The cafe offers an array of options to cater to different dietary preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, Jain, and non-vegetarian.
Zoca, a homegrown café chain, has recently made its mark in Noida by launching its largest café yet. With a seating capacity of 85 people, the Zoca Courtyard situated in Sector 104 of Noida spans over an area of 3,500 sq. ft., as stated in a release on Friday.
The cafe offers an array of options to cater to different dietary preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, Jain, and non-vegetarian. In addition to this, the cafe also provides live performances and music to enhance the overall experience for its customers. To make the experience even more special, the menu is curated by their in-house Chef, Rajesh Sarkar, ensuring a unique and personalized dining experience.
Rohit Tandon, Co-founder, Zoca Café, said, “We are thrilled to launch Zoca Courtyard, our largest café yet, with its unique live sushi belt and diverse menu.”
“We are dedicated to ensuring that Zoca continues to grow and succeed, with plans to open 100+ cafes in India this year and expand internationally in the near future”, adds Karan Makan, Co-founder, Zoca Café.
As per the release, Zoca Cafe intends to expand globally beyond India, with plans to open outlets in Dubai, London, Canada, Australia, and Mauritius. The café chain’s expansion strategy extends beyond traditional cafes and includes restro-bars, QSRs, and other related ventures in these locations. This strategic move aims to take their unique experience and culinary offerings to a global audience.
As per a regulatory filing, Nestle has appointed Satish Srinivasan to the position of Executive Director of Technical.
According to a statement, Matthias Christoph Lohner will be stepping down from his position at the close of business hours on June 30th, 2023. Pending approvals, Satish Srinivasan will take over as the new Executive Director of Technical at Nestle from July 1st, 2023.
At present, he holds the position of Head of Operations for the Dairy Strategic Business Unit at Nestle in Switzerland. He began his career with Nestle India in 1993 and has since taken on multiple roles across various Nestle factories in regions such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the Indo-China Region, and the Equatorial Africa Region. Throughout his tenure, he has assumed greater responsibilities.
With more than 35 years of experience and an engineering degree, Srinivasan has made substantial contributions to the Nestle Group. He is well-regarded for his technical operations expertise and his ability to drive strategy, optimize capital expenditures, improve quality, and approach problem-solving in a people-oriented manner with a focus on speedy execution.
Nestle India posted a net profit of INR 736.64 crore in the first quarter, indicating a 24.7% increase. This is accompanied by a revenue growth of 20.98% to INR 4,830.53 crore during the quarter, considering that the company follows the January-December period as its fiscal year. Notably, Nestlé India, a leading packaged food company, reported that this quarter’s growth was the highest in a decade, excluding the exceptional quarter in 2016 when the base was low in 2015.
The company recorded a growth of 21.3% in total sales and 21.2% in domestic sales.
“I am pleased to share that we have continued to deliver robust sales growth this quarter, which is broad-based with a healthy balance of pricing, volume, and mix,” said Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestle India. He added all product categories witnessed double-digit growth consecutively for the fourth quarter in a row.
“Confectionery, led by Kitkat and Munch, posted strong growth, supported by consumer-led campaigns, innovation, and engagement. Beverages turned in another quarter of robust growth and market share gains led by Nescafe Classic, Sunrise, and GOLD. Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aids delivered strong growth across all products in its portfolio. One can discern portfolio upgradation happening in this category,” Narayanan stated. Milk products and Nutrition continued its strong performance led by Milkmaid, the company said.
“Our out-of-home business continued to accelerate rapidly this quarter. We continued with portfolio transformation, continued expansion, route to market focussed on relevant geographies, channel prioritisation, and opening of new kiosks in key locations. Our strong performance in e-commerce continued with significant growth in quick commerce,” he noted.
According to Narayanan, the company has expedited its journey towards sustained growth in “Rurban” areas, along with maintaining strong momentum in metro and mega cities.
“Rural growth was also strong, secular, and robust, being volume-led, which gives greater confidence and impetus to our efforts to enhance our footprint,” he added. Meanwhile, exports also posted strong double-digit growth in global markets through both mainstream and ethnic channels.
