Tilaknagar Industries Targets Premium Whisky Consumers with Launch of Seven Islands Pure Malt at INR 5,200

Beverages

November 21, 2025

Tilaknagar Industries has made a significant move in India’s high-growth spirits market with the launch of Seven Islands Pure Malt Whisky, marking its entry into the premium whisky segment. The company announced the rollout on Thursday, positioning the new label as a pure malt expression created from a blend of Indian and Scottish single malts.

The launch comes at a time when whisky continues to dominate India’s alcohol industry by a large margin. Data from IWSR shows whisky accounted for nearly 66 percent of total spirits consumption in the country in 2024. The momentum has continued through this year, with Indian whisky volumes rising 7 percent in the first half of 2025 to cross 130 million cases. Analysts attribute the surge to rising premiumisation, evolving consumer tastes and the increasing global recognition of Indian-made whiskies.

Amit Dahanukar, Chairman and Managing Director of Tilaknagar Industries, said the expansion into premium whisky aligns with the company’s long-term vision of strengthening its presence across the alcoholic beverages spectrum. He noted that whisky’s commanding position within India’s spirits consumption landscape made it a strategic and inevitable step for the 90-year-old company. The launch follows closely after TI’s acquisition of the Imperial Blue whisky brand earlier this year.

Seven Islands is crafted from four single malts sourced from regions spanning both India and Scotland. The malts come from the Himalayan foothills, the Vindhyan ranges, Scotland’s Speyside and the Lowlands. The whisky undergoes ageing in a combination of tropical Indian conditions and traditional Scottish influences, shaping a layered flavour profile. It carries a natural golden hue and is characterised by notes of tropical fruit, dried nuts, French and American oak, gentle spice and light smoke. The bottle references the historic seven islands that formed Mumbai through nautical-themed design details.

Seven Islands Pure Malt Whisky is bottled at 42.8 percent ABV and will be available in a 750 ml format priced at INR 5,200 in Maharashtra.

Amul Targets Mainstream Israeli Consumers, to Launch Multiple Dairy Products Soon

Dairy

SnackTeam

November 21, 2025

India’s largest dairy cooperative Amul is preparing a significant expansion of its export portfolio in Israel, aiming to tap both the Indian diaspora and local Israeli consumers. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which owns the Amul brand, presently ships ghee to Israel and is now working on approvals needed to introduce a broader range of dairy products.

GCMMF Managing Director Jayen Mehta said the cooperative is in the process of securing Kosher certification. The approval is essential for food products to be sold widely in Israel, where dietary practices guided by Jewish law influence large sections of the consumer market. Mehta is part of a sixty-member Indian delegation travelling with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Speaking to PTI, Mehta said the company sees strong potential beyond the traditional diaspora-focused demand. He added that the next phase of expansion will push products aimed at mainstream consumption. According to him, certification involves inspection of production and handling processes to ensure full compliance with standards expected for locally consumed dairy.

Mehta also pointed to growing cooperation between India and Israel in agriculture, especially in livestock management. India is the world’s largest producer of milk, but productivity per animal remains significantly below global benchmarks. He noted that Israeli expertise in precision feeding, artificial insemination and farm management systems can support Indian dairy farmers in improving yields.

The Amul leadership is exploring partnerships that can strengthen productivity in arid and semi-arid regions of India, where access to technology remains limited. Discussions during the visit are expected to include collaborations in research and training.

The possible expansion of Amul’s product basket in Israel comes at a time when demand for high-quality dairy is increasing. The cooperative believes that a wider export presence can complement domestic growth and reinforce the brand’s global positioning.

Handpickd Rolls Out Dairy Products and New App Interface, Targets Purity and Usability in India’s Fresh Market

Quick Commerce
Business

SnackTeam

November 21, 2025

Fresh commerce startup Handpickd has expanded into the dairy segment, marking its first major category addition since raising 15 million dollars in its Series A funding round in September. The company has introduced three products in its initial rollout, including fresh paneer, white butter and dahi, all positioned as preservative-free and produced in controlled short-cycle environments. The announcement was made on Thursday.

The Gurugram-based company said the move responds to increasing consumer anxiety about adulteration and processing in the fragmented dairy supply chain, which is largely dominated by unorganized vendors with limited transparency. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anant Goel said Handpickd intends to build trust through shorter sourcing distances, rapid turnaround from production to delivery and minimal handling.

Handpickd’s retail model operates without dark stores or central storage facilities and follows a zero-stock format, meaning products are picked and moved in real time rather than held in inventory. The company said this approach aligns with the expectations of customers seeking farm-fresh products and greater clarity on origin.

