LUSH Launches in India: UK-Based Ethical Cosmetics Brand Debuts Online with Plans for Physical Stores

Beauty

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November 25, 2025

UK-based ethical cosmetics brand LUSH has officially entered the Indian market, launching its online store, Lush.in, and announcing plans for physical stores in key cities in the coming months. Known for its fresh, handmade, and cruelty-free products, LUSH’s India debut comes at a time when the country’s beauty and personal care market is expanding rapidly, driven by a rising preference for sustainable and experiential products.

The brand’s Indian operations are being led through a strategic licence agreement with Bengaluru-based Bilberry Brands India Private Limited. Rowena Bird, Co-Founder of LUSH, expressed excitement about the launch, noting that it aligns perfectly with India’s year-end festivities. She added that the brand aims to offer Indian consumers access to its signature handmade cosmetics while maintaining its global standards of freshness and quality.

Vishal Anand, Founder and CEO of Bilberry Brands India, highlighted that LUSH is more than just a cosmetics company. “It’s about crafting experiences, advocating for change, and making sustainability accessible,” he said. Anand emphasized that the India venture will focus on building a community of conscious beauty consumers who value ethical sourcing and fresh, effective products.

LUSH’s India portfolio spans skincare, haircare, bath and body, and fragrance, featuring global favourites such as fresh face masks, solid shampoo bars, seasonal limited editions, and the iconic bath bombs. Each product includes detailed labels indicating the maker, date of creation, and recommended use-by date, reinforcing the brand’s freshness-first philosophy.

Founded in 1995 in the UK, LUSH now operates more than 850 stores across 50 countries and has contributed over £100 million to grassroots environmental and humanitarian initiatives globally as of 2024. Bilberry Brands, founded in 2025, serves as LUSH’s official licensing partner in India, with plans to introduce additional global brands while maintaining sustainability, ethical practices, and strong organisational culture.

With a fully operational online platform and offline expansion underway, LUSH is positioning itself to capture India’s growing segment of ethically minded beauty consumers while reinforcing its global reputation for activism, innovation, and quality.

Gig Economy Boost: Indian Government Mandates Welfare Fund Contributions from Online Delivery Platforms

Business

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SnackTeam

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November 25, 2025

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India has taken a significant step toward formalising the gig economy by mandating online platforms to contribute to worker welfare. Under the newly implemented Labour Codes, companies such as Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and Uber are now required to allocate up to 2 percent of their annual turnover, capped at 5 percent of payments made to gig workers, to a centralised Social Security Fund. This is the first time Indian law has formally defined aggregators, gig workers, and platform workers.

The Social Security Fund will finance a range of welfare schemes, including health and life insurance, provident fund support, maternity benefits, and emergency assistance. Authorities aim to ensure that workers who frequently migrate across states can access benefits seamlessly. To achieve this, each gig and platform worker will receive an Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Number, or UAN. The UAN will provide portability, facilitate verification, and streamline disbursement of benefits across India’s rapidly growing digital labour market.

The Labour Codes also extend traditional employment benefits to unorganised sector workers, including employee state insurance where applicable. Digital compliance systems are being introduced to speed up processing, reduce bureaucracy, and improve transparency. Additionally, a portion of funds generated from penalties under labour regulations will flow into the Social Security Fund, reinforcing its financial base.

Industry stakeholders have largely welcomed the initiative. An Uber spokesperson noted that the company looks forward to collaborating with the government for smooth implementation. Analysts say the move could provide long-term stability to India’s gig economy, which has faced criticism for a lack of social safety nets despite rapid expansion.

With millions of delivery and service workers relying on platforms for income, the government’s directive represents a crucial attempt to balance flexibility with security. As implementation progresses, the focus will shift to ensuring compliance by platforms and accessibility for workers, potentially creating a more structured and resilient gig economy across India.

Little Spoon Leverages DTC Success to Drive Retail Growth at Target

D2C

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SnackTeam

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November 25, 2025

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Little Spoon, the DTC baby food and family meal brand, has made a striking impact in its first month at Target, quickly surpassing several established competitors across multiple categories. Since launching at Target in late September, the brand has already seen standout performances in key SKUs. Baby Puffs captured the top two spots in a highly competitive segment, Oat Bakes outpaced the bar category by 50 percent, and Mini Meatballs posted a 52 percent higher velocity than the leading incumbent.

Industry observers note that Little Spoon’s early traction reflects a calculated retail strategy underpinned by deep customer insight and pre-existing brand loyalty. “The brand approached its retail entry not as a debut, but as a continuation of a decade-long relationship with its audience,” said a retail analyst familiar with the launch.

