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Showing posts from February, 2025

Dairy FMCG trends 2025: What’s driving consumer demand and purchase decisions

Understanding the key trends driving consumer demand and purchase decisions becomes critical for dairy brands to stay relevant and competitive The dairy fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on health and sustainability. As we step into 2025, understanding the key trends driving consumer demand and purchase decisions becomes critical for dairy brands to stay relevant and competitive. Health and wellness take centre stage Consumers are increasingly prioritising health, opting for dairy products enriched with nutrients such as probiotics, calcium, and protein. Functional foods—like probiotic yoghurts and fortified milk—are gaining popularity for their ability to support gut health, immunity, and overall well-being. Additionally, clean-label products free from artificial additives, preservatives, and sugar are in high demand. Shoppers are carefully scrutinizing ingredien...

Menswear brand Snitch opens 11th Store in Bengaluru

Located at M5 City Mall, Electronic City, this marks the 46th Snitch store across the country Bengaluru : Men’s fast-fashion brand Snitch has expanded its retail footprint in South India with the launch of its latest store in Bengaluru, a release said on Friday. Located at M5 City Mall, Electronic City, this markets the 11th outlet of Snitch in Bengaluru. Spanning over 4500 sq. ft., the store is designed to cater to the style-conscious millennials and Gen Z audience. “Bengaluru has always been at the forefront of evolving fashion trends, and we are thrilled to introduce yet another Snitch store to this dynamic city,” said Siddharth Dungarwal, CEO and Founder of Snitch. “Our presence in M5 City Mall is more than just a retail expansion – it’s about creating an experience where men can find fashion that resonates with their personality and lifestyle.” This new launch is a step in Snitch’s retail expansion plan, with a vision to reach 100 stores across India by the end of the current ...

Azorte to introduce facial recognition in store soon: Akhilesh Prasad

Akhilesh Prasad is on a mission to create an Indian enterprise which can take on the best of global competition and emerge the leading player… Akhilesh Prasad, President & CEO of Reliance Retail (Fashion & Lifestyle) , has built a distinguished career adorned with numerous achievements. For over 32 years, he has played a pivotal role in disrupting, transforming and innovating the Indian fashion, lifestyle, grocery and CDIT retail sectors. His current retail portfolio includes Trends, Ajio, Ajio Business & Project Eve to name a few. Under his leadership, these portfolios have worked towards creating startups that have disrupted legacy-practices in the industry, creating tremendous scale and acquiring leadership roles at an unprecedented pace. According to him, he is on a mission to create an Indian enterprise which can take on the best of global competition and emerge the leading player in the Indian and global fashion and lifestyle space. He spoke to IndiaRetailing Edit...

Tim Hortons opens 6th store in Mumbai

The new Tim Hortons store is located at the First International Financial Centre (FIFC) in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) Bengaluru: International coffeehouse and restaurant chain Tim Hortons has launched its sixth store in Mumbai, at the First International Financial Centre (FIFC) in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the company said in a press release on Thursday. The newly launched outlet offers a range of its signature Arabica coffee, beverages, and freshly prepared food options such as timbits, donuts, sandwiches, and wraps. “We are thrilled to open our sixth store in Mumbai. The love and support we have received from our customers have been incredible, and we are excited to continue expanding into more communities,” said Tarun Jain, CEO of Tim Hortons India. Tim Hortons made its Indian debut in August 2022 by opening two outlets in the National Capital Region (NCR). The brand entered India through an exclusive master franchise agreement with AG Café, a joint venture entity jointly own...

The Indian Garage Co. opens new stores in Hyderabad and Kochi

The expansion is part of the brand’s larger offline growth strategy, targeting EBO sales to account for 30% of total revenue while aiming to establish 100 stores across India Bengaluru: City-based menswear brand The Indian Garage Co. (TIGC) has expanded its presence in South India with the launch of two new stores in Hyderabad and Kochi, as part of its mission to open 10 stores in 10 weeks. Its Hyderabad store is located at Sarath City Mall, marking its second outlet in the city after the first one in Vanasthalipuram. Covering an area of over 2,300 sq. ft., the new store attracted more than 1,000 customers on its opening day. The brand has also made its debut in Kerala with the launch of a store at Lulu Mall in Kochi. This expansion is part of the brand’s broader offline strategy, backed by a 20% budget allocation, with a goal for exclusive brand outlet (EBO) sales to contribute 30% of total revenue within the next 3–5 years. “We are delighted to bring The Indian Garage Co.’s dis...