Nestle India reported that it is observing initial indications of a decline in prices of edible oils, wheat, and packaging materials concerning the commodities outlook. However, it further added that the cost of fresh milk, fuels, and green coffee is expected to remain stable due to the ongoing rise in demand and fluctuations.
On April 12, the company’s board announced an interim dividend of INR 27.0 per equity share for 2023, resulting in a total payout of INR 2,603.2 million.
The #AdoptDontShop campaign will utilize an integrated marketing strategy, including digital platforms and advocacy efforts, to spread its message.
Bisleri Vedica, the Himalayan Spring Water brand, has recently introduced a new initiative named #AdoptDontShop. The goal of this campaign is to promote Bisleri Vedica’s values of compassion and kindness by advocating for animal welfare and giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Through this campaign, Bisleri Vedica has teamed up with PETA India to encourage animal lovers to consider adopting pets, particularly Indie dogs, which are equally lovable and charming as other dog breeds.
With the increasing incidence of urban individuals getting home pets, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of adopting Indie breeds, which are abundant in India. Indie dogs are well-suited to India’s tropical climate, low-maintenance, and hardy, as per expert studies. In addition, the campaign stresses the need to adopt Indie dogs from animal shelters to discourage unethical and inhumane pet breeding practices. By promoting the adoption of Indie dogs, animal lovers can contribute to reducing the use of cruel pet breeding methods and provide loving homes to these lovable and charming animals.
Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Jayanti Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., said, “Bisleri Vedica stands on the core philosophy of kindness and care. Through #AdoptDontShop, we aim to connect with the audience to expand on the narrative of loving all animals. Adopting a pet comes from a place of pure love and kindness, especially when you pick one from the street or shelter home. This cause is extremely close to me as I have been adopting pets since childhood. Through this campaign, we hope to strike a chord among the discerning audience, motivating them to adopt pets and not purchase them.”
The #AdoptDontShop campaign will utilize an integrated marketing strategy, including digital platforms and advocacy efforts, to spread its message. Brand ambassador Dino Morea has endorsed the adoption of furry companions, particularly Indie breeds, by offering advice and sharing his views in the latest issue of GQ India. The campaign’s objective is to increase awareness of the advantages of adopting Indie dogs and decrease unethical and inhumane pet breeding practices by encouraging people to adopt pets from shelters.
Brand Ambassador Dino Morea said, “Adopting pets, especially Indies, is the most heart-warming act. Indie dogs are the heartiest pets. They are low maintenance and more loving. There are many on our Indian streets, and we should take care of them. The idea of adopting a pet is because you want to share the love with that animal. So, why not adopt an Indie dog; they also make you a great human being.”
Commenting on the association, Sachin Bangera, Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations PETA India, said, “People with the time, resources, love and patience can make an enormous difference by making a lifetime commitment to a cat or a dog adopted from an animal shelter or rescued from a perilous life on the streets. When you adopt from an animal shelter, you’ll not only save a life but also make a friend for life! PETA India is joining hands with Bisleri Vedica and Dino Morea urging people to help animals who are waiting in shelters and on streets to give them their loving homes.”
Bisleri Vedica’s partnership with PETA India will enable them to fund additional animal emergency services in New Delhi and Mumbai. The aim is to raise awareness of fostering homes for abandoned pets and create a collective consciousness of spreading the message of kindness towards animals.
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has a legacy spanning over 50 years and has become one of India’s largest premium beverage companies. As the producer of the country’s highest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri adheres to a rigorous process that includes 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification process. The company remains committed to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy drinking water.
Bisleri International boasts a strong presence, with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 distributors and 7,500 distribution trucks across India and neighboring countries. The company offers a diverse range of beverages suited for all occasions, including Bisleri Mineral Water, which promises goodness, trust, and purity, and Vedica Himalayan Spring Water, which provides a daily dose of health.
Additionally, Bisleri International has expanded its offerings to include a range of fun-filled refreshments, such as Limonata and Spyci, in multiple flavors. Customers can purchase these products, along with others, on Bisleri@Doorstep, the company’s e-commerce platform that ensures safe and uninterrupted delivery of its trusted brands to their doorstep.
