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Sunscreen War Erupts: Honasa Accuses HUL’s Lakme of Misleading Ads Targeting Derma Co in ₹18,000 Cr Skincare Market

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Sunscreen War Erupts: Honasa Accuses HUL’s Lakme of Misleading Ads Targeting Derma Co in ₹18,000 Cr Skincare Market

A simmering rivalry between two major personal care players—Honasa Consumer (the company behind Mamaearth and The Derma Co) and Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL)—has turned into a full-blown legal faceoff, with both companies dragging each other to court over a controversial sunscreen ad campaign.

The dispute kicked off after Honasa took issue with a recent Lakme ad by HUL titled the “SPF Lie Detector Test.” The campaign claims that several popular sunscreens marketed as SPF 50 actually provide far less protection, some closer to SPF 20. While the ad doesn’t directly name brands, the visuals appear to mimic the packaging of certain products—something Honasa believes targets The Derma Co’s sunscreen unfairly.

Calling the ad misleading and damaging to its reputation, Honasa approached the Delhi High Court, which has since issued notice to HUL and scheduled the next hearing for Thursday.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

HUL, for its part, has fired back by filing its own legal case against Honasa in the Bombay High Court. According to sources, both courts are expected to address the issue on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The tension spilled into the public sphere when Honasa co-founder Ghazal Alagh posted on LinkedIn, criticizing what she described as a long-standing lack of healthy competition in the FMCG sector. She suggested that legacy brands had grown complacent, indirectly pointing to HUL’s dominance.

In defense of its campaign, Lakme released a statement on social media claiming that some top-selling online sunscreens, despite claiming to be “in vivo” tested, fail to live up to their SPF 50 label, delivering closer to SPF 20 under clinical conditions.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

“In vivo” refers to testing done on living organisms—often considered the gold standard for assessing product performance on human skin.

What started as a marketing jab has now escalated into a courtroom showdown, highlighting how fierce the battle for shelf space (and skin protection claims) has become in India’s booming skincare market.

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India’s Retail Scene Set for a Premium Makeover: 20 Upscale Malls Coming by 2026

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India’s Retail Scene Set for a Premium Makeover: 20 Upscale Malls Coming by 2026

India’s big cities are gearing up for a wave of high-end mall openings, with nearly 20 new premium shopping centers expected to go live by the end of 2026, according to a new report by Cushman & Wakefield.

Spread across eight key urban markets—Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad—these new retail developments will add roughly 123 lakh square feet of fresh space to the market. And this isn’t just about size—it’s about stepping up the quality.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

Out of the upcoming supply, around 86 lakh square feet will fall into the “Superior Grade” category. That means top-tier construction, better tenant curation, and enhanced experiences for shoppers. These aren’t your average malls; they’re sleek, highly serviced spaces built by trusted developers or backed by institutional money, often enjoying occupancy rates north of 85%.

From Function to Flair

India already boasts around 615 lakh sq. ft. of Grade A mall space as of 2024, and nearly two-thirds of that belongs to the upper tier. The report points to a retail market that’s no longer just about filling up space—it’s about making the experience count.

What’s changing inside the malls is just as telling. The once-dominant anchors—like hypermarkets and cinemas—are slowly taking a backseat. In their place, categories like fashion, beauty, wellness, athleisure, and F&B are becoming the real magnets for foot traffic.

Beauty and wellness outlets, in particular, are punching well above their weight, pulling in Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per sq. ft. per month, while restaurants and cafes have emerged as the new-age anchors, often doing better than traditional department stores. There’s also a visible uptick in interest around jewellery and consumer electronics.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

Shoppers Want More Than Just Stores

According to Saurabh Shatdal, Executive Managing Director – Capital Markets and Head of Retail India at Cushman & Wakefield, today’s malls are evolving beyond retail hubs. “It’s no longer about how big a mall is—it’s about how good it feels,” he said. “People want beautifully designed spaces, curated environments, and meaningful brand experiences. That’s where Superior Grade malls are hitting the mark.”