Swiggy Instamart halts non-veg items delivery in select cities on Mahashivratri

Swiggy Instamart has also delivered the sacred Tandool Mahaprasad Ladoos directly from the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Mahashivratri New Delhi: Swiggy Instamart took down non-veg items including eggs, meat and fish for delivery in select cities like Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Wednesday, although the deliveries were restored by the evening in few cities, the quick commerce platform’s app showed. Sources said the decision to remove non-vegetarian items from the delivery menu in certain locations was taken to respect religious sentiments, as Swiggy Instamart is delivering the sacred Tandool Mahaprasad Ladoos directly from the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Mahashivratri. Meanwhile, some users took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to raise objection to the move, and shared screenshots to show non-veg items such as meat, fish and eggs being removed from the grocery section on Swiggy Instamart. Available only on Swiggy Inst...

Inditex’s BERSHKA arrives in India, opens first store in Mumbai

BERSHKA’s first-ever retail store in India is located Phoenix Palladium Mall in Mumbai Bengaluru: BERSHKA, a youth fashion brand owned by Inditex group, has debuted in India with the launch of its first offline store at Phoenix Palladium Mall in Mumbai, following the launch of its own online platform for Indian consumers.  Spanning over 4596 sq. ft., the store showcases BERSHKA’s diverse collections, including BERSHKA Teen for ages 10-12, along with BERSHKA Women & Men. IndiaRetailing had reported in December 2022 that Inditex is planning to bring BERSHKA, the third label from the Spanish company in India, after the stupendous success of Zara and Massimo Dutti. The new store features both physical checkouts and self-checkout drop-off points, strategically placed alongside fitting rooms to enhance the customer journey. These spaces are thoughtfully integrated into the store’s natural flow, ensuring a seamless and efficient shopping experience. For online shoppers, BERSHKA...

India’s retail sales records 5% YoY growth in January 2025: Survey

As per the survey, West India recorded the highest sales growth at 7%, followed by North and South India at 5%, while East India saw a growth of only 4% Bengaluru: Retail sales in India experienced a 5% growth in January 2025 compared to the sales levels during the same period in January 2024, Retailers Association of India (RAI) said in its latest edition of its Retail Business Survey. According to the survey, West India experienced the highest sales growth at 7%, while North and South India each recorded a 5% increase. East India showed a growth of only 4%. “RAI’s survey shows 5% retail growth in January, led by food & grocery at 13%.  The Union Budget 2025’s income tax exemption limit of Rs 12 lakh provides relief to retailers after last year’s slowdown,” said Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer of RAI. “Consumer choices, however, vary widely. Retailers must adapt to these shifts, understand evolving preferences, and build the right operating model to stay compet...

Varun Beverages extends deadline for acquisition of Ghana-based SBC Beverages to 31 March

On 13 November 2024, Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) had entered into a share purchase agreement for the purchase of 100 per cent shares of SBC Beverages Ghana at $15.06 million  New Delhi: Varun Beverages, PepsiCo’s largest franchise bottler, on Tuesday extended the deadline for completion of the acquisition of Ghana-based SBC Beverages for a month to 31 March. On 13 November 2024, Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) had entered into a share purchase agreement for the purchase of 100 per cent shares of SBC Beverages Ghana at $15.06 million (Rs 127.1 crore). The company had estimated to complete the transaction by the end of February 2025. However, in regulatory updates, VBL said “consummation of the aforesaid transaction is extended up to 31 March 2025, instead of 28 February 2025”. Last November, VBL entered into a share purchase agreement with Tanzania Bottling Company SA and SBC Beverages Ghana for purchase of 100 per cent shares at $154.50 million and $15.06 million, respectively. Both ...

Chai Point looks to list in May 2026: Co-founder

The company is also looking at a primary plus secondary capital round in this fiscal year New Delhi: Chai Point, the popular tea cafe chain that sells close to a million cups of high-quality, freshly brewed tea every day, is looking to go public and list on stock exchange by mid-2026, its co-founder Tarun Khanna said. Chai Point made a special mark during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, selling one lakh cups of tea a day at the peak from its limited-edition outlets. Conceived in 2009 when Khanna, a professor in Harvard University, was sipping a hot cup of tea at a cafe in Mumbai with his student Amuleek Singh Bijral. “On the roadside, there was a young boy selling tea in plastic cups to customers. Such ‘chotus’, as they are called, serve tea to millions in not-so-good plastic cups and not in the most hygienic conditions. A thought occurred as to why can’t we bring authentic, flavourful, and high-quality tea to the masses in the most hygenic ways at an affordable price and at the same...

