Devyani International Brings Canada’s Iconic New York Fries to India, First Outlet Opens at Mumbai Airport

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May 7, 2025

Image of new york fries. — Devyani International Brings Canada’s Iconic New York Fries to India, First Outlet Opens at Mumbai Airport

French fry fans in India just got something to cheer about. Devyani International Ltd. (DIL), the company behind KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee in India, has introduced New York Fries (NYF) to the country—kicking off the brand’s India journey with its first outlet at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.

NYF, born in Canada back in 1983, has earned a loyal following globally for its no-nonsense, hand-cut fries and hearty loaded options. Now, Indian travelers and snack lovers passing through Mumbai’s airport can dig into NYF’s signature classics—from crispy fries drenched in savoury toppings to fully loaded hot dogs and meal combos. A vegetarian-friendly menu tailored for local preferences is also on offer.

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“This is an exciting launch for us. Bringing NYF to India is a natural next step for DIL as we continue to expand our global food portfolio. We’re confident Indian consumers will fall in love with what NYF stands for—honest, indulgent comfort food done right,” said Ravi Jaipuria, Non-Executive Chairman, Devyani International Ltd.

The NYF brand, owned by Canada’s Recipe Unlimited Corporation, is no stranger to global markets, with stores already running across Canada, the Middle East, and recently the US. With its Indian debut, the brand is hoping to find a strong footing in a market that’s rapidly warming up to global QSR concepts.

“DIL knows this market inside-out, and their track record with international food brands speaks for itself,” said NYF President Dave Colebrook. “This partnership is the perfect springboard for NYF in India, and we’re thrilled to give Indian customers a taste of what we believe are the best fries on the planet.”

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DIL, India’s largest franchisee of Yum Brands and the exclusive operator of Costa Coffee stores in the country, currently runs more than 2,000 outlets across 280+ cities in India, Nigeria, Nepal, and Thailand. With NYF now added to its roster, the company is set to expand its fast-growing footprint in India’s quick-service food space even further.

Skincare Brand Deconstruct Posts Rs 130 Cr Revenue in FY25, Turns Profitable, Eyes Rs 500 Cr in FY26: Malini Adapureddy Sets Sights on Global Play

Growth

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May 7, 2025

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Image of deconstruct — Skincare Brand Deconstruct Posts Rs 130 Cr Revenue in FY25, Turns Profitable, Eyes Rs 500 Cr in FY26: Malini Adapureddy Sets Sights on Global Play

Bengaluru-based skincare label Deconstruct has officially stepped into the black. The brand announced on Tuesday that it wrapped up FY25 as a profitable business, clocking Rs 130 crore in revenue—a massive leap from Rs 15.46 crore in FY24.

This sharp revenue jump—almost nine times last year’s figure—comes on the back of smarter marketing spends, tighter operations, and a sharp eye on costs. According to the company, net revenue grew in double digits after adjusting for one-time expenses, while marketing returns improved and Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) came down significantly.

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“We’ve hit a big milestone this year, but we see this as just the beginning,” said Malini Adapureddy, Founder and CEO of Deconstruct, in a statement to PTI. “The growth we’ve seen reflects the confidence our customers have placed in us. Our goal is to keep building on this momentum with authenticity and purpose.”

Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans. Deconstruct is targeting an annualised net revenue of Rs 500 crore by FY26. To hit that number, the brand is ramping up R&D, exploring global markets, and expanding offline with kiosk and shop-in-shop formats.

Backing these expansion plans is fresh capital—Rs 65 crore recently raised from L’Oréal’s venture arm BOLD, V3 Ventures, and DSG Consumer Partners. The funding will be used to widen distribution and strengthen the brand’s presence on Quick Commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, and Swiggy, where revenue has reportedly been surging at a rate of 200% month-on-month.

The brand also plans to widen its product range. While it has made a name for itself in serums and sunscreens, Deconstruct is eyeing new categories that can bolster its foothold in the skincare space.

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With profitability now in hand, Adapureddy says the focus is on sustainable scaling—both at home and abroad. “Staying profitable isn’t just a financial goal. It gives us the freedom to grow without compromising on what we stand for.”

