Dunzo’s Loss, Flipkart’s Gain: Biswas Joins the Quick Commerce Battle
Kabeer Biswas, the co-founder of Dunzo, is stepping into a new chapter as he joins Flipkart Minutes, the quick commerce division of Walmart-owned Flipkart, as head of operations, according to a report by Moneycontrol.
After nearly a decade of building and leading Dunzo, which he co-founded in 2014, Biswas is returning to the fast-paced world of instant delivery, this time with one of the biggest names in e-commerce.
A Challenging Time for Dunzo
His move comes at a challenging time for Dunzo, which has been scaling back operations amidst intense competition from players like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit (owned by Zomato), and BigBasket.
Despite raising significant funds—over $400 million from backers like Reliance, Google, and Blume Ventures—the company struggled with high cash burn and couldn’t maintain its footing in the hyperlocal delivery space. Biswas, the last remaining co-founder, recently decided to step away as the company navigates its next phase.
About Flipkart Minutes
Flipkart Minutes, which launched in August 2024, is a relatively new entrant in the quick commerce market, but the decision to bring in Biswas underscores Flipkart’s commitment to strengthening its position. With his vast experience in the rapid delivery industry, Biswas is expected to inject fresh energy and strategic direction into the business.
His tenure at Dunzo, where he helped the brand become a household name in hyperlocal delivery, positions him as a valuable asset for Flipkart Minutes, which is looking to compete with established players like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart.
Funding Frenzy: 14 Startups Secure $33 Million in December-January Stretch
Between December 30 and January 4, 2025, a total of 14 startups spanning various industries secured $33.43 million in funding. These sectors ranged from hospitality and finance to robotics, AI, and wealth management. The previous week saw Indian startups raising more than $44 million, with a significant chunk of that—$20 million—going to EPACK Prefab.
Sectors that attracted the most investor interest
Among the sectors that attracted the most investor interest, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) led the charge. Mufin Green Finance stood out with a hefty $18 million in funding, while SME lender Aye Finance followed with $12.8 million.
Other noteworthy raises came from Wealthy Nivesh, a wealth management firm that secured $1 million, B2B logistics platform CargoFL, which raised $780,000, and Guestara, a hospitality startup, which brought in $500,000. In total, these companies collectively raised over $2.28 million.
Additionally, NumberOne Academy raised $350,000, and while robotics startup Flo Mobility and OTT platform Klassroom secured funding, the exact amounts have not been disclosed.
No Ring, No Room: Unmarried Couples Face the Door at OYO Hotels
OYO has introduced a new check-in rule for its partner hotels in Meerut, requiring couples to provide proof of their relationship before being allowed to stay. Reports suggest that unmarried couples will now be denied check-in privileges, even for online reservations.
New Policy Brings Big Changes
The policy grants hotel operators the freedom to decline couple bookings based on their own judgment and adherence to local cultural values. According to OYO, this decision comes in response to appeals from community groups and residents in Meerut and other cities, who have urged stricter controls on hotel stays for unmarried couples.
Pawas Sharma, OYO’s Regional Head for North India, explained the reasoning behind the decision: “Our goal is to maintain a safe and responsible environment at our properties. While personal freedoms are important, we are committed to collaborating with local stakeholders, including law enforcement, to address community concerns. We will continue to monitor and adjust this policy as needed.”
Part of OYO’s New Strategy
The initiative is part of OYO’s larger plan to move away from its earlier reputation and position itself as a trusted option for families, business travelers, students, and religious tourists.
In addition to the new rules, OYO has also launched several campaigns to promote safe practices. These include hosting workshops with police and hotel staff, banning hotels involved in unethical activities, and investigating unauthorized properties operating under the OYO brand. This approach aims to ensure transparency and strengthen trust among its customers.
Harajuku Tokyo Café, a Japanese quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, has charted an ambitious growth trajectory with plans to expand to 90 outlets in the next three years. This expansion comes on the heels of a $2.5 million funding round, setting the stage for a significant transformation in India’s food and beverage landscape.