In short, India’s malls are trading mass appeal for immersive, high-quality experiences—and developers are racing to meet that demand.

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DLF to Launch Three New Malls in Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram, Adding 1.4 Million Sq. Ft. of Retail Space

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DLF to Launch Three New Malls in Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram, Adding 1.4 Million Sq. Ft. of Retail Space

DLF, one of India’s biggest names in real estate, is ramping up its retail footprint with three new shopping destinations set to open this financial year across Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram. Combined, these projects will add roughly 14 lakh square feet of space to the company’s expanding retail portfolio.

Speaking to PTI, Pushpa Bector, Senior Executive Director and Head of DLF Retail, confirmed the upcoming launches. “We have three openings lined up this year,” she said, highlighting the company’s confidence in the future of organized retail in India.

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DLF already operates eight retail properties totaling around 4.5 million sq. ft., including the well-known DLF Mall of India in Noida.

Here’s What’s Coming:

  • DLF Midtown Plaza, located in Delhi’s Moti Nagar, will be the first to open in the coming months. Spanning over 2 lakh sq. ft., the mall is already close to being fully leased out. “About 75 to 80 percent of the space is already spoken for,” Bector shared.
  • Next on the list is DLF Summit Plaza in Gurugram, expected to go live later this year. The property covers 4.8 lakh sq. ft., with over 4 lakh sq. ft. dedicated to retail and the remainder planned for coworking spaces.
  • And early next year, Goa will welcome its largest shopping mall yet — a 7 lakh sq. ft. retail hub, also from DLF. “This is going to be a landmark project for Goa,” Bector noted.

Interestingly, the Delhi and Gurugram malls are located close to existing DLF residential complexes — a strategic move to serve the growing population in these neighbourhoods.

Looking Ahead

Beyond these launches, DLF has bigger ambitions in the works. Bector revealed that the company is building a 25 lakh sq. ft. mall in Gurugram, which is expected to become one of the largest in the country once complete.

Most of DLF’s commercial assets — including malls and office parks — fall under DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL), a joint venture with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.

The Retail Rebound

The retail sector, Bector said, has seen a sharp rebound since the pandemic. “Footfalls and sales have not just recovered — in many cases, they’ve surpassed pre-COVID levels,” she explained.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

Among the best-performing categories? Food and beverage outlets, which now take up 20–22% of floor space in DLF’s shopping centers — a sign of changing consumer habits and a strong appetite for out-of-home experiences.

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Capital-A and SanchiConnect Launch ‘MaXcel’ Accelerator to Back India’s Next Industrial Trailblazers

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Capital-A and SanchiConnect Launch ‘MaXcel’ Accelerator to Back India’s Next Industrial Trailblazers

In a move aimed at supercharging innovation in India’s manufacturing space, early-stage VC firm Capital-A has partnered with deeptech platform SanchiConnect to launch MaXcel — a hands-on accelerator designed for startups and MSMEs building cutting-edge hardware and industrial tech solutions.

MaXcel is tailor-made for founders working in areas like precision engineering, semiconductors, advanced materials, robotics, IoT, and smart factory systems — especially those who already have an MVP, some pilot traction, or early revenue.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

What sets MaXcel apart? Selected startups will get Rs 3 to 4 crore in quick-turnaround capital, with term sheets expected to land within 30 days. The program runs for 24 weeks and includes a focused 12-week go-to-market track, pilot opportunities with corporates, and a global demo day. Founders will also receive one-on-one guidance from veterans across industry and investment.

A Boost for Hardware-Led Startups

For Ankit Kedia, founder and lead investor at Capital-A, MaXcel is as much about timing as it is about potential. “We’re entering an era where the next big ideas won’t be coming from boardrooms — they’ll be coming off factory floors. India’s manufacturing DNA is being rewritten, and we want to help those founders get there faster,” he said.