Alongside the dairy launch, the startup unveiled a redesigned version of its mobile application featuring a new dual-view interface. A Grid View has been added to complement the widely recognized Spiral View format that the platform has been known for since its inception. The additional view was built to improve ease of browsing for senior shoppers and for users who are less comfortable navigating digital marketplaces. The company said early tests showed improved discovery rates and fewer drop-offs.

Handpickd has been expanding steadily in the fresh category through deeper inventory across produce and prepared foods, with specialty offerings such as ripeness selection for fruit and an assortment of microgreens. The company said its near-term plan is to build penetration through category additions and enhanced technology rather than aggressive geographic expansion.

Deepika Padukone Leads Bisleri’s Youth-Focused #DrinkItUp 2.0 Campaign

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Bisleri International has rolled out a new chapter of its flagship communication property with the launch of the #DrinkItUp 2.0 campaign, fronted once again by global star Deepika Padukone. The refreshed brand film positions Bisleri as more than a hydration label, presenting it instead as a symbol of youthful energy, pop-culture relevance and everyday celebration.

The film introduces a carnival-like setting where colour, music and movement come together in a high-tempo visual narrative. In the centre of the action is the brand’s instantly recognisable Bisleri truck, redesigned for the film as a music console that sets the mood for the campaign. The creative direction leans heavily into the idea of hydration as a lifestyle expression rather than a simple functional choice, aiming to resonate with younger consumers who seek personality in the products they engage with.

Jayanti Khan Chauhan, Vice-Chairperson at Bisleri International, said the new campaign reflects the brand’s evolving relationship with its audience. She noted that Bisleri wants to underline freshness, confidence and style as attributes closely tied to its identity while keeping purity and trust at the core. She added that Deepika Padukone’s association brings credibility and widespread appeal, helping the brand speak to a generation that values both authenticity and flair.

Padukone echoed this sentiment, describing the campaign as a lively representation of how today’s consumers balance wellness with self-expression. She said Bisleri continues to make hydration feel relevant, contemporary and aspirational.

Tushar Malhotra, Director of Sales and Marketing at Bisleri International, said the rollout strengthens the company’s strategy of maintaining leadership in the packaged water category. The campaign will be promoted across digital platforms, television, cinema, outdoor media and the brand’s extensive retail network, which includes nearly four lakh trade partners.

The film was developed in collaboration with Zero Fifty Media Works, Bisleri’s in-house creative division and director Uzer Khan, with GroupM overseeing partnerships.

Mumbai-Based Circle Raises Funding to Expand AI-Powered C2C Platform Across India

funding

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Circle, a new platform for trading pre-owned goods, has closed its pre-seed funding round led by Titan Capital, with participation from Myntra co-founder Raveen Sastry. Founded earlier this year by Ankit Misra and Chirag Kataruka, Circle aims to transform India’s resale market through a technology-driven, trust-first approach.

The platform leverages artificial intelligence to verify product listings, grade conditions, suggest pricing, and manage catalog matching, while providing doorstep logistics and secure payment flows. This model is designed to address long-standing challenges in the resale ecosystem, such as fraudulent listings, incomplete product information, and inconsistent transaction experiences.

According to Titan Capital, India’s pre-owned market, a key component of the circular economy, is estimated at around Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Despite over 70 million Indians participating in used-goods transactions each month, resale remains fragmented, with convenience and reliability lagging behind primary e-commerce. Titan Capital said Circle’s full-stack model could unlock one of the largest consumer opportunities of the decade by making transactions more transparent and trustworthy.

Since its soft launch in August, Circle has onboarded over 17,000 users in Bengaluru, with early traction in electronics, furniture, appliances, and home goods. The Rs 3.4 crore raised will primarily be used to enhance the AI verification system and deepen category coverage, particularly in electronics and household items. The startup plans to focus on these core segments over the next year, with expansion into additional cities slated for the following year.

“Our goal is simple,” said Chirag Kataruka, Co-founder of Circle. “We want buying pre-owned to feel as safe and seamless as purchasing new products, while unlocking savings for buyers and income for sellers.”

With a growing emphasis on circular economy solutions and AI-enabled verification, Circle positions itself as a credible player aiming to redefine trust and convenience in India’s resale market.

