to accelerated depreciation and the unprofitability of these properties, particularly those situated in malls that have reached the end of their lifecycle with minimal chances of recovery. In its investor update for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, PVR INOX stated that it has accounted for the depreciation in its financial records and written off the written-down value (WDV) of assets.
PVR-INOX Ltd, resulting from the merger of PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure, currently operates 361 cinemas with 1,689 screens across 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka. The merger officially took effect on February 6, 2023. Karan Taurani, Senior Vice President of Elara Capital, estimates that the closure of these screens will result in an EBITDA impact of Rs 100 million in savings. The majority of the affected screens are located in Tier I and II markets.
Despite these closures, PVR INOX has ambitious expansion plans and aims to open 150-175 screens in the fiscal year 2024. As of now, nine screens have already been launched, 15 screens are awaiting commercial licenses and 152 screens are at various stages of fit-out. The company has adjusted its timeline for new site handovers to align with the recovery of its business operations.
Furthermore, PVR INOX emphasizes its strong pipeline of screens scheduled for development over the next five years. In its financial report for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2023, the company recorded a consolidated net loss of Rs 333.99 crore, with revenue from operations reaching Rs 1,143.17 crore.
Looking ahead, PVR INOX believes that the key driver of revenue growth in the fiscal year 2024 will be increased footfall, as Spend per Head (SPH) and Average Ticket Price (ATP) are 16 percent and 30 percent higher, respectively, compared to pre-COVID levels. Despite the loss of some screens in the pipeline, the management remains optimistic about the significant opportunity that lies ahead.
Jubilant Foodworks, a major player in the quick service restaurant industry, announced a significant 59.5 percent decrease in its consolidated net profit on May 17. The profit dropped to Rs 47.5 crore from Rs 116.1 crore in the same period last year.
Despite the decline in profitability, the company’s revenue from operations showed growth, increasing by 8.2 percent to Rs 1,252.3 crore compared to the previous year. However, the company’s EBITDA, which measures its operating profitability, declined by 12.9 percent to Rs 252.2 crore. Furthermore, the company’s margin experienced a decline as well, dropping from 25 percent to 20.1 percent compared to the previous year. This decline was primarily attributed to the high input prices of cheese, flour, fats, and oil.
In addition to the challenging market conditions, Jubilant Foodworks incurred an impairment charge of Rs 20 crore due to the difficult economic environment in Sri Lanka. Factors such as sustained inflation, currency depreciation, and depletion of forex reserves contributed to this charge.
“We are pleased that we have become a Rs 5,000-crore-turnover company in this fiscal year. There are near-term concerns around historically high inflation and slowing market growth, but we are confident on our unique ecosystem’s ability to tap on the potential that lies ahead of us,” Chairman Shyam S Bhartia and Co-Chairman Hari S Bhartia said.
Domino’s like-for-like growth (non-split stores) came in at -0.6 percent in Q4 FY23 compared to 5.8 percent in Q4 FY22. It opened 61 new stores in India, expanding its network strength to 1,816 stores across 393 cities. The company also opened one restaurant for Popeyes and Hong’s Kitchen, taking their network tally to 13 stores each.
“As we step into the new fiscal year, we derive confidence from the strength of our brands, operational prowess, quality of innovation and commitment of our people to navigate the business well in the current environment,” Sameer Khetarpal, CEO and MD, Jubilant FoodWorks said.
Westlife Foodworld Ltd, the owner, and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, has announced the appointment of Amit Jatia as the Chairperson of the company. Previously serving as the Vice Chairman of Westlife Foodworld, Amit Jatia will now assume the position of Chairperson, as stated in the company’s press release. Concurrently, Smita Jatia will take on the role of Vice Chairperson.
Amit Jatia is widely recognized as a pioneer in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry in India, having played a pivotal role in establishing McDonald’s in the country back in 1996. With a remarkable experience spanning over 26 years, he has been instrumental in the growth and success of McDonald’s India (West and South). Under his leadership, the brand has expanded to over 357 restaurants, introduced the McCafé specialty coffee chain, and transformed into a robust food tech company, consistently strengthening its presence in the industry.
Amit Jatia, chairperson, Westlife Foodworld said, “I am deeply honored to accept the appointment as chairperson of Westlife Foodworld. It has been a privilege for me to lead such a talented and dedicated team of professionals who have built a strong organization over the years. I am humbled by the trust that the Board of Directors has placed in me.”
As a chairperson, his role will be to ensure that the company continues to navigate the opportunities of the rapidly changing global business landscape. Smita Jatia, who has been elevated to vice-chairperson of the company, has over two decades of experience in the QSR industry. She has been at the forefront of driving the aggressive growth of McDonald’s in the country.
Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld said, “I am honoured and excited to accept the position of vice chairperson of Westlife Foodworld. The journey to this new role has been remarkable, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of my colleagues, the Board of Directors, and our stakeholders.”
