Ekart & IKEA Team Up for High-Speed Deliveries: 24-Hour Fulfillment, 7,000+ Products, and Electric Fleet Rollout in North India
Ekart, a leading supply chain and logistics company, has teamed up with IKEA India to streamline last-mile deliveries for the home furnishing giant. Under this partnership, Ekart will handle the doorstep delivery of IKEA’s extensive 7,000+ product catalog, ensuring faster and more efficient order fulfillment across North India.
With its expertise in managing large parcels, Ekart will play a key role in executing quick and optimized deliveries, allowing IKEA to fulfill most customer orders within 24 hours. The collaboration is expected to enhance operational efficiency, as Ekart boasts a 99%+ success rate in pre-paid shipments, setting high industry standards for reliability and precision.
Deliveries will be powered through IKEA India’s newly launched fulfillment hub in Delhi-NCR, where real-time tracking will offer customers better visibility of their orders. Additionally, the partnership aligns with IKEA’s sustainability goals, as Ekart will deploy a fleet of electric vehicles to reduce the environmental impact of its logistics operations.
Mani Bhushan, Chief Business Officer at Ekart, highlighted the synergy between the two brands, stating:
“This collaboration reflects Ekart’s capability to provide enterprise-grade supply chain solutions for large retailers. IKEA’s mission is to create a better everyday life for people, and we are proud to contribute to that vision. Our shared values of transparency, sustainability, and customer-first service make this a natural fit. Together, we aim to deliver an unmatched experience for IKEA customers.”
Beyond this partnership, Ekart supports over 400 retail brands, offering a range of logistics services, including last-mile delivery, part-truckload (PTL) and full-truckload (FTL) shipping, warehousing, and innovations like Open Box Delivery and product refurbishing. With this latest collaboration, Ekart continues to strengthen its position as a go-to logistics partner for major retail brands in India.
Bewakoof Expands Offline Presence with New Store in Bengaluru’s Koramangala
Casual fashion brand Bewakoof has opened its latest retail outlet in Koramangala, Bengaluru, marking its fourth store in the city. The brand, known for its quirky and affordable apparel, announced the launch on social media, calling it “Koramangala’s new fashion hotspot.”
Founded in 2012 by IIT alumni Prabhakaran Singh and Siddharth Munot, Bewakoof started as a digital-first brand, catering primarily to 16-34-year-olds with a range of clothing and accessories for men, women, and kids. After over a decade as an online-only player, the brand stepped into offline retail in July 2024, opening its first store at Forum Falcon Mall, Bengaluru.
With additional stores in HSR Layout and Brigade Road, the Koramangala launch strengthens Bewakoof’s foothold in the city. Beyond Bengaluru, the brand also operates stores in Pune and New Delhi, bringing its total offline count to six.
As Bewakoof continues expanding its brick-and-mortar presence, the move signals a growing demand for D2C brands in physical retail, blending the convenience of online shopping with an in-store experience.
Art Prices Crash by 18.3%, Whisky Falls 19.3% from Peak—Knight Frank’s 2025 Report Reveals the Biggest Luxury Investment Shocks
Luxury collectibles took a hit in 2024, with fine art suffering the steepest decline among passion investments, dropping 18.3% year-on-year, according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2025. The report, released on Wednesday, reveals that while some high-end assets managed to hold their ground, several once-thriving categories saw sharp corrections.
The Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), which tracks the performance of ten sought-after collectibles, showed that only half of them appreciated in value last year. Handbags emerged as the strongest performer, with a 2.8% rise, followed by jewelry (2.3%), rare coins (2.1%), watches (1.7%), and classic cars (1.2%).
At the other end of the spectrum, fine art took a major hit, reversing its double-digit gains from 2023 and faring worse than it did during the COVID-19 crash, when values dropped 17%. Fine wine was next in line, sliding 9.1%, as shifting consumer habits reshaped the market.
