Start following Kiara Advani’s simple yet powerful morning ritual for glowing skin

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December 8, 2023

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:-

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.

Tendercuts Eyes Expansion After Turnaround, Targets 12 New Stores with Fresh Funding

FMCG

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SnackTeam

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April 3, 2026

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Tendercuts is preparing for a new phase of expansion after stabilising its business and achieving profitability, marking a turnaround from the operational challenges it faced in 2022. The company, which was acquired by Good to GO in 2023, is now looking to scale its retail footprint by opening 12 new stores this year as part of a measured growth strategy focused on sustainable unit economics and operational efficiency.

Tendercuts had previously gone through a period of financial distress that led to store closures and workforce reductions, as it struggled with cost structures and market dynamics. Over the past year, however, the company has undertaken a comprehensive restructuring exercise, focusing on improving supply chain efficiencies, optimising store level operations, and strengthening overall unit economics. These efforts have enabled the brand to achieve positive EBITDA at both store and consolidated levels, signaling a return to financial stability and disciplined execution.

With a stronger foundation now in place, the company is shifting its focus toward expansion while maintaining a cautious and capital efficient approach. The planned addition of 12 stores is expected to deepen its presence across key markets, allowing it to capture growing demand for organised fresh meat and seafood retail, a segment that continues to benefit from increasing consumer preference for hygiene, quality assurance, and convenience.

To support this expansion, Tendercuts has secured approximately $2 million in debt funding from Lakme Finance. The capital will be deployed toward scaling operations, enhancing infrastructure, and strengthening its market presence in core geographies. Unlike equity funding, the use of debt reflects the company’s improved financial position and confidence in its ability to generate stable cash flows to support growth.

According to co founder and chief executive officer Sasikumar Kallanai, the company’s recent focus has been on building a disciplined operating model with clear visibility on profitability and capital efficiency. With these fundamentals now established, Tendercuts believes it is well positioned to scale in a controlled and sustainable manner, avoiding the pitfalls of aggressive expansion that previously impacted its business.

The broader fresh meat and seafood category in India is witnessing a gradual shift toward organised retail formats, driven by rising consumer awareness around food safety and quality. This trend presents an opportunity for brands like Tendercuts to expand their footprint, particularly in urban markets where demand for reliable and hygienic sourcing continues to grow.

Overall, Tendercuts’ revival and expansion plans highlight a strategic reset, moving from rapid, capital intensive growth to a more balanced model focused on profitability and operational discipline. By leveraging improved financial health and targeted investments, the company is positioning itself to rebuild scale while maintaining long term sustainability in a competitive and evolving market.

Unilever Sharpens India Focus with Targeted Bets on High Growth and Digital First Brands

FMCG

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SnackTeam

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April 3, 2026

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Unilever is intensifying its focus on India as a key growth engine, with plans to pursue smaller, high potential acquisitions aimed at capturing premiumisation trends and digital commerce expansion. The company’s leadership indicated that India, alongside the United States, will remain central to its global strategy, collectively contributing nearly 38 percent of its overall turnover. Chief executive Fernando Fernandez highlighted that the company is actively evaluating “super growth assets” that can accelerate its presence in fast growing markets while strengthening its footprint in ecommerce and direct to consumer channels.

Rather than pursuing large scale transformational deals, Unilever is adopting a more disciplined capital allocation approach focused on selective bolt on acquisitions. Chief financial officer Srinivas Pathak emphasized that the company will prioritize investments in premium segments, digitally native brands, and D2C models, particularly in India and the US. This strategy reflects a broader shift in the consumer goods sector, where agility and niche brand acquisition are increasingly seen as more effective than large mergers in driving growth and innovation.

The renewed India focus comes even as Unilever undertakes significant global restructuring, including the merger of parts of its food business with McCormick & Company to create a combined entity with an estimated $20 billion in revenue. Notably, Unilever has excluded its India operations from this transaction, underscoring the strategic importance of the market within its global portfolio. By retaining control over its India business, the company is signaling confidence in the long term growth potential of the region despite near term challenges.