He added, “With our on-ground experience in industrial ventures, and SanchiConnect’s tight-knit access to the hardware ecosystem, MaXcel is built to deliver not just funding — but real-world momentum.”

Dr. Sunil Shekhawat, Co-founder of SanchiConnect, believes MaXcel represents a fresh approach to hardware acceleration. “For too long, great ideas in deeptech have been stuck in limbo. This is a rethink — we’re creating a launchpad where execution matters as much as innovation,” he said.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

With India pushing to become a global manufacturing hub, MaXcel is designed to be more than just a short-term boost. It’s a serious bet on the people and products that will drive the country’s industrial future.

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Swiggy Partners with Labour Ministry to Expand Access to Gig Jobs via National Career Service

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Swiggy Partners with Labour Ministry to Expand Access to Gig Jobs via National Career Service

In a move aimed at opening up more job opportunities in India’s gig and logistics economy, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has entered into a formal partnership with Swiggy. The two have signed an MoU that will allow the food delivery platform to post jobs on the National Career Service (NCS) portal, making it easier for job seekers to discover flexible work across the country.

The signing took place in the presence of Labour Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

Speaking at the event, Dr. Mandaviya described the NCS portal as “a living, breathing network that links people to real jobs across India.” He pointed out that as of January 31, 2025, the platform had already brought together over 1.25 crore active job seekers and 40 lakh registered employers.

This new alliance with Swiggy is designed to give the portal deeper reach into the booming gig economy — and the numbers are significant. Swiggy is expected to generate over 12 lakh job opportunities over the next two to three years through this channel.

The Minister was upbeat about the move. “It’s a win on both sides,” he said. “Swiggy gains access to a broad, skilled, and employment-ready talent pool, while young people across India get better visibility into real, location-based job openings that fit their lifestyle.”

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

He also underlined the broader vision for NCS — not just as a job board, but as an ecosystem for employment, training, and career guidance, including opportunities both within India and overseas.

This collaboration marks a major step in the government’s ongoing push to recognize and support the gig workforce — one of the fastest-growing segments of India’s employment landscape.

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Jewelbox Secures $3.2M in Pre-Series A Funding to Accelerate Growth in Lab-Grown Diamonds

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Jewelbox Secures $3.2M in Pre-Series A Funding to Accelerate Growth in Lab-Grown Diamonds

What started as a bold leap into a fairly new category has now turned into something far bigger — a movement backed by belief, numbers, and people who chose to bet early.

We’re thrilled to share that Jewelbox has raised $3.2 million in our Pre-Series A round. This round was led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Arjun Vaidya, Abhiram Bhalerao, and Shweta Tripathi, who backed us early and never wavered.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

Joining us this time are some incredible new partners — Atrium Angels, Dexter Ventures, Infinyte Club, and Samarthya Capital — and we’re also grateful to welcome back our supporters at JITO Incubation & Innovation Foundation, who continue to believe in our long game.

A huge shoutout to Dexter Capital Advisors — they’ve been more than just financial advisors. They’ve been calm voices in moments of chaos and trusted allies every step of the way.

When Nipun and I first set out, it wasn’t with loud declarations — just a quiet, unwavering conviction that lab-grown diamonds were the future. It felt early, maybe even too early to some. But we had our eyes on the long arc of consumer behaviour, and the shift was already starting.

Fast forward to today:

  • Our revenue has grown 4x in just one year
  • We’ve gone from 3 stores to 8
  • We’re now present in 6 key cities across India

This kind of growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s been fuelled by a team that’s put in the hard yards, family that’s kept us grounded, and a circle of believers who backed us before it was fashionable to do so.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

We’re not just selling diamonds. We’re changing the narrative around them. Lab-grown is no longer a fringe idea — it’s headed straight into the mainstream, and we’re proud to be at the front of that shift.

This new round of funding gives us the firepower to build faster, go deeper in the markets we’re in, shape a brand that truly resonates, and bring on more amazing people to build this with us.

We’re just getting warmed up.