In her new role, she will be committed to advancing the company’s growth strategy and building on the legacy of the brand. “I will leverage my experience to guide our talented team in identifying new opportunities, expanding our reach, and enhancing our value proposition in an ever-changing market,” she added.
Westlife Foodworld Limited, formerly known as Westlife Development Ltd (WDL), focuses on setting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL). The Company operates a chain of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, having a master franchisee relationship with McDonald’s Corporation USA, through the latter’s subsidiary.
HRPL is a McDonald’s franchisee with the rights to own and operate McDonald’s restaurants in India’s West and South markets. HRPL has been a franchisee in the region since its inception in 1996.
HRPL serves over 200 million customers, annually, at its 357 (as of March 31, 2023) McDonald’s restaurants across 56 cities in the states of Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry and provides direct employment to over 10,000 employees. McDonald’s operates through various formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, drive-thrus, 24/7, McDelivery, McBreakfast, and dessert kiosks. The menu features Burgers, Wraps, and Hot and Cold Beverages besides a wide range of desserts. Several McDonald’s restaurants feature an in-house McCafé.
Mondelez International, a leading confectionery company, has announced the appointment of Samir Jain as the President of its India business. Jain, who will assume his role in August, succeeds Deepak Iyer, who has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and President of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region, effective June 5, 2023, stated by Mondelez in a press release.
In his new position, Jain will directly report to Iyer and will be a member of the AMEA Leadership Team, representing India. Prior to joining Mondelez International, Jain served as the Managing Director of Bunge India for the past decade, leading the company’s business operations.
“Jain’s CPG experience coupled with cross-functional leadership should help him grow and scale our India business further. With Deepak in his new role as leader of the region and Iyer’s experience, India is well placed to continue to be a growth engine for Mondelez International,” said Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP and President, AMEA.
Jain worked at Unilever India for more than 17 years in various roles across categories and functions, starting in 1995 as a management trainee. He left the company in 2012 as the vice president of the Laundry Category.
Compaq TV has recently introduced three cutting-edge smart TVs under the HUEQ A series. These models include the Compaq HUEQ A 80 cm (32 inch) HD Ready Smart webOS TV with Dolby Audio, the Compaq HUEQ A 126 cm (50 inches) 4K Ultra HD WebOS TV with Dolby Audio, and the Compaq HUEQ A 109 cm (43 inches) 4K Ultra HD WebOS TV with Dolby Audio. All three of these technologically-advanced smart televisions from Compaq TV are now exclusively available at renowned Indian retail chains specializing in consumer electronics and durables, namely Croma and Tata Neu.
Having established itself as a trusted player in the realm of advanced consumer electronics products, Compaq TV has joined forces with the prominent Indian consumer electronics brand Ossify. This strategic partnership aims to expand Compaq TV’s consumer base in the thriving Indian market, further solidifying its position as a leading provider of high-quality smart TVs.
“Our primary objective has always been to make technologically advanced and the best-in-the-market consumer electronics available for the Indian markets at an affordable rate. Compaq TV has long established its market repute for making high-quality smart televisions easily accessible to the masses. Viewing the massive market acceptance and popularity of the Compaq smart televisions, we have now taken a step forward and introduced the new range of HUEQ A smart TVs, which are available at the very popular Tata Neu and Croma. I am very much optimistic like our earlier products the new and more advanced smart TVs of Compaq will soon become the favorite pick for the consumers,” noted Sandeep Chaudhary, Founder of Ossify Group.
With the new HUEQ A smart TVs, Compaq has reinvented the bezel with an edge-to-edge SMART screen. Compaq has introduced cutting-edge technology that allows for an expansive viewing experience while maintaining a thin, sleek frame. The company has also added Hybrid log-gamma (HLG), which delivers a more convenient solution for the broadcast world with an extended color gamut with HDR providing enhanced brightness, contrast, and sharpness, which is beyond the standard dynamic range, making up for a seamless broadcast viewing experience.
The Compaq smart TVs are powered by the WebOS operating system, which is the most comprehensive and responsive smart platform around. The HUEQ A smart TVs also come with a Magic Remote, which allows one-touch access. With the Universal Control feature, consumers can control all connected devices such as the set-top box, Blu-Ray / DVD player, soundbar, OTT, etc., with the Magic Remote and see the magic come alive. The Advanced smart televisions have pre-installed popular OTT platforms to enable consumers to explore a wide range of content in crystal-clear picture quality.
“With Compaq, we hold a compelling vision that strives to add value to our consumers’ aspirations. Our perseverance and passion for technology led us to design TVs that go beyond the expectation for our customers, driving them to do a lot more than just enough,” Chaudhary concluded.
Cantabil Retail India Ltd has released its financial results for the fourth quarter, concluding on March 31, 2023. During this period, the company generated a revenue of Rs 172.84 crore and recorded a net profit of Rs 16.88 crore. In the overall financial year ending on March 31, 2023, Cantabil reported substantial growth, with a 43.96 percent increase in revenue amounting to Rs 551.72 crore and a 76.66 percent increase in profit after tax (PAT) totaling Rs 67.24 crore.
