Friday, December 19, 2025
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Women First Fast Fashion Brand NEWME Pulls 12 Million Dollars From Point72 Ventures, Accel and Fireside Ventures in Its Power Packed Series B Push

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Women-focused fast-fashion startup NEWME is gearing up for a fresh capital infusion of 12 million dollars in its Series B round, with Point72 Ventures set to come on board alongside existing investors Accel and Fireside Ventures. The Bengaluru based brand, known for its rapid product drops and strong online presence, was last valued at 75 million dollars. With this round, the company is expected to land a valuation between 100 million and 120 million dollars, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Sources say both Accel and Fireside Ventures are doubling down on their bets, signalling strong confidence in the company’s scale up potential. Point72 Ventures, the New York headquartered investment firm, will be the new entrant on the cap table and is also likely to secure a board seat as part of the deal.

Regulatory filings reviewed by Inc42 confirm that the raise is underway. For NEWME, the timing is crucial. The brand has been expanding aggressively across digital channels and is sharpening its focus on private labels and faster supply chain cycles. With more global players eyeing India’s affordable fashion market, securing fresh capital gives NEWME more room to widen its product catalogue, deepen its manufacturing partnerships, and explore new offline touchpoints.

The company’s rise has been closely watched within the D2C ecosystem. In less than a few years, it has built a strong recall among Gen Z shoppers and has managed to keep growth steady at a time when discretionary spending has been uneven. With this upcoming round, NEWME appears ready to push harder for category leadership while strengthening its long term ambitions in the domestic fashion space.

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Delhi’s New Bar Scene: Sunny Leone’s Potions Combines Cocktails, Cuisine, and Theatrical Experience

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Sunny Leone has added another feather to her F&B portfolio with the launch of Potions: Cocktail Theatre in Delhi, marking her second venture in collaboration with Sahil Baweja, founder of Singing Bowls Hospitality. The bar, located on the top floor of the Manish Malhotra store in Ambawatta One, Mehrauli, officially opens to patrons on November 15.

Potions aims to revive theatricality in Delhi’s nightlife, combining innovative cocktails with a curated menu of small plates and sharing dishes inspired by Indian Tandoori and European Mediterranean grills. The Sweet Potato Steak is among the highlights, reflecting Leone’s own taste preferences. “We didn’t just want another bar; we wanted a space for performances, emotions, and connections,” she told reporters at the launch.

Leone’s first F&B venture, Chica Loca in Noida, celebrates its second anniversary this January. With Potions, she seeks to infuse her signature touch of drama and nostalgia into the city’s bar culture, offering guests an experience that goes beyond drinks. “Cocktail theatre is about bringing back the stories we share over a night out—love, heartbreak, adventure,” Leone added.

Amid the glamour of her F&B debut, Leone also shared insights into her personal comfort food habits. The actress is particularly fond of dal makhani, citing Bukhara’s version as her favourite whenever she is in Delhi. She also enjoys Mexican enchiladas, pasta, salads, baked items, and vegetable-focused dishes, emphasizing her preference for meals where every flavour can be savoured.

The launch of Potions reflects a growing trend of celebrity-backed dining concepts in India, blending curated menus with experiential elements to attract urban consumers seeking novelty. By pairing inventive cocktails with thematic performances, Leone and Baweja aim to carve a niche in Delhi’s competitive bar and lounge sector, reinforcing the potential of celebrity influence in shaping food and beverage trends.

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Wipro Sets Sight on Pet Nutrition Market with Upcoming HappyFur Launch

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Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting is preparing to enter India’s rapidly growing pet food market with a new brand, HappyFur, set to launch within the next 6–12 months. Trademark approval for the brand was granted in July, signaling that the company is moving swiftly to establish its presence in a sector that has seen significant momentum in recent years.

The pet food industry in India, valued at nearly USD 2.4 billion, has been expanding at double-digit rates, driven by rising pet ownership, a shift from homemade to packaged nutrition, and a growing preference for premium products. E-commerce and direct-to-consumer platforms have further accelerated growth, while urban consumers increasingly seek functional and natural ingredients for their pets. Local and international players such as Nestlé’s Purina, Mars Petcare, Drools, and Heads Up For Tails have scaled aggressively, and Wipro’s entry is expected to heighten competition, particularly in the mass-premium and value segments.