The rare whisky sector, which had been on a decade-long bull run, saw another difficult year. Prices slumped 9% in 2024, bringing total losses to 19.3% since the market’s 2022 peak. Increased availability of stock in the secondary market has put significant pressure on prices.
Other categories that struggled included designer furniture, which declined 2.8%, and colored diamonds, down 2.2%.
Overall, the KFLII index fell 3.3% in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of negative growth. The once-reliable assumption that rarity guarantees rising value is now being challenged, as collectors and investors navigate a more unpredictable landscape.
Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank, provided a long-term perspective on the luxury investment space:
“Over time, collectibles have proven their worth as an investment. If you had put $1 million into the KFLII in 2005, that portfolio would now be worth $5.4 million. By comparison, the same amount invested in the S&P 500 would be valued at $5 million today.”
Despite the current slowdown, the report suggests that luxury assets remain a key component of high-net-worth portfolios, though selectivity and timing will be crucial moving forward.
Double Bull’s Big Comeback: CEO Jatin Manodra Unveils Bold Expansion Plans to Hit ₹100 Crore by FY31
Celebrating five decades in the fashion industry, men’s clothing brand Double Bull—known for its bold, vibrant party wear that made waves in the ’90s—is making a strong comeback in Indian retail with an ambitious expansion plan.
The brand, which currently generates Rs 35 crore in revenue, is setting its sights on hitting Rs 100 crore by FY31. To fuel this growth, Double Bull is ramping up its presence in multi-brand outlets (MBOs) and plans to open over 50 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) across urban and rural markets in 14 states by the end of this year.
Taking a step into the digital-first space, the company has also announced the launch of its own e-commerce platform, expected to go live later this year. Alongside these expansion efforts, Double Bull has brought in key leadership hires to steer the brand into its next phase of growth.
Founded in 1974, Double Bull became a household name with its trendsetting party shirts that captured the imagination of young India. Now, with a renewed focus, the brand is looking to strike the perfect balance between premium quality and affordability, making stylish fashion accessible to a wider audience.
“As we celebrate 50 years in the industry, this milestone is a testament to our brand’s resilience and commitment,” said Jatin Manodra, CEO of Double Bull. “With a refreshed vision and a strong leadership team in place, we’re charting a clear path for sustained growth.”
Beyond its retail expansion, Double Bull is also diversifying its product range to cater to today’s evolving consumer needs. The brand is set to introduce a fresh collection that goes beyond party wear—offering stylish, high-quality apparel designed for versatility, comfort, and everyday wear.
Indian Startups Raised $1.65 Billion in February 2025—Oxyzo, udaan, and Cashfree Among Top Fundraisers
Indian startups pulled in $1.65 billion (₹14,418 crore) in funding in February 2025, with median valuations hitting $83.2 million, according to Tracxn data.
With this, total startup funding for FY25 (April 2024–February 2025) has climbed to $25.4 billion across 2,200 deals. February’s funding also marked a 19.5% jump from January’s $1.38 billion but was 20% lower than the $2.06 billion raised in February 2024.
Bengaluru remained the country’s startup funding hub, raising $353 million, with a median round size of $2 million. Mumbai, while securing lesser total funding at $102 million, saw a higher median round size of $5 million, indicating larger individual investments.
Biggest Fundraises in February 2025
The month saw major funding rounds, led by fintech player Oxyzo, which secured ₹100 crore in debt financing. Close behind was B2B marketplace udaan, which bagged $75 million in Series G equity funding, with M&G Plc as the lead investor.
Other notable deals included:
SpotDraft
Cashfree Payments
Zeta
Geniemode
Key Acquisitions That Made Headlines
Head Digital Works bought Deltatech Gaming (Adda52’s parent company) for ₹491 crore.
Swarovski Expands in India: Opens Second-Largest Store at Pacific Mall, Delhi After Gurugram Flagship
Global luxury crystal brand Swarovski has unveiled its second-largest store in India at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, New Delhi, marking another major retail expansion in the country.