D2C Defies Retail Slump: GoKwik Reports 14.5% Surge in Orders, UPI Dominates, Women Shoppers Rise

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May 7, 2025

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Image of gokwik — D2C Defies Retail Slump: GoKwik Reports 14.5% Surge in Orders, UPI Dominates, Women Shoppers Rise

Despite the broader retail market showing signs of fatigue, online-first brands aren’t slowing down. Direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses recorded a 14.5% increase in order volumes between January and March, according to new figures from GoKwik. It’s a clear sign that shoppers are still turning to digital storefronts, even as traditional consumer spending shows strain.

One of the subtle shifts this quarter came in how people chose to pay. Prepaid orders ticked up by 3%, with UPI continuing to dominate as the go-to option. Credit card usage, on the other hand, stayed flat—suggesting that while customers are happy to spend, they’re doing so with caution.

Gender dynamics are also evolving. Men still drive most of the transactions, but their share dipped by 2% compared to the previous quarter. Women, meanwhile, are shopping more, especially across categories that blend lifestyle and practicality—indicating that female shoppers are becoming a more engaged and growing segment in the D2C space.

Even with more orders being placed, average spending per order saw a small dip—down 1.5%. Prepaid orders had a sharper drop in average value at 2.5%, while cash-on-delivery (COD) remained unchanged. This hints at a shift in consumer behavior: people are still shopping, just more mindfully—choosing utility over indulgence.

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When it comes to categories, fashion and beauty/personal care led the charge in Q3, each making up 25% of total orders, driven by end-of-year gifting and seasonal updates. But in Q4, fashion dropped to 22%, while beauty maintained its ground. It shows that beauty products are increasingly seen as everyday essentials, whereas fashion still leans more toward special occasions.

Other categories like electronics, footwear, and home décor naturally saw a bit of a breather after the festive season.

“Seeing Q4 outpace Q3—despite it being a non-festive quarter and the overall market facing a demand crunch—says a lot about how deep the D2C model has rooted itself,” said Chirag Taneja, Co-Founder & CEO of GoKwik. “Customers are coming back because they trust the product, the service, and the brand itself. That kind of loyalty is what every D2C brand has been trying to earn.”

Looking at geography, Tier 3 towns continued to make the most purchases, followed by Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. But when it came to how much people were spending, Tier 1 stayed in the lead—even though its average order value (AOV) slipped slightly from Rs 1359 to Rs 1309.

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Tier 2 cities showed signs of picking up steam, with their AOV rising from Rs 1274 to Rs 1311—a signal that shoppers there are becoming more confident and willing to spend a bit more. Tier 3 stayed stable, reinforcing its image as a value-driven segment, though one that’s gradually gaining strength, as echoed by Nuvama’s outlook on rural demand.

Shark Tank India’s Store My Goods Raises Rs 4 Cr in Bridge Round Led by JIIF, Clocks 50,000+ Months of Storage Sold

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May 6, 2025

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mage-of-store-my-goods. — Shark Tank India’s Store My Goods Raises Rs 4 Cr in Bridge Round Led by JIIF, Clocks 50,000+ Months of Storage Sold

Storage startup Store My Goods, which gained visibility after its appearance on Shark Tank India, has raised Rs 4 crore (approx. $474,000) in fresh funding. The round was led by JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF) along with a group of family office investors. The capital raise is part of a larger $1 million funding round the company is currently working to close.

Founded in December 2021 by siblings Sudeep and Swati Gupta, Store My Goods provides flexible, tech-driven storage and warehousing solutions for individuals and businesses. The company operates across five major cities — Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune — and says it has delivered over 50,000 months’ worth of storage to more than 5,000 customers to date.

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The new funding will be used to push into untapped markets, beef up the company’s tech capabilities, and bring experienced leaders on board to drive the next phase of growth.

“This raise is less about raising money and more about moving faster,” said CEO and Co-Founder Sudeep Gupta. “We’re focused on building a smarter, more responsive storage ecosystem — one that meets real-world needs, whether it’s a family needing space during a renovation, or a business looking to decentralize inventory.”

At its core, Store My Goods aims to solve urban storage headaches — from cluttered homes and shifting apartments to seasonal overflow and logistical gaps for small businesses. Customers can book storage units through the platform’s app or website, and get door-to-door service with pickup, secure storage, and delivery — eliminating the need to visit a warehouse.

