Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Home Blog Page 2

Yu Foods FY25 Performance: Revenue Crosses ₹35 Crore on Strong Online and Q-Commerce Demand

By
SnackTeam
-
0

D2C instant food startup Yu Foods reported a sharp jump in revenue in FY25, underlining rising consumer appetite for convenient, ready-to-cook meals driven largely by digital and quick commerce platforms.

The Gurugram-based company more than doubled its operating revenue to ₹35.1 crore in FY25, up from ₹15.7 crore in the previous fiscal. Including other income of ₹1.3 crore, Yu Foods closed the year with a total income of ₹36.4 crore, according to financial disclosures.

Despite the strong top-line growth, losses widened during the year. Net loss increased 42.8 percent to ₹11 crore compared to ₹7.7 crore in FY24. The company attributed the rise primarily to a sharp reduction in deferred tax benefits, which fell to ₹89.6 lakh from ₹3.5 crore a year earlier. Management noted that without this adjustment, losses would have remained largely stable.

Operational efficiency showed signs of improvement. EBITDA loss narrowed to ₹8.5 crore from ₹9 crore in FY24, while EBITDA margins improved significantly to minus 24 percent from minus 60 percent. Total expenses rose 77.8 percent to ₹48 crore, reflecting investments in growth, product expansion and team building. Employee benefit expenses increased to ₹4.5 crore during the year.

Founded in 2021 by Bharat Bhalla and Varun Kapur, Yu Foods offers more than 25 instant food products spanning noodles, pastas, desserts and ready-to-cook meals. The brand’s growth continues to be led by online channels, with quick commerce and e-commerce accounting for nearly 65 percent of revenue. Offline sales contribute the rest, mainly through modern trade partners such as DMart and Reliance Supermart.

Looking ahead, the company has already surpassed its FY25 revenue within the first seven months of FY26. Management expects net revenue of ₹70 to ₹75 crore in FY26, supported by deeper penetration in existing markets and continued momentum across digital platforms.

Yu Foods has raised close to ₹100 crore to date, including a $6.5 million Series B round led by Ashish Kacholia and the Asian Paints promoter group.

Advertisement

Swiggy Closes ₹10,000 Crore QIP at Discount, Boosts Balance Sheet for Growth

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Swiggy has strengthened its balance sheet with a ₹10,000 crore capital raise through a qualified institutional placement, marking one of the largest recent fundraises in India’s consumer internet space. The food and grocery delivery major confirmed the closure of the QIP in a regulatory filing, following strong interest from a mix of domestic mutual funds and global institutional investors.

The company issued shares at ₹375 apiece, a price that reflects a discount of roughly 11 percent to Swiggy’s previous closing price of ₹416.70 on the BSE. Market sources indicated that most bids during the placement clustered around this level, underscoring cautious but steady institutional appetite amid intense competition in the quick commerce and delivery segments.

The fresh infusion significantly enhances Swiggy’s financial flexibility. Post-issuance, the company’s cash reserves are expected to rise to nearly ₹15,000 crore, providing a substantial buffer as it scales its food delivery, Instamart and emerging quick commerce operations. In addition, Swiggy is set to receive approximately ₹2,400 crore from the upcoming sale of its stake in urban mobility platform Rapido, which would further bolster its liquidity position.

The timing of the fundraise is notable. India’s rapid delivery market has seen escalating investments, faster fulfilment promises and rising customer acquisition costs as players race to dominate urban consumption. With rivals aggressively expanding dark store networks and delivery fleets, Swiggy’s capital raise is widely viewed as a strategic move to sustain growth while absorbing near-term cost pressures.

Industry observers say the strengthened cash position allows Swiggy to remain competitive without immediate pressure on profitability targets. It also offers headroom for investments in technology, supply chain expansion and category diversification as the company navigates an increasingly crowded delivery landscape.

The successful QIP signals continued institutional confidence in Swiggy’s long-term play, even as the sector enters a more capital-intensive phase.