“This journey has been about learning, adapting, and innovating to bring authentic yet approachable Japanese cuisine to the Indian market. We’re aiming to achieve 90 outlets and ₹200 crore in revenue by 2027,” said Gaurav Kanwar, Founder of Harajuku Tokyo Café.
In 2025, the brand is planning to open 17 more outlets across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Punjab. Following that, it aims to expand into Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. “In Mumbai, we’re set to launch an outlet at Jio World Drive, BKC, in February 2025. By December 2025, we’re targeting an ARR of ₹72-80 crore, with plans to surpass ₹72 crore by next year.
The café also boasts an Average Order Value (AOV) of ₹750 to ₹850 per person, with a balanced focus on online and offline sales. Kanwar envisions opening 17 new outlets by the end of 2025, targeting cities like Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Ahmedabad.
“Our first outlet now generates ₹55–60 lakh monthly, a testament to the potential of this cuisine in India,” Kanwar emphasized.
Journey Rooted in Passion and Perseverance
Kanwar, a first-generation food entrepreneur, began his journey in 2019, inspired by his time in the UK and his love for Japanese cuisine. “Back then, Japanese food was accessible only through fine dining. I wanted to democratize it and make it more casual and convenient,” Kanwar shared.
A trip to Japan turned into a 40-day deep dive into its culinary traditions, leading to partnerships with two Japanese chefs. By 2021, Harajuku Tokyo Café had launched its first outlet in Delhi, quickly gaining traction. “We were sold out daily in our first month,” Kanwar recalled.
Scaling with a Vision
From its humble beginnings with a 580-square-foot space, the café now operates five outlets across Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. With a central kitchen in Noida to ensure quality and standardization, the brand has laid a solid foundation for scaling operations.
“We’re operating like a Japanese McDonald’s,” said Kanwar, highlighting their ability to deliver consistent quality with an efficient model.
The brand has also diversified into two verticals:
Harajuku Tokyo Café: A casual dine-in concept.
Harajuku Bakehouse: A scalable QSR model focused on bakery and pastry offerings.
Consumer Trends Driving Growth
Kanwar believes the Indian palate is evolving rapidly. “It’s amazing to see young children enjoying sushi and ramen, which was unimaginable a few years ago. Japanese and Korean cuisines are set to become mainstream,” he noted.
This shift is not limited to metros. “Even tier-2 and tier-3 cities are embracing sushi and ramen. Premiumization is the trend, with consumers willing to pay for quality,” he added.
Café’s standout offerings are ramen dishes and other creations inspired by Japanese manga and anime culture. For example, the ‘Naruto Ramen,’ which is directly inspired by the popular anime series Naruto. They also feature the Corn Dog, a beloved Korean dish that’s equally iconic and widely enjoyed on Japanese streets.
“Our menu is highly innovative, reflecting the growing influence of manga and anime culture, which is rapidly gaining popularity in India. In fact, India is now the second-largest consumer of manga and anime content globally, following China,” he added.
FMCG Dreams on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Harajuku Tokyo Café plans to enter the FMCG space with ready-to-eat Japanese products, leveraging its expertise in sauces, curries, and frozen foods. “This is my way of chasing the FMCG dream, starting small but aiming big,” Kanwar remarked.
Men’s Fashion Brand Snitch Expands its Reach with 10 New Retail Locations
Men’s fashion brand Snitch is gearing up for an aggressive expansion of its physical presence by launching 10 new retail stores in January 2025.
This expansion is part of the brand’s effort to strengthen its omnichannel strategy.
CEO Announces Major Expansion
In a recent LinkedIn post, Snitch’s CEO and co-founder, Siddharth Dungarwal, shared that the new stores will be located across various cities in India. Bengaluru will see three new outlets, while Delhi, Hubli, Chennai, Guwahati, Pune, Rajahmundry, and Lucknow will each get one. With this addition, the brand’s store count will rise to 45.