In an effort to solidify its market position, both online and offline, the company is actively expanding its presence throughout the country. As part of its robust retail strategy for the fiscal year 2022-23, Cantabil successfully opened a net total of 69 new exclusive retail stores. These apparel and accessories stores are located in 14 different states, including Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Nagaland.
With an impressive count of 447 stores, Cantabil has emerged as a prominent player in the retail industry and remains dedicated to further expanding its reach across India in the current year.
Vijay Bansal, CMD, Cantabil Retail India Ltd said, “I am pleased to announce that our company’s revenues for Q4 FY23 have increased by 30 percent compared to the previous year. We have recorded a revenue of Rs 172.8 crore, accompanied by an EBITDA of Rs 41.73 crore. Furthermore, our profit after tax is Rs 16.9 crore. For the financial year, our revenues grew by 44 percent reaching Rs 551.7 crore with an EBITDA and PAT of Rs 163.6 crore and Rs 67.2 crore respectively. Our strong financial performance is attributed to the robust sales from our existing stores as well as the introduction of new stores.”
Over the course of the fiscal year, we have expanded our brand recognition and reach by opening 69 new stores in 14 states. This significant expansion demonstrates our unwavering dedication to expanding our presence across India and catering to a broader customer base in the mid-premium market segment. By venturing into new markets and geographies, introducing additional stores, and utilizing potent branding techniques, we have succeeded in boosting our average ticket size. Additionally, we have extended our presence across various online platforms, paving the way for new opportunities for growth and allowing us to connect with a wider range of customers. This presents a promising opportunity for furthering our business growth in today’s digital era.
Overall, by expanding our presence in various store formats and online platforms, we have positioned the company for steady growth in the coming years, while prioritizing customer needs and executing plans effectively to reach our desired milestones and propel the business forward.
Bisk Farm has expanded its portfolio by introducing two new products – Heylo T-Time Cookies and Half Half Masti. These new offerings aim to enhance the tea-time experience and cater to the diverse taste preferences of Indian consumers.
Heylo T-Time Cookies are crunchy and crispy and enriched with superfood ghee, providing a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors that make it a perfect companion for tea-time. On the other hand, Half Half Masti is a unique cracker biscuit range with a blend of sweet and salty flavors and a hint of enigmatic spice that will tantalize biscuit lovers to snack on.
Vijay Kr. Singh, MD, SAJ Food, said, “Bisk Farm has always been committed to providing Innovative and high-quality biscuits that cater to the diverse taste preferences of Indian consumers while maintaining the quality that Bisk Farm is known for. We are excited to introduce Heylo T-Time Cookies and Half Half Masti. The two new products have been crafted using the finest ingredients to ensure that they offer a delightful taste experience to our consumers. We are confident that these products will be well-received by all biscuit lovers and will become a part of their daily tea-time routine.“
“The Company is gearing up to have a pan India presence and focus on deeper penetration in the South, Central, and North Indian markets for substantial revenue growth. The launch of these two products aligns with our vision of making Bisk Farm a truly national brand,” he added.
Bisk Farm’s latest offering Heylo T-Time Cookies will come in SKUs of 192 gms and 51 gms for Rs 35 and Rs 10, respectively. Half Half Masti will be available in SKUs of 175 gms and 55 gms for Rs 30 and Rs 10, respectively. These two new products are now available at all General trade outlets and Modern trade outlets.
Noise has solidified its leadership position by announcing a remarkable year-on-year growth of over 100 percent. The company has concluded FY’23 with a staggering revenue exceeding Rs 2000 crore and aims to build upon this success by doubling down in the coming fiscal year. Projections indicate that Noise will sustain an impressive growth momentum of over 70 percent next year, leveraging a combination of volume and pricing strategies.
The company experienced consistent upward growth in both smartwatches and true wireless stereo (TWS) segments, with smartwatches contributing significantly to 80 percent of the overall growth. Throughout the period, Noise diversified its product portfolio across various categories, featuring notable releases such as the Noise ColorFit Pro 4, Noise Champ 2, Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max, Noise ColorFit Caliber in the smartwatch range, and Noise Buds VS102, Noise AirBuds Mini, Noise Buds VS104 in the TWS category. In a bid to enhance its innovation endeavors, the brand introduced Noise Labs, an in-house technological incubator responsible for the launch of two flagship products: Noise i1, a smart eyewear, and Noise IntelliBuds, a gesture-controlled TWS.
Noise remained committed to its Make in India initiatives throughout the year, with over 95 percent of its production already taking place within the country. Additionally, the brand achieved a significant milestone by shipping over 3 million made-in-India smartwatches, reaffirming its dedication to supporting India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub.
In line with its consumer-centric approach, Noise expanded its offline presence to reach deeper into Bharat, maintaining a balanced ratio of 80:20 for online and offline channels nationwide. The brand aims to cultivate strategic alliances to further extend its reach and engage a broader audience. Furthermore, Noise focused on strengthening its organizational growth measures by augmenting its workforce, which currently comprises over 400 employees.
