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BluSmart’s Pet Rides: The Electric Cab Service That’s Beating Uber & Ola with 100% Pet-Friendly Travel in Delhi-NCR

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BluSmart’s Pet Rides: The Electric Cab Service That’s Beating Uber & Ola with 100% Pet-Friendly Travel in Delhi-NCR

Pet owners in Delhi and Gurugram now have a dedicated ride-hailing option for their furry companions. BluSmart, India’s all-electric taxi service, has launched Pet Rides, allowing customers to travel with their pets in specially designed vehicles. Unlike Uber and Ola, which have limitations and inconsistencies in their pet policies, BluSmart is offering a structured and pet-inclusive solution.

Uber introduced its Uber Pet feature in September 2024, but it comes with strict rules, including a ban on several dog breeds such as Pitbull Terriers, Rottweilers, and American Bulldogs. It also allows only one pet per ride, limiting flexibility for pet owners with multiple animals. Ola, on the other hand, does not have a clear pet policy, leaving the decision to individual drivers, which often leads to uncertainty and inconsistent experiences for customers.

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

BluSmart aims to bridge this gap by providing a hassle-free pet travel experience. Its Pet Rides service is available for both standard point-to-point trips and hourly rentals, giving pet owners more flexibility. The vehicles come equipped with foldable dog-seat hammocks, designated carrier spaces, and improved ventilation to keep pets comfortable throughout the journey. Hygiene is also a priority, with each car undergoing a thorough cleaning after every pet ride.

Anirudh Arun, co-founder and CEO of BluSmart, emphasized the company’s commitment to making transportation more inclusive. “At BluSmart, we believe every journey is better with loved ones—including our four-legged family members. Pet Rides is our way of making travel more convenient and stress-free for pet parents.”

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

While BluSmart has not yet specified whether certain breeds will be restricted or if there will be a limit on the number of pets allowed per ride, its structured approach is already making it stand out. As pet ownership continues to rise in Delhi-NCR, this move positions BluSmart as a leading choice for those who want a seamless and pet-friendly travel experience.

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Danish Giant ECCO Expands in India: Opens Three New Stores in Mumbai & Delhi, Aims for 2026 Domination

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Danish Giant ECCO Expands in India: Opens Three New Stores in Mumbai & Delhi, Aims for 2026 Domination

Danish footwear brand ECCO is expanding its footprint in India with three new store openings—one in Mumbai’s Palladium Mall and two in New Delhi at DLF Promenade and Pacific Mall.

“India is a priority market for us, and we’re thrilled to strengthen our presence in both Mumbai and Delhi. These new locations will bring our high-quality footwear even closer to our customers,” said Sumeet Lohia, Country Manager of ECCO Shoes India.

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Lohia also highlighted the brand’s strong customer loyalty, noting that repeat buyers make up half of their sales. “We’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm from Indian consumers, which is why we’re focusing on major retail hubs in the country’s top six cities. By 2026, we aim to establish a solid presence in all key malls,” he added.

The newly launched stores offer ECCO’s complete collection for men and women, featuring popular lines like Biom, Cozmo, Metropole, Street, S-Three, and Sculpted, along with the brand’s signature shoe care products.

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

Founded in Denmark in 1963, ECCO is a family-owned company with a global presence in 88 countries. With over 2,000 stores and 14,000 retail points worldwide, the brand officially entered the Indian market in 2019 with its first store.

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Shah Rukh Khan Joins Elan Group as Brand Ambassador: Bollywood King to Elevate ₹10,000 Crore Realty Empire

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Shah Rukh Khan Joins Elan Group as Brand Ambassador: Bollywood King to Elevate ₹10,000 Crore Realty Empire

Real estate developer Elan Group has brought Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan on board as its brand ambassador, aiming to elevate its brand presence and luxury appeal.

In an official statement on Friday, the Gurugram-based company announced the collaboration, stating, “With Shah Rukh Khan representing the Elan brand, we are set to redefine luxury and push new boundaries in opulent living.”

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

Elan Group, spearheaded by Rakesh Kapoor, Ravish Kapoor, and Akash Kapoor, has an extensive portfolio of 15 projects, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

Expressing his excitement about the partnership, Shah Rukh Khan said, “I’ve always believed that true success belongs to those who dare to go beyond limits. Elan Group embodies that bold vision, and I’m thrilled to be part of their journey.”

