Amazon Fresh Expands to 170+ Cities as Grocery Sales Surge 50%—Srikant Sree Ram on the Next Big Growth Phase
Amazon India announced on Wednesday that its grocery delivery service, Amazon Fresh, has expanded to over 170 cities and towns across the country. The service was previously available in 130 locations, marking a significant jump in its footprint.
This expansion follows a 50% year-over-year growth in the second half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Southern India has been the biggest growth driver, recording a 50% surge, while the Eastern region saw a 40% increase, according to the company.
“Reaching 170+ cities and towns allows us to serve customers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions, making fresh and high-quality groceries more accessible at competitive prices. The strong growth we’ve seen confirms that consumers value Amazon Fresh for its affordability, variety, and reliable delivery slots,” said Srikant Sree Ram, Director of Amazon Fresh India.
Amazon Fresh offers a wide range of grocery essentials, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, frozen goods, beauty and personal care items, baby products, and pet supplies. Unlike instant delivery models, Amazon Fresh follows a scheduled delivery approach with a two-hour delivery window, striking a balance between convenience and selection.
With this latest expansion, Amazon is pushing deeper into India’s grocery market, competing aggressively with both traditional supermarkets and quick-commerce players.
Country Delight Raises ₹212.5 Crore from Temasek’s V-Sciences—Gears Up for IPO and Quick Commerce Battle
Dairy-tech startup Country Delight is set to raise $25 million (₹212.5 crore) in fresh funding, likely as part of its Series E round, from Temasek-backed V-Sciences Investments Pte Ltd.
According to filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Country Delight’s board has approved the issuance of over 1 lakh Series E compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) to V-Sciences Investments at a price of ₹21,045 per share. The company has not responded to media inquiries about the funding round, which was first reported by Entrackr.
What’s the Money For?
The filings indicate that the new capital will be used for working capital needs and an unspecified “project”—details of which remain under wraps.
This marks Country Delight’s second major fundraise in six months. Back in October 2024, the startup secured ₹200 crore in debt funding from Alteria Capital. At the time, co-founder Chakradhar Gade emphasized that raising capital from multiple sources was key to improving financial efficiency and gearing up for a future IPO.
“We are strategically using different types of funding to optimize our financial structure and set the stage for our next growth phase,” Gade said during the October round.
Expansion & Quick Commerce Bet
Since its last fundraise, Country Delight has been aggressively expanding its product portfolio and entering new markets. The startup, known for its direct-to-consumer (D2C) fresh milk and dairy products, has also dabbled in quick commerce, launching 10-15 minute deliveries in select areas of Delhi-NCR, as reported by Financial Express in December.
While its traditional daily delivery model has been its core strength, the pivot into the ultra-fast delivery space signals an interesting shift in strategy. However, it remains to be seen how this new approach is performing against established quick-commerce players.
With fresh capital in hand and an IPO on the horizon, Country Delight’s next moves will be crucial in shaping its position in India’s evolving dairy and grocery delivery market.
UPI Crashes Again! 3,000+ Users Hit by Nationwide Outage, NPCI Blames “Technical Issues
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system faced a major disruption on March 26, leaving users across the country unable to make digital transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) confirmed that services were restored late in the evening after what it described as “intermittent technical issues.”
NPCI addressed the outage in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“UPI faced partial declines due to intermittent technical issues. The problem has now been resolved, and the system has stabilized. We regret the inconvenience caused.”
According to outage tracking platform Downdetector, UPI issues began around 6:30 PM, affecting major third-party payment apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm. The situation worsened by 8 PM, with over 3,000 users reporting transaction failures.
Recurring UPI Failures Raising Concerns
This marks the fourth major UPI outage in a year. Previous disruptions include:
• February 2024: A nationwide outage caused by partner bank issues, as per NPCI.
• June 2023: A delay in UPI payments impacted mutual fund transactions, causing discrepancies in Net Asset Values (NAVs). The BSE later clarified that the issue stemmed from a lag in payment processing rather than a system-wide glitch.
With digital payments becoming an essential part of everyday transactions, frequent outages in India’s most widely used payment system have raised concerns about reliability. While NPCI has not disclosed further details about the March 26 outage, users will be hoping for a more stable system in the future.
Mila Beauté Secures ₹18 Crore in Pre-Series A Led by Rukam Capital, Targets ₹600 Crore Growth
Homegrown beauty brand Mila Beauté has secured $2.16 million (approx. ₹18 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round, led by Rukam Capital. The company is now valued at ₹303 crore ($35.3 million). The fresh capital will be used to fuel expansion, enhance research and development, introduce new product lines, and strengthen its market presence.
