Saturday, January 31, 2026
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Start following Kiara Advani’s simple yet powerful morning ritual for glowing skin

Have you ever stopped to marvel at Kiara Advani’s radiant and flawless skin? In the exquisite glamour that is Bollywood, Kiara Advani stands out not just for her acting genius but also for her luminous and healthy skin. Amidst the overwhelming myriad of options surfaced by the beauty industry, this simple yet transformative ritual is not only a fad, but the cornerstone of her radiance.

 

The secret might be simpler than you think. It’s not a gruelling workout or a 10-step skincare routine; it’s a simple cup of warm water, with a slice of lemon in it. Kiara’s morning habit of indulging in warm water infused with the zest of fresh lemons has become a conscious choice rooted in her approach to holistic well-being. The actress recommends this refreshing elixir not only for its skin-enhancing benefits but also for the multiple benefits it has in improving your overall health and vitality.  

 

Hansa Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute in one of her videos on the health benefits of lemons mentioned, “Drinking one glass of lemon water every day in the morning will benefit you for a lifetime”.  Her claim can further be supported by a research published in the Journal of Science and Technology which reveals that “It is a healthy appetiser and helps to treat diseases with digestive aids. Lemon does not disclose any adverse effects, according to literature, but it is used all over the world as a traditional medicine”. Vitamin C, which is abundantly present in lemons, fights toxins and increases collagen production in the body, both of which help in treating acne as well as tightening the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. While lemons are famously known for their Vitamin C component, not many people are aware of their Potassium-rich skin, which is an important mineral for nervous stimulation as well as maintaining blood pressure. Here are a few more benefits of adding lemon water to your everyday diet:- 

  • Immediately soothes muscle cramps
  • Peptin in lemons makes us feel fuller, thereby, helping in weight loss
  • Boosts immunity by stimulating the production of White Blood Cells in the body
  • Removal of kidney stones 
  • The lemon peel when infused in water for 30 minutes, activates its bioactive compounds which boost immunity and prevent our bodies from cellular damage
  • It also helps in the release of digestive enzymes which help in better absorption of nutrients

 

This simple kitchen hack has proudly made its way into the celebrity wellness circuit. Not only Kiara Advani but also Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, and Malaika Arora have this one drink in common at the break of dawn.

Here are 3 ways, you can incorporate the lemon water glow into your morning routine:- 

  1. Warm ginger lemon tea- Boil a glass of water with crushed ginger. When its done, squeeze a lemon into your glass and have it warm. To enjoy it in place of your morning tea, you may add a teaspoon of honey to it.

2. Ginger lemon shot – Take an inch of ginger root, and one squeezed lemon. Add enough water to blend it (3-4 tablespoons) in a blender, and have it as a morning shot.

3. Lemon-infused detox water- Cut up slices of one lemon and add it to your water bottle. Have 1-2 glasses of lemon water in the morning, and keep having the rest throughout the day. 

While lemon water offers a myriad of health benefits, it’s crucial to exercise moderation. One lemon a day is a healthy limit, and people with gastroesophageal reflux disease should be cautious about excessive lemon juice intake. As with any dietary rituals, balance is key to ensuring you enjoy the advantages without overdoing it. 

The House of Rare Appoints Nishant Poddar as CMO to Drive Brand and Consumer Strategy

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The House of Rare has announced the appointment of Nishant Poddar as its Chief Marketing Officer, marking a key leadership addition as the fashion and lifestyle group sharpens its focus on brand-building and consumer engagement across its expanding portfolio.

In his new role, Poddar will oversee brand marketing, communication, digital strategy, content, community initiatives and overall consumer experience for the group’s brands, including Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones and Rare’z. The appointment comes at a time when The House of Rare is scaling its presence across categories and channels, with an increasing emphasis on building distinct, culturally relevant fashion labels.

Poddar brings over 20 years of experience across fashion, retail and consumer brands. He joins from WROGN, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Retail Experience. During his tenure, he played a central role in shaping the brand’s identity across physical retail, digital platforms and marketing campaigns, helping establish WROGN as a youth-focused fashion brand with strong cultural recall. His work at the brand was noted for combining emotional storytelling with sharp visual and retail execution.

Prior to WROGN, Poddar spent close to nine years at Café Coffee Day in senior marketing roles, where he worked on large-scale consumer engagement initiatives and brand-led growth strategies in a high-frequency retail environment. Earlier in his career, he also gained operational exposure at Sealand Container Services before moving fully into marketing and brand leadership.