Deepinder Goyal’s Temple Wearable Tracks Cerebral Blood Flow, Targets Longevity and Wellness

Health & Wellness

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Deepinder Goyal, founder of food-tech giant Zomato, is testing a new frontier in health technology with a brain-flow wearable, sparking interest in a potential venture named Temple. The device, worn near the temple area of the head, measures cerebral blood flow in real time—a biomarker increasingly linked to ageing, cognition, and longevity.

Temple’s online presence is minimal, featuring only a “Coming Soon” message and the line: “The future of health starts where no one’s looking. Inside your brain.” Goyal has described the company as “small” and “cute,” noting that it is “nothing compared to Eternal,” his broader health and wellness initiative.

The wearable gained public attention when Goyal was photographed at a Feeding India event alongside Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa, wearing the device. It was later confirmed by Goyal that this experimental prototype had been in use for a year under Continue Research, his personal biological research initiative.

Continue Research recently introduced the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis, which proposes that gravity can reduce cerebral blood flow by up to 17 percent in upright posture, potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline. The research suggests that inversions, where the head is positioned below the heart, may help restore healthy blood flow, with passive inversions possibly more effective than active techniques like yoga.

Preliminary tests by Goyal’s team showed that using inversion tables for ten minutes a day over six weeks improved average brain flow by seven percent, potentially offsetting a decade of age-related decline.

Goyal emphasized that the device is not being launched as a commercial gimmick. “Temple is going to be a small cute company, if at all. We didn’t cook up the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis to sell Temple,” he said. He added that the wearable could address a growing global need for tools that support brain health, regardless of whether the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis is fully validated.

Last month, Goyal announced a $25 million fund for Continue Research to accelerate experiments in health and wellness, signaling a long-term commitment to scientific exploration in the field.

HRX Expands Functional Footwear Range with Frido Collaboration for Barefoot Sock Shoe

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

HRX, the activewear brand co-owned by Hrithik Roshan and Exceed Entertainment, is expanding its footprint in functional footwear with a strategic partnership with ergonomic D2C brand Frido. The collaboration debuts with the launch of the Frido x HRX Barefoot Sock Shoe, a product designed to combine the principles of natural movement with modern performance footwear technology.

The new shoe reflects a growing consumer trend towards barefoot-inspired designs, which emphasize posture, balance, and unrestricted motion. By blending HRX’s fitness-oriented positioning with Frido’s engineering-led approach to product design, the partnership aims to strengthen both brands’ presence in India’s burgeoning performance-lifestyle footwear segment.

The Frido x HRX Barefoot Sock Shoe is engineered to deliver comfort, resilience, and durability, allowing consumers to wear it for daily activities as well as fitness routines. The design mimics natural foot movement, aligning with emerging global trends that favor minimalistic, body-conscious footwear. Lightweight construction, flexible soles, and breathable materials are among the key features that target both functional performance and lifestyle use.

Hrithik Roshan, HRX founder, highlighted the broader vision of the collaboration, saying, “This is more than a shoe. It’s an invitation to move consciously, reconnect with your body, and embrace natural motion. Fitness isn’t just about workouts; it’s about how we live, walk, and move every day.”

The Barefoot Sock Shoe will be available across multiple digital channels, including Myntra, HRX’s official website, and Frido’s platform, making it accessible to urban and fitness-focused consumers nationwide.

Industry observers note that the functional footwear category in India is growing rapidly, fueled by rising awareness of wellness, fitness, and ergonomics. With this collaboration, HRX and Frido are positioning themselves to capture a segment of consumers seeking innovation, comfort, and scientifically designed footwear that bridges performance and lifestyle.

Mumbai’s Bombay Shirt Company Unveils Luxury Lifestyle Flagship Store for Custom Shirts and Menswear

Luxury

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Mumbai’s custom menswear landscape received a contemporary boost as Bombay Shirt Company (BSC), India’s pioneer in made-to-measure shirting, inaugurated its experiential flagship store, ‘The Den’, in Bandra West. Spanning 3,776 square feet across two floors and a mezzanine, the store introduces a lifestyle-oriented approach to retail, blending fashion, leisure, and craftsmanship under one roof.

The Den aims to redefine the customer experience for modern men by offering an immersive and relaxed environment. The store features a dedicated lounge area, artisanal coffee served by Nandan Coffee, and premium grooming services. It also includes exclusive collaborations such as bespoke formal footwear in partnership with Trumpet Shoes. Visitors can explore BSC’s full portfolio, from seasonal ready-to-wear apparel to the brand’s signature custom-made shirts, alongside an extensive range of fabrics. On-site stylists and tailors provide personalized guidance, ensuring precise measurements and tailored fits.