A Growing Beauty Empire
Founded by Saahil Nayar, Sachin Chadha, and Keshav Chadha, Mila Beauté offers a wide range of beauty products, from lipsticks and foundations to eyeliners and skincare-infused makeup. The brand prides itself on clean, high-quality formulations free from harmful chemicals.
Currently, Mila Beauté generates $7.23 million in annual revenue and aims to double its growth over the next 12 to 18 months.
Expanding Retail Footprint
With a presence in 10,000+ retail outlets across India, Mila Beauté is on track to double its distribution network by the end of the year.
“We’ve always believed in building a brand that goes beyond fleeting trends. Our goal is to create products that truly resonate with the modern Indian consumer—high-quality, homegrown, and backed by data-driven insights. Partnering with Rukam Capital allows us to scale aggressively, whether it’s investing in manufacturing, developing innovative skin-friendly formulations, or strengthening our market reach. Most importantly, we remain committed to quality and staying deeply connected with our consumers,” the founders shared.
Backing from Rukam Capital
Rukam Capital sees immense potential in Mila Beauté’s approach. Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner, noted:
“India’s beauty industry is evolving rapidly, with consumers demanding products tailored to their changing needs. Mila Beauté stands out with its research-driven approach, prioritizing skincare and high-performance formulas. The brand is poised to redefine the beauty experience in the years ahead.”
With this latest round of funding, Mila Beauté is gearing up for its next phase of growth, solidifying its position as a key player in India’s booming beauty market.
Pizza Wings’ $2.8 Million Fund Boost: Backed by Nikhil Kamath and Sujeet Kumar, the Haryana-Based QSR Brand Aims 100 Outlets by 2025
Homegrown quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand Pizza Wings has raised $2.8 million in a follow-up funding round, with investments from prominent backers including Gruhas, the investment arm of Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai, along with Udaan co-founder Sujeet Kumar and other strategic investors.
This comes after the company secured $4 million in a seed funding round last year. With the fresh capital, Pizza Wings plans to expand aggressively across Northern and Northeastern India while laying the groundwork for further growth.
A Fresh Take on Pizza
Founded in 2014 by Aditya Dhanda, Rajpal Sangwan, and Vikas Nain, Pizza Wings has carved a niche in the Indian pizza scene with its “Fresh Dough, Fresh Ingredients” approach. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, the brand focuses on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The dough is fermented using a cold fermentation process, ensuring authentic flavor and texture. Additionally, strict FSSAI-compliant procedures ensure food safety and hygiene.
“Pizza Wings has seen tremendous growth because we’ve stayed committed to offering pizzas that combine global quality with authentic Indian flavors. Our tech-driven delivery system has further enhanced the customer experience. By using fresh, preservative-free ingredients, we’ve built a brand that resonates with consumers,” said Aditya Dhanda, Co-founder and CEO.
Betting Big on Emerging Markets
While international chains tend to dominate metros and Tier 1 cities, Pizza Wings sees untapped potential in smaller towns. The brand plans to expand its presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, catering to the growing demand for high-quality, affordable pizzas outside major urban centers.
Headquartered in Haryana, the company aims to launch 50 new stores and reach a total of 100 outlets by the end of 2025. To support this growth, Pizza Wings is also looking to hire key talent across departments like finance, logistics, and marketing.
With this fresh round of funding and a solid growth strategy, Pizza Wings is positioning itself as a strong challenger in India’s ever-growing QSR landscape, bringing its signature fresh pizzas to more cities across the country.
Tapping into India’s $42 Billion Snacking Market: How Gaurav Palrecha’s Madmix is Challenging Legacy Snack Giants with Affordable, Healthy Alternatives
In a country where snacking is practically a tradition, finding a guilt-free, flavorful option has always been a challenge. Enter Madmix, a brand on a mission to shake up the industry by offering healthier snacks without compromising on taste or affordability. Founded by Gaurav Palrecha, the brand emerged from a need to provide consumers with an accessible alternative to traditional packaged snacks.
Back in 2019, the Indian government banned packaged junk food in institutions like schools, colleges, and hospitals. The absence of convenient, healthy options led to a market gap that Gaurav saw as an opportunity. “People were left with expensive choices like makhana or so-called ‘baked puffs’ that still contained high sodium and oil content,” he explains. Determined to offer something better, Gaurav embarked on a rigorous 9-month R&D journey. The goal? Develop a snack with the nostalgic crunch of popular options like Cheetos, but with cleaner ingredients and a budget-friendly price tag.
Crunching the Competition
Madmix stands out on three fronts — branding, texture, and price. With a striking and vibrant design, the packaging veers away from the conventional color codes that dominate snack shelves. “We wanted our product to pop, not just blend in,” Gaurav notes. More importantly, the taste and crunch of Madmix puffs rival leading brands, thanks to inputs from two of India’s largest namkeen producers. At ₹20 per pack, it’s a snack designed to be within reach for everyday consumers.