Announcing the launch on LinkedIn, Tanveer Kaur, Distribution and Real Estate Manager – South Asia at Swarovski, shared images of the store and wrote, “Super proud to announce the launch of Swarovski Wonderlux Store at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, New Delhi.”
A Glimpse Into Swarovski’s Wonderlux Concept
The new Delhi store follows the brand’s signature Wonderlux design, featuring a striking purple theme and octagonal displays along the perimeter. Each display highlights an exquisite collection of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, showcasing Swarovski’s craftsmanship.
This opening comes just months after Swarovski launched its largest store in India at Ambience Mall, Gurugram, in December 2024.
Swarovski’s Legacy in India and Beyond
Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski has grown into a global powerhouse, with a presence in over 150 countries and more than 2,400 boutiques worldwide.
The brand first entered India in 2000, setting up a production unit in Pune, and has since expanded its footprint across the country, catering to a growing market for premium crystal jewelry and accessories.
Araku Coffee Goes Global: Andhra’s GCC Secures Organic Certification, Tata Consumer Steps In as Key Buyer
The Girijan Cooperative Corporation Ltd (GCC) of Andhra Pradesh has taken a major leap in the organic coffee market, securing organic certification for Araku Coffee—a move that has unlocked exports to European markets and landed a major domestic deal with Tata Consumer Products.
Organic Certification Opens New Doors
GCC’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kalpana Kumari, confirmed that the certification has already generated strong interest. “With this certification, we have started marketing organic coffee separately. The response has been fantastic, with orders already secured from Germany, Italy, and Tata Group in India,” she said in a statement to PTI.
Tata Consumer Products has now partnered with GCC to market and sell certified organic Araku Coffee, grown by tribal farmers in the Paderu Agency region.
“We’ve always known Araku coffee to be organic, but this is the first time we have secured an official certification,” Kumari added.
A Landmark Project in Sustainable Farming
The road to organic certification hasn’t been easy. Since 2019, GCC has worked tirelessly to bring 2,600 tribal farmers under organic coffee cultivation across 2,275 hectares in Chintapalli and GK Veedhi mandals.
The certification process took three years and required strict compliance with organic farming protocols. GCC worked closely with an Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)-approved certification body, which conducted routine inspections and audits to ensure compliance.
To reward farmers for their efforts, GCC has set premium procurement prices for organic coffee:
Arabica Parchment: ₹450 per kg (vs. ₹400 for the regular variety)
Arabica Cherry: ₹330 per kg (vs. ₹250 for the regular variety)
This price hike is expected to encourage more farmers to adopt organic practices, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality coffee for both domestic and international buyers.
Buoyed by its coffee success, GCC is now expanding its organic certification efforts to pepper, again in collaboration with Tata Consumer Products.
The first consignment of organic pepper is set to be delivered in April.
Transforming Lives, One Harvest at a Time
Founded in 1956, GCC has been at the forefront of empowering tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh. Through its market intervention programs, the cooperative supports 20,000 tribal families, helping them access larger markets, secure fair pricing, and adopt sustainable farming practices.
With Tata’s backing and increasing global demand for organic produce, GCC is now positioning Andhra Pradesh as a key player in the organic agriculture sector—both within India and on the global stage.
How Neeren Tewari’s My Menu Transformed 5,000+ Restaurants with 10-Second Videos
In 2019, Neeren Tewari and his co-founder Abhishek Bose launched My Menu, a digital menu platform that has now powered over 5,000 outlets worldwide, including luxury chains like JW Marriott, ITC Hotels, and Accor. What started as a way to bridge the gap between restaurant menus and customer expectations quickly evolved into a tech-driven revolution for the hospitality industry.