Electronic, electrical goods industry should target $100 bn exports in next 5-7 yrs: Goyal

In January, the export volume of electronic goods was $3 billion New Delhi: The Indian electronics and electrical industry should look at increasing exports to $100 billion over the next 5-7 years, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. He said the export volume of electronic goods ranks second in the country against 167th in 2015. In January, the export volume of electronic goods was $3 billion. Look at increasing exports to “$100 billion in the next 5-7 years”, he said at the 16th Edition of ELECRAMA, organised by the Indian Electrical And Electronics Manufacturer’s Association (IEEMA) here. The minister also said India’s electronic goods industry must work together towards more resilient supply chains, upgrade quality standards and provide high-quality goods and services to the world at competitive rates. He urged the participants to work together to bring competitive advantages to the manufacturing sector. The minister stressed that the industry has a r...

D2C brand Plix aims to be a global leader in the plant-based wellness space

In just four years since its launch, the company achieved a revenue of Rs 156 crores in the financial year 2023-24 Plix, founded in 2020 by Rishubh Satiya and Akash Zaveri, has rapidly grown into a leading player in the health and wellness industry, specialising in plant-based nutraceuticals and personal care products. Backed by Marico, the brand has successfully positioned itself as an affordable and approachable solution for consumers seeking clean, natural, and effective wellness products. Some of its best-selling offerings include the Plix Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Water, Deep Sleep Tablets, and Fit and Slim supplements in the nutraceutical category, while its Depigmentation Range and Anti-Acne Range have gained significant traction in personal care. In the financial year (FY) 2023-24, Plix recorded revenue of Rs 156 crores, reinforcing its strong consumer demand and market presence. Looking ahead to FY 2024-25, Plix aims to replicate its success in new categories, particula...

Smartwatch supplies to India drop 30% in 2024 on unsatisfactory experience, lack of innovation: Report

While market leaders in the low-cost smart watch segment suffered a major blow, the premium segment with smartwatches bucked the trend, and their supplies grew 147% year-on-year New Delhi: Smartwatch supplies to India dropped 30 per cent in 2024, mainly due to unsatisfactory experience, lack of innovation and unclear product portfolio, a Counterpoint Research report said on Monday. While market leaders in the low-cost smartphone watch segment suffered a major blow, the premium segment with smartwatches priced above Rs 20,000 apiece bucked the trend, and their supplies grew 147 per cent year-on-year. Counterpoint estimates show shipments of the top three sellers – Fire Boltt, boAt, and Noise – were jolted by negative customer sentiments. Fire-Boltt shipments dropped by 54 per cent, boAt supplies declined by 47 per cent, and Noise recorded a 26 per cent fall. Even after a decline in supplies, the three brands led the market. Noise led the market, with a 27 per cent market share, f...

Amazon India claims 26% annual increase in same- or next-day delivery for paid members

Amazon Prime has increased the number of PIN codes serviced under same-day or next-day delivery by more than 11 per cent in 2024 New Delhi: E-commerce firm Amazon India on Monday claimed that it has recorded a 26 per cent increase in same-day or next-day delivery for its paid users – Prime members. The company said that Amazon Prime has increased the number of PIN codes serviced under same-day or next-day delivery by more than 11 per cent in 2024. “Amazon Prime Members in India enjoyed fastest-ever delivery speeds in 2024. More than 41 crore items were delivered the same or next day, a 26 per cent increase year over year,” the company said. Prime Members are required to pay a fee to avail quick deliveries and waiver of charges on shipments. Amazon India said that in 2024 it delivered at its fastest speeds ever for Prime members with delivery of more than 41 crore items the same day or next day. The e-commerce firm said close to 20 crore units from everyday essentials selection we...

Swiggy to invest up to Rs 1,000 cr in Scootsy Logistics’ expansion

Scootsy Logistics is Swiggy’s wholly-owned subsidiary which is engaged in the supply chain and distribution business New Delhi: Food and grocery delivery major Swiggy on Friday said it will invest up to Rs 1,000 crore in one or more tranches to expand its wholly-owned subsidiary ‘Scootsy Logistics’ which is engaged in the supply chain and distribution business. In a regulatory filing, Swiggy informed about the “Investment by the Company in the equity shares of Scootsy Logistics Private Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Scootsy”), up to an amount not exceeding Rs 1,000 crore in one or more tranches, by way of subscription to rights issue up to Rs 1,000 crore”. The investment is towards working capital and other capital expenditures as part of the company’s business expansion. Scootsy is currently engaged in the business of supply chain services and distribution. The post Swiggy to invest up to Rs 1,000 cr in Scootsy Logistics’ expansion appeared first on India...