Its Indian arm, Hindustan Unilever, has experienced a moderation in growth in recent years due to inflationary pressures, softer demand, and increasing competition from niche and digital first brands across personal care and household categories. In response, the company has been actively reshaping its portfolio through targeted acquisitions and divestments. It recently acquired full ownership of wellness brand Oziva and a majority stake in skincare brand Minimalist, while exiting its minority stake in Wellbeing Nutrition as part of a broader portfolio rationalisation exercise.

At a category level, Unilever is increasing its exposure to home and personal care, which is expected to account for around 67 percent of its overall business. The company is building a $39 billion focused portfolio in this segment, targeting leadership positions in high growth categories such as beauty, personal care, and wellbeing. This shift aligns with changing consumer preferences, where premium products, wellness oriented offerings, and digital engagement are becoming key growth drivers.

From a strategic standpoint, both India and the US offer attractive growth opportunities due to their scale, evolving consumer base, and increasing adoption of digital commerce. Unilever’s emphasis on these markets reflects its intent to strengthen its competitive positioning by combining global scale with localized innovation and targeted investments.

Overall, the company’s approach signals a clear pivot toward a more focused, agile growth strategy centered on high potential assets, premium categories, and digital channels. By doubling down on India and leveraging its strong distribution and brand building capabilities, Unilever aims to capture emerging opportunities while navigating the increasingly competitive and fragmented FMCG landscape.

Swiggy’s Investor Relations Head Abhishek Agarwal Steps Down Amid Competitive Pressures

Quick Commerce

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SnackTeam

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April 3, 2026

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Abhishek Agarwal has resigned from his role as head of investor relations and vice president at Swiggy, marking a key leadership exit at a time when the company is navigating heightened competition and rising cost pressures. Agarwal, who joined the company in July 2023, played a significant role in shaping its investor communication strategy, including leading efforts around the company’s ₹11,327 crore initial public offering in 2024 and managing post listing activities such as earnings calls and analyst engagement.

His departure comes just months after Swiggy raised approximately ₹10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement in December 2025, a move aimed at strengthening its balance sheet amid intensifying competition in the quick commerce segment. During his tenure, Agarwal worked closely with the company’s leadership team, including reporting to chief financial officer Rahul Bothra, and was instrumental in coordinating with bankers, overseeing regulatory filings, and building investor confidence during a critical phase of the company’s growth.

The exit also coincides with a challenging operating environment for Swiggy, as it balances strong revenue growth with rising losses driven by aggressive expansion. In the third quarter of FY26, the company reported a 54 percent year on year increase in operating revenue to ₹6,148 crore. However, net losses widened by 33 percent to ₹1,065 crore, reflecting continued investments in scaling its quick commerce vertical, Instamart. Losses in this segment rose sharply, with operating losses increasing 57 percent year on year to ₹908 crore, highlighting the cost intensity of building rapid delivery infrastructure.

At the same time, Swiggy’s core food delivery business continues to show resilience, with gross order value growth of 20.5 percent, exceeding its earlier guidance of 18 to 20 percent. Despite this, the broader sector remains under pressure due to external factors, including geopolitical disruptions affecting supply chains. The ongoing West Asia conflict has contributed to LPG shortages, leading to temporary closures of some restaurant partners, while rising input costs for materials such as plastic and paper have increased packaging expenses, further impacting margins.

The leadership change comes as the competitive landscape in quick commerce continues to evolve rapidly, with rivals such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart intensifying their push for market share. According to external estimates, Swiggy’s food delivery business is valued at roughly half of Zomato’s comparable segment, while its quick commerce unit accounts for a smaller proportion, reflecting ongoing concerns around profitability and scalability.