At its core, My Menu is a simple yet powerful concept: instead of a static menu, restaurants can showcase high-quality 10- to 15-second videos of dishes, allowing customers to see exactly what they’re ordering before making a decision. This not only enhances customer confidence but also drives higher sales of signature dishes. In an industry where upselling is often left to junior waitstaff, My Menu ensures that every dish gets the spotlight it deserves.
The Launch of the Popular Platform
The platform was initially launched as a tablet-based service, but the COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked its evolution into a QR-code-powered, contactless solution. As hospitality businesses scrambled to adapt, My Menu’s seamless integration with POS systems and CRM tools made it an invaluable asset. Today, it offers far more than just digital menus—it includes AI-driven recommendations, loyalty programs, marketing automation, and even customized menu design services.
One of My Menu’s standout features is its AI-powered personalization. If a guest has a history of searching for single malts, the system alerts the restaurant staff, who can then suggest a selection of premium whiskeys tailored to that guest’s preference. This level of customization creates an almost concierge-like experience, making customers feel valued and understood even on their first visit.
The Secret Behind the Spectacular Success of My Menu
The success of My Menu lies in the expertise of its founding team. Neeren, with a background in F&B, and Abhishek, an IT specialist, combined their strengths to create a product that was both operationally effective and technologically advanced. Their CTO, Manzier, has been instrumental in building a robust backend capable of handling large-scale deployments across multiple geographies.
With over 755 five-star hotels using My Menu, the company has become the preferred digital menu partner for some of the world’s top hospitality brands. Unlike other solutions that charge commissions, My Menu operates on a subscription-based model, ensuring that all revenue from food and beverage sales goes directly to the restaurant.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, My Menu is proving that digital transformation isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating smarter, more intuitive dining experiences that benefit both businesses and customers. And with thousands of restaurants already onboard, this is just the beginning.
Doctors Can’t Wait, So Knya Went to Them: Inside the Strategic Retail Expansion That’s Changing Medical Apparel in India
Knya, a leading medical apparel brand, began as a digital-first company catering to doctors and nurses across India. However, as the brand grew, it recognized a crucial gap—its customers lead fast-paced lives and often do not have the time to wait for deliveries. To better serve them, Knya expanded into offline retail, setting up physical stores in key locations.
Three years and seven stores later, the brand has gathered invaluable insights into what makes retail successful.
One of the most significant learnings has been the importance of distribution. With a target audience constantly on the move, store placement had to be strategic. Knya focused on locations near major hospitals and medical colleges, ensuring accessibility for busy healthcare professionals.
Another key factor has been unit economics. Industry norms suggest that rent should be within 10-15% of a store’s revenue, but Knya has managed to keep it under 8%. This has been achieved by implementing a rigorous selection matrix for store locations, ensuring each one meets financial and operational viability before launch.
Location strategy has also played a crucial role. It is not just about choosing the right city; factors like street visibility, infrastructure, and surrounding businesses can determine whether a store thrives or gets overlooked. A strong storefront presence is essential to attract foot traffic and enhance brand visibility.
Knya’s expansion has also highlighted the need for a personalized retail experience. Medical professionals rely on comfort and quality in their apparel, and physical stores allow them to assess fabrics, fits, and functionality firsthand. This direct interaction builds trust and strengthens customer loyalty.
The integration of online and offline channels has become another critical component. Rather than viewing retail and e-commerce as separate entities, Knya has ensured that its physical stores enhance the digital shopping experience, offering customers a seamless omnichannel journey.
Inventory management has proven to be a game-changer. In retail, poor stock management can lead to cash flow issues, making it imperative to optimize inventory levels and product availability. Efficient supply chain management has been a priority to ensure the right products are always in stock.
Finally, the in-store team plays a defining role in shaping the customer experience. At Knya, sales training goes beyond transactions—it focuses on problem-solving, customer engagement, and brand representation, ensuring that every store visit reflects the company’s values.