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

Akash Kapoor, Director of Elan Group, highlighted why SRK was the perfect fit for the brand, stating, “Shah Rukh Khan isn’t just a superstar—he’s a phenomenon. His unmatched charisma, influence, and relentless pursuit of excellence perfectly align with Elan’s philosophy and vision.”

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Google’s Big Bet on India: First Retail Stores Outside U.S. to Open in Delhi & Mumbai, Covering 15,000 Sq Ft

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Google’s Big Bet on India: First Retail Stores Outside U.S. to Open in Delhi & Mumbai, Covering 15,000 Sq Ft

As global tech giants set their sights on India, Google is reportedly gearing up to launch its first-ever retail stores outside the U.S., with plans to set up shop in India. According to a Reuters report, the company is in the final stages of securing store locations in key cities like New Delhi and Mumbai.

The upcoming stores are expected to cover around 15,000 square feet and could be operational within the next six months. Initially, Google will focus on these flagship locations but may expand further depending on their success. The stores will showcase and sell the company’s Pixel smartphones and other hardware products.

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

This move follows Apple’s retail expansion in India, which saw the launch of its first official stores in Mumbai and Delhi nearly two years ago. Last October, reports surfaced that Google was considering launching multiple retail stores in the country, and now it looks like those plans are coming to fruition.

Meanwhile, Apple has been making its own retail push, recently introducing its Apple Store app in India to streamline product purchases and offer personalized shopping experiences. The company also just launched its iPhone 16e on February 19, confirming that the new model is being assembled in India for both domestic sales and exports.

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For Google, this retail expansion comes at a time when India is becoming an increasingly important market. Just yesterday, the company announced the opening of its massive new campus, Ananta, in Bengaluru. In a blog post, Google highlighted its growing presence in India, stating, “We’ve been building from India, for the world… and today, we’re thrilled to mark another major milestone with the inauguration of Ananta—one of Google’s largest offices globally.”

Beyond the tech sector, Tesla is also making moves in India. The electric vehicle giant, led by Elon Musk, is reportedly close to finalizing locations for its first showrooms in Delhi and Mumbai. Sources suggest the company has secured spots in Delhi’s Aerocity and Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex as it prepares to introduce its EVs to the Indian market.

With major global players doubling down on India, the country is shaping up to be a key battleground for innovation, retail, and expansion.

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Deepinder Goyal Reveals Zomato’s Newest Feature—Your Donations to Feeding India Are Now Fully Transparent, with 19 Crore Meals Served Across 100+ Cities

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Deepinder Goyal Reveals Zomato’s Newest Feature—Your Donations to Feeding India Are Now Fully Transparent, with 19 Crore Meals Served Across 100+ Cities

In a move to bring transparency and engagement to its social initiatives, Zomato has launched a new feature that allows users to track the impact of their donations to Feeding India, its non-profit initiative focused on combating hunger.

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

Announced by Zomato’s CEO Deepinder Goyal, the feature, called Your Feeding India Impact, is now live on the Zomato app. Users can simply search for “Feeding India,” tap on View the impact you have created, and instantly see how many meals they have contributed to underprivileged children.

Feeding India, a long-running initiative under Zomato’s umbrella, has already served 19 crore meals to date, thanks to the contributions of generous users. The new feature aims to make the donation process more interactive, giving donors real-time insights into where and how their money is making a difference.

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

Beyond just numbers, the feature also provides a glimpse into Zomato’s partner NGO schools, showing their daily activities and how they are utilizing the donated meals. This initiative underscores Zomato’s commitment to solving hunger while ensuring that donors feel connected to the cause.

“Big thank you to everyone for enabling us to do this fulfilling work,” Goyal wrote in his LinkedIn post announcing the update, hinting that more developments are on the way.

The Feeding India program has grown significantly over the years, with Zomato leveraging its vast network to streamline food distribution. With the introduction of this impact-tracking feature, the company is making it easier for people to contribute while ensuring they stay engaged with the cause.

Users can now check their contributions directly on the Zomato app and witness the real-world impact of their generosity—one meal at a time.