As of now, the company has not announced a successor for the investor relations role. The transition comes at a time when maintaining strong investor communication will be critical, given the company’s ongoing investments, competitive pressures, and evolving market dynamics. Overall, Agarwal’s exit marks a notable development in Swiggy’s leadership structure as it continues to balance growth ambitions with financial discipline in a highly competitive sector.

ITC Makes Yoga Bar Maker Sproutlife a Subsidiary, Strengthens Nutrition Portfolio Strategy

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April 3, 2026

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ITC Limited has formally brought Sproutlife Foods under its subsidiary structure effective April 1, 2026, marking a key milestone in its multi year strategy to build a future ready foods portfolio. The development follows ITC securing the right to nominate a majority of directors on Sproutlife’s board, thereby gaining control over governance despite holding a 47.5 percent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. This transition has been enabled through a shareholders’ agreement originally executed in April 2023, allowing ITC to consolidate its influence and align Sproutlife more closely with its broader business strategy.

Sproutlife Foods is the company behind the health focused brand Yoga Bar, which operates in the fast growing segment of nutrition led and better for you food products. The brand has gained traction among urban and health conscious consumers, offering products such as protein bars, muesli, and healthy snacks. By bringing Sproutlife into its subsidiary fold, ITC is effectively strengthening its presence in a category that is witnessing strong demand driven by changing consumer preferences toward healthier and functional foods.

The move reflects ITC’s ongoing efforts to diversify and premiumise its fast moving consumer goods portfolio, with a particular focus on emerging and innovation led categories. Over the past few years, the company has been actively investing in and acquiring stakes in brands that cater to evolving consumption trends, including health, nutrition, and convenience. The integration of Sproutlife is expected to provide ITC with access to a high growth segment while leveraging its own distribution, supply chain, and brand building capabilities to scale the business further.

From a governance perspective, the ability to appoint a majority of board members gives ITC effective control over strategic decisions, operations, and long term direction of Sproutlife. This structure allows the conglomerate to consolidate the entity as a subsidiary under applicable regulations, even without majority equity ownership. It also enables closer operational integration, facilitating synergies across sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.

The acquisition aligns with ITC’s stated objective of building a future ready foods portfolio that combines traditional strengths with new age product categories. The company has been expanding its presence across packaged foods, snacks, dairy, and ready to eat segments, and the addition of Sproutlife further enhances its positioning in the health and wellness space. As consumer awareness around nutrition continues to rise, this segment is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving growth within the FMCG sector.

Overall, the transition of Sproutlife into an ITC subsidiary represents a strategic step in the conglomerate’s long term plan to capture emerging consumption trends and strengthen its foothold in high growth food categories. By combining Sproutlife’s brand equity and product innovation with ITC’s scale and infrastructure, the company is well positioned to accelerate growth and deepen its presence in the evolving nutrition focused food market.

GlobalBees Raises Stake in Candes to 92 Percent, Strengthens Electronics Play Amid Rising Costs at Brainbees

Business

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April 3, 2026

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GlobalBees Brands has increased its ownership in Candes Technology to 92 percent following the acquisition of an additional 30 percent stake, reinforcing its strategic push into the consumer electronics segment. The transaction, executed as a cash deal at ₹37,250 per share, was completed on March 31, 2026, and elevates GlobalBees’ holding from 62 percent to a near complete controlling stake. The move is aimed at strengthening its position within the fast growing electronics and appliances category, where Candes operates across products such as electrical equipment and audio visual goods.

The acquisition signals GlobalBees’ continued focus on building a diversified portfolio of digital first brands by increasing ownership in high potential categories. By consolidating its stake in Candes, the company gains greater operational control and flexibility to scale the business, streamline decision making, and drive synergies across its broader ecosystem. The company also clarified that the transaction does not qualify as a related party deal and did not require any regulatory approvals, indicating a straightforward execution process.

Parent entity Brainbees Solutions, which operates the FirstCry platform, continues to invest in expansion initiatives, although this has impacted its near term profitability. In the third quarter of FY26, Brainbees reported a significant increase in net loss to ₹38 crore, compared to ₹14.7 crore in the same period last year. The rise in losses has been attributed primarily to higher spending associated with scaling its rapid delivery capabilities and broader operational expansion.