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Jaipur Resort Accuses OYO and Ritesh Agarwal of Fraud After Receiving Rs 2.66 Crore GST Notice

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Jaipur Resort Accuses OYO and Ritesh Agarwal of Fraud After Receiving Rs 2.66 Crore GST Notice

A Jaipur-based resort has filed a criminal complaint against OYO and its founder-CEO Ritesh Agarwal, accusing the company of massive billing irregularities that allegedly triggered a staggering Rs 2.66 crore GST notice.

The resort, Samskara, claims that OYO grossly exaggerated the property’s revenue by generating thousands of fake bookings, pushing up the resort’s reported turnover and landing it in hot water with tax authorities.

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Madan Jain, who represents the resort, registered an FIR at Jaipur’s Ashok Nagar police station last week. The charges include cheating, breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under India’s newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to Jain, Samskara had signed a one-year agreement with OYO back in April 2019 to list the resort on the platform. Despite this limited scope, OYO allegedly filed data showing transactions from fiscal years beyond the contract—both before and after it. Jain says that the resort only generated Rs 10.95 lakh in bookings through OYO during the partnership and had duly paid GST on that amount. In contrast, OYO is said to have reported revenue of Rs 22.22 crore on behalf of Samskara, which then became the basis for the GST department’s show-cause notice.

Jain insists that the resort never received any money close to that figure and was blindsided by the inflated numbers filed with tax authorities.

A Broader Pattern?

This isn’t an isolated incident. Husain Khan, President of the Hotel Federation of Rajasthan, revealed that nearly 20 hotels in the state have received similar GST notices. He accused OYO of using inflated invoicing to pad up booking volumes, potentially leaving small hoteliers exposed to significant legal and financial risks.

While OYO has not yet issued a public response to the FIR, the allegations—if true—raise serious questions about how tech-driven aggregators are managing partner data and reporting revenues.

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

As the case unfolds, it’s likely to rekindle debate around accountability in India’s online travel and hospitality ecosystem—especially when smaller businesses end up facing the brunt of opaque backend practices.

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Swiggy Launches Pyng to Book Everything from Yoga Trainers to Tax Experts—Targets 10,000+ Verified Professionals

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Swiggy Launches Pyng to Book Everything from Yoga Trainers to Tax Experts—Targets 10,000+ Verified Professionals

Swiggy, best known for bringing food and groceries to your doorstep, is now aiming to make your life easier in a whole new way—with people. The company has launched Pyng, a brand-new app that helps users find and book verified professionals for just about anything. Need someone to handle your GST filing, guide your pregnancy yoga routine, or DJ your sangeet? Pyng says: done.

Available on both iOS and Android, the app offers access to over 1,000 experts across categories like health, finance, education, events, travel, and even astrology. And this is just the beginning—Swiggy plans to scale the roster to 10,000 professionals as the platform expands beyond its current launch city of Bengaluru.

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Here’s how it works: You type or voice your request into the app. Pyng’s built-in assistant picks it up and suggests the best-fit experts based on your needs. Once you click into a profile, a second virtual assistant steps in—this one tailored to the professional. It breaks down services offered, pricing, available time slots, and credentials, all in real time. You can chat, schedule, pay, and even get your money back if things don’t go as promised.

The idea is simple—cut through the chaos of random Google searches, Instagram profiles, and WhatsApp recommendations. Just open Pyng, say what you need, and get it sorted without wasting time or worrying about quality.

From tax consultants and career mentors to stylists and spiritual coaches, Pyng is shaping up to be Swiggy’s answer to the fragmented world of service discovery. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about trust.

“We saw a massive gap in how people find professionals they can actually rely on,” said Nandan Reddy, co-founder of Swiggy and the brain behind Pyng. “Whether it’s for your career, your body, or your big day, Pyng helps you skip the spam and get straight to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

The move marks a bold step for Swiggy as it steps out of its delivery comfort zone into the far more personal world of services—where who you trust matters just as much as what you buy.