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With this round, the company hopes to cement its position in the growing on-demand storage market and set the stage for national scale.

Swiggy Silently Pauses Genie Across Bengaluru, Mumbai & Delhi-NCR; Focuses on Bolt, Now 10% of Total Orders

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May 6, 2025

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mage-of-swiggy-genie. — Swiggy Silently Pauses Genie Across Bengaluru, Mumbai & Delhi-NCR; Focuses on Bolt, Now 10% of Total Orders

Swiggy has quietly hit pause on its hyperlocal courier service, Swiggy Genie, across key metros including Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Pune. The feature, once a go-to for users needing items picked up and dropped off within the city, now shows up as “temporarily unavailable” in most areas on the app.

This silent retreat comes on the heels of a major expansion push for Swiggy’s ultra-fast food delivery arm, Bolt, which is now live in over 500 cities. While the company hasn’t issued a formal press release on Genie’s status, it acknowledged on social media platform X that the service is currently shelved due to “operational constraints.”

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Genie’s pause isn’t a first. Back in 2022, the platform had scaled it down in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, citing the need to focus on its core food delivery business and the growing demand for Instamart, Swiggy’s quick commerce vertical.

Behind the scenes, the move points to a broader trend in the delivery world — where margins are tight, fuel prices are high, and retaining delivery partners is tougher than ever. As platforms face mounting pressure to do more with less, services like Genie, which rely heavily on logistical complexity and low-volume orders, are becoming harder to justify.

Swiggy’s rival Zomato is on a similar path. It recently pulled the plug on its 15-minute food delivery pilot, Zomato Instant, and shut down its home-cooked meal brand, Everyday, both of which struggled to find traction. In a note to shareholders, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal admitted these bets didn’t deliver meaningful results.

Meanwhile, Bolt is charging ahead. Launched in October 2024, the lightning-fast delivery feature has quickly grown into a major part of Swiggy’s business, now accounting for over 10% of total orders. Bolt promises meals in under 10 minutes, thanks to a deep partnership network of 45,000+ restaurants, including big names like McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway.

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Swiggy’s latest shuffle signals a clear shift: prioritize services that scale fast, generate stronger margins, and tap into consumer impatience — even if it means shelving legacy features like Genie for now.

BluSmart’s Exit Triggers EV Power Shift: Evera Cabs Recovers 500 Vehicles, Expands Airport Ops Across Delhi Terminals

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May 6, 2025

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Image of evera — BluSmart’s Exit Triggers EV Power Shift: Evera Cabs Recovers 500 Vehicles, Expands Airport Ops Across Delhi Terminals

As BluSmart quietly winds down its services in India’s biggest cities, Delhi-based electric cab company Evera Cabs has moved fast to scoop up the slack — and the vehicles.

Operated by Prakriti Mobility, Evera has begun repossessing 500 electric cars that were formerly part of BluSmart’s fleet. So far, 220 of those EVs are already back on the road under the Evera banner, with the remaining 280 in the process of being recovered through lender channels. The effort is part of what the company is calling a carefully planned, multi-phase strategy to expand and consolidate its position in the EV taxi market — particularly in the busy airport corridor of the National Capital Region.

“This isn’t just about expansion,” said Nimish Trivedi, co-founder and CEO of Evera. “It’s about reimagining how electric mobility works in India. With several players hitting reset, we’re stepping in with a firm roadmap — not just to grow, but to lead.”

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Trivedi said Evera is not only reclaiming the vehicles, but also onboarding experienced drivers who were already operating those EVs under BluSmart. The goal: minimize disruption for commuters and raise the bar for clean, premium urban transport. “We’re not chasing scale for the sake of it. We’re building something resilient — a network that’s fast, smart, and deeply focused on delivering a consistent, sustainable experience to riders,” he added.

Founded in 2022, Evera has built its presence in the B2B electric cab space, with a stronghold at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Until recently, its services were limited to Terminal 3. But with the additional EVs coming into its system, the company now plans to extend coverage across all terminals — a move that’s expected to reduce wait times and boost availability for flyers.

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With BluSmart’s exit from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, a significant vacuum has opened in the electric ride-hailing landscape. Evera is moving quickly to fill that gap — and potentially emerge as the new face of sustainable city travel.