Despite the increase in losses, the company reported steady growth in its top line. Operating revenue rose by 11.6 percent year on year to ₹2,423 crore in the December quarter, up from ₹2,172 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. However, this growth was accompanied by a 12.7 percent increase in expenses, which climbed to ₹2,327 crore, reflecting the cost pressures associated with expansion and infrastructure investments.

The latest stake increase in Candes comes at a time when GlobalBees is actively strengthening its presence across multiple consumer categories, particularly those with strong online demand and scalability potential. Electronics and appliances represent a key growth area within India’s ecommerce landscape, driven by increasing digital adoption, rising disposable incomes, and demand for affordable, branded products.

Overall, the transaction underscores GlobalBees’ strategy of deepening its investments in select portfolio brands while building category leadership through higher ownership and operational integration. At the same time, Brainbees’ financial performance highlights the trade off between growth and profitability, as the company continues to invest aggressively in expanding its ecosystem and enhancing customer experience.

Blinkit Enters Mumbai Airport with In-Terminal Delivery, Expands Quick Commerce Footprint

Quick Commerce

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SnackTeam

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April 3, 2026

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Blinkit has introduced its services at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, marking a notable expansion of quick commerce into airport infrastructure. The service is currently available at Terminal 2 for domestic departures, allowing passengers to order essential items such as phone chargers, books, and gifts directly through the Blinkit app and receive them within the terminal before boarding. The initiative has been rolled out in partnership with Adani Airports, which manages the airport, and represents a new use case for rapid delivery models in high traffic transit environments.

The service operates through a dedicated team stationed within the terminal, ensuring that orders are fulfilled and delivered to designated pick up points without requiring passengers to exit or navigate traditional retail outlets. This “in terminal” logistics model is being positioned as a first of its kind globally, highlighting how quick commerce platforms are evolving beyond residential delivery into on demand consumption zones such as airports. By offering access to over 2,500 products, Blinkit is aiming to address last minute travel needs, enhancing convenience for passengers who may have forgotten essentials or prefer not to carry certain items.

From a strategic perspective, the move aligns with Blinkit’s broader ambition to expand its presence across high density, high urgency environments where speed and accessibility are critical. Airports represent a unique opportunity in this context, given the time sensitivity of passengers and the premium placed on convenience. By embedding its service within the airport ecosystem, Blinkit is effectively extending its value proposition beyond everyday grocery and essentials delivery into travel related consumption.

The launch also comes amid the company’s aggressive expansion of its dark store network, which forms the backbone of its quick commerce operations. Blinkit is targeting a scale up to around 3,000 micro warehouses by March 2027, compared to approximately 2,027 stores as of the end of December. This infrastructure growth is expected to support faster delivery timelines, wider assortment availability, and entry into new micro markets, reinforcing its leadership position in the segment.

In terms of market dynamics, Blinkit continues to maintain a dominant position within India’s quick commerce space, with an estimated market share exceeding 50 percent. It competes with players such as Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, BB Now, and Flipkart Minutes. The airport expansion could serve as a differentiator, allowing Blinkit to tap into a new consumption context that remains largely untapped by competitors.

The development follows recent organizational changes at parent company Eternal, where founder Deepinder Goyal stepped down as managing director and chief executive officer. Leadership transitioned to Albinder Dhindsa, who continues to oversee the quick commerce business. Notably, Blinkit’s net order value has now surpassed that of the group’s food delivery segment, indicating the increasing importance of quick commerce within the overall business portfolio.

Overall, Blinkit’s entry into Mumbai Airport reflects the ongoing evolution of quick commerce from a convenience driven urban service to a broader on demand infrastructure layer. By integrating with travel hubs and expanding its operational network, the company is positioning itself to capture new consumption occasions while reinforcing its leadership in a rapidly growing and competitive market.

