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Showing posts from March, 2025

Haldiram sells stake to IHC and Alpha Wave Global

This strategic move further strengthens Haldirams financial position as it accelerates its global expansion plans, particularly in the US and the Middle East New Delhi: Haldiram Snacks Food, the country’s leading snack and food brand confirmed selling its stake to two new investors — IHC (International Holding Company) and Alpha Wave Global — according to a release. The announcement comes a day after Haldiram confirmed acquisition of a minority stake by Singapore-based global investment firm Temasek. The details of this deal were also not disclosed. “Haldirams, India’s leading snack and food brand, is pleased to announce the addition of two new investors, IHC (International Holding Company) and Alpha Wave Global, to its ongoing equity round, following Temasek’s recent participation,” the statement said. This strategic move further strengthens Haldirams financial position as it accelerates its global expansion plans, particularly in the US and the Middle East, it said. “The invest...

Croma appoints Shibashish Roy as new CEO & MD

Roy has over 20 years of experience in Tata Group companies and has been instrumental in expanding Croma’s market presence and improving its customer service approach  Bengaluru: Tata Group retail chain Croma announced the appointment of Shibashish Roy as its new Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, effective April 1. Roy was named CEO in November 2024 and worked alongside outgoing Managing Director Avijit Mitra during a transition period that concluded in March 2025, Croma said in a statement. He has over 20 years of experience in Tata Group companies and has been instrumental in expanding Croma’s market presence and improving its customer service approach across different sales channels, it added. “Shibashish has been transitioning into the role of CEO & MD over the past five months, following the succession plan announced late last year… I am certain Shibashish’s digital-first approach and passion for customer engagement will drive Croma to great heights and...

Tagz Foods: Revolutionising snacking in India

Looking forward, the company aims to expand its product portfolio and deepen its presence in general trade Tagz Foods, launched in 2020 by co-founders Sagar Bhalotia and Anish Basu Roy, has quickly established itself as a pioneering brand in the Indian snacking industry. Unlike conventional snack brands, Tagz Foods has focused on innovation, introducing unique products that cater to evolving consumer preferences. One of the key differentiators of Tagz Foods is its innovative product line, with its popped potato chips emerging as the highest-selling item. The brand takes pride in being the first in India to introduce popped potato chips, a healthier alternative to traditional fried or baked chips. Beyond this, it has also developed a variety of unconventional snack options, such as hemp center-filled cookies and corn bhujia, further strengthening its position as a disruptor in the market. The company is funded by prominent investors, including 9 Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, Dexter An...

How airports are changing the retail store placement game

Strategic store placement in airports is key to maximising visibility, capturing impulse purchases, and enhancing the traveller’s shopping experience in a high-footfall environment Over the years, airports have evolved drastically from just being a transportation hub to a retail shopping destination. The high footfall, increasing at an unprecedented pace has made airports one of the most sought-after and aspiring destinations for retail brands. Airports act as dynamic ecosystems that millions of travellers pass through daily. This creates unique opportunities for retailers to capture a diverse customer base and offer them a delightful shopping experience. However, in such a high-energy environment, identifying and securing the right space for store placement along passenger walkways is daunting. Notably, the majority of airport passengers are “gate huggers” who tend to seek the Critical Short Path (CSP) to their gates, hence it is critical to locate the store on this CSP. On the othe...

Bluestar aims up to 30% growth in AC sales, high numbers from rural market

Bluestar, which recently unveiled a lineup of 150 models, expects a major growth to come from smaller towns and rural regions New Delhi: Homegrown cooling products maker Bluestar expects 25-30 per cent growth in its room air-conditioners, helped by tailwinds such as an early arrival of summer, growing income, and some predictions suggesting a harsh season, its Managing Director B Thiagarajan said on Thursday. This growth would be over the high base created last season, when the room AC industry witnessed a surge of 30-40 per cent in volume in May and June due to the unrelenting heatwave in most parts of the country. “We have planned for around 25-30 per cent growth. We will be able to meet that,” said Thiagarajan, adding that he expects to sell around 1.75 million units of room ACs in FY26. Bluestar, which on Thursday unveiled a lineup of 150 models, expects a major growth to come from smaller towns and rural regions. “It is actually the middle class aspirational consumers who ar...