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PhonePe Gears Up for Blockbuster IPO: Walmart-Backed Fintech Giant Eyes Multi-Billion Dollar Valuation After ₹5,000 Crore Revenue Surge

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PhonePe Gears Up for Blockbuster IPO: Walmart-Backed Fintech Giant Eyes Multi-Billion Dollar Valuation After ₹5,000 Crore Revenue Surge

PhonePe, one of India’s leading fintech companies, has officially started laying the groundwork for its much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO). The company plans to list on Indian stock exchanges, marking a major milestone in its decade-long journey.

Set to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, PhonePe has grown into a financial powerhouse, serving millions of users with cutting-edge payment solutions and digital financial services.

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

“Going public in India has always been a key goal for us,” the company stated in its latest media release. “We were founded here, built for this market, and have been leading India’s fintech evolution. Our shift from Singapore to India in December 2022 was a step in this direction, and we have since structured our non-payment businesses into fully owned subsidiaries.”

With strong revenue growth and improving profitability, PhonePe believes the timing is right for an IPO. According to its FY23-24 annual report, the company crossed ₹5,000 crore in revenue, marking a 74% year-on-year increase. More significantly, it turned adjusted PAT (Profit After Tax) positive—excluding Employee Stock Option (ESOP) costs.

The company reported an adjusted PAT of ₹197 crore in FY23-24, a sharp turnaround from a ₹738 crore loss the previous year. Meanwhile, its core payments business alone saw an adjusted PAT of ₹710 crore, a major improvement from a ₹194 crore loss in FY22-23.

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

Beyond payments, PhonePe holds key regulatory licenses in areas like payment aggregation, pre-paid instruments, insurance broking, and stock broking, expanding its footprint in India’s digital finance ecosystem.

The company’s 2024 annual report also highlights strong investor backing, with marquee investors pouring ₹18,000 crore into the firm. “Walmart Inc, our majority shareholder, is joined by some of the world’s most influential strategic investors, sovereign funds, and private equity firms,” PhonePe stated.

With a robust financial performance and a growing ecosystem of services, PhonePe’s IPO is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched public listings in India’s fintech space.

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The Souled Store’s Blockbuster Year: ₹365 Crore Revenue, ₹18 Crore Profit, and a 54.5% Growth—Can It Take on Rare Rabbit & WROGN?

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The Souled Store’s Blockbuster Year: ₹365 Crore Revenue, ₹18 Crore Profit, and a 54.5% Growth—Can It Take on Rare Rabbit & WROGN?

The Souled Store, a homegrown pop culture-driven fashion brand, has had a stellar run in FY24, clocking a 54.5% year-on-year revenue growth and turning profitable for the first time. Backed by Xponentia Capital, the Mumbai-based D2C company saw its revenue from operations jump from ₹233 crore in FY23 to ₹360 crore in FY24, as per its latest filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

From Pop Culture Fandom to a ₹365 Crore Business

Launched in 2014, The Souled Store has carved a niche in the fashion space by tapping into pop culture enthusiasts with apparel inspired by superheroes, movies, and TV shows. Over the years, the brand has expanded its catalog beyond clothing to include footwear, accessories, books, mobile covers, notebooks, mugs, and more.

With a growing offline presence, The Souled Store now operates 18 stores across India. Online and offline product sales accounted for 98.6% of total revenue, amounting to ₹355 crore in FY24. The remaining income came from membership fees and financial gains, including ₹5 crore from interest on deposits and current investments, bringing its total revenue to ₹365 crore.

Breaking Down the Costs: Profitability Despite Rising Expenses

Scaling up comes with rising costs. The brand’s procurement expenses surged 68.5% to ₹150 crore, making up 42.2% of total spending. Employee benefits and rent expenses grew by 34.5% and 77.8%, respectively, while marketing expenses hit ₹68 crore. Freight, legal fees, and operational costs pushed total expenditure to ₹355 crore in FY24, up from ₹253 crore in FY23.

Despite these rising costs, The Souled Store posted a net profit of ₹18 crore in FY24, a significant turnaround from its ₹16.5 crore loss in FY23. The company’s Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) improved to 6.38%, while EBITDA margins stood at 5.21%.

At the close of FY24, The Souled Store had total current assets worth ₹225 crore, including ₹44 crore in cash and bank balances.

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

Investor Backing & Competition in India’s Fast-Growing Fashion Space

The Souled Store has raised close to $30 million so far, with a $16 million round led by Xponentia Capital in 2023 and $10 million from Elevation Capital in 2021. According to data from TheKredible, Elevation Capital remains the largest external shareholder, followed by Xponentia Capital.