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Rio Innobev Secures Rs 10 Crore to Take on Global Beverage Giants Sets Sights on 100K Stores Nationwide

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Rio Innobev Secures Rs 10 Crore to Take on Global Beverage Giants Sets Sights on 100K Stores Nationwide

Pune-based Rio Innobev has just landed its first big institutional cheque—Rs 10 crore in pre-Series A funding—led by Atomic Capital, along with a clutch of high-profile investors who’ve chosen to stay behind the curtain (for now). For a homegrown challenger brand that’s been grinding it out since 2014, this raise isn’t just about money—it’s about momentum.

What started as a scrappy beverage startup co-founded by Rahul Sangoi is now looking to muscle its way into the big leagues. With over 15 million units sold annually and shelf space in 35,000+ outlets across Maharashtra and Gujarat, Rio Innobev is going full throttle: the aim is to triple its reach to 100,000 stores within the next three years.

But distribution is just one piece of the puzzle. The company is also placing serious bets on quick commerce platforms, supermarket chains, and other modern trade channels—basically anywhere thirsty Gen Z and millennial customers might be browsing.

Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad

Inside the Fridge: What Rio’s Pouring

Rio’s two flagship products—RIO Bubbly Fruit Drink (BFD) and RIO BOOM Energy Drink—are bold, bright, and unashamedly targeted at India’s younger consumers. BFD comes loaded with real fruit juice (15%), vitamin C, honey, and clocks in with 25% less sugar than most of its rivals. RIO BOOM, on the other hand, is built for the high-octane crowd—offering an energy boost in a wallet-friendly format, minus the international price tag.

“We didn’t just want to launch another drink,” says co-founder Rahul Sangoi. “We wanted to create something that actually resonates with India’s young, bold, and aspirational consumers. This fundraise validates the journey we’ve been on—and gives us the fuel to push faster, further, and harder.”

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

Rio claims to have stayed EBITDA positive from day one—a rare feat in India’s ultra-competitive FMCG sector. From humble beginnings selling 7.5 lakh units in its first year, it now operates a full-fledged production plant in Pune, churning out tens of millions of cans and bottles annually.

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Airtel and Blinkit Launch 10-Minute SIM Delivery in 16 Cities—Here’s How It Works and What It Costs

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Airtel and Blinkit Launch 10-Minute SIM Delivery in 16 Cities—Here’s How It Works and What It Costs

In a move that shakes up how mobile connections are delivered in India, Airtel has teamed up with Zomato-backed Blinkit to launch ultra-fast SIM card delivery. That’s right—no more trekking to a store or waiting in queues. For just Rs 49, you can now get your Airtel SIM dropped off at your home in under 10 minutes.

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This new service is currently live across 16 cities, including the big metros and tier-1 towns like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and more. And yes, the companies have hinted that this rollout will only expand further in the coming weeks.

So what’s on offer? You can grab a brand-new prepaid or postpaid Airtel connection, or switch your current number to Airtel via MNP—all from the comfort of your home. Even better, the SIM activation process is now completely digital. Just scan your Aadhaar and complete a quick self-verification—no paperwork, no store visits, no hassle.

Albinder Dhindsa, Blinkit’s founder and CEO, took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the collaboration. “Starting today, customers can get a SIM delivered and activated without stepping out. Blinkit handles the delivery; Airtel’s made activation simple and fast with self-KYC,” he shared.

Once your SIM arrives, you’ll have a 15-day window to activate it through Airtel’s video-based guidance and Aadhaar KYC flow. And if you run into any trouble, the Airtel Thanks App is just a tap away for support.

What They’re Saying

“This is all about convenience and time-saving,” said Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Connected Homes and Director of Marketing at Airtel. “Partnering with Blinkit allows us to meet customers exactly where they are—at home—and we’re looking forward to scaling this to even more cities soon.”

Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market

This tie-up not only streamlines the process of getting a mobile connection but sets a new benchmark for telecom distribution in India’s fast-moving digital landscape.

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