Noise has firmly established itself as the leading smartwatch brand in India for three consecutive years, solidifying its position as a category leader. Moreover, it has gained global recognition by becoming the 4th largest wearable seller worldwide, distinguishing itself as the sole Indian brand to achieve such a feat. With its impressive achievements, Noise continues to demonstrate its prowess and success as a bootstrapped business operating within a highly funded ecosystem.
TagZ, a food manufacturing startup, has announced the successful completion of a Pre-Series A funding round, raising $2 million. The funding was led by prominent investors including 9 Unicorns, Dexter Angels, Agility Ventures, Venture Catalysts, Klub, Indifi, and renowned entrepreneur Rannvijay Singha.
Before this latest funding round, TagZ had previously raised $1.2 million in seed funding from a group of angel investors in 2020. Notably, the company had also garnered undisclosed funding from Namita Thapar and Ashneer Grover after participating in the first season of Shark Tank India.
With the newly secured funds, TagZ plans to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory by entering new markets, expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening operational capabilities, and launching new product offerings. Additionally, a portion of the funding will be dedicated to enhancing TagZ’s technology platform, bolstering its logistics network, and amplifying marketing and brand awareness initiatives.
Founded in 2019 by Anish Basu Roy and Sagar Bhalotia, TagZ Foods specializes in manufacturing popped potato chips with 50 percent less fat, international gourmet dips, and a range of center-filled cookies. Leveraging advanced food technology, the startup prides itself on creating potato chips that are free from cholesterol, transfat, artificial colors, and preservatives. The recent funding injection will fuel TagZ’s mission to revolutionize the snack industry with healthier and innovative food options.
Anish Basu Roy, founder and CEO of TagZ said, “We are thrilled to have such strong support from our investors In our journey of creating a fitter snack brand for the younger generation. We plan to double down on your efforts to grow 4X this year.“
With this, the Bengaluru-based new-age snacking brand TagZ has also announced that Rannvijay Singh, the popular actor, and television personality, has invested in this round and shall be endorsing the brand as well. Rannvijay is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for new-age and disruptive brands. His association with TagZ is expected to give the company a significant boost in terms of brand awareness and customer engagement.
Rannvijay said, “I am excited to partner with TagZ, a company that is at the forefront of the D2C revolution in India. I love the fact that TagZ as a snack brand revolves around travel, sports, and the outdoors. I believe that TagZ has the potential to become a major player in the industry, and I am looking forward to being a part of this journey.“
Tushar Agarwal, Partner at Dexter Angels, one of the lead investors in the round said, “Tagz has garnered significant consumer love as a brand in a short period of time. Since our investment in their previous round, they have demonstrated impressive scalability and growth over the past 18 months, while still maintaining a steadfast focus on profitability. As we continue to partner with Tagz, we are thrilled to double down and support their next phase of growth.“
TagZ has registered a 30x increase in volumes in the last 18 months. It focuses on the top 30-40 million households of the country through an omnichannel strategy that includes a network of 5000 retail stores, and availability in over 30 e-commerce platforms such as Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, Blinkit amongst others serving consumers across 22 cities. TagZ products are now also available in international markets like Kuwait, Dubai, Maldives, and Australia.
Pidilite Industries’ Online B2B Dealer Application, Genie, Surpasses 1000+ Crore Sales Milestone for FY22-23, Accounting for 14 percent of Pidilite’s Overall Business
Sudhanshu Vats, Deputy MD, Pidilite Industries said, “At Pidilite, our top priority is to empower and support our dealers in achieving their business goals. That’s why we launched Pidilite Genie, an initiative aimed at helping retailers take a digital leap. We are proud to share that Pidilite Genie has made considerable progress in a short period of time. Pidilite Genie has been installed by nearly 5 lakh dealers and has facilitated over 18 lakh orders since its launch. We are continuously enhancing the platform to cater to the evolving needs of our dealers, and we are confident that Pidilite Genie has the potential to become the go-to platform for all the order placements in the near future.”
Designed with a user-friendly interface, Pidilite Genie serves as a one-stop online platform for dealers to order any product across Pidilite’s product range with just a few clicks. The app’s intelligent technology streamlines the ordering process, making it easier to reorder basis previous purchases and recommend deals based on the dealer’s buying pattern. Dealers can also view current schemes, track loyalty performance, and redeem scheme rewards against future purchases.
Looking ahead, Pidilite Genie plans to expand its user base manifold by launching it in international markets and extending Pidilite’s entire product portfolio and services to enable dealers to realize their full business potential. Pidilite Genie will also add exciting new features such as a multilingual interface, customized in-app interactions, voice-to-text functionality, and visibility of order journey, helping dealers track and plan their performance proactively.
As Pidilite Genie continues to evolve and improve, it aims to become a 24x7x365 digital assistant for dealers, striving to make Genie the primary mode for order placement. With the new roadmap in place, Pidilite Genie is well-positioned to continue its growth in the future.