At Bisleri International, the core values prioritize both growth and sustainability, emphasizing responsible practices throughout the business. Additionally, the company has taken on initiatives focused on supporting the community and protecting the environment.
Masqa has launched its first line of products, a portfolio of couverture chocolate products available in the form of bars, barks, and pebbles. (Representative Image)
Join Ventures, a company that specializes in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands for celebrations, is expanding its portfolio with the launch of Masqa, a new D2C premium food brand in the F&B space.
Masqa, the new premium food brand from Join Ventures, has launched its first line of products, a portfolio of couverture chocolate products available in the form of bars, barks, and pebbles. The brand offers a variety of innovative flavors and fine culinary craftsmanship.
Masqa was established in December 2022 and boasts an assortment of chocolate products that feature timeless tastes found in milk chocolate bars, such as Classic Smooth and Chewy Crunch, as well as dark chocolate bars such as Dark Divine and Nutty Delight. Additionally, Masqa incorporates original flavors into their chocolates, including pink Himalayan salt, chili, and rose.
Commenting on the launch, Anuja Joshi, Co-founder, Masqa said, “With the need for diversity and the evolving preferences of customers, we at Masqa have embarked upon a journey to offer delectable chocolate products to cater to customers with an evolved taste.”
“The idea behind launching Masqa was to cater to an audience that appreciates richness, flavors, and textures of chocolates. Masqa, as a premium chocolate brand, aims to offer its patrons luxury and indulgence with every bite. At the same time, it encourages the consumers to try bold flavors of its offerings made of unique ingredients like chilli, Himalayan pink salt, blonde rose etc. Masqa’s vision for its consumers is to celebrate smaller moments and simplest pleasures of life by transforming chocolate consumption into an ethereal experience” she added.
By launching Masqa, Join Ventures demonstrates its firm commitment to bringing novel and superior products to the market.
Masqa’s latest selection will be accessible via their official website in the top 25 cities.
Nestlé and PAI Partners have agreed to form a joint venture dedicated to Nestlé’s frozen pizza business in Europe, aiming to create a focused player in a dynamic and fiercely competitive market. Nestlé will retain a non-controlling stake with equal voting rights alongside PAI Partners. The proposed transaction is subject to regulatory authority approval and employee consultations and is anticipated to close by the second half of 2023. No financial details have been disclosed.
Nestlé’s frozen pizza business operates across several European countries and generates an annual revenue of roughly CHF 400 million. The business distributes pizzas under the brands Wagner, Buitoni, and Garden Gourmet in countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The joint venture will be based in Germany and managed by an accomplished and seasoned team. It will operate two production sites located in Nonnweiler, Germany, and Benevento, Italy.
Marco Settembri, Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer Zone Europe at Nestlé, said, “We took a thorough look at our European pizza business and concluded that partnering with PAI provides the best platform to develop its full potential. Nestlé will remain invested in this business and participate in future growth and value creation as the joint venture continues to provide the very best pizza for consumers and retail partners.”
Frédéric Stévenin, Managing Partner at PAI Partners, said, “This transaction is testimony to our relationship with Nestlé and brings together Nestlé’s iconic brands with PAI’s depth of expertise in creating leaders in Food & Consumer. We are delighted to once again partner with Nestlé to replicate our previous success.”
After the prosperous establishment of Froneri in 2016, a joint venture with PAI Partners, Nestlé and PAI Partners have formed another partnership. Froneri, which now leads the global ice cream market with iconic brands and top-notch category expertise, served as the inspiration for this new collaboration.
The proposed partnership will exclusively cover Nestlé’s frozen pizza business in Europe, while the company’s dominant pizza business in the United States will remain a crucial component of Nestlé’s frozen food operations in the region and will not be included in the collaboration.
Jack Vereker (left) and Tom Bishop (right) in front of Sainsbury’s. (Photo credit: El Rayo)
El Rayo, a Tequila company operating in the UK, has partnered with Sainsbury’s to secure its first-ever listing at a major supermarket.