An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Poddar has further strengthened his leadership and marketing capabilities through executive programmes at Wharton Online and IIT Bombay. His approach blends design thinking, consumer insight and data-led decision-making, aligning with The House of Rare’s ambition to build brands that resonate beyond transactions.

With this leadership move, The House of Rare is signalling a stronger push towards cohesive brand narratives, deeper consumer connection and long-term brand equity as it continues to expand its footprint in India’s fashion market.

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Gut Health Startup Good Bacteria Raises $3.2 Million Seed Round to Expand Microbiome Nutrition Platform

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Good Bacteria, a Portland based gut health startup, has raised $3.2 million in seed funding as it looks to scale its science-led approach to restoring microbial diversity, according to a report by Beauty Independent. The funding round was backed by a group of consumer-focused investors including BrandProject, BAM Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, and Listen, highlighting growing investor confidence in the functional nutrition and gut wellness segment.

Founded by Anabel González, Good Bacteria positions itself at the intersection of microbiome science and daily nutrition. The company is built around the idea of “rewilding” the gut, a concept that focuses on rebuilding microbial diversity that has been reduced by modern diets, stress, and overuse of antibiotics. Rather than a one-size-fits-all supplement, the brand has developed a structured 28 day rotating system designed to support the gut through different microbial needs over the course of a month.

The system combines prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, delivered in varying formulations throughout the cycle. This rotation-based approach is intended to mirror the natural diversity found in traditional diets, while avoiding over-reliance on a single strain or ingredient. The company says this method is aimed at improving digestion, immunity, and overall metabolic health by supporting a broader range of beneficial bacteria.

Good Bacteria has already secured early retail traction, with products available at curated grocery formats such as Pop Up Grocer and Happier Grocery. Consumers can also purchase directly through the brand’s website, reflecting a hybrid distribution strategy that blends physical discovery with direct-to-consumer engagement.

The fresh capital will be used to deepen research and development, expand distribution, and strengthen consumer education around microbiome health. As awareness of gut health continues to rise globally, Good Bacteria’s focus on diversity, simplicity, and science-backed formulation places it well within a fast-growing wellness category that is attracting both consumers and investors at scale.

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Dabur India Q3 FY25: Revenue Grows 6%, Profit Up 10% as Rural Demand and Overseas Markets Lead

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Dabur India Limited reported a stable and broad based performance in the third quarter ended December 31, 2025, supported by strong rural consumption, steady market share gains and a robust showing from international operations. The FMCG major delivered growth across categories despite continued pressure on input costs.

For the quarter, Dabur posted consolidated revenue of ₹3,559 crore, marking a 6.1 percent increase compared to ₹3,355 crore in the corresponding period last year. Profit before exceptional items rose 10.1 percent year on year to ₹575 crore, while operating profit grew 7.7 percent to ₹734 crore. The India FMCG business recorded 6 percent growth, reflecting consistent demand across mass and premium segments.

Mohit Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer, said the quarter was driven by volume led growth, sharper brand investments and stronger innovation execution, which helped the company gain share across multiple categories. He added that improving macro indicators, expected policy support and recent GST related changes could further support demand in the coming months.

Dabur continued to deepen its distribution reach during the quarter, adding 50,000 outlets to take its total footprint to over 8.5 million retail outlets nationwide. Rural markets outperformed urban demand for the eighth straight quarter, with a 330 basis point gap, supported by Dabur’s presence across more than 133,000 villages. In cities, e commerce and modern trade channels remained key growth drivers.

Category wise, Dabur reported notable market share gains. Its hair oils business added 193 basis points, taking overall share to nearly 20 percent, the highest so far. The air fresheners segment gained 131 basis points to reach a 44 percent share. Juices and nectars added 195 basis points, while the 100 percent juice segment saw a sharp 646 basis point increase. Hair oils grew 19.1 percent during the quarter, foods grew 14 percent and the toothpaste portfolio expanded close to 10 percent.

International operations delivered 11.1 percent growth, led by Turkey, MENA, the US and Bangladesh. With strong rural traction, expanding distribution and steady overseas momentum, Dabur remains positioned for sustained growth through FY25.

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Bikaji Foods Q3 FY26: Profit Soars 122% on Strong Ethnic Snacks Demand and Export Growth

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Bikaji Foods International Ltd reported a sharp improvement in profitability in the third quarter of FY26, backed by steady demand for ethnic snacks in India and rising traction across export markets. The company delivered double digit revenue growth alongside a significant expansion in margins, highlighting improved operating efficiency and scale benefits.