PUMA India has appointed Karthik Balagopalan, the Global Director of Retail and e-commerce, as the new Managing Director of PUMA India.
Karthik has been a part of the PUMA team since 2006, and he brings extensive experience to his new role. Prior to leading PUMA’s global direct-to-consumer (DTC) business, he held management positions in retail operations and business development at PUMA India. With his deep understanding of the local market, valuable experience in the DTC business across various channels, and exposure to global operations and headquarters, Karthik is the ideal candidate to oversee PUMA’s operations in the significant Indian market. He will report directly to PUMA CEO Arne Freundt and will be based in Bangalore, India.
Karthik replaces Abhishek Ganguly, who dedicated 17 years to PUMA’s Indian business and served as the Managing Director of PUMA India since 2014. Abhishek has decided to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey, leading his own venture, which has led to his departure from PUMA.
Arne Freundt, CEO, PUMA said, “India is a vibrant market, where PUMA has been the No. 1 brand for many years. With the appointment of Karthik, we will write the next chapter of this very successful story. I would like to thank Abhishek for his energy and commitment over the past 17 years and wish him all the best for his future as an entrepreneur.”
Karthik will start in his new role on August 1, 2023. Abhishek will remain at PUMA until the end of August to ensure a smooth transition.
Abhishek Ganguly, the MD of PUMA India and South East Asia, has decided to step down from his position after an impressive tenure of over 17 years at the renowned German footwear and apparel multinational, according to industry sources. Ganguly’s resignation will be effective from August, as he plans to embark on his own venture in the sportswear ecosystem. Taking over the reins from Ganguly will be Karthik Balagopalan, currently serving as Senior Manager of Growth Markets at PUMA SE in Germany.
Ganguly initially joined PUMA India in 2005 as the Director of Sales and Marketing, eventually progressing to the role of Managing Director in September 2014. In 2022, he was entrusted with leading PUMA’s South East Asia business as well. Under his leadership, PUMA experienced significant growth, surpassing competitors like Adidas, Nike, and Reebok, with its revenue skyrocketing from Rs 500 crore to Rs 2,980 crore in 2013.
Currently, PUMA’s sales in India exceed the combined sales of Adidas, Nike, and Reebok. Sources suggest that PUMA India’s turnover may cross Rs 4,000 crore in 2023. Despite attempts to reach out to PUMA for comment on these developments, no response was received at the time of reporting. The surge in demand for athleisurewear, particularly in recent years and in the wake of the pandemic, has contributed to the increased awareness and interest in fitness.
Sunfeast, a brand that has delighted countless Indigo air travelers with its scrumptious Mango Smoothie, is now bringing the captivating “World of Smoothies” closer to home at Reliance stores. The brand introduces an exciting new range of flavors, including Mango, Strawberry, Litchi, and Peach-Pineapple. Sunfeast’s latest lineup in the smoothie world offers a daily indulgence experience, incorporating unique ingredients that promise to delight the senses of its consumers.
Sunfeast Smoothies are renowned for their thick and creamy texture, meticulously crafted to serve as mood-uplifters with their decadent flavors and rich ingredients. Whether you’re on the go or in need of a satisfying snack, Sunfeast Smoothies are designed to please your taste buds and satiate your cravings.
The flavor profiles of Sunfeast Smoothies are elevated by the addition of delightful ingredients such as mango chunks, fruit chunks, chia seeds, and basil seeds. These inclusions not only enhance the taste but also provide a range of nutrients essential for the human body’s well-being. With Sunfeast Smoothies, you can indulge in a sensory delight while nourishing your body.
Sanjay Singal, COO, Dairy and Beverages, Foods Division, ITC Ltd said, “After the success of Sunfeast Mango Smoothie with lakhs of consumers enjoying our beverages onboard Indigo flights, we decided to make the Smoothie experience more accessible for our consumers by offering it in Reliance stores and on JioMart. We have also added novel and indulgent flavours like Litchi, Strawberry, and Peach-Pineapple this summer for the consumer to indulge in.”
The range of Sunfeast Smoothies will be available in 300 ml package sizes, priced at Rs 90-99. This product will be accessible to customers across Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata via Reliance Store, Jio Mart, and ITC store.
ASUS India has named Eric Ou as the new Country Head, President, and Director of the Systems Group. Eric Ou brings with him a wealth of experience from his 23-year tenure at ASUS, where he has played a key role in establishing the brand as a dominant market player in various regions.
This appointment is a response to ASUS’s remarkable growth in the Indian Consumer PC market in recent years. By elevating its leadership, the company demonstrates its dedication to further expanding its business in India, particularly in the Commercial B2B sector.