The company competes with Rare Rabbit, which clocked ₹636 crore in revenue with a ₹76 crore profit in FY24; Bewakoof, which operates at ₹162 crore in revenue; and Virat Kohli-backed WROGN, which saw a revenue dip of 29% to ₹244 crore.

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Challenges & Opportunities: Will The Souled Store Stay True to Its D2C Roots?

The Indian D2C fashion space is heating up, and The Souled Store’s challenge will be to maintain its brand identity without diluting its exclusivity. While expanding across multiple sales channels may seem tempting, it could risk alienating its core audience of young, non-conformist consumers who value niche, limited-edition merchandise.

Additionally, with older comic book franchises like Tintin, Asterix, and Phantom moving into lower licensing costs or public domain, The Souled Store has a unique opportunity to tap into nostalgia-driven merchandise beyond just Gen Z and Millennials, potentially attracting older fans as well.

With profitability now in sight, the big question remains—can The Souled Store sustain its growth while staying true to its pop-culture DNA?

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Rare Rabbit Races to ₹637 Cr Revenue in FY24 Profits Soar 2.3x as Premium Strategy Pays Off

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Rare Rabbit Races to ₹637 Cr Revenue in FY24 Profits Soar 2.3x as Premium Strategy Pays Off

Rare Rabbit, the premium menswear brand under The House of Rare, has been making big moves, clocking an impressive 69% revenue growth in FY24. The Bengaluru-based brand saw its revenue jump from ₹376 crore in FY23 to ₹637 crore in FY24, while net profit soared 2.3 times to ₹75 crore.

Founded in 2015, Rare Rabbit has built its reputation on high-quality, fashion-forward menswear—offering everything from shirts and polos to jackets and trousers. Unlike many brands that rely on constant discounts to push sales, Rare Rabbit has taken a different route, maintaining its premium positioning while still scaling aggressively.

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

Its financial filings reveal that the company earned ₹5 crore from interest income, bringing its total income to ₹642 crore for FY24. But with growth comes higher costs—material expenses surged 53% to ₹208.4 crore, while employee costs nearly doubled to ₹78 crore. The brand also ramped up its marketing spend by 45% to ₹93 crore, while rent and commission costs jumped by 62% and 58%, respectively. In total, expenses rose 59.9% to ₹542 crore in FY24, but revenue growth outpaced costs, leading to improved profitability.

The brand’s EBITDA margin expanded from 14.7% to 19%, and its return on capital employed (ROCE) rose sharply to 52.15%. On a unit level, Rare Rabbit spent ₹0.85 to earn every rupee in FY24, showing strong operational efficiency.

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Despite its rapid growth, Rare Rabbit has remained relatively under the radar, quietly cementing its place in the premium fashion segment. It has so far raised around $24 million, including a recent ₹50 crore round from lead investor A91 Partners.

What’s next for The House of Rare? While its menswear brand is leading the charge, it has also launched a women’s line, Rare Is, and is planning a children’s range, Rare Ones. If its trajectory continues, Rare Rabbit could cross the ₹1,000 crore revenue milestone by FY25—possibly putting it on the path to unicorn status. The bigger question is: will it stay independent, or will a major acquisition be on the horizon? Either way, Rare Rabbit is proving that staying “rare” might just be the best business strategy.

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Coca-Cola’s Protein Power Play: How Fairlife Quietly Built a $1 Billion Empire and Won Over Health-Conscious Americans

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Coca-Cola’s Protein Power Play: How Fairlife Quietly Built a $1 Billion Empire and Won Over Health-Conscious Americans

For over a decade, Coca-Cola has been expanding beyond its flagship soda business, driven by shifting consumer preferences and growing concerns over sugary drinks. One of its biggest success stories in this diversification effort has been Fairlife, a premium dairy brand that has quietly become a billion-dollar powerhouse.

Launched in 2012 as a joint venture with Select Milk Producers, Fairlife introduced a game-changing ultra-filtered milk that removes lactose and sugar while doubling the protein content. The product quickly found a loyal customer base, even as food prices soared and consumer spending tightened. Recognizing its potential, Coca-Cola fully acquired Fairlife in 2020 for $980 million, and by 2022, the brand had crossed $1 billion in sales.