India’s retail real estate is evolving with experience, tech & sustainability

With nearly three decades of experience, Anshuman Magazine has transformed CBRE India from a small team into a powerhouse of 16,000+ professionals, driving strategic growth across advisory & transaction services, asset services, capital markets, project management, and valuation New Delhi: In the ever-evolving realm of commercial real estate, Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO of CBRE India, South-East Asia, Middle East, and Africa, stands out as a transformative leader. Leading the world’s largest real estate services and investment firm, he has been instrumental in shaping the industry’s landscape across 19 countries, overseeing a vast network of over 50 offices and affiliates. With nearly three decades of experience, Anshuman has transformed CBRE India from a small team into a powerhouse of 16,000+ professionals, driving strategic growth across advisory and transaction services, asset services, capital markets, project management, and valuation. A key figure in executing l...

How D2C brand Put Simply is making waves in Indian skincare

For the financial year 2024-25, the brand has set a revenue target of Rs 2 crore Founded in 2022 by Anirudh Kastia, Put Simply is a skincare brand dedicated to formulating superior products tailored to the needs of sensitive Indian skin. As a bootstrapped venture, the brand has focused on innovation and quality, gaining traction with its best-selling Beat the Sun sunscreen, which has become a consumer favourite. With a commitment to providing cutting-edge sun care solutions, Put Simply aims to expand its product portfolio while maintaining its emphasis on efficacy and skin-friendliness. For the financial year 2024-25, the brand has set an ambitious revenue target of Rs 2 crore. The company aligns its growth strategy with technological enablers such as Shopify for e-commerce operations, Notion for internal management, Shiprocket for logistics, Convertway for marketing automation, and Judgeme for customer reviews. These tools help streamline operations and enhance customer experienc...

Tier-2 cities: A new frontier for luxury retail growth in 2025

Once overlooked in favour of metropolitan hubs, these smaller urban centres are now capturing the attention of global and domestic luxury brands Luxury retail is undergoing a significant transformation, with tier-2 cities emerging as critical markets in 2025. Once overlooked in favour of metropolitan hubs, these smaller urban centres are now capturing the attention of global and domestic luxury brands. This trend reflects shifting economic realities, changing consumer behaviours, and advancements in infrastructure that make these cities ripe for high-end retail expansion. Rising affluence and aspirations Economic growth in tier-2 cities has fueled a rise in disposable incomes, creating a new class of consumers eager to indulge in luxury. Cities such as Surat, Indore, Chandigarh, and Vadodara in India, or Hangzhou and Qingdao in China, are witnessing a steady increase in wealth, largely driven by industrial growth and entrepreneurial ventures. Residents in these areas are no longer c...

From vending machines to café chain: Roastea eyes 100 outlets in 5 years, Rs 350 crore in 3 years

Founded in 2019, the brand closed FY 2024 with revenue of approximately Rs 60 crore and aims to double this figure by FY26 Bengaluru: In India, which ranks fourth globally in tea consumption and 16th in coffee consumption, the demand for cafés remains insatiable. Recognising this opportunity, a wave of new-age café chains has emerged over the past decade. Roastea is one among these, an omnichannel beverage brand founded in 2019 by lawyers-turned-entrepreneurs and brother-duo Anurag and Chaitanya Bhamidipaty . The company initially focused on developing vending machines to address the lack of quality beverage options in corporate offices. Two years later, it expanded into the café and quick-service restaurant (QSR) space. Kicking off with vending machines Both founders, law graduates from Gujarat National Law University, began their careers in 2016 as capital market lawyers. During their three-year tenure, they identified a gap in the market for vending machines that offered fla...

Danish footwear brand ECCO opens 3 new stores in India

New ECCO stores are located at Palladium Mall in Mumbai, DLF Promenade in New Delhi and Pacific Mall in New Delhi Bengaluru: Danish footwear brand ECCO has launched three new stores in the country located at Palladium Mall in Mumbai, DLF Promenade in New Delhi and Pacific Mall in New Delhi, the company said in a press release. “India is a key market for ECCO, and we are excited to further strengthen our presence in Mumbai and Delhi. These new store openings represent a significant milestone in our journey, allowing us to bring our premium footwear collections closer to our customers,” said Sumeet Lohia, Country Manager of ECCO Shoes India.  “We are witnessing high consumer interest, with repeat customers accounting for 50% of our sales. Our expansion plan focuses on key retail hubs in India’s top six cities. By the end of 2026, we plan to have a robust presence in all key malls,” he added. The new outlets feature the brand’s full range for men and women, including Biom, Cozmo,...