Founded in 2012, Bombay Shirt Company has established itself as a leader in India’s premium shirting segment by combining traditional tailoring techniques with technology-driven fit solutions. The Den represents a strategic evolution of BSC’s retail philosophy, emphasizing community, comfort, and craftsmanship.

Founder Akshay Narvekar highlighted the store’s vision, stating, “The Den is more than a retail space. It’s a sanctuary for the modern Bandra man — a place where bespoke tailoring, style, and lifestyle converge. We wanted to create an environment that celebrates the art of dressing well while offering a relaxed and engaging experience.”

The launch of The Den reinforces BSC’s ambition to expand its footprint in Mumbai’s premium menswear market and set new benchmarks for experiential retail in India. By integrating curated lifestyle elements alongside precision tailoring, BSC is positioning itself at the intersection of fashion, leisure, and personalized service, catering to discerning customers who value both style and substance.

With The Den, Bombay Shirt Company continues to push the boundaries of what a menswear store can offer, combining design, craftsmanship, and experience into a single destination.

Kirin Looks to Exit Bira 91 Investment Amid Financial Strain at B9 Beverages

INVESTMENTS

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Japan’s Kirin Holdings is reportedly planning to exit its investment in B9 Beverages, the maker of India’s popular craft beer brand Bira 91, as the Japanese liquor giant reevaluates its global strategy. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that Kirin is in discussions with B9 founder Ankur Jain to facilitate a transition to a new strategic investor.

Kirin, one of Japan’s top three beverage companies alongside Asahi and Suntory, currently holds a 20.1% stake in B9 Beverages, slightly ahead of Jain’s 17.8% holding. The Japanese firm initially invested around $30 million in 2021 through a combination of equity and debt and later extended additional loans alongside Tiger Pacific. Despite being considered a long-term partner, Kirin has reassessed its international portfolio and is increasingly focusing on the health and wellness sector, having recently invested in Japanese supplement maker Fancl and putting its Kentucky bourbon brand Four Roses up for sale.

B9 Beverages has faced financial strain in recent years, with a net loss of ₹748 crore in FY24 and sales down 22% to ₹638 crore. The company’s debt has grown to ₹1,000 crore amid high fixed costs from four breweries commissioned between 2015 and 2019, and operational disruptions after a legal name change delayed product registrations across states. These challenges, combined with competitive pricing pressures, have strained cash flows and led to inventory write-offs.

Ankur Jain is exploring all options to stabilize the business and attract new investors, while Kirin has engaged EY to manage the sale of its debt in two tranches. Other investors in B9 include Peak XV (14.6%) and Sofina (6.4%), alongside family offices and financial firms.

The move comes as India’s beer market is projected to grow to ₹802.5 billion by 2033, expanding at a 6.7% CAGR from 2025, driven by millennials’ rising consumption, premiumisation, and innovation in flavors and packaging, according to research firm Imarc.

Ranveer Singh Unveils Rangeela Vodka as ABD Maestro Enters India’s Premium Spirits Race

Entrepreneurship

SnackTeam

November 19, 2025

Ranveer Singh has stepped into the premium spirits business with the launch of Rangeela Vodka, a new homegrown label created with ABD Maestro, the luxury portfolio of Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited. The company is positioning the brand as a vibrant entrant in a segment that has been steadily expanding as younger consumers look for expressive, design-driven alcohol offerings.

Rangeela was developed with Singh as co-founder and creative partner, with the actor involved in the product’s visual identity and positioning. The team behind the project says the idea was to build a vodka that reflects the exuberance of contemporary India, where colour, personality and experimentation have become central to the way the premium alcohol category is evolving.

According to the company, the flavour profile has been designed to appeal to urban consumers who prefer clean spirits with a smooth finish, while the packaging uses bright gradients and layered detailing to match the brand’s name. Executives at ABD Maestro say Rangeela represents their push to strengthen their portfolio in the super-premium space, a segment that has seen consistent growth over the past few years as more Indian brands compete with global labels.

Singh described the project as an attempt to bottle the idea of individuality. He said the vodka is meant for consumers who prefer to express themselves openly and gravitate toward products that match their energy. ABD Maestro believes the actor’s involvement will help Rangeela stand out in a crowded market where celebrity-backed brands are gaining traction, particularly among first-time premium buyers.

The company has not disclosed detailed sales targets for the first year, but industry watchers expect the launch to help ABD Maestro sharpen its presence in key metropolitan markets, where premium vodka continues to record steady annual growth.

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