For the quarter, Bikaji recorded revenue growth of 10.7 percent year on year, supported by higher volumes across its core product portfolio and wider distribution reach. Despite inflationary pressures in the broader FMCG landscape, organised branded snacks continued to see strong consumer preference, aiding consistent topline performance.

Profitability emerged as the standout metric for the quarter. Profit after tax jumped more than 122 percent compared to the same period last year. The sharp rise was driven by operating leverage, better cost control and an improvement in EBITDA margins. Management indicated that easing raw material prices, tighter pricing discipline and supply chain efficiencies contributed to margin expansion.

Ethnic snacks remained the company’s largest and fastest growing segment. Products such as bhujia, namkeen and region specific snacks saw healthy demand across urban and semi urban markets. Western snacks and papad also posted solid growth, reflecting increasing acceptance of packaged snack formats among younger consumers. The packaged sweets business saw a temporary dip during the quarter due to changes in festive demand timing, though performance for the full year remains stable.

Exports played an important role in the quarter’s performance, registering strong year on year growth. International markets including North America and the Middle East continued to show rising demand for Indian ethnic foods. The export mix also supported profitability due to better realisations and scale efficiencies.

Alongside financial results, Bikaji announced a series of strategic moves. The board approved a ₹50 crore investment into its retail subsidiary to accelerate omni channel expansion and strengthen direct consumer engagement. The company also outlined plans to enter the frozen foods and bakery segments through a joint venture, marking its expansion into high growth convenience categories. Additional investments were approved to support partner manufacturing units and reinforce long term supply stability.

With strong fundamentals, expanding exports and a diversifying portfolio, Bikaji Foods remains well positioned to sustain growth while maintaining margin discipline in the coming quarters.

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Edrington Names Paul Ross as India COO as Scotch Whisky Demand Accelerates

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Premium spirits group Edrington has appointed industry veteran Paul Ross as Chief Operating Officer for its India business, underlining the company’s intent to deepen its presence in what has become the world’s largest Scotch whisky market by volume.

Ross will be based in India and will oversee operations, commercial execution and long-term growth plans for Edrington’s portfolio, including single malt brands such as The Macallan and Highland Park. His appointment comes at a time when India is witnessing sustained premiumisation in spirits consumption, supported by rising disposable incomes, a younger legal-drinking-age population and evolving preferences toward high-end international labels.

India’s importance to global Scotch producers has grown steadily in recent years. According to industry data, the country now leads global Scotch whisky volumes, aided by easing trade barriers following the UK–India trade agreement, which provides a phased reduction in import duties on Scotch whisky. These changes are expected to improve accessibility and pricing over the medium term, creating headroom for premium and ultra-premium segments.

Ross brings more than 30 years of experience within the Edrington group. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Edrington Americas, where he played a key role in expanding The Macallan’s footprint in the United States, the company’s largest value market. Over the years, he has held senior leadership positions across Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom and the Americas, giving him broad exposure to both developed and emerging spirits markets.

In his new role, Ross will focus on building local organisational capabilities, strengthening distributor partnerships and creating a scalable operating model tailored to India’s complex regulatory and state-level market structure. The mandate also includes sharpening brand building efforts in the luxury and ultra-luxury whisky segments, where Edrington sees long-term potential.

Commenting on the appointment, Edrington said Ross’s global experience and deep understanding of premium spirits would support the company’s ambition to build a sustainable, locally anchored business in India. With consumption patterns shifting toward quality over quantity, the company believes the market is entering a new phase of growth that favours established single malt portfolios.

Ross’s appointment signals Edrington’s confidence in India as a strategic growth engine for its global Scotch whisky business.

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Vintage Coffee Reports 71% Jump in Q3 FY26 Revenue as Profits Rise on Capacity Expansion

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Vintage Coffee and Beverages Ltd delivered a strong financial performance in the third quarter of FY26, posting sharp growth across revenue and profitability as higher volumes and better plant utilisation lifted operating leverage.

According to its regulatory filing, the Hyderabad based coffee manufacturer reported revenue of ₹150.52 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, marking a 71 percent year on year increase. Operating profit rose even faster, climbing 83 percent to ₹27.64 crore, reflecting improved margins and efficiency. Profit after tax for the quarter stood at ₹19.11 crore, up 53 percent compared to the same period last year.