Industry insiders say Wipro’s expansion into pet care is backed by prior strategic moves. Earlier this year, the FMCG arm invested in Goofy Tails, a Delhi-based direct-to-consumer brand, providing insights into consumer behaviour, pricing strategy, and product positioning. The launch of HappyFur marks Wipro’s first direct foray into packaged pet nutrition, spanning both offline and online channels.

The company is expected to leverage its robust FMCG distribution network, marketing expertise, and brand recognition to gain an edge in a competitive market. Analysts note that the brand could reshape category dynamics by offering domestically manufactured, high-quality pet nutrition products at competitive price points.

With development underway, HappyFur is likely to hit stores and online platforms between mid-2025 and mid-2026, bringing new options to pet owners across India and reinforcing Wipro’s broader ambitions in consumer-centric FMCG segments. The move positions the company to tap into one of India’s fastest-growing lifestyle markets, combining pet wellness trends with established supply chain and brand capabilities.

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Meesho’s Rs 5,421-Crore IPO to Fuel E-Commerce Growth and Strategic Expansion

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SoftBank-backed e-commerce firm Meesho is set to make its market debut with a massive initial public offering, aiming to raise Rs 5,421 crore when the IPO opens for subscription on December 3. The offer has been priced in a band of Rs 105 to Rs 111 per share, implying a valuation of nearly Rs 50,096 crore, or $5.6 billion, at the upper end. Anchor investors will receive their allocations on December 2, ahead of the subscription window closing on December 5.

The public issue comprises a fresh equity raise of Rs 4,250 crore, along with an offer for sale of 10.55 crore shares worth Rs 1,171 crore at the upper price band. Early investors participating in the OFS include Elevation, Peak XV, Venture Highway, and Y Combinator. Meesho intends to channel the proceeds into cloud infrastructure, marketing, brand-building initiatives, strategic acquisitions, and other corporate purposes.

The IPO has been structured with 75 percent of shares reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15 percent for non-institutional investors, and 10 percent for retail participants. The company is expected to list on stock exchanges on December 12.

In FY25, Meesho connected over 5 lakh sellers to 199 million annual transacting users, processing 1.8 billion orders over the year. Its Net Merchandise Value, a critical measure of platform activity, grew 29 percent year-on-year to Rs 29,988 crore, up from 21 percent growth in FY24. NMV captures the total checkout value of successfully delivered orders, reflecting the platform’s adoption, repeat usage, and overall operational health.

Despite strong topline traction, Meesho reported a net loss of Rs 3,942 crore in FY25. The deficit primarily stemmed from one-time exceptional items, including reverse flip and perquisite taxes linked to its transition toward becoming a public company. The IPO marks a crucial moment for Meesho as it aims to solidify its position in India’s competitive e-commerce landscape and fuel expansion through technology and acquisitions.

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Starbucks India Growth Stalls: Revenue Slips, Losses Mount, Competitors Gain Ground

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India’s early romance with Starbucks is showing signs of strain as the coffee giant’s local business reports slowing momentum and widening losses. The company posted revenue of ₹1,277 crore in FY25, a modest increase of five percent, but its net loss rose sharply to ₹135.7 crore. The contrast with the brand’s entry in 2012 could not be more striking. Back then, customers willingly queued outside its first Mumbai outlet for a chance to hold a cup bearing their hand-written names.

Thirteen years have passed and the chain now operates 500 stores. Yet, the joint venture between Starbucks and Tata Consumer Products finds itself at a crossroads. Tata has made it clear that additional capital will be contingent on a leaner and more viable model for a market where rent, labour and consumer price sensitivity have reshaped the economics of the café business.

Senior executives from Starbucks, including global chief executive Brian Niccol, met Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai recently to discuss the reset. The conversations centred on the need to move away from expensive large-format stores that occupy close to 3,000 square feet and depend on equipment built for far higher volumes than many outlets currently generate.

Analysts say the challenge is straightforward. A single Starbucks store must sell at least 400 to 500 cups a day to justify its footprint, even as smaller competitors operate profitably from compact spaces. Meanwhile, the rapid spread of rivals has chipped away at Starbucks’ once-unquestioned dominance. Tim Hortons and Pret have expanded their presence, while homegrown chains such as Third Wave and Blue Tokai together operate more than 300 cafés across major cities.

The strain is not limited to India. In the United States, Starbucks is closing stores, restructuring operations worth a billion dollars and battling an expanding workers’ strike. The company’s leadership insists a turnaround is underway, with plans to revive its role as a welcoming “third place” for customers. How that ambition aligns with shifting global and Indian market realities is now the question the brand must urgently answer.