CHANEL Enters Indian Luxe Beauty Market via Nykaa: Fragrance & Beauty Line Launches in Select Stores and Online for 40 Million Shoppers

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May 6, 2025

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image of nykaa — CHANEL Enters Indian Luxe Beauty Market via Nykaa: Fragrance & Beauty Line Launches in Select Stores and Online for 40 Million Shoppers

CHANEL, the iconic French fashion house, is bringing its Fragrance & Beauty line to India through a new collaboration with Nykaa. Starting today, a handpicked selection of CHANEL products will be available online via Nykaa’s website and app, and in select Nykaa Luxe stores across the country.

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For those who prefer the in-store experience, CHANEL fans can visit Nykaa Luxe locations at Mumbai’s Palladium Mall, 100 Feet Road in Bengaluru, and Nexus Elante Mall in Chandigarh. Over the next year, CHANEL plans to expand its presence to more than 10 Nykaa Luxe stores nationwide.

“This partnership with Nykaa is a milestone for us,” said Amit Goyal, Managing Director, CHANEL India. “It builds on our boutique network and e-commerce platform, and reflects our shared focus on thoughtfully curated experiences and a deep appreciation for the Indian customer.”

CHANEL has steadily grown its footprint in India since 2013, currently operating seven Fragrance & Beauty boutiques—four in the Delhi-NCR region (DLF Promenade, Select Citywalk in Saket, Mall of India in Noida, and Ambience Mall in Gurugram), two in Mumbai (Phoenix Palladium and Jio World Drive), and one in Bengaluru’s Mall of Asia.

In addition to its retail locations, CHANEL has a presence at major airports including those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, catering to international travelers.

Last year, the brand introduced its Indian e-commerce platform, allowing customers across more than 27,000 postal codes to shop its fragrance, beauty, and eyewear collections from the comfort of their homes.

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Nykaa, which blends digital innovation with physical retail, reaches over 40 million customers and runs 221 stores across India.

“We’re thrilled to welcome CHANEL to our luxury beauty portfolio,” said Anchit Nayar, Executive Director and CEO, Nykaa Beauty. “This marks a defining moment not just for us, but for India’s evolving luxury beauty landscape. CHANEL’s belief in India’s promise will undoubtedly help shape this category for years to come.”

Swiggy’s Lightning-Fast ‘Bolt’ Service Hits 500+ Cities, Outpaces Zomato’s Now-Defunct Instant Delivery

Quick Commerce

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May 5, 2025

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Image of bolt. — Swiggy’s Lightning-Fast ‘Bolt’ Service Hits 500+ Cities, Outpaces Zomato’s Now-Defunct Instant Delivery

In under seven months, Swiggy’s 10-minute delivery experiment, Bolt, has gone from a pilot project to a national phenomenon. Now live in more than 500 cities — from big metros to tier-2 towns — Bolt has rapidly scaled just as Zomato quietly wrapped up its own quick delivery effort, blaming lukewarm demand and poor margins.

Bolt is not just about speed — it’s about smart execution. With a sharp focus on high-demand, quick-prep items, Bolt operates within a tight 2-km radius to ensure food arrives hot and fresh. So far, it’s partnered with over 45,000 restaurants, including big chains like McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Burger King, Faasos, and Curefoods.

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Swiggy’s Food Marketplace CEO, Rohit Kapoor, explained why Bolt is working: “It’s not just the thrill of speed. It’s about getting your food hot, fast, and in perfect condition. We’ve built the backend to make that happen like clockwork.”

From biryanis and dosas to shakes, wraps, and sandwiches, Bolt’s menu spans 26 cuisines and features over 47 lakh dishes. The goal: give people what they crave, when they crave it — without the wait.

“People don’t want to compromise anymore. If you’re hungry, you want it now — and you want it done right,” Kapoor said. He called Bolt’s scale-up to 500 cities in mere months “nothing short of amazing.”

And it’s not just customers who are happy — restaurant partners are reporting noticeable boosts in efficiency. Order fulfilment times are dropping, wait times are shorter, and customer repeat rates are rising. For Swiggy, Bolt isn’t just a flashy feature — it’s becoming a core part of the business. Data shows that users who come to the platform through Bolt are 4–6% more likely to stick around compared to other users.

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While some competitors are stepping away from ultra-fast delivery, Swiggy’s full-throttle push suggests the company sees Bolt not as a gimmick — but as the future of food delivery in India.