8 Indian celebrity-owned F&B brands serving up success

From gourmet restaurants to artisanal beverage lines, these celebrity-driven brands have taken the industry by storm Bengaluru: The food and beverage (F&B) scene in India is at its peak, with brands experimenting with experiential dining, health-conscious snacks, and premium cuisines. When a celebrity steps into the game, the appeal—and the value—skyrockets. Following fashion and beauty, F&B has become the next big frontier for both Indian and global celebrities. In recent years, several celebrity-backed brands have taken off in India, even making waves internationally. It’s a win-win—while the operational heavy lifting is handled by the co-owner, the star power draws in consumers. Here are eight celebrity-backed F&B brands that have already captured the hearts of consumers… One8 Commune by Virat Kohli One8 Commune is a resto-bar chain co-founded by Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, alongside partners Vartik Tihara, Anshul Goel, and Ankit Tayal. The brand name combin...

D2C brands struggle for prime mall spaces as leasing norms evolve

Legacy brands and international retailers dominate high-footfall areas, while emerging D2C players struggle to break into the offline retail ecosystem. New Delhi: The rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in India has disrupted traditional retail models, but when it comes to securing premium mall locations, these brands still face significant challenges, representatives of different brands told IndiaRetailing. Legacy brands and international retailers dominate high-footfall areas, while emerging D2C players struggle to break into the offline retail ecosystem. However, a shift is underway, with malls beginning to recognise the potential of digital-first brands. The Challenge For many D2C brands, moving from online-only operations to brick-and-mortar retail is a crucial step in scaling their business. However, leasing retail spaces in premium malls remains an uphill battle. Tanvi Somaiya, Founder of The Bear House , shared her brand’s leasing journey, noting that despite initiall...

American footwear brand Rockport to enter India with Brandman Retail

Its collection will be available across 19,000 pin codes across major e-commerce platforms and Brandman’s official website Bengaluru: American footwear brand Rockport is set to enter the Indian market, partnering with retail solutions provider Brandman Retail, a press release said on Wednesday. Its collection will be available across 19,000 pin codes across major e-commerce platforms, including Flipkart, Tata CLiQ Fashion, Tata CLiQ Luxury, Nykaa Fashion, Nykaa Men, Myntra, and Brandman’s official website. Through this partnership, Brandman Retail aims to capture 4–5% of the footwear market in the region. “Rockport’s world-class craftsmanship and innovative footwear perfectly align with our mission to meet the growing demand for high-quality footwear in the region,” said Kashika Malhotra, Head of Business Development, of Brandman Retail. “We are delighted to bring a brand to South Asian consumers, an iconic brand that seamlessly combines performance, comfort, and exceptional design...

Baby & Mom Retail goes global, now live on Walmart across 48 states in the US

To support its expansion, the company has doubled its workforce over the past year, growing from 300 to 600 employees, with plans to exceed 1,000 employees soon Bengaluru: Baby & Mom Retail Pvt. Ltd., a house of brands in baby care, skincare, pet care, and bedding solutions, has entered the global market by launching on Walmart US, making its products available across 48 states and Washington, D.C., a press release said on Wednesday. “We are thrilled to bring Baby & Mom’s trusted products to families across the United States through Walmart,” said Shish Kharasiya, Founder and CEO of Baby & Mom Retail Pvt. Ltd. “This is just the beginning of our global expansion as we continue to innovate, scale, and make parenting easier for families everywhere.” In India, Baby & Mom has expanded its reach by partnering with major quick commerce platforms. The company’s products are now available in 70% of Blinkit’s 1,007 stores, Swiggy Instamart’s 705 stores, and Zepto’s 750 dark s...

VAHDAM India raises Rs 25 cr from SIDBI Venture Capital to strengthen balance sheet

The company said this equity fund raise is a strategic investment and not part of a formal funding round, as it is already well-capitalized New Delhi: VAHDAM India, which sells tea, herbs, and botanicals globally, has raised $3 million (around Rs 25 crore) from SIDBI Venture Capital as strategic investment that will help strengthen balance sheet and cash reserves. The company on Wednesday said this equity fund raise is a strategic investment and not part of a formal funding round, as it is already well-capitalized. Till date, VAHDAM India, which was formed in 2015, has raised over Rs 200 crore in primary funding. The investment will further strengthen VAHDAM’s balance sheet and cash reserves. The company, which posted a turnover of around Rs 225 crore in 2023-24 fiscal, said it is set to close the current fiscal year with strong growth and positive EBITDA. Commenting on the investment, Bala Sarda, Founder & CEO of VAHDAM India, said: ” The funds raised will strengthen our ba...