Unilever in Advanced Talks to Merge Food Business with McCormick in $60 Billion Deal

Food & Beverage

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SnackTeam

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March 31, 2026

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Unilever is reportedly nearing the final stages of a major strategic transaction that would combine parts of its food business with McCormick & Company, potentially creating a new entity valued at approximately $60 billion. According to reports, the proposed deal is expected to be structured as a combination of cash and stock, reflecting a balanced approach to valuation and ownership between the two companies. Under the anticipated structure, Unilever shareholders are likely to hold around two thirds of the merged food business, indicating that the Anglo Dutch consumer goods giant would retain a controlling stake in the combined entity.

The transaction is also expected to include a substantial cash component, estimated at करीब $16 billion, which would form part of the overall consideration alongside equity participation. While official confirmation is still awaited, sources suggest that the announcement could come imminently, signaling one of the most significant consolidation moves in the global food and packaged goods sector in recent years. If completed, the deal would bring together complementary portfolios, combining Unilever’s extensive range of packaged food brands with McCormick’s strong positioning in spices, seasonings, and flavor solutions.

From a strategic standpoint, the potential merger reflects a broader shift within the consumer goods industry, where companies are increasingly focusing on scale, efficiency, and category leadership to navigate evolving consumer preferences and competitive pressures. For Unilever, this move could represent a step toward streamlining its portfolio and sharpening its focus on high growth and high margin segments, while still maintaining a strong presence in the food category through a more specialized and consolidated structure. For McCormick, the transaction would provide access to a wider global distribution network and a more diversified product base, enhancing its ability to compete across multiple food categories.

The combined entity is expected to benefit from significant synergies, including cost efficiencies, supply chain optimization, and enhanced innovation capabilities. By integrating operations and leveraging shared expertise, the new organization could strengthen its market position and accelerate product development in areas such as ready to eat meals, condiments, and flavor solutions. Additionally, the scale of the combined business would likely improve bargaining power with suppliers and retailers, further supporting margin expansion over time.

This potential deal also underscores the ongoing consolidation trend within the global food industry, where companies are seeking to build larger, more resilient platforms capable of adapting to changing consumption patterns. With increasing demand for convenience, health conscious products, and premium offerings, scale and brand strength have become critical differentiators. A merger of this magnitude would not only reshape the competitive landscape but also set a benchmark for future transactions in the sector.

While details regarding regulatory approvals and integration timelines remain unclear, the proposed combination of Unilever’s food portfolio with McCormick represents a significant strategic development with far reaching implications. If successfully executed, the deal could create a formidable player in the global food market, combining heritage brands, operational expertise, and innovation capabilities under a unified structure designed to drive long term growth and shareholder value.

Apis India Expands Snacking Portfolio with Masala Dates, Eyes Strong B2C Growth Momentum

Food & Beverage

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SnackTeam

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March 31, 2026

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Apis India is sharpening its focus on the packaged snacking segment with the launch of masala dates, as the company looks to accelerate its direct to consumer business and deepen its presence across retail channels. The Delhi headquartered FMCG player, which has reported trailing twelve month revenue of करीब ₹385 crore, has invested approximately ₹1.5 crore to set up a dedicated production line for spiced date snacks at its Roorkee facility. This move reflects a strategic push to diversify beyond its core categories while tapping into the growing demand for affordable, on the go snack options among Indian consumers.

The newly launched masala dates are being introduced in multiple flavour variants at an entry price point of ₹20, positioning the product firmly within the impulse purchase category. The company is targeting widespread availability across general trade, modern retail, and quick commerce platforms, ensuring high visibility and accessibility. By aligning pricing with mass consumption patterns and focusing on flavour innovation, Apis India is aiming to carve out a niche within the competitive snacking space, which continues to see strong growth driven by changing consumption habits and increasing urbanisation.