The momentum extended beyond the quarter. For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, Vintage Coffee recorded revenue of ₹387.74 crore, a 91 percent increase over the corresponding period in the previous year. Operating profit more than doubled to ₹66.25 crore, while profit after tax surged 109 percent to ₹51.18 crore, underscoring the scale benefits from rising demand and tighter cost control.

Balakrishna Tati, Chairman and Managing Director, attributed the performance to strong order inflows, disciplined execution and sustained focus on profitability across product categories. He said the company remains confident of maintaining growth in the final quarter of FY26, supported by ongoing capacity additions.

As part of its medium term expansion strategy, Vintage Coffee plans to commission an additional 4,500 metric tonnes per annum of spray dried and agglomerated coffee capacity by the end of FY26. This will take the company’s total installed capacity to 11,000 MTPA.

In parallel, the company is making a significant long term bet on premium coffee formats. Vintage Coffee has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Telangana to invest ₹1,100 crore in a greenfield project to be developed in phases. The first phase, a freeze dried coffee facility with a planned capacity of 5,500 MTPA, is currently under execution, with key plant and machinery orders already placed with European suppliers.

The new facility is expected to strengthen Vintage Coffee’s premium portfolio and support volume growth through FY28, positioning the company for the next phase of expansion in domestic and export markets.

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CHACHA’S Pickle Debuts in India With Goal to Reach 10 Million Consumers Through Traditional Punjabi Recipes

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Punjab-based heritage food brand CHACHA’S has officially entered the Indian packaged foods market, bringing traditional Punjabi pickles made using slow-cooked, chulha-style methods to a wider audience. Founded in Mohali, the brand has set an ambitious target of serving 10 million consumers across the country while staying rooted in homestyle preparation and family-led operations.

Unlike most commercial pickle brands, CHACHA’S follows a fully in-house production model. Every stage, from sourcing raw ingredients and whole spices to cooking, ageing and final packaging, is handled at the founders’ family residence. The process relies on slow cooking over a traditional flame and natural maturation, a method that allows flavours to develop gradually and preserves the character of regional Punjabi recipes.

The brand’s operations are overseen entirely by the founding family, with no outsourced labour involved. According to the company, this structure allows for tighter control over hygiene, consistency and quality. The same products sold to consumers are consumed by the family themselves, a practice that has translated into strong repeat demand. The company reports that nearly two-thirds of its customers return for multiple purchases, indicating early consumer trust and loyalty.

CHACHA’S is led by Manpreet Singh and Ravinder Singh, a chacha-bhatija duo who drew inspiration from pickling techniques once common in rural Punjabi households. Their approach focuses on preserving flavour authenticity at a time when mass production has largely replaced traditional methods.

Even before its commercial launch, the brand demonstrated its long-term intent by successfully defending its trademark during a challenge in 2018–19. This early milestone helped shape its emphasis on building a sustainable and defensible brand.

Beyond being a condiment, CHACHA’S is positioning pickles as a standalone snacking option for modern consumers. As it scales distribution, the brand aims to balance growth with its core promise of ethical practices, homestyle quality and uncompromised flavour, bringing a taste of traditional Punjabi kitchens to urban India.

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Ranveer Singh’s SuperYou Launches Mega Protein Wafer With 20g Protein, Targets India’s High-Protein Snacking Market

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Protein-first snacking brand SuperYou, co-founded by actor Ranveer Singh and entrepreneur Nikunj Biyani, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of the Mega Protein Wafer, a product positioned to raise the bar for high-protein indulgent snacks in India. Each wafer delivers 20 grams of protein, making it one of the most protein-dense wafer formats currently available in the market.

The launch comes as protein continues to move from a niche fitness requirement to a mainstream dietary priority. Urban Indian consumers are increasingly seeking convenient food options that offer both taste and functional nutrition. SuperYou’s latest product aims to meet this demand by combining a familiar chocolate wafer format with a protein content typically associated with shakes or bars.

Priced at ₹120, the Mega Protein Wafer will debut exclusively on Swiggy Instamart and the SuperYou website, reflecting the brand’s focus on quick commerce and direct-to-consumer channels. Additional delivery platforms are expected to follow. The strategy aligns with growing consumer reliance on instant delivery platforms for daily nutrition and impulse snacking.

The product is designed for multiple use occasions, including pre- and post-workout consumption, mid-day hunger management and evening snacking. According to the company, the goal was to create a snack that fits easily into everyday routines rather than being restricted to fitness-only moments.