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Decathlon Introduces Fast 2-Hour Delivery In Seven Indian Cities, Revamps Flagship Store

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Decathlon has begun offering two-hour delivery in India’s largest cities, marking the sports retailer’s first major push into the country’s fast-growing quick-commerce space. The service, now active across seven metros, is available exclusively through the Decathlon app and allows shoppers to receive a wide range of sporting gear within a 120-minute window.

Sankar Chatterjee, chief executive of Decathlon India, confirmed that the company has been running the service quietly as a live pilot. He said early demand has been encouraging and hinted at a wider rollout once Decathlon gathers enough operational data. Deliveries are currently being managed through the company’s in-house logistics teams rather than external partners, a move aimed at tighter control over speed and fulfilment quality.

The launch comes at a time when customers expect both convenience and rich in-store experiences. Decathlon is responding on both fronts. Its Whitefield outlet in Bengaluru has just been rebuilt into a flagship format and now includes a sprawling 26,000-square-foot playground. The open space supports activities such as football, basketball, skating, cricket and cycling, and is part of a broader effort to create stores that act as both retail hubs and sporting communities.

Across India, 76 of Decathlon’s 136 stores already feature similar practice zones. These facilities generate a modest revenue stream through usage charges, but the company maintains that the primary goal is to help people try, learn and play. Executives say shopper engagement inside these spaces consistently leads to higher product adoption.

Decathlon has also accelerated its digital upgrades. Stores now use RFID for faster inventory checks, self-checkout counters for shorter queues and tablets that let customers browse and order additional products. Leadership said the investments reflect the reality that Indian consumers move seamlessly between online and offline shopping. Decathlon is targeting annual revenue of Rs 8,000 crore by 2030 and says it is progressing steadily toward that goal.

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₹15,000-Crore Funding Push Signals New Phase in India’s Quick Commerce Rivalry

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Quick commerce is bracing for its next big showdown as Swiggy and Zepto prepare to tap public markets for nearly fifteen thousand crore, intensifying a battle for the number two slot behind Blinkit. Investor interest has surged as the sector expands, but so have concerns around rising cash burn and the cost of customer acquisition.

Industry executives tracking the category say Swiggy and Zepto are under pressure to strengthen their balance sheets at a time when the leader Blinkit commands more than half the market. Blinkit’s parent Eternal reported cash reserves of eighteen thousand three hundred and fourteen crore at the end of September, giving it a sizable head start in a sector where frequent promotions and fee waivers heavily influence order volumes.

Swiggy currently holds four thousand six hundred and five crore in cash, while Zepto is estimated to have around seven thousand crore. Swiggy’s management is on the road with a qualified institutional placement of up to ten thousand crore, and Zepto is preparing a confidential filing to raise about four thousand crore. If both go through as planned, Swiggy’s cash position could climb to roughly seventeen thousand crore after the completion of its stake sale in Rapido.

Evidence of escalating competition is already visible. Analysts say Zepto’s push with widespread fee waivers has helped it temporarily edge past Swiggy’s Instamart in order volumes. Instamart has responded in kind, leading to another spike in burn rates across the industry. Swiggy’s cash burn for the September quarter stood at seven hundred and forty crore, while Eternal reported five hundred and forty three crore. Zepto’s monthly burn is estimated to have crossed five hundred crore on a gross order value of about two thousand crore.

The sector remains far from consensus on what fuels long-term leadership. Some firms emphasise volumes, while others bet on stable average order values. The larger picture, however, is clear. India’s quick commerce market, pegged at sixty four thousand crore in FY25 by gross order value, is forecast to reach two lakh crore by FY28, making this fundraising race one of the industry’s most consequential yet.

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India’s Food Service Market Set to Surpass USD 125 Billion by 2030, Organized Sector to Lead Growth

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Image of food.
India’s Food Service Market Set to Surpass USD 125 Billion by 2030, Organized Sector to Lead Growth

India’s food service market is on track to surpass USD 125 billion by 2030, driven by rising incomes, digital adoption, and evolving consumer preferences, according to a report by Swiggy and Kearney titled How India Eats. The organized segment is expected to double its current size, overtaking the unorganized sector and accounting for more than 60 percent of overall growth.