Disrupting the Marketing Playbook
While most new-age brands flood digital platforms with marketing campaigns, Madmix took a different route. “We focused on alternate channels like offices, schools, hospitals, and metro stations,” Gaurav shares. This hyper-targeted approach has allowed the brand to grow organically, without relying on traditional advertising or hefty listing fees. The goal was simple — be where the consumer is.
Flavor Innovation with a Twist
Innovation remains at the heart of Madmix. The brand’s upcoming launches are a testament to its commitment to bold, nostalgic flavors. Take their Millet Bhel, for instance — a wholesome blend of ragi, bajra, and rice flakes paired with nine different seasonings. Then there’s the Nardana Raisin, a tangy-sweet snack reminiscent of classic digestive candies like Hajmola. It’s this constant push for creativity that keeps customers intrigued.
Madmix’s recent appearance on Shark Tank India brought well-deserved attention to its unique proposition. Gaurav recalls how the sharks couldn’t stop munching on the puffs mid-pitch. “The validation from the sharks, especially on the taste, was one of our proudest moments,” he says. Beyond the immediate visibility, the platform opened doors to consumers across smaller towns where healthier snacks are often harder to find.
Gaurav envisions Madmix becoming a household staple within the next three to five years. From midnight munchies to an afternoon snack break, the brand aims to cater to every craving. In a market where consumers are increasingly conscious about their health, Madmix bridges the gap — offering premium quality without the premium price.
As the snacking landscape evolves, one thing’s clear: Madmix is here to stay, proving that good health and great taste can go hand in hand.
Firefly Diamonds Raises $3 Million from WestBridge Capital to Expand Across 20 Cities, Betting Big on India’s $8.31 Billion Lab-Grown Diamond Boom
Lab-grown diamond jewellery brand Firefly Diamonds has secured $3 million in seed funding, with WestBridge Capital leading the round. The Bhansali brothers, Adit and Aayush, founded the company in December 2023, drawing from their family’s 60-year legacy in jewellery craftsmanship.
Expansion and Innovation Plans
The fresh capital will fuel Firefly Diamonds’ ambitious expansion plans, with the brand aiming to establish its presence in over 20 cities across India within the next two years. Currently operating stores in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, Firefly Diamonds intends to strengthen its retail network while also investing in R&D to develop innovative jewellery collections.
“Our commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and sustainable luxury drives us. Every piece we create reflects our dedication to quality and artistry,” said Adit Bhansali. “This funding will help us bring affordable luxury to more cities while redefining the fine jewellery experience for Indian consumers.”
Firefly Diamonds uses advanced technology to produce lab-grown diamonds that mirror the physical, chemical, and optical characteristics of natural diamonds. These ethically sourced stones offer consumers a more sustainable and environmentally conscious alternative to traditionally mined diamonds.
The growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) in India is evident, with the market valued at $2.61 billion in 2023. Consulting firm Technopak predicts the sector will surge to $8.31 billion by 2032, expanding at a 13% CAGR. Firefly Diamonds aims to tap into this booming demand by providing elegant, eco-friendly jewellery.
Exclusive Offerings and Personalized Services
Catering to the evolving preferences of modern buyers, Firefly Diamonds offers a diverse range of jewellery crafted in 14K and 18K gold. The brand also introduces personalized experiences through innovative services:
• Try at Home: Allowing customers to view and try jewellery from the comfort of their homes.
• Firefly Sparkle Plan: An instalment-based savings program designed to make luxury purchases more accessible.
• Old Gold Exchange: Providing an opportunity for customers to exchange old gold jewellery for Firefly’s creations.
• Firefly Reserve: A bespoke collection of high jewellery, offering tailor-made pieces for exclusive clientele.
With a blend of tradition, innovation, and sustainability, Firefly Diamonds is carving a niche in India’s luxury jewellery market. The brand’s focus on offering guilt-free, elegant diamond jewellery positions it well to capture the rising demand for conscious luxury.
Decathlon Bounces Back: From ₹18.6 Crore Loss to ₹197 Crore Profit in FY24, Thanks to Aggressive Cost Control and Smart Spending
French sports retailer Decathlon has made a striking financial comeback, reporting a ₹197 crore profit in FY24 after incurring a ₹18.6 crore loss the previous year. The shift to profitability came despite a modest 2.3% rise in revenue, which stood at ₹4,008 crore compared to ₹3,920 crore in FY23.
Cost Control Drives Profitability
Decathlon’s turnaround was largely driven by aggressive cost management. The company’s total expenses dropped to ₹3,797 crore in FY24, down from ₹3,975 crore in the previous year. Key savings came from trimming expenditures in areas like utilities, rent, maintenance, advertising, technology, and logistics. Even procurement costs, which typically account for the bulk of its spending at 64.4%, saw a noticeable reduction.