A key pillar of this launch is the company’s distribution strength, which management identifies as a significant competitive advantage. Apis India currently operates an extensive network comprising over 500 super stockists, more than 2,000 distributors, and access to nearly 2.5 lakh retail outlets across the country. In addition to traditional retail channels, the brand has established a presence on modern trade platforms and quick commerce networks such as Reliance Retail, Zepto, and Blinkit. This multi channel approach is expected to support rapid scale up and ensure strong market penetration for the new product line.

Alongside its entry into snacking, the company is also investing in strengthening its manufacturing capabilities. Apis India has received subsidy approval of around ₹1.65 crore from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana scheme. This support is being directed toward setting up a fruit and vegetable processing unit in Roorkee, with a total project cost of approximately ₹4.9 crore and a planned production capacity of 2,400 metric tonnes per annum. These investments indicate a broader strategy to enhance processing capabilities and support future product diversification.

Geographically, the company continues to expand its operational footprint, including scaling activities in Gujarat while maintaining an established manufacturing and distribution base in Dubai. Through its international operations, Apis India exports to nearly 40 countries, primarily through business to business channels, reinforcing its presence in global markets. This dual focus on domestic expansion and international outreach positions the company to capture opportunities across both segments.

Despite its diversification into snacking, honey remains the cornerstone of Apis India’s business. The company reported an 18 percent volume growth in its honey segment until December 2025 and is targeting around 25 percent growth for the full financial year. It sources honey from multiple regions across India, including जम्मू and कश्मीर, पंजाब, हरियाणा, मध्य प्रदेश, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, and पश्चिम बंगाल, ensuring supply consistency and product quality.

Looking ahead, Apis India is aiming to double its B2C business over the next two years, driven by new product introductions, continued expansion of its distribution network, and increasing consumption in tier two and tier three markets. With a combination of product innovation, strong distribution infrastructure, and targeted investments in manufacturing, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of India’s evolving FMCG and snacking landscape while strengthening its consumer facing business.

Epik Secures $1 Million to Scale Try Before You Buy Electronics Model in Quick Commerce

Quick Commerce

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SnackTeam

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March 31, 2026

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Epik has raised $1 million in a pre seed funding round led by Info Edge Ventures, with participation from a group of angel investors including Anirudh Prasad, Bhaskar Raju K, Deepak K Gowda, Vine Jain, and Vedang Patel. The funding marks an early validation of the company’s differentiated approach to electronics retail, which combines the speed of quick commerce with a hands on, in home product experience. Founded by Gotama Gowda, Varun Chopra, and Harsha Reddy, the startup is attempting to address one of the most persistent challenges in online electronics purchasing, the lack of physical interaction with products prior to purchase.

Epik’s core offering enables customers to request a product demonstration at home, with trained personnel delivering and showcasing devices within approximately 60 minutes. This allows users to compare multiple products, understand features in real time, and make informed purchase decisions before committing. The model is particularly relevant for higher value electronics, typically priced above ₹5,000, where consumers tend to spend significant time researching and often face dissatisfaction post purchase. Industry estimates suggest return rates in this category can range between 15 percent and 25 percent, largely driven by a mismatch between expectations and actual product experience. By enabling a tactile, in person interaction, Epik aims to reduce such friction and build greater consumer confidence.

The company plans to deploy the newly raised capital toward expanding its fulfilment infrastructure, enhancing its product catalogue, and scaling its network of trained demo personnel across additional urban markets. Currently operational in Bengaluru since its launch in October 2025, Epik claims to have witnessed rapid traction, reporting nearly 20 fold growth since inception while maintaining zero product returns on completed purchases. This early performance indicates strong consumer acceptance of the model, particularly in a category where trust and experience play a critical role in decision making.

Epik’s platform features a range of well known global brands including Samsung, Philips, Dyson, and Apple, positioning it as a premium yet accessible solution for electronics discovery and purchase. By combining curated product selection with a high touch service model, the company is attempting to bridge the gap between offline retail experience and online convenience.