Central to the success is Little Spoon’s understanding of its consumer base. Prior research showed that 80 percent of their customers already shopped at Target, allowing the brand to meet shoppers where they were. Equally critical was its direct-to-consumer experience, having shipped over 100 million meals before entering retail. This built a highly engaged community, creating instant brand recognition and trust that translated into robust initial sales.

Little Spoon also tailored its Target assortment based on direct feedback from consumers. The company developed exclusive SKUs designed for in-store convenience, including frozen multi-packs such as Mini Turkey Kale Meatballs, optimized for family purchases and meal planning.

This combination of strategic placement, loyal consumer base, and customer-informed innovation has propelled Little Spoon to outperform more established competitors, signaling the growing importance of DTC brands successfully bridging into brick-and-mortar retail channels. Analysts see this as a blueprint for other digitally native brands seeking rapid retail adoption without sacrificing community engagement.

Inside Luckin Coffee’s Rapid Rise: Speed, Innovation, and Data-Driven Success

Retail & Ecommerce

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SnackTeam

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November 25, 2025

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For years, coffee in China was seen as a Western luxury, a drink that symbolised global lifestyles rather than everyday convenience. Luckin Coffee disrupted this perception, building a brand that prioritises speed, affordability, and digital accessibility. Today, the chain has grown into China’s largest coffee network, with more than 26,200 stores nationwide as of Q2 2025, and is rapidly expanding internationally with over 200 outlets across key markets.

The company’s growth story is rooted in a model that defies conventional retail wisdom, delivering a 47.1% year-on-year revenue increase. Central to its strategy is a digital-first approach that has transformed the coffee experience for urban consumers. App-based ordering and cashless payments allow Luckin to operate thousands of compact, low-cost outlets while keeping operational efficiency high. The focus on speed and convenience has made coffee more accessible to everyday Chinese consumers, moving it beyond an aspirational product to a routine purchase.

Product innovation has also been a critical driver of growth. Luckin continuously experiments with flavours and seasonal offerings that resonate locally, from a Moutai-inspired latte to fruit-infused iced beverages. These launches generate buzz on social media, reinforcing the brand’s relevance among a younger, digitally connected audience.

Data analytics underpin both operational and marketing decisions. The company leverages app data to track purchasing behaviour, tailor promotions, and shape loyalty programs. Insights drawn from this system guide everything from menu design to store placement, enabling precise targeting of high-demand products and customer segments.

As Luckin scales, the company’s approach illustrates how a combination of digital infrastructure, product agility, and data intelligence can redefine a traditional category. By focusing on speed, affordability, and a digitally enabled experience, Luckin Coffee has transformed China’s coffee market and is now setting its sights on becoming a global contender.

Quick-Service Restaurants Attract Big Money: Wow Momo, Mad Over Donuts and Belgian Waffle in Funding Talks

QSR & Cloud Kitchen

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SnackTeam

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November 25, 2025

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India’s quick-service restaurant industry is witnessing a burst of deal activity as investor interest intensifies around rapidly scaling brands and aggressive expansion plans across categories. Multiple investment negotiations are currently underway, according to industry executives, bankers and private equity leaders tracking the market.

Kolkata-based Wow Momo, backed by Tiger Global, is in talks to raise between 1,200 crore and 1,300 crore from ChrysCapital, L Catterton India and several growth funds. The funding will support expansion in India and international markets, including Sri Lanka and the UAE. The company operates more than 800 stores and aims to touch 1,000 outlets within the next year. The round may also include secondary share sales by early investors.

Meanwhile, Everstone Capital, which controls the Subway master franchise in India, is negotiating a 200 crore to 250 crore investment with Playbook Partners as the chain strengthens its physical footprint.

Dessert and snack players are also drawing attention. Mad Over Donuts is in advanced discussions with Invus Opportunities for 60 crore to 70 crore, while The Belgian Waffle is seeking capital from Arpwood Partners in a deal that may value the brand at as much as 1,300 crore for a stake of up to 45 percent.

Analysts say that while valuations remain a sticking point in several conversations, long-term demand fundamentals are compelling. Brokerage firm Bernstein values India’s food services market at nearly 6 lakh crore in FY25, expected to reach 7.76 lakh crore by FY28, driven by delivery platforms, rising urban consumption and increased eating out.

Large operators are also sharpening their portfolios. Devyani International, the franchise partner for KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, is exploring a controlling stake in a domestic dessert chain after acquiring Biryani By Kilo for 420 crore earlier this year. Curefoods, headquartered in Bengaluru, is preparing for an 800 crore initial public offering with regulatory approval already secured.