Eric Ou, Country Head of India, President, and Director of ASUS India said, “I am honored to lead ASUS India operations as we strive to become market leaders in the consumer, gaming, and enterprise PCs markets. Our goal is to provide every Indian with a meaningful technology experience that boosts efficiency and enhances their life. We are dedicated to delivering an exceptional customer experience and developing a strong brand that resonates with the varied usage needs of our consumers. With our relentless pursuit of excellence and a highly skilled team, I am confident that we will continue to push the boundaries and exceed expectations.“
Additionally, the company has elevated Arnold Su and Dinesh Sharma to the position of Vice President, having previously served as Business Heads for Consumer and Gaming PCs and Commercial PC and Smartphones at systems group, ASUS India, respectively.
Shobitam has named Raghu Sethuraman as its Chairman and CEO to drive rapid growth through innovation and operational excellence and cement its position as a world-class ethnic wear brand.
Raghu Sethuraman brings with him over 24 years of experience in e-commerce, global operations, cloud infrastructure, customer experience, and high-tech industries, having worked in Seattle, Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, and India. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, holds a Postgraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Buffalo in New York, and is a graduate in Management Studies from BITS Pilani, India.
Raghu Sethuraman said, “I have been forever in awe of the rich tradition of handlooms, arts and crafts, where I am glad to join a brand with a big bold vision. Shobitam is pioneering this ethnic fashion space and I’m pleased to be part of this high-performance global team with a culture that obsesses on delivering great quality, selections, value, and service for their customers globally. Together, we look forward to disrupting the fashion industry by bringing in best practices around e-commerce, global supply chain with operational excellence, and innovative technology from design to delivery.”
Aparna Thyagarajan, Co-Founder at Shobitam said, “We are super excited to have Raghu come on board as our Chairman and CEO, as we look forward to our rapid growth globally. Raghu has been a valuable advisor for Shobitam right from our inception where his proven track record and diverse skill sets will be invaluable assets as he comes on board as our CEO to build on our big vision with strategic market expansions and innovation across the Shobitam platform for our customers. He has proven himself as an inspiring leader and led transformational changes at leading consumer and high-tech organizations like Amazon, Microsoft, Shutterfly, and Cisco, where the Board and I firmly believe he is the right choice to unleash the potential of Shobitam to the fullest, create a sustainable business with growth, impact and value for all stakeholders.”
Girish Lakshman, Board Member at Shobitam said, “Raghu’s leadership vision with tenacity, operational understanding, organizational discipline and the dogged pursuit of perfection is an excellent addition to the Shobitam team. I have been impressed with the Shobitam team’s remarkable progress in building a leading brand and am confident their journey will continue rapidly under Raghu’s capable leadership. I wish him and the Shobitam team all the best!”
Hershey India Pvt Ltd has expanded its HERSHEY’S KISSES brand by introducing a new variant, HERSHEY’S KISSES Special Dark ‘n’ Almonds. The company aims to reinforce the presence of the HERSHEY’S KISSES brand in the dark cocoa-rich chocolate segment by providing consumers with unique ways to indulge and relax.
The HERSHEY’S KISSES Special Dark ‘n’ Almonds is a blend of smooth and rich HERSHEY’S cocoa with roasted almonds, providing a melt-in-mouth experience. Each piece is wrapped delicately, creating a perfect opportunity for chocolate lovers to make everyday moments special. Hershey India’s launch of this new variant continues to expand its unique range and offers consumers a chance to enjoy special moments with their loved ones.
Geetika Mehta, MD, Hershey India said, “HERSHEY’S KISSES enables endearing everyday moments with loved ones. With the addition of this variant to the HERSHEY’S KISSES range, we wish to offer yet another opportunity to our consumers to take a break, unwind, and savor the moments of goodness with the people who matter the most. Furthermore, we aim to strengthen our presence in the dark chocolate space for our bite-sized chocolate brand HERSHEY’S KISSES.”
Raymond Ltd reported a 25.84 percent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 196.48 crore in the fourth quarter ended on March 31, 2023. The leading textile and apparel maker recorded a net profit of Rs 264.97 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
The decrease in profit was due to exceptional items such as expected credit loss of trade receivables, write-down of inventories, and retrenchment compensation. However, Raymond’s revenue from operations rose 9.8 percent to Rs 2,150.18 crore during the quarter under review, compared to Rs 1,958.10 crore in the year-ago period. Total expenses of the Singhania family-controlled firm were at Rs 1,939.27 crore, up 17.34 percent from Rs 1,790.12 crore in the corresponding quarter. Total income in the March quarter was at Rs 2,192.20, up 7.89 percent.
Raymond’s revenue from the textile segment stood at Rs 901.79 crore, and it was Rs 187.15 crore from shirting. The apparel segment reported a revenue of Rs 331.54 crore, while the garment section recorded a revenue of Rs 305.40 crore. The engineering business sales grew by 7 percent in the quarter to Rs 219 crore, where tools and hardware business revenue was at Rs 115.49 crore, and it was Rs 103.05 crore from auto components. However, its revenue from real estate and development of property in the March quarter was down 9.97 percent to Rs 289.16 crore.