From USD 49 billion in 2019, the market reached an estimated USD 78 billion in 2025. With GDP per capita growth, food service spending is projected to accelerate rapidly over the next seven years. Currently, the sector contributes 1.9 percent to India’s GDP, leaving significant room for expansion compared with China at 5 percent and Brazil at 6 percent. Cloud kitchens, quick-service restaurants, and dessert outlets are expected to lead growth with above-average performance.

Consumer behavior is shifting notably, with a 20 percent increase in the number of unique cuisines ordered per customer and 30 percent growth in restaurants per customer. Health-conscious and ‘better-for-you’ meals are rising 2.3 times faster than overall orders, reflecting a focus on protein intake, calorie management, and reduced sugar consumption.

The report highlights two growth frontiers: rediscovery of India’s regional culinary heritage and adoption of global cuisines. Hyper-regional dishes like Goan, Bihari, and Pahari are growing two to eight times faster than mainstream options, while Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican cuisines are seeing growth indices of 17x, 6x, and 3.7x respectively. Local beverages such as buttermilk and sharbat are growing 4–6 times faster than the overall market, while global drinks like Boba Tea and Matcha Tea have surged 11x and 4x in search interest.

The market is expanding beyond top metros, with dining-out growth in emerging cities outpacing the top eight cities twofold. Gen Z is emerging as a key consumer cohort, growing three times faster than other segments and demanding innovative, visually appealing experiences. Experts say this signals a broadening and maturing of India’s food economy, where experimentation, health awareness, and convenience are driving new growth opportunities.

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India Implements Four Labour Codes: Major Reforms for Workers, Gig Economy, and Businesses

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India has entered a new era of labour reform with the implementation of four comprehensive Labour Codes, effective November 21, 2025. The move consolidates 29 existing central labour laws into a modern legal framework aimed at simplifying compliance, expanding worker protections, and aligning regulations with global standards.

The codes include the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code (2020). They introduce mandatory appointment letters, universal social security coverage, and guaranteed timely payment of minimum wages for all workers, including those in gig and platform-based jobs. The reforms are expected to benefit millions of employees across formal and informal sectors, with particular emphasis on women and youth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the implementation as a “historic decision” and highlighted its dual impact on workers and businesses. “These codes empower employees, ensure safe workplaces, and simplify compliance, promoting ease of doing business,” he said. The government added that the reforms will create a foundation for fair remuneration, social security, and career growth, especially for migrant and contract workers.

The revised definition of wages under the Codes also has implications for compensation structures. Allowances previously excluded from wages, such as transport and housing, will now be capped at 50% for benefit calculations. Employers are being advised to review current salary structures to ensure compliance while optimizing financial outlays.

Legal experts note that India’s previous labour laws, many drafted between the 1930s and 1950s, were fragmented and largely outdated, offering limited protection for workers in modern sectors. The new Labour Codes unify regulations, extend coverage to gig workers, MSME employees, and contract staff, and establish a future-ready workforce with resilient industries.

By simplifying regulatory requirements and broadening worker protections, the four Labour Codes are poised to transform India’s labour landscape, bridging gaps between traditional employment models and the demands of a digital, gig-driven economy.

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ONYA Raises INR 5.5 Crore as Founders Push Lab Grown Diamonds Into India’s Fastest Rising Luxury Segment

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Lab grown diamond label ONYA has caught the eye of early stage investors, securing INR 5.5 crore in a pre seed round that signals growing confidence in the future of clean and traceable diamonds. The young brand, founded by a pair of sharp minded entrepreneurs, has been carving its place in the premium jewellery space with pieces that blend modern design with transparent sourcing. Their store and studio in Ahmedabad has already become a talking point among shoppers who want glamour without the traditional baggage of mined diamonds.

The fresh capital is expected to go toward strengthening ONYA’s manufacturing pipeline, widening its retail footprint, and expanding its digital presence. Investors see the company as part of a larger shift that is reshaping India’s jewellery market. Lab grown diamonds are now winning trust among customers in metros and Tier 2 cities, and the category is recording double digit growth each quarter.

The founders say the round gives them room to scale at a steady pace. Their plan includes building a stronger design team, introducing new collections, and educating buyers through clear communication about how lab grown diamonds are made. Early demand suggests that younger customers want jewellery that matches their lifestyle and values, and ONYA seems to be tapping that sentiment at the right moment.

The global lab grown diamond market is estimated to cross several billion dollars in the next few years, and India is set to play a starring role. With this pre seed boost, ONYA is positioning itself to become one of the names that define this new era of luxury. The brand now has both momentum and money on its side, and the next year will show how far it can turn this early promise into real scale.

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