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-backed Wonderchef plans to double EBOs by 2026

With Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu emerging as key growth markets, Wonderchef’s expansion strategy will prioritize these regions Bengaluru: Premium kitchen appliance brand Wonderchef, co-founded by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Ravi Saxena, is planning to double its exclusive brand outlet (EBO) count in the coming financial year, with an emphasis on strengthening its footprint across South India, a press release said on Tuesday. “Southern India is a pivotal market for Wonderchef. With Bengaluru at its heart, we have witnessed remarkable traction for our smart kitchen appliances and healthy cooking innovations. Expanding our retail footprint here allows us to connect more closely with our customers and bring our innovative solutions right to their doorstep,” said Kapoor. With Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu emerging as key growth markets, Wonderchef’s expansion strategy will prioritise these regions.  “30% of the brand sales comes from the ...

Indian consumers spent 15 billion hours waiting to make customer service complaint in 2024: Report

The report found that 39 per cent of consumers are kept on hold, 36 per cent are repeatedly transferred, and 34 per cent believe companies deliberately complicate the complaint process New Delhi: Despite AI agents and chatbots increasingly becoming a part and parcel of customer service, they have yet to significantly reduce customer service wait times, with a report revealing that Indian consumers spent over 15 billion hours last year waiting to lodge customer service complaints. The ServiceNow Customer Experience report analysed the widening gap between rising customer expectations and the reality of service delivery. It surveyed 5,000 Indian consumers and 204 Indian customer service agents. As many as 80 per cent of Indian consumers now rely on AI chatbots for essential services like checking complaint statuses and product recommendations. Yet, these same consumers collectively spend an astounding 15 billion hours on hold each year, according to the report. “While some headway h...

M Baazar onboards Rakul Preet Singh as brand ambassador

Established in 2009, M Baazar boasts a network of over 190 stores spanning across eight states Bengaluru: Value-fashion retailer M Baazar has onboarded Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh as its brand ambassador, a press release said.  “I am excited to embark on a new fashion journey with M Baazar,” said Singh. “When I went through M Baazar’s exclusive collection, I realised it perfectly blends the best of both worlds-traditional elegance and contemporary style, something that perfectly aligns with my fashion sensibilities, and perhaps many modern Indian women. M Baazar was established by Sanjay Saraf to address the growing needs of the Indian families, offering menswear, womenswear, kidswear and accessories. “We are exhilarated to have Singh join us. We are confident this partnership is set to redefine the fashion landscape in India, setting new standards for style and being an inspiration for the contemporary generation,” said Saraf, Founder and CMD of M Baazar. From the la...

IMAGES Group announces ReTech Smart Quadrant to spotlight transformative retail tech solutions

This initiative serves as a dynamic evaluation framework, guiding industry leaders and decision-makers in identifying best-in-class solutions New Delhi: IMAGES Group is proud to announce the launch of ReTech Smart Quadrant , an innovative platform designed to recognize and showcase cutting-edge technology solutions that are revolutionizing the retail industry. The right technology partners are essential for optimizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, and staying ahead in a competitive marketplace and ReTech Smart Quadrant aims to highlight the most impactful technologies that drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and improve operational efficiency in modern retail.  This initiative serves as a dynamic evaluation framework , guiding industry leaders and decision-makers in identifying best-in-class solutions across four key pillars:  Commerce: Technology that drives online and offline retail transactions   Productivity: Technologies that op...

India’s traditional beverage Goli Soda sees strong demand in US, Europe, Gulf

Under a strategic partnership with Fair Exports, India has ensured steady deliveries of Goli Soda, rebranded as Goli Pop Soda New Delhi: India’s traditional beverage Goli Soda is witnessing strong consumer response in key international markets, including the US, UK, Europe, and the Gulf, driven by strategic expansion and innovative reinvention, an official statement said on Sunday. Under a strategic partnership with Fair Exports, India has ensured steady deliveries of Goli Soda, rebranded as Goli Pop Soda, to Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail chains in the Gulf region, the commerce ministry’s arm Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) said. “This iconic beverage, once a household staple, is making a remarkable comeback on the global stage, driven by its innovative reinvention and strategic international expansion,” it said, adding the product has already made strong inroads in global markets, with successful trial shipments to the US...

Why fashion retailers are struggling to adopt RFID

Brands are struggling to track stock in real-time and integrate legacy systems with modern tech while ensuring efficiency and accuracy. New Delhi:  While AI and automation investments are shaping the future of fashion retail, inventory management remains a foundational challenge for both offline and online players. From tracking stock in real-time to seamlessly integrating legacy systems with modern technology, brands are grappling with solutions that deliver both efficiency and accuracy. Representatives of different brands told IndiaRetailing that one such technology under scrutiny is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which offers the promise of faster store audits, better inventory accuracy, and improved warehouse visibility. However, implementing RFID at scale is proving to be far from straightforward. Beyond inventory, RFID also helps track product movements , manage returns seamlessly, reduce shrinkage, and unlock valuable data on customer preferences and shopping pat...