Fairlife’s biggest hit has been Core Power, a protein shake that dominates store shelves with minimal direct competition. The protein shake market in the U.S. is worth $6 billion, and Fairlife’s growing foothold in this space has even outperformed Coca-Cola’s other high-profile acquisition, Costa Coffee, which it purchased in 2018.

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

Despite this success, soda remains Coca-Cola’s biggest revenue driver, while rival PepsiCo leans heavily on its Frito-Lay snack division for growth. However, Fairlife’s cultural relevance has given it an edge—TikTok users frequently showcase their pre-workout Core Power routines or use Fairlife milk to create healthier iced coffee alternatives.

But Fairlife hasn’t been without controversy. In 2022, the brand and Coca-Cola settled a $21 million class-action lawsuit following allegations of inhumane treatment of cows at a supplier’s farm. The lawsuit claimed that consumers were misled into paying a premium for Fairlife’s promise of ethically treated animals.

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Even with this setback, Fairlife has solidified its place as one of Coca-Cola’s most successful non-soda ventures—an investment that not only reshaped the dairy industry but also proved that a soda giant can dominate in protein, too.

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The Whole Truth Raises $15M to Disrupt India’s $40B Packaged Food Industry—Here’s How Shashank Mehta Is Leading the Charge

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The Whole Truth Raises $15M to Disrupt India’s $40B Packaged Food Industry—Here’s How Shashank Mehta Is Leading the Charge

India’s leading clean-label food brand, The Whole Truth (TWT), has raised $15 million in a Series C round, led by Sofina, with continued backing from its existing investors Z47, Peak XV Partners, and Sauce.VC. The brand, known for its radical transparency in food labeling, has also received support from high-profile angel investors like Nithin Kamath (Zerodha), Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy), and Jaydeep Burman (Rebel Foods) in earlier rounds.

This fresh funding will help TWT scale up its in-house manufacturing, expand its team, and diversify its product range, all while staying true to its core mission—bringing honesty and integrity back to packaged food.

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

From a Personal Struggle to a Food Revolution

The Whole Truth wasn’t born in a corporate boardroom—it came from a deeply personal journey. Founder Shashank Mehta, a former Unilever marketer, battled obesity for years before realizing that so-called “healthy” packaged foods were loaded with hidden sugars and chemicals. That revelation led him to build TWT—a brand that refuses to cut corners, mislead consumers, or compromise on ingredients.

Driving the brand’s innovation and product development is Rachna Aggarwal, a bakery chef and chocolatier with over 15 years of experience. The team also includes Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs) from diverse industries, all united by a single mission: to challenge the status quo of India’s $40 billion packaged food industry.

Taking Clean-Label Foods to the Next Level

TWT isn’t just another protein bar company—it’s actively changing the way Indians think about food. Its latest launch, 100% Clean, Super-Light Protein Powders, is breaking barriers by catering to women, teenagers, and older adults, groups that have traditionally been ignored in the fitness and nutrition space. Alongside its popular Protein Bars, Peanut Butters, and Dark Chocolates, TWT is redefining what clean eating looks like in India.

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

Why Investors Are Betting Big on TWT

Early investors like Z47 saw TWT’s potential long before it became a household name. The brand has grown 3.5X since its last funding round, proving that Indian consumers are ready for a shift toward clean-label nutrition.

Vikram Vaidyanathan, Managing Director at Z47, explains:

“Shashank and his team aren’t just building a food brand—they’re leading a movement. Their rapid growth proves that consumers are hungry for transparency, and we at Z47 are excited to deepen our commitment to their journey.”

Meanwhile, global investor Sofina sees TWT as a long-term bet.

Yana Kachurina, Principal at Sofina, adds:

“We invest in companies that create lasting impact, and TWT’s mission to bring trust back to food aligns perfectly with our values. We’re excited to partner with them in reshaping India’s food industry.”

The Future of The Whole Truth

With in-house R&D, proprietary manufacturing, and a commitment to exposing industry gimmicks, TWT is gearing up to take clean-label foods mainstream.

As the brand scales, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a company—it’s a movement. And with investors, consumers, and industry experts rallying behind it, The Whole Truth is just getting started.

This version avoids overused AI-style phrases and keeps the storytelling engaging, informative, and fresh. Let me know if you need any tweaks!

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