Apple Doubles Down on India: Tim Cook Announces New Stores and Reveals Most iPhones Sold in the U.S. Will Be Made in India

INVESTMENTS

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May 5, 2025

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Image of Iphone — Apple Doubles Down on India: Tim Cook Announces New Stores and Reveals Most iPhones Sold in the U.S. Will Be Made in India

Apple is gearing up to expand its physical footprint in India, with new retail stores set to open later this year. The update came straight from CEO Tim Cook during the company’s latest earnings call, hinting at a broader strategy that positions India as both a key market and a manufacturing powerhouse in Apple’s global playbook.

“In addition to the two stores we opened this quarter, we’re excited about upcoming launches — a new store in the UAE, an online store in Saudi Arabia, and additional Apple locations in India coming later this year,” Cook said.

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While he kept the details vague, insiders say Apple is preparing to open stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Noida, and a second outlet in Mumbai — part of a multi-city push following the splashy debut of its first Indian stores in 2023.

Those openings — in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex and Delhi’s Saket — were more than just store launches. They were events, complete with long queues, fan selfies, and the unmistakable excitement of diehard Apple fans finally getting the brand’s full in-store experience. Until then, Apple’s India strategy had leaned on online sales and authorized resellers.

The new stores won’t just be places to buy Apple gadgets — they’re meant to be experience hubs, where customers can get hands-on with devices, attend sessions, and immerse themselves in the wider Apple ecosystem. Earlier this year, Apple also introduced its Store app for Indian users, further streamlining the shopping journey.

A Bigger Shift Behind the Scenes

But this isn’t just about selling more iPhones and MacBooks. The real story is Apple’s shifting manufacturing strategy. With U.S.-China trade tensions heating up — and import tariffs on Chinese products climbing as high as 145% — Apple is clearly diversifying its supply chain.

India is emerging as the biggest beneficiary.

Cook revealed that, for the current quarter ending in June, most iPhones sold in the United States will actually be assembled in India. That’s a huge milestone for a company that only started making iPhones in India in 2017.

Fast forward to 2025, and Apple is already producing the entire iPhone 16 lineup — from the budget-friendly 16e to the top-of-the-line 16 Pro Max — right here in India. All signs point to the upcoming iPhone 17 series being made locally too.

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As Apple ramps up both its retail and manufacturing operations, one thing is clear: India isn’t just a fast-growing market anymore. It’s becoming the engine room for Apple’s next decade of growth.

Beauty Meets Data: Kult Raises ₹170 Crore to Redefine How India Shops for Skincare

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May 5, 2025

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Kult, the digital beauty platform making waves with its tech-first approach, has just raised a cool $20 million (over ₹170 crore) in Series A funding. The round was led by Dr. Payal Kanodia and Aishwarya Bansal from the M3M Family Office, with additional support from early-stage backers at Venture Catalysts.

The platform was co-founded by Karishma Singh and Ruchika Pallavi, who are betting big on AI as the future of beauty. Kult blends artificial intelligence with expert knowledge to offer tailored skincare suggestions, matching products to individual skin types, concerns, and preferences. And it’s not just about algorithms — the brand’s product catalogue showcases how items actually look on a wide range of Indian skin tones, helping users feel seen, understood, and confident in their choices.

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Behind the scenes, Kult is tapping into advice from over 300 beauty professionals worldwide — all to bring more trust and clarity to the chaos of online beauty shopping.

What’s Next for Kult?

The new capital is being used to grow the business across several fronts. Kult plans to expand its catalogue to over 700 premium beauty brands and process more than 10,000 orders a day by the end of 2025. It’s also scaling its team, with plans to hire over 200 people in engineering, product, sourcing, and user experience.

Currently operating with a strong 35%+ margin, the company has its sights set on a gross merchandise value (GMV) between ₹650 and ₹700 crore for the ongoing fiscal year — ambitious, but well within reach if current momentum holds.

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Dr. Payal Kanodia, one of the lead investors, put it this way: “Kult isn’t just riding a trend. It’s reshaping what the future of beauty looks like in India — ultra-personal, tech-powered, and hyper-relevant. The fact that users keep coming back at this early stage shows just how ready the market is for this kind of focused beauty experience.”

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