With its inception in 2019, El Rayo will now offer its Plata expression in 400 Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK, priced at a recommended retail price of £34.95 ($43.55). Notably, this Tequila will be the first at the supermarket to exceed the £30 mark, according to El Rayo. The Plata variation is marketed to be consumed with tonic water, resembling the consumption of gin.
“There’s plenty to do there. We’ve only launched one SKU with them so obviously, it’ll be great to get a second SKU,” Co-founder Tom Bishop said regarding the partnership with Sainsbury’s.
“So, I think for us, the main message is just absolutely knock it out of the park with Sainsbury’s this year and see where that takes us.”
Bishop has outlined El Rayo’s plan for the upcoming year, emphasizing the significance of on-trade sales for the company.
“In terms of growth, those [on- and off-trade] are the two big focus channels for us – a combination of launching with Sainsbury’s and increasing distribution in the on-trade, both from a volume perspective but also from a footprint perspective.”
Additionally, El Rayo has recently introduced its products to Hammonds, a northern England-based beverage wholesaler, as well as two other wholesalers in Scotland. The Tequila brand is now available in more than 500 on-trade locations.
According to Bishop, El Rayo is currently offered through Amazon in Germany and via online retailer Tastillery outside of the UK. However, there are currently no definite plans to expand into additional international markets in the near future.
Regarding the concerns of high agave prices and potential supply chain disruptions within the rapidly growing Tequila market, Bishop mentioned that El Rayo has not been severely impacted.
“It’s been a challenge. I don’t think anyone in the Tequila category will tell you differently and, if they are, they’re probably lying,” Bishop said.
“It’s a challenge we’ve managed quite nicely as a brand. We probably came in at quite a nice time. I think there’s already been quite a significant increase, so, we could position the brand from a price perspective accordingly. And I think we’re probably not at the size where we’re massively overexposed.”
Bishop added, “Who knows what the next 12 months hold? I’m not going to sit here and say that it [price point] is set in stone because I don’t think anybody can but, at the moment, we’ve been able to resist any price increases, which potentially is not the same for every other brand, but we just feel quite passionately about our price point.”
At the start of this year, Bishop and co-founder Jack Vereker obtained an investment of £870,000 and suggested that the company may seek additional funding around the same time next year.
Based on a report by GlobalData, it is anticipated that the Tequila and mezcal industry in the UK will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2021, leading to a market value of £142.7m by 2026.
The company aims to finalize the setup of a 50,000-tonnes-per-annum french fries line and a 12,000-tonnes potato speciality line by December 2023. (Representative Image)
Himalaya Food International, a company in the frozen and canned food processing industry, is in the process of revitalizing its french fries business, as per the announcement made by its chairman on Monday.
To align with the potato season commencing in March 2024, the company aims to finalize the setup of a 50,000-tonnes-per-annum french fries line and a 12,000-tonnes potato speciality line by December 2023.
“These lines have the potential to add INR 700 crore to the top-line at full capacity,” said Himalaya Foods International Ltd (HFIL) Chairman Man Mohan Malik in a letter addressing shareholders.
Previously, HFIL had entered into a joint venture (JV) with Simplot USA. However, a disagreement arose between the two JV partners, and the matter was taken to arbitration in Singapore.
According to reports, the American JV partner has claimed a refund of USD 14 million in relation to the sale of the french fries line and potato specialty lines.
A ruling from the tribunal has mandated Simplot to return the equipment for both the french fries and potato specialty lines, while HFIL has been instructed to pay a sum of USD 3.96 million.
“Though we are confident to neutralise any claims raised by the failed JV partners due to their own repudiation of the Singapore award by defying the ‘time bound’ return of the machinery, we are geared up to generate and save funds for any adverse judgments,” he said.
In a one-time settlement (OTS) agreement, the company has resolved outstanding debts with a consortium of banks by paying a total of INR 82.80 crore.
“We have already paid INR 46.75 crore, including Rs 10 crore interim relief from the insurance company. We plan to pay the balance amount in the next four months and have aligned the balance claim amount from insurance and the proceeds from the sale of Rajasthan land to become debt-free company by October 2023,” he said.