Industry reports predict stronger dine-out frequency in the second half of FY25 despite earlier disruptions caused by unseasonal rains and festival-related slowdowns.

New Beverage Rivals Campa and Lahori Zeera Gain Rapid Traction, Push MNC Giants to 85 Percent Share

Beverages

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SnackTeam

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November 25, 2025

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The balance of power in India’s sixty-thousand-crore rupee soft drinks industry is shifting as emerging players Campa and Lahori Zeera rapidly pull consumers away from long-standing multinational leaders Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. New retail data from NielsenIQ, shared by industry executives, shows that the two challenger brands have doubled their combined share to close to fifteen percent in the January to September 2025 period. This comes at the cost of the category’s dominant companies, whose collective share has slipped to approximately eighty-five percent from ninety-three percent a year ago.

The trend is especially striking because it has unfolded during a sluggish summer season disrupted by extended rainfall that kept category growth nearly flat. The majority of movement is concentrated at the mass ten-rupee price point, a segment where value sensitivity is high and impulse purchases are heavily influenced by availability in small retail kiosks and general-trade outlets.

Lahori Zeera, backed by Verlinvest and headquartered in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, plans to expand nationwide in 2026 with distribution coverage targeting eighty to ninety percent of India’s pin codes. Co-founder and chief operating officer Nikhil Doda said the company is currently unavailable only in southern markets and is preparing to scale capacity through a new plant in Lucknow while developing new variants including Lahori Aamras and Masala Cola. The brand works with more than twenty-five hundred distributors and is now exploring institutional channels.

Campa, owned by Reliance Consumer Products Limited, is driving aggressive visibility through partnerships such as an IPL sponsorship, an endorsement deal with actor Ram Charan, and exclusive beverage rights across Hyderabad Metro stations, vending machines and kiosks. The brand has also signed on as the official energy partner for Ajith Kumar Racing.

The intensified competition has pushed both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to reintroduce ten-rupee packs across Coke, Thums Up, Sprite, Pepsi and Gatorade. Analysts say it is the first time the multinational duopoly has faced a material challenge in decades.

Jimmy John’s Could Finally Enter India As Haldiram’s Opens Early Negotiations With Inspire Brands

Retail & Ecommerce

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November 25, 2025

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Haldirams is exploring a move that could shake up the quick service space in India. The homegrown food giant has begun early conversations to bring Jimmy Johns, the well known American sandwich chain, into the Indian market. The talks are still at an initial stage, but the possibility itself has created a buzz across the food and beverage community.

Jimmy Johns is known in the United States for its fresh subs, simple menu, and a store format that focuses on quick service and fast preparation. With more than two thousand outlets across the United States, the brand has built a loyal following by keeping its offering straightforward and consistent. For India, it would add a new flavour to the growing sandwich and cafe category, which is currently dominated by a mix of local players and a few global chains.

For Haldirams, this move fits into a broader pattern of expansion. The company has already built a strong presence in packaged snacks, sweets, and quick service restaurants. Partnering with an international chain allows it to widen its reach even further and enter a category that has seen a steady rise in demand among young consumers and office goers.

The success of such a partnership would depend on how well Jimmy Johns adapts to Indian tastes. Most international brands entering the country eventually introduce menu items that suit local preferences. Haldirams has deep experience in understanding what works for Indian customers, which makes the collaboration interesting and strategically sound.

If the talks progress, India could soon see the first wave of Jimmy Johns stores in major cities. For now, the conversation itself signals how quickly the Indian food service landscape is changing, with global chains increasingly looking at India as their next big growth market.

FAE Beauty Funding Update: Mumbai Cosmetics Startup Raises Rs 17 Crore for Growth and New Categories

funding

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SnackTeam

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November 24, 2025

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FAE Beauty, the Mumbai-based cosmetics company that first gained national visibility through Shark Tank India, has raised Rs 17 crore in a new funding round led by Spring Marketing Capital. The round also saw participation from Titan Capital Winners Fund, Arihant Patni and a group of individual investors from the consumer and beauty ecosystem.

Founded by UC Berkeley graduate and makeup artist Karishma Kewalramani, FAE Beauty positions itself in the fast-growing inclusive beauty segment, building colour cosmetics formulated specifically for diverse Indian skin tones and undertones. Its portfolio includes popular categories such as Lip Whip, Lush Blush and Eye Deal Kajal, which the brand says combine high-performance finishes with skincare-oriented benefits like hydration, long wear and anti-pigmentation support.