Pee Safe to reach 30,000 retail touch points by March 2025

Founded in 2017 by Vikas Bagaria, Pee Safe has gained widespread recognition, particularly for its toilet seat sanitizers and panty liners Bengaluru: Personal hygiene company Pee Safe is targeting to reach more than 30,000 retail touch points across the country by the end of the current fiscal year (FY 2025). The direct-to-consumer brand sells feminine hygiene and health products, including  sanitisers, menstrual cups, sanitary pads, tampons and intimate wellness products. Founded in 2017 by Vikas Bagaria, it has gained widespread recognition, particularly for its toilet seat sanitizers and panty liners, which remain its highest-selling products. Pee Safe also expanded its product portfolio with two sub-brands, Domina and FURR, each catering to distinct aspects of wellness and personal care. The brand is backed by investors such as Alkemi Growth Capital, NATCO Pharma Ltd., and Zerodha. To drive its operations efficiently, it collaborates with key business enablers such as Mic...

Scandalous Foods partners with Zepto Café

The rollout of this partnership will initially cover key metro cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and soon, Kolkata Bengaluru:  Mumbai-based sweet innovation brand Scandalous Foods has partnered with Zepto Café, the food and beverage division of quick-commerce company Zepto. Through this collaboration, customers can now order desserts from the brand delivered within just 10 minutes of ordering. “Mithais have always been a staple of Indian celebrations and everyday indulgence, and with Zepto Café, we are ensuring they reach customers at the right moment—fresh, fast, and irresistible,” said Sanket S, Co-Founder of Scandalous Foods in a press release.  “By leveraging Zepto’s robust distribution network, we are not only expanding the accessibility of mithais but also gaining valuable insights into consumer impulse buying trends across different regions,” he added. The rollout of this partnership will initially cover key metro cities, including...

Meesho launches content commerce platform Creator Club

The platform, Creator Club, will enable content creators directly collaborate with sellers on Meesho and monetise their content New Delhi: Buoyed by the three-fold growth in order volume through content commerce, SoftBank-backed e-tailer Meesho on Wednesday said it has launched a dedicated platform for the segment. The platform, Creator Club, will enable content creators directly collaborate with sellers on Meesho and monetise their content. “With the launch of Meesho Creator Club, we are doubling down on our mission to democratise internet commerce, empowering creators with the right tools and resources they need to thrive. By driving growth and engagement through authentic, relatable content, our platform is reshaping the future of e-commerce,” Meesho General Manager, Monetization and Content Commerce, Prasanna Arunachalam said in a statement. While testing content commerce in 2024, Meesho recorded a three-fold increase in order volume on its platform. Content commerce is a way...

Menswear brand Citrus Clothing launches 3 stores in Odisha

Odisha has emerged as a strong market for Citrus Clothing, prompting the brand to launch its new stores in DN Mall, Bhubaneswar; a standalone store in Puri; and another in Angul Mumbai: Menswear brand Citrus Clothing on Tuesday announced expansion of its retail footprint with the launch of three experiential stores in Odisha, offering fashion buffs personalised styling services with trained fashion consultants. Odisha has emerged as a strong market for Citrus Clothing, prompting the brand to launch its new stores in DN Mall, Bhubaneswar; a standalone store in Puri; and another in Angul, the company said. Bootstrapped since 2000, the company has grown from a Rs 10 lakh investment to a Rs 100 crore brand over the period of time. “Odisha has always been close to our hearts, and this expansion is a testament to our deep-rooted connection with the region,” Citrus Clothing Founder Hitesh Jain said. With steady expansion and a loyal customer base, the company is set for over 50 per cen...

How Crossword Bookstores rewrote its story from red to black

Nidhi Goel Gupta, Director of Crossword Bookstores opens up about the brand’s changes following the acquisition, current priorities, upcoming launches, and expansion plans Bengaluru: No matter how far technology advances in the reading world—from Kindle e-books and Audible audiobooks to digital libraries and augmented reality (AR) books that infuse animations, and sounds into the pages—nothing can replicate the scent of a freshly printed book or the cherished experience of browsing and reading in a cozy bookstore café. Crossword Bookstores is dedicated to providing exactly that.  The homegrown book retail chain was founded in 1992 under the leadership of R Sriram , who identified underserved niches in the book retail industry. After opening its first store in Kemps Corner, Mumbai, the company underwent several acquisitions, facing peaks and valleys. In 2005, the department store giant Shoppers Stop acquired Crossword from India Book House Ltd. , one of the brand’s earliest...