For the financial year ended March 31, 2023, Raymond’s net profit was up to two folds to Rs 536.96 crore from Rs 265.12 crore in FY22. Its consolidated revenue from operations in FY23 increased 32.95 percent to Rs 8,214.72 crore from Rs 6,178.51 crore a year ago. Raymond termed FY23 as a “landmark year” and delivered “highest ever revenue and EBITDA of Rs 8,337 crore and Rs 1,322 crore, respectively.” Raymond has “substantially” reduced its consolidated net debt by Rs 399 crore, which stands at Rs 689 crore as of March 31, 2023.
The board of Raymond recommended the payment of a dividend of 30 percent on the equity share capital, i.e., Rs 3 per equity share of the face value of Rs 10 each for the financial year ending March 31, 2023. Raymond said that it has demonstrated strong revenue and profit performance for six consecutive quarters with Q4FY23. The garments segment reported strong sales, driven by continued high demand in US and Europe markets from existing customers and new customer acquisitions.
Dishis Designer Jewellery has recently introduced a brand-new collection of jewelry specifically designed for kids. The collection features a range of vibrant and stylish designs suitable for everyday wear for young children and teenagers.
The new collection consists of a variety of jewelry pieces such as pendants, earrings, and bracelets, which are crafted with the same exquisite attention to detail that Dishis Designer Jewellery is famous for. Every piece showcases a unique design that captures the imagination of young minds, adding a touch of sophistication and glamour to their outfits.
Dishi Somani, Founder, Dishis Designer Jewellery said, “We are excited to launch our new collection of kids’ jewelry. Our aim has always been to create pieces that are timeless and elegant, and we believe that this new collection embodies those values. We have put in a lot of thought and effort into designing each piece to make sure they are perfect for young children and teenagers.” The new collection has been designed to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From delicate floral designs to quirky shapes and vibrant colors, there is something for everyone in this collection. Each piece is crafted with precision and attention to detail, ensuring that the jewelry is not only beautiful but also durable and long-lasting.”
“We understand that parents want the best for their children, and that includes choosing jewelry that is safe and comfortable to wear. That’s why we have taken extra care to make sure that all our jewelry is made from the highest quality materials and is completely safe for children to wear,” added Dishi Somani.
The new collection is now available for purchase on Dishis Designer Jewellery’s website, as well as on popular e-commerce platforms like Ajio and Amazon. Customers can choose from a range of designs and styles and can be assured of the quality and authenticity of every piece of jewelry. Dishis Designer Jewellery has been at the forefront of the jewelry industry, providing customers with elegant and timeless pieces that reflect their unique sense of style. With the launch of this new collection, the brand is expanding its portfolio to cater to a wider audience, offering high-quality jewelry for young children and teenagers.
Pure Nutrition has introduced a range of sports nutrition products, which includes whey blend, mass gainer, creatine, BCAA, Pre-workout, and EAA powders, designed specifically to support the needs of athletes, gym-goers, and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve their performance, endurance, and recovery. The company’s most popular product, Whey Protein, comes in flavors like kulfi, café mocha, and chocolate that not only offer a delicious taste but also provide essential nutrients to support physical fitness and healthy living.
With a growing demand for sports nutrition products globally, Pure Nutrition’s entry into the segment is a strategic move to diversify its product portfolio and capitalize on a rapidly expanding market. The company’s sports nutrition range will be available on its website and in select stores in North India.
The nutraceutical industry’s sports nutrition segment is predicted to grow substantially in the coming years, driven by increased participation in sports and fitness activities, rising health awareness, and growing demand for convenient and functional foods and supplements. Pure Nutrition Sports stands out in the market with its unique offering of vegetarian products that cater to the needs of health-conscious athletes, gym-goers, and fitness enthusiasts who prioritize wellness and sustainability.
Bodycare International Ltd, a leading manufacturer of Kidswear in India, is proud to announce its partnership with popular actress Kajal Aggarwal as the brand ambassador for its Kidswear. For over 30 years, the brand has been trusted by moms throughout the country. With this collaboration, the brand hopes to strengthen its market positioning and take its image to new heights.
Bodycare Kids offers a wide range of stylish and vibrant kids’ apparel and innerwear that is designed to provide maximum comfort and prevent rashes, while also featuring attractive prints that cater to children’s preferences. The company places a special emphasis on trendy wear for kids, and Mithun Gupta, Director of Bodycare International Ltd., is delighted to have Kajal Aggarwal as the brand ambassador for Kidswear.
“We are delighted to welcome Kajal Aggarwal to the Bodycare family. Over the years Bodycare International Ltd. has embraced comfort and perfect fit in all its products, and we are confident that her association with our brand will help us reach out to a wider audience. With her charming personality and impressive fan following, Kajal will help us create a stronger connection with our customers and drive brand awareness effectively. We are aiming to achieve a target of 5000 crores by 2030, and to realize this vision, we are going forward strategically by aggressively investing in expanding the infrastructure and growing existing production capacity,” said Mithun Gupta.