Available initially in a Nutty Chocolate flavour, the wafer features layered chocolate wafers topped with salted peanuts. It is made using atta and jowar, contains no added sugar and excludes palm oil, responding to increasing scrutiny around ingredient quality and sourcing.

SuperYou has positioned the Mega Protein Wafer as a core innovation within its growing portfolio, aimed at consumers who want indulgence without compromising on protein intake. With this launch, the brand continues to strengthen its presence in India’s rapidly evolving functional snacking segment, where taste, convenience and nutrition are increasingly expected to coexist.

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The Stack Secures Rs. 5.5 Crore in Institutional Funding to Build Science-First Supplements Brand in India

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Consumer health startup The Stack has raised Rs. 5.5 crore in its first institutional funding round, marking a key milestone in its journey to build a science-led supplements brand for Indian consumers. The pre-seed round was led by OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures, with participation from a group of angel investors including Ultrahuman founder Mohit Kumar.

Founded by Shreya Jain and Kshitij Rihal, The Stack operates in the fast-growing supplements category, with a clear focus on clinically studied ingredients, transparent sourcing and formulations designed for long-term outcomes. The founders say the brand was born out of personal frustration with the quality and credibility of supplements available in India.

Rihal, who was training for long-distance running, struggled to find products locally that matched international standards. He partnered with Jain, a chemical engineer with experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and prior startup exposure, to investigate the gap. Their research pointed to inconsistent formulations, unclear ingredient sourcing and limited manufacturing transparency across the category.

Currently, The Stack is focused on targeted health areas such as sleep and gut health. Rather than expanding rapidly across multiple segments, the company has chosen to concentrate on a small portfolio of products backed by research and repeat usage data. According to the company, select products have scaled more than 40 times in the last year, supported by follow-up rates of 35 to 50 percent at a SKU level in mature customer cohorts.

Investors backing the round pointed to the founders’ deep involvement in formulation and product development as a key differentiator. Partners at OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures highlighted the brand’s emphasis on efficacy, unit economics and consumer trust over short-term marketing-led growth.

The fresh capital will be deployed toward research and development, expanding the product pipeline, building the early team and strengthening brand identity and packaging. Having grown steadily while bootstrapped so far, The Stack now aims to scale with discipline while staying anchored to its core principles of science, transparency and measurable consumer outcomes.

With increasing scrutiny from informed consumers, The Stack is positioning itself as a long-term player in India’s evolving health and wellness market.

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Flipkart Appoints Senior Walmart and FMCG Leaders to Strengthen Finance and Supply Chain Operations

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Flipkart Group has announced two senior leadership appointments as it sharpens its focus on financial governance and supply chain execution amid rapid expansion across grocery and quick commerce. The company has brought in Jason Chappel as Vice President, Group Controller, and Amer Hussain as Vice President, Supply Chain for Grocery and Minutes, reinforcing its core operating leadership.

Jason Chappel will be responsible for overseeing accounting, financial reporting and internal controls across the Flipkart Group. His mandate includes strengthening governance frameworks and ensuring consistency in controllership practices as the company scales across multiple business verticals. Chappel joins from Walmart, Flipkart’s parent, where he most recently served as Group Director at Walmart Enterprise Business Services. In that role, he managed finance operations across international markets and led complex transitions tied to omnichannel and cross-border business models. Over the years, he has held senior finance leadership roles across Walmart’s operations in China, Japan and Canada, giving him deep experience in managing large, diversified retail organisations.

Amer Hussain will lead supply chain strategy for Flipkart’s fast-growing Grocery and Minutes businesses, which are central to the company’s push into essentials and quick delivery. His role will focus on scaling infrastructure, improving service levels and driving efficiency across warehousing, distribution and last-mile operations. Hussain brings over 25 years of experience across consumer and retail organisations including The Coca-Cola Company, Jubilant FoodWorks and Reliance Consumer. His background spans supply chain transformation, digital operations and managing large-scale networks in high-volume categories.

Both executives will be based in Bengaluru and will work closely with Flipkart’s existing leadership team as the company deepens its investments in institutional capabilities. The appointments come at a time when Flipkart is expanding its operational footprint, particularly in grocery and quick commerce, segments that demand high reliability, speed and cost discipline.

With these hires, Flipkart is signalling a clear intent to strengthen its internal foundations as competition intensifies and consumer expectations around delivery speed, availability and trust continue to rise across India’s e-commerce landscape.

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