The fresh capital will be directed toward scaling product innovation, expanding the base of face-focused cosmetics and strengthening distribution across both online and offline channels. The company is increasing placements across direct-to-consumer platforms along with marketplaces and quick-commerce, including Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Blinkit, Tira and its own website. FAE Beauty also plans to widen its presence in modern retail outlets in key metro cities.

Speaking on the fundraise, Kewalramani said the brand is committed to reshaping how consumers engage with makeup in India, combining confidence, comfort and authenticity. She added that customers increasingly expect makeup to integrate skincare functionality without compromising on shade accuracy.

Kaushik Dasgupta, Head of Investments at Spring Marketing Capital, said the company reflects the shift toward skin-first beauty and personal expression. He noted that FAE has built a strong community through content-driven engagement and product performance, positioning it as a brand defining what modern Indian beauty could represent.

The investment comes at a time when India’s colour cosmetics market continues to expand rapidly, driven by younger consumers and rising preference for hybrid beauty products.

Kellogg’s Muesli Gets New Brand Push With Kajol-Tanuja Campaign, Spotlights Nutrition and Convenience

A&M

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SnackTeam

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November 24, 2025

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Kellanova has unveiled a new digital campaign for Kellogg’s Muesli, bringing together actors Kajol and her mother Tanuja for the first time onscreen in a breakfast-themed film. The campaign introduces the brand’s “12 in 1 Power Breakfast” proposition, which highlights a blend of 12 ingredients including oats, almonds, raisins, seeds and dried fruits, presented as a nutritious option designed for families looking for both taste and health.

The film leans into nostalgia and emotional storytelling, capturing a conversation between two generations and positioning Kellogg’s Muesli as a breakfast choice suitable for all age groups. The campaign aims to strengthen the brand’s connection with households increasingly turning toward convenient, nutrient-dense morning meals in the face of rising interest in healthy lifestyle choices.

Industry data shows that India’s ready-to-eat breakfast category has seen accelerated adoption among urban consumers since the pandemic, driven by the search for balanced nutrition and time-saving alternatives to traditional cooking. Kellanova is expanding its Muesli portfolio to meet varied taste profiles, including offerings with no added sugar. This diversified range is intended to broaden accessibility and appeal at a time when the category is experiencing heightened competition from both domestic and global food companies.

Vinay Subramanyam, Senior Director of Marketing for Kellanova South Asia, said the objective of the campaign is to drive discovery and reinforce the brand’s power-packed nutrition promise. He described the film featuring Kajol and Tanuja as an engaging format that captures the versatility and cross-generational relevance of Kellogg’s Muesli.

The campaign reflects Kellanova’s broader strategy of leaning into emotional storytelling combined with nutritional credibility to strengthen brand loyalty and increase breakfast category penetration.

PerfectTed’s Rise: From $67K Dragons’ Den Pitch to $200M Matcha Empire in 30,000 Stores

Beverages

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SnackTeam

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November 24, 2025

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PerfectTed, the matcha-powered beverage company that has reshaped the clean energy drink category, is now valued at approximately 200 million dollars and distributed across 30,000 retail locations in more than 50 countries. The brand’s rapid climb is a rare success story in the functional beverage market, driven by a young founding team and an unmet consumer demand for alternatives to traditional caffeine sources.

The origins of PerfectTed trace back to co-founder Marisa Poster’s personal struggle with ADHD and anxiety. Poster discovered that coffee, the default stimulant for millions worldwide, was intensifying symptoms instead of helping. Searching for a gentler answer led her to matcha, a finely ground form of green tea celebrated for calm energy and antioxidant benefits. The beverage was still niche in the United Kingdom at the time, and Poster saw both a gap and an opportunity.

In 2021, Poster joined forces with her husband, Levi Hawken, and brother-in-law, Teddie Hawken, to develop a ready-to-drink matcha product they believed could compete on mainstream shelves. Production began with small-batch formulations and direct consumer feedback, eventually scaling into national visibility when the trio appeared on the BBC show Dragons’ Den. Seeking just 67 thousand dollars to accelerate operations, they walked out with an investment and partnership from entrepreneur and media personality Steven Bartlett. The episode quickly gathered public attention and acted as a launchpad for stronger retail negotiations.

Since then, PerfectTed has expanded aggressively, securing listings in major retailers and hospitality networks across Europe and beyond. The company positions itself at the intersection of clean label beverages and functional wellness, targeting consumers looking to step back from high-sugar, high-caffeine energy drinks.

Today, what began as a personal solution to a health challenge stands as one of the most successful outcomes ever documented on Dragons’ Den, demonstrating the scale of consumer appetite for healthier energy choices and the speed with which an idea can transform into a global enterprise.

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