The broader context for Epik’s growth lies in the rapid evolution of India’s quick commerce ecosystem, which has expanded beyond groceries and daily essentials into higher value categories. While speed and convenience have become baseline expectations, categories such as electronics continue to demand a higher degree of engagement, trust, and product understanding. According to industry data, India’s electronics market is estimated to be around $90 billion, with online penetration varying between 15 percent and 40 percent depending on the segment. This creates a significant opportunity for hybrid models that can enhance the online buying experience without compromising on product familiarity.

Investors also view Epik’s proposition as timely, given the increasing need to solve for consumer hesitation in digital purchases. The ability to experience products physically before buying, combined with rapid fulfilment, aligns well with shifting consumer expectations. As the company scales its operations and expands into new cities, its ability to maintain service quality and operational efficiency will be key to sustaining growth.

Overall, Epik’s funding round highlights growing interest in innovative commerce models that go beyond traditional delivery paradigms. By integrating experience driven retail with the speed of quick commerce, the startup is positioning itself to redefine how consumers approach high value electronics purchases in India.

BlaBliBlu Scales Rapidly to ₹100 Crore Run Rate, Targets Affordable Luxury Fragrance Segment

Uncategorized

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SnackTeam

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March 31, 2026

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Emerging fragrance startup BlaBliBlu has reported a sharp early growth trajectory, achieving an annual revenue run rate of ₹100 crore within just six months of launch. The company is currently clocking around ₹8 crore in monthly revenue, reflecting strong consumer traction in the affordable luxury segment. Founded by Palash Arneja along with Rajat, Kushal, and Durgesh, the brand is positioning itself at the intersection of premium product quality and accessible pricing, with most of its perfume offerings priced below ₹1,000. This pricing strategy is aimed at capturing demand from young, value conscious consumers who are increasingly seeking premium experiences without a high price barrier.

At the core of BlaBliBlu’s product proposition is a relatively high fragrance oil concentration of around 25 percent, which the company claims enhances longevity and overall performance, bringing it closer to premium category benchmarks. By focusing on formulation quality while maintaining competitive pricing, the brand is attempting to differentiate itself in a crowded and highly competitive fragrance market. This approach is complemented by a strong product led growth strategy that prioritizes trial and discovery as key drivers of customer acquisition.

A significant contributor to the company’s early scale has been its use of affordable trial packs, typically priced at around ₹399, which allow consumers to experience multiple variants before committing to a full sized purchase. This model not only lowers the entry barrier for first time buyers but also helps improve conversion rates by enabling informed decision making. In addition, it supports more efficient customer acquisition by reducing hesitation and aligning expectations with actual product experience. The brand has also built an active consumer feedback loop, engaging with approximately 3,000 to 4,000 users to refine its product offerings and better align with evolving fragrance preferences. This continuous feedback driven approach allows the company to iterate quickly and stay relevant in a category where personal taste and trends play a significant role.

According to Palash Arneja, reaching a ₹100 crore run rate within such a short time frame indicates a clear market opportunity for high quality yet affordable fragrances in India. The brand’s performance reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior, where aspirational categories such as perfumes are witnessing increased demand from younger demographics, particularly in urban and semi urban markets. With rising disposable incomes and greater exposure to global trends, consumers are becoming more experimental and brand conscious, creating space for new age players like BlaBliBlu to disrupt traditional pricing and positioning models.

Looking ahead, the company is planning to expand its portfolio beyond core perfume offerings into niche fragrance segments as well as adjacent product categories. These include body washes, roll ons, and car fragrances, indicating a strategy to evolve into a broader fragrance led personal care brand. By extending its presence across multiple use cases and touchpoints, BlaBliBlu aims to increase customer lifetime value while strengthening brand recall.

Overall, BlaBliBlu’s rapid scale underscores the effectiveness of combining accessible pricing, product quality, and consumer centric innovation. As the company continues to invest in product development and category expansion, its ability to sustain growth while maintaining brand differentiation will be critical in building a long term presence within India’s evolving fragrance and personal care market.

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