At present, Himalaya Food International’s primary focus is to reinforce working capital, generate funds from non-core assets, and fulfill a backlog of export orders.
“French fries and other fried and frozen potato products have a great demand in India and worldwide. Gujarat has become the hub for the exports of potato-based products due to massive contract farming and suitable climatic conditions,” he said.
Instead of relying on traditional sources in Europe and North America, the entire South-East Asia region, along with Japan and the Middle East, is now procuring their french fries from Gujarat.
FMCG and beverage giant, Coca-Cola, reported that during Q1, it recorded almost 3 billion transactions in India. The majority of these transactions were driven by affordable single-serve packages and entry-level packs for at-home consumption, as stated in the company’s quarterly results announcement on Monday.
The beverage retailer not only utilized entry-level packs, but also implemented focused promotions on bulk packages to enhance its household penetration, as per available information.
In anticipation of the summer season, Coca-Cola announced that it had widened its reach by adding approximately 300,000 stores and about 40,000 coolers in India, in partnership with its bottling affiliates.
“The company grew its business in the first quarter in India by adding retailers, investing in cold-drink equipment, and offering the right products at the right price points to recruit consumers,” Coca-Cola said in its earnings statement.
In the Asia Pacific region, the FMCG giant observed a 10 percent surge in unit case volume, driven by China, India, and Australia. Nevertheless, the company reported a 15 percent decrease in its operating income in the same region, attributing it to elevated operating expenses.
“We are off to a great start,” said James Quincey, Chairman, and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company in an earnings call adding that while macro environment concerns remain, the company will focus on adapting to consumer needs and adding top-line growth.
The company’s net revenue increased by 5 percent, amounting to USD 11 billion, as reported.
TagZ, India’s largest popped chips maker, has partnered Rajasthan Royals cricket team to launch co-branded products and snack packs for this season, part of its wider strategy to expand its portfolio with innovative flavours.
As an official licensee partner of the Royals, TagZ has a launched Rajasthan Royals X TagZ hamper exclusively on ecommerce such as Swiggy, Instamart, Blinkit and Zepto. In addition, exclusive hampers with limited edition Royals merchandise such as Rajasthan Royals jerseys and beer mugs will be available exclusively online on TagZ’s official site www.tagzfoods.com
TagZ Foods, established in 2019 by Anish Basu Roy and Sagar Bhalotia, is India’s first brand to manufacture popped potato chips with 50% less fat, premium bar snacks, and a selection of international gourmet dips.
The Bengaluru-based TagZ Foods counts 9 Unicorns, Dexter Angels, Agility Ventures, Venture Catalysts, along with Namita Thapar, Ashneer Grover, Arjun Vaidya as it’s investors is planning expand its product line, production capacity and strengthen its distribution to other cities in the country.
The startup utilizes cutting-edge food technology to make snacking experiences such as potato chips that claim to have no cholesterol, no transfat, no artificial colors, or preservatives and centre-filled hemp cookies.
Commenting on the launch, Anish Basu Roy, Founder, TagZ, said, “TagZ represents the young consumers that are looking for better snacking options. As a challenger brand in the chips and wafers market, we believe Rajasthan Royals holds that special place amongst the cricket fans. The Royals also represent never losing without a fight, being resilient and TagZ being a GenZ brand resonates with these values. We are excited to partner with Rajasthan Royals and hope to provide its fans with the most royal snacking experience through our range of popped potato chips with 50% less fat, hemp cookies and gourmet dips.”
TagZ will also be launching its Rajasthan Royals co-branded masala and cream onion flavours in single-serve packs priced at INR 30 across its 5000 stores in top 20 cities.
Zameer Kochar, Chief Marketing Officer, Rajasthan Royals, said, “We are always trying to find innovative ways of engaging with our supporters and enhancing their matchday experiences. This association with India’s first and largest popped chips maker, Tagz, ensures that we are also promoting a healthy lifestyle amongst our fans given the wide range of co-branded products that are on offer which provides them with refreshing snacking options while they cheer for us.”
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