With a network comprising more than 450+ distributors, 18000+ retailers, and a vast presence on all major online portals, Bodycare International Ltd has effectively ensured that its range of products is within easy reach of customers all over the country. Furthermore, the presence of over 20 EBOs and an attractive franchise model that offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to be a part of the brand’s success story places Bodycare International Ltd in an advantageous position to cater to the increasing demand for high-quality Kidswear in India.
Bodycare Kids is the one-stop destination for all moms who want to shop best for their kids. In addition to offering the largest range of apparel and innerwear for kids, Bodycare International Ltd. is invoking a special feel for moms while shopping for their kids. With India being one of the largest contributors to the global apparel-retail sector according to various research, the market holds tremendous potential for the growth of manufacturers and distributors. Thought-provoking and customer-centric brands like Bodycare International Ltd. contribute immensely to such sectors by keeping customer satisfaction a top-most priority and thereby creating the best kids’ apparel and innerwear.
U&i has introduced two new premium smartwatches – MY BEATS 2.0 Series and My Life Series that offer exceptional features and connectivity options. These smart wearables come with advanced health monitoring, fitness utilities, and other latest features to enable users to stay connected to their phones all the time.
MY BEATS 2.0 is a highly recommended smartwatch for individuals who are conscious about their health, fitness, and work. The smartwatch is designed with an HD speaker and microphone to facilitate voice calls directly from the wrist, without the need to handle the phone. The smartwatch also features a large and sharp 3D display screen that is protected by a lightweight alloy and comes with skin-friendly silicone straps. Additionally, it includes various health sensors such as real-time heart rate monitors, sleep monitors, GPS, etc., to help users keep track of their daily activities. MY BEATS 2.0 is available in classic Black and White colors that complement the users’ daily work outfits.
On the other hand, MY LIFE smartwatch boasts a bold and vibrant 1.8″ display, making it a perfect wearable for any occasion. It features a premium chrome alloy casing and infinity loop straps that add to its elegant design. The smartwatch also comes with an onboard microphone and speaker for voice calls and quick access to the voice assistant. With NFC onboard, MY LIFE series makes pairing with other devices quick and straightforward. The smartwatch is also IP68 waterproof, making it usable in any weather. MY LIFE is available in Classic Black and fluorescent Orange colors.
ABFRL has made a definitive agreement to acquire TCNS Clothing, which owns several popular ethnic brands including W, Aurelia, Wishful, Folksong, and Elleven. This acquisition will be executed in two phases: (1) ABFRL will acquire the founding promoter’s stake through a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) and a conditional public open offer; (2) There will be a merger between the two entities. The total value of the promoter stake and open offer consideration for TCNS amounts to approximately Rs 1650 crore for a 51 percent stake, making this one of the biggest deals in the Indian fashion industry.
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group said, “This deal is yet another marker of the Aditya Birla Group’s faith in the dynamism and buoyancy of the Indian consumer economy. As India stands on the cusp of a multi-decadal consumption boom, ABFRL is a forerunner in shaping the fashion landscape of our vibrant nation. For ABFRL, the TCNS deal is indeed a significant milestone as it complements our existing portfolio of exceptional brands across the entire spectrum of Indian fashion. By embracing TCNS’s portfolio of loved women’s ethnic brands, we are reinforcing our commitment to ethnic wear, the largest category in the apparel industry. With this acquisition, the fast-growing ABFRL platform is poised for the next phase of transformational growth.”
Ashish Dikshit, MD, ABFRL said, “As young Indians identify new-found confidence in their identities woven around Indian culture and heritage, the next set of leading consumer brands will be built in the Indian ethnic wear space. TCNS, through its brands W, Aurelia, Wishful, Folksong and Elleven, is catering to the Indian women’s fashion needs across markets and price points. Each of these brands have been built over a long period of time and enjoy tremendous consumer love. This transaction is a pivotal piece of our strategy of building India’s most comprehensive ethnic wear portfolio.”
Over the last 5 years, ABFRL has built its ethnic portfolio through a series of strategic and calibrated actions. With this acquisition, ABFRL’s ethnic wear portfolio is expected to reach Rs 5000 crore in the next 3 years.
Anant Daga, MD of TCNS added, “TCNS has been a pioneer in branded women’s ethnic wear market in the country. Over the last 20 years, we have built India’s most successful women’s franchise on the back of our leading brands. The market continues to offer long-term growth opportunities and our partnership with ABFRL will help us fully realize this potential. ABFRL’s proven brand- building capability, distribution strength and strong ecosystem of partners will help our brands into its next phase of growth and profitability.”
As part of the transaction, ABFRL will make a conditional open offer to acquire up to a 29 percent stake at Rs 503 per share from public shareholders and acquire the remaining stake from the founder promoters to reach an overall shareholding of 51 percent in TCNS. Pursuant to the above, TCNS will be amalgamated with ABFRL under the merger scheme wherein public shareholders of TCNS (as on effective date) will receive 11 shares of ABFRL for every 6 shares that they hold in TCNS.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals including approvals from the Competition Commission of India, SEBI, Stock Exchanges, and National Company Law Tribunal.
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