Miraggio targets crossing the Rs 100 crore mark by the end of March 2025

The company plans to enter offline retail with experiential stores, launch quick commerce for faster deliveries, and expand into laptop bags, backpacks, wallets, and accessories Founded in 2019 by Mohit Jain, Miraggio has quickly established itself as a go-to brand for fashion-forward bags. Backed by Magnetic (East Eight Six Advisors) and Seven Rivers Holding, the company has been able to scale its operations and expand its product portfolio. Miraggio’s best-selling products include a range of versatile and trendy bags, such as Denice, Jada, Rosalind, Dakota, Cruise, Sarah, Isabella, Bella, and Irene. These bags are designed with a customer-centric approach, emphasising versatility, functionality, and longevity. The brand takes pride in being the only Indian brand to introduce new bag designs every month, ensuring fresh styles for its customers. In the financial year 2023-24, Miraggio achieved a Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of Rs 50 crore. Looking ahead, the brand has set an ambit...

Why social commerce is the future of retail

To ensure a competitive edge, brands must consider strategic digital interventions as part of their marketing strategies — as social media and retail continues to amalgamate to create social commerce As digital interactions constitute the norm, social media platforms have transformed comprehensively beyond traditional usage as communication and entertainment tools to become integral commercial tools.The retail industry is also witnessing a considerable shift owing to social commerce, a combination of social media and e-commerce. The global social commerce revenues are also supportive of this notion, as predictions estimate revenues to surpass $1.2 trillion by 2025 — indicating a paradigm shift in consumer behavior toward direct purchases through social media platforms.  While selling goods remains only one aspect; developing individualised, captivating shopping experiences by prioritising engagement, discovery, and purchase is taking precedence. Social media websites such as Meta...

AceVector Ltd. appoints Anil Kumar as Group Company Secretary

He will oversee all corporate secretarial matters and compliances throughout the Acevector group companies, including Snapdeal, Unicommerce eSolutions, Shipway Technology, and Stellaro Brands Bengaluru: AceVector Ltd., the holding company that operates the e-commerce platform Snapdeal, along with Unicommerce and Stellaro Brands, has appointed Anil Kumar as Group Company Secretary, a press release said. He will oversee all corporate secretarial matters and compliances throughout the Acevector group companies, including Snapdeal, Unicommerce eSolutions, Shipway Technology, and Stellaro Brands. Kumar brings over 15 plus years of experience in corporate governance, legal and secretarial compliance, and related fields.  His responsibilities will include overseeing statutory and regulatory requirements, managing compliance with SEBI Laws, liaising with regulatory bodies, providing advice on corporate governance matters, and organising board and general meetings. “I am pleased to as...

HUL board approves 14.3% stake acquisition in Lucro Plastecycle

The investment aims to strengthen plastic circularity by increasing the availability of recycled content for flexibles, providing a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging  New Delhi: FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s board on Thursday said it has approved an undisclosed investment to acquire a 14.3 per cent stake in recycled flexible plastics firm Lucro Plastecycle, according to a regulatory filing. Lucro Plastecycle Pvt Ltd (Lucro) is a well-integrated waste management, recycling and product manufacturing company, working to create a circular plastics economy for a better tomorrow, it noted. “This investment is a significant step in building the capabilities in recycling and developing the circular economy model for plastic, which is in line with our firm belief that what is good for India is good for HUL,” HUL CEO and MD Rohit Jawa said. HUL further said that the investment aims to strengthen plastic circularity by increasing the availability ...

Bagging new heights: Abhinav Kumar’s Bagline to hit 100 stores, eyes Rs 1,000 cr revenue in 2 years

Bagline is now committed to broadening its portfolio with more global brands, enhancing its retail footprint to over 100 stores, and setting up its own manufacturing facility  Bengaluru: Modern consumers often feel they cannot have enough bags, as social media has ingrained the belief that bags are a critical part of one’s outfit. Not only for that reason, but the bags and luggage market in India has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, propelled by a surge in travel, the influx of major global brands, and an emphasis on both convenience and aesthetics. Bagline , a multi-brand retailer in India specialising in travel gear and fashion accessories, established in 2007 as a sister brand to Brand Concepts Ltd. , in 2007. The Indore-based publicly listed company holds exclusive rights for bags and accessories under global brands like Tommy Hilfiger Travel Gear, United Colors of Benetton, and Aeropostale and also operates its proprietary private labels, Sugarush and ...