Dungarwal highlighted the rapid pace of growth, noting that while the brand took six months to open its second store in 2024, it has since opened 34 new stores over the past eight months. “Now, we are aiming for 10 more in January. 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling year for us,” he wrote.
Snitch’s Long Term Plans
Looking ahead, Snitch plans to continue expanding at an aggressive pace, with a target of reaching 100 stores in the near future. The brand is set to open over 65 stores in 2025, further solidifying its position in India’s competitive fashion market.
Founded in 2019 by Dungarwal and Chetan Siyal, Snitch initially started as a brick-and-mortar brand but pivoted to online retail in 2020 due to the pandemic. The brand offers a wide range of men’s fashion items, including shirts, jackets, hoodies, co-ords, and more. In 2023, Snitch gained national attention when it secured an investment of INR 1.5 Crore from all five sharks on the popular TV show Shark Tank India.
Piyush Goyal on Blinkit’s Ambulance Service: Legal Requirements Must Be Prioritized
On Friday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal shared his thoughts on Blinkit’s new ambulance service, emphasizing that the company must ensure its operations align with legal standards. Goyal stressed the importance of adhering to the laws of the country and fulfilling all necessary legal requirements as part of their new initiative.
Minister Stresses Legal Compliance
At a press briefing, he stated, “My only request regarding Blinkit’s ambulance service and its medicine delivery is that they must comply with the country’s laws and ensure all legal obligations are met.”
Blinkit, known for its quick commerce services offering a wide range of products like food, beauty items, and baby care essentials, has recently ventured into a more socially impactful service – providing ambulances that arrive at a patient’s doorstep within 10 minutes. The company introduced the service in Gurugram with five ambulances, which started operating this Thursday.
CEO Shares His Vision
Blinkit’s CEO, Albinder Dhindsa, shared his vision for the service on social media, saying, “We aim to solve the problem of offering quick and reliable ambulance services in Indian cities.” The ambulances are equipped with essential life-saving tools such as oxygen cylinders, Automated External Defibrillators (AED), stretchers, monitors, suction machines, and emergency medicines. Each vehicle will also have a trained paramedic, an assistant, and a skilled driver to ensure prompt and effective care.
Dhindsa explained that while the service is not designed for profit, the focus is on providing affordable, high-quality assistance. He emphasized the company’s commitment to long-term sustainability and its goal of expanding this service to major cities over the next two years.
In light of the ambulance launch, Dhindsa also encouraged the public to be mindful and give way to ambulances whenever possible.
Kotak Mahindra Bank COO and CTO Milind Nagnur Resigns, Cites Family Commitments
Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced the resignation of its Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Milind Nagnur, effective February 15, 2025.
The bank disclosed that Nagnur’s decision to step down was due to personal reasons, as he plans to move to the United States to support his family.
A Long-Serving Executive
Nagnur, a long-serving executive at the bank, made his resignation official through a letter dated January 3, where he cited family commitments as the primary reason for his departure. In response, Kotak Mahindra Bank has implemented an interim leadership structure to maintain operations during this transition.
This resignation comes at a challenging time for Kotak Mahindra Bank, which has been dealing with regulatory hurdles. In April 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on the bank, barring it from acquiring new customers through its digital and mobile banking platforms, and preventing the issuance of new credit cards. The RBI’s decision followed concerns about the bank’s IT systems and user access controls.
Ashok Vaswani, the bank’s Managing Director and CEO, has previously emphasized that addressing the regulatory issues and ensuring compliance with the RBI’s guidelines were top priorities. In an interview with Moneycontrol in October 2024, Vaswani mentioned that the bank was actively working on resolving the issues and was looking forward to the launch of its new mobile app, which is currently undergoing beta testing, aimed at improving customer experience once the restrictions are lifted.
Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal Applauds Blinkit’s Rapid Medical Assistance Initiative
Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, praised Blinkit for its innovative step in launching a 10-minute ambulance service in Gurugram. Sharing his thoughts on social media, he said, “Quick delivery isn’t limited to just groceries. Kudos to @albinder and the Blinkit team for prioritizing social good and executing it at incredible speed. This is a first of its kind!”
Earlier this week, Blinkit, which was acquired by Zomato, introduced its rapid ambulance service in Gurugram. The initiative aims to deliver emergency medical help promptly, with plans to roll it out to other cities in the future.
Using its existing hyperlocal delivery infrastructure, Blinkit ensures that medical assistance can reach people in need within a 10-minute window. The 24/7 service features fully equipped ambulances and skilled medical staff, ensuring timely responses in emergencies.
With this initiative, Blinkit takes a significant step in addressing the urgent need for reliable ambulance services. The first five ambulances are now operational in Gurugram, and as the service expands, users will be able to book a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance directly through the Blinkit app.
Ecom Express Appoints Kammal Daas as Vice President of Operations for Last-Mile Delivery
Ecom Express Limited, a leader in B2C e-commerce logistics solutions in India, has appointed Kammal Daas as its new Vice President of Operations for Last-Mile Delivery. This move comes as the company looks to strengthen its operations and boost efficiency in handling e-commerce deliveries across the nation.
Kammal Daas Brings a Huge Wealth of Experience
Daas brings over 18 years of expertise in supply chain management, operations, and logistics. In his new role, he will be responsible for enhancing the company’s last-mile delivery processes, with a focus on improving the customer experience and incorporating new technologies for real-time tracking and smooth order fulfillment.
Before joining Ecom Express, Daas served as Vice President of Operations at Licious, where he led mid-mile delivery and managed procurement logistics. He also held key roles at Flipkart and Walmart India, honing his expertise in third-party logistics. His experience will be instrumental in advancing Ecom Express’ capabilities and expanding its operations.
Vishwachetan Nadamani, the Chief Operating Officer of Ecom Express, expressed excitement about Daas’ appointment, noting, “Kammal’s proficiency in leveraging technology to enhance customer experience will be pivotal in strengthening our modular last-mile delivery services. His strategic vision will not only improve our operational efficiency but also help us adapt to the evolving demands of the e-commerce sector.”
NIVEA India Appoints Siddhartha Juneja as New E-Commerce Head to Lead Digital Transformation
NIVEA India has appointed Siddhartha Juneja as its new Director of E-Commerce, effective from January 2, 2025. In this role, Juneja will spearhead the company’s e-commerce strategies, focusing on enhancing digital capabilities and driving growth in the online skincare market.
His efforts will be centered on tapping into emerging digital opportunities to expand NIVEA’s footprint and foster deeper connections with consumers.
Geetika Mehta, Managing Director of NIVEA India, shared her excitement about the appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Siddhartha to NIVEA. His extensive experience in e-commerce and omni-channel strategies will be invaluable as we accelerate our digital transformation. With his leadership, we are poised to strengthen our relationship with consumers in the ever-changing digital landscape and continue to innovate.”
With more than 15 years in the FMCG and retail sectors, Juneja brings a wealth of experience. He has held key leadership positions at Mondelez, Flipkart, and Kellogg’s, where he led e-commerce growth, sales, and marketing efforts. Most recently, as Head of Omni Channel at Mondelez, Juneja played a critical role in expanding e-commerce and modern trade capabilities, utilizing data analytics, content, and media to drive sustained growth. At Flipkart, he was instrumental in shaping the grocery business strategy, which contributed to Flipkart’s success in the sector.
A Pivotal Moment for the Brand
“I’m excited to join NIVEA India at such a pivotal moment for the brand,” said Juneja. “With its strong legacy and commitment to innovation, my aim is to boost NIVEA’s digital capabilities, grow our e-commerce presence, and enhance the online experience for consumers, all while strengthening our partnerships. I look forward to collaborating with the team to grow NIVEA’s position in the online skincare market.”
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