This efficiency push significantly improved Decathlon’s financial health, reducing its spending to just ₹0.95 for every rupee earned. The company’s EBITDA margin climbed to 14.49%, while its return on capital employed (ROCE) rose to 17.79%, underscoring its improved profitability.
With 90 stores spread across India, Decathlon maintains a robust physical presence that complements its online operations. The brand’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) model allows it to oversee everything from product design and manufacturing to in-store experiences and digital sales.
Decathlon’s diverse product range covers popular categories like cycling, hiking, football, swimming, and running. By offering affordable, high-quality sports gear under its own private labels, the retailer has built a reputation for value and reliability. Its immersive store layouts, complete with trial zones and interactive experiences, continue to draw foot traffic and foster customer loyalty.
Non-Operating Income Adds to the Bottom Line
In addition to operational improvements, Decathlon’s earnings were bolstered by non-operating income. The company earned ₹58 crore in interest from investments, contributing to a total revenue of ₹4,066 crore. This financial boost further strengthened its position as one of the leading sports retailers in the country.
With its renewed profitability, cost-conscious operations, and focus on customer engagement, Decathlon is well-positioned for sustained growth in the competitive Indian market.
Cold-Pressed Oil Market Heats Up: Gramiyaa Bags ₹7.2 Crore, Ramps Up Production to 4 Lakh Litres, and Targets ₹36 Crore ARR
Gramiyaa, a cold-pressed oil brand with a vertically integrated production model, has secured ₹7.2 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. The investment was led by Homegrown Ventures, Campus Fund, and Mumbai Angels.
The company was founded by third-generation oil maker Sibi Manivannan and specializes in wood cold-pressed oils. Unlike conventional brands, Gramiyaa controls the entire manufacturing process at its own advanced facility to ensure consistent quality, hygiene, and process integrity. It sells its products through its direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform, major retail outlets, e-commerce sites, and quick-commerce platforms.
With the fresh capital, Gramiyaa is significantly scaling up operations. The company is set to expand its production capacity to 4 lakh litres per month. The funds will also be used to strengthen sourcing, streamline manufacturing, and improve distribution networks. Quick commerce has emerged as one of its fastest-growing channels, and the brand aims to deepen its presence in both online and offline retail.
Gramiyaa has set an ambitious target of reaching ₹36 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by March 2025. This growth milestone would further cement its position as a leader in India’s cold-pressed oil market.
“Our decision to manage production in-house has been key to delivering high-quality products at scale,” said CEO Yaseen. “This funding will help us not only expand but also raise awareness about the benefits of cold-pressed oils. We’re committed to building Gramiyaa into the preferred choice for health-conscious consumers.”
Nader Amiri, General Partner at Homegrown Ventures, expressed strong confidence in Gramiyaa’s growth trajectory. “Cold-pressed oils are no longer a niche market in India — they’ve become a significant segment driven by growing consumer demand for healthier choices. Gramiyaa is setting new standards in quality and transparency, and reinvesting in their growth was an obvious decision for us,” he said.
With this expansion, Gramiyaa is well on its way to reshaping how Indians consume cooking oil, offering a healthier alternative without compromising on taste or quality.
From Gurugram to Global: Burger Singh Valued at ₹430 Crore, Eyes Aggressive Expansion with 200+ New Stores Across India’s Smaller Cities
Burger Singh, the homegrown burger chain known for its Indian twist on classic fast food, is gearing up for major expansion across India. The company has announced plans to open over 200 new outlets, mainly targeting tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the next few years.
The move comes as consumer spending in smaller cities surges, with more than half of India’s middle-class growth now coming from non-metro regions. Burger Singh has already capitalized on this shift, operating over 175 outlets, 103 of which are in non-metro cities. Unlike many other fast-food brands that focused on metros, Burger Singh took a different route — a strategy that now generates 70% of its revenue. The company also reported a doubling of year-on-year sales, highlighting the strength of its regional approach.
“We identified the untapped potential of smaller cities early on,” said Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder and CEO of Burger Singh. “Our QSR model is designed to thrive in these markets, and by focusing on operational efficiency and making franchising opportunities more accessible, we’ve been able to lead the non-metro QSR wave in India.”
Founded in 2014 in Gurugram, Burger Singh has rapidly expanded across over 75 cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Shillong, Jaipur, Dehradun, Jammu, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Amritsar. The chain has also ventured beyond India, with three outlets and a food truck in London.
Following its recent pre-series B funding round, which pushed its valuation to ₹430 crore, Burger Singh is well-positioned to continue its aggressive growth. With its focus on regional flavors and a localized approach, the brand is set to bring its signature desi burgers to even more cities across the country.
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