With these learnings in place, Knya has recently expanded its presence by opening a new store in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), further strengthening its commitment to bringing high-quality medical apparel closer to healthcare professionals. As the brand continues to scale, its approach to retail remains focused on accessibility, efficiency, and customer-centric innovation.
Radico Khaitan Bets Big on Luxury Spirits: Aims for ₹500 Crore in Sales, New Brands, and Market Expansion
Radico Khaitan is making a bold push into the luxury spirits market, with plans to generate ₹500 crore in sales from its premium brands by FY26. Managing Director Abhishek Khaitan is confident that the company’s high-end portfolio, including Rampur Indian Single Malt, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, Sangam World Malt, and Spirit of Victory 1999 Pure Malt, will continue to gain momentum as India’s alco-bev market undergoes rapid premiumization.
The company has been experiencing strong growth, with an 8-9% increase in volume and an expected 12-15% rise in value sales. Khaitan believes this trend will continue, especially within the Prestige & Above (PNA) segment, which is projected to grow by more than 15% in the next fiscal year. He noted that the company achieved ₹100 crore in luxury sales in Q3 alone, and for the first nine months of FY24, it had already crossed ₹250 crore. With this trajectory, hitting ₹500 crore by FY26 seems well within reach.
Radico Khaitan is also preparing to expand its luxury lineup with two new brands set to launch in the first half of the next fiscal year. These products have been in development for several years and are expected to further strengthen the company’s position in the premium market. Alongside its existing PNA brands, such as Royal Ranthambore, Dazzle Vodka, and Morpheus Blue, the company is seeing high double-digit growth and expects the momentum to continue.
India’s shifting demographics and increasing disposable incomes are playing a crucial role in this expansion. Every year, nearly 20 million people enter the legal drinking age bracket, fueling demand for premium and super-premium spirits. Despite recent reductions in import duties on bourbon whiskey, Khaitan remains unconcerned, dismissing bourbon as a small player in the Indian market. However, ongoing negotiations between India and the UK over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could have a greater impact, particularly on Scotch whisky. While Khaitan supports a gradual reduction in duties, he emphasized that Indian single malts are already outperforming some imported brands, both in pricing and sales. Lower import duties on non-branded bulk whisky from Scotland could help Indian companies like Radico Khaitan reduce costs without compromising their premium positioning.
Beyond the retail market, Radico Khaitan holds a strong presence in the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) for the Indian armed forces, where it commands a market share of around 26-27%. Khaitan noted that demand for Indian brands remains high, as consumers increasingly prefer homegrown products over foreign alternatives. The company is also expected to benefit from new liquor retail policies in states like Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, where an increase in retail outlets is driving growth in the IMFL (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) segment.
Financially, Radico Khaitan closed FY24 with a gross revenue of ₹15,483.9 crore, selling 45.6 million cases of liquor, including 11.26 million cases in the Prestige & Above category, which saw a 20.3% year-on-year increase. In the December quarter, the company reported a 27% rise in consolidated net profit to ₹95.48 crore, with revenue from operations climbing 8% to ₹4,440.90 crore. The PNA category accounted for 50.9% of IMFL sales, a testament to the company’s successful shift toward premiumization.
To support its growing demand, Radico Khaitan has invested ₹750 crore in a new greenfield distillery in Sitapur and is expanding capacity at its Rampur distillery. The company also operates a distillery in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, bringing its total owned capacity to 320 million liters. Khaitan confirmed that the company’s major capital expenditures are complete, with only routine maintenance investments planned going forward.
Radico Khaitan is competing with some of the biggest names in the Indian single malt segment, including Amrut, Paul John, and Piccadilly Distilleries, as well as global brands. With a strong distribution network, an expanding luxury portfolio, and aggressive market expansion, the company is poised to become a dominant force in India’s booming premium spirits industry. By focusing on high-quality offerings and capitalizing on evolving consumer preferences, Radico Khaitan is setting the stage for its next phase of growth in the alco-bev sector.
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