Advertisement

Lululemon Bets on a Reset After CEO Calvin McDonald’s Exit as Gen Z Interest Slips and Growth Slows

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Lululemon is entering a moment of reckoning as the activewear giant parts ways with its CEO and signals a return to its original playbook. The leadership change comes at a time when the brand, once synonymous with premium yoga wear, is struggling to hold the attention of a younger and more trend driven audience in the United States.

According to analysts, Lululemon’s core challenge is not product quality but relevance. Gen Z shoppers, who now drive a significant share of fashion spending, are moving away from the fitted leggings and minimalist styles that once defined the brand. Sky Canaves, analyst at Emarketer, pointed out that this shift has left Lululemon in a tough spot, as its signature silhouettes no longer feel aspirational to a generation raised on looser fits, streetwear influences, and rapid trend cycles.

The exit of CEO Calvin McDonald reflects a broader pattern across global consumer companies facing uneven demand and cautious spending. Inflation fatigue and economic uncertainty have made shoppers more selective, forcing brands to justify premium price tags with either innovation or cultural relevance. Lululemon, which built its reputation on technical fabrics and community led fitness culture, appears to believe that going back to basics may be the safest reset.

Investors seem cautiously optimistic. The idea of refocusing on core products, tightening assortments, and sharpening brand identity has historically worked for legacy names under pressure. Still, the road ahead is not simple. Competitors offering similar performance wear at lower prices, along with fashion brands encroaching on athleisure, have crowded the market.

For Lululemon, this transition is less about chasing trends and more about rediscovering why consumers fell in love with the brand in the first place. Whether that strategy can win back younger shoppers will determine if this reset becomes a revival or just a pause in a longer slowdown.

Advertisement

Aditya Birla Group’s Aadyam Handwoven Signs Sobhita Dhulipala to Highlight the Skill of India’s Traditional Weaving Clusters

By
SnackTeam
-
0
Image of Aadyam Handwoven
Aditya Birla Group’s Aadyam Handwoven Signs Sobhita Dhulipala to Highlight the Skill of India’s Traditional Weaving Clusters

Aadyam Handwoven, the craft focused initiative supported by the Aditya Birla Group, has named Sobhita Dhulipala as its new brand ambassador. The announcement marks an important step for the label, which has spent years building a space for Indian handloom artisans while giving traditional techniques a place in modern wardrobes.

Sobhita, known for her poise, sharp screen presence, and deep sense of cultural style, fits neatly into the vision Aadyam has shaped since its launch in 2015. The initiative works with weaving clusters across several states, supporting hundreds of artisans who continue age old textile practices. By choosing Sobhita, the brand hopes to draw more attention to the artistry behind these handwoven textiles and the people who keep them alive.

At the launch, Sobhita spoke about her personal respect for handmade craft and the emotional value of clothing that carries the mark of a human touch. Her appearance in a rich handwoven sari at the event reflected exactly what the initiative aims to highlight, which is the timeless beauty of Indian textiles when worn with confidence and care.

For Aadyam, the partnership comes at a moment when interest in Indian craft has grown among younger shoppers, especially those who want their clothing to tell a story. The brand believes Sobhita’s influence can help expand this movement by bringing in people who admire her natural style and her ability to blend tradition with contemporary taste.

With this collaboration, Aadyam is looking to strengthen its mission of giving artisans a wider stage and proving that handwoven textiles remain relevant in today’s fashion landscape. Sobhita’s presence gives the initiative a new spark and a familiar face that can help carry its message to a larger audience.

Advertisement

Eggoz Founder Abhishek Negi Breaks Silence as Trustified’s AOZ Report Shakes Consumer Confidence in Eggoz

By
SnackTeam
-
0
Image og eggoz.
Eggoz Founder Abhishek Negi Breaks Silence as Trustified’s AOZ Report Shakes Consumer Confidence in Eggoz

Eggoz, the premium egg brand that built its reputation on clean farming and strict safety checks, has found itself in the middle of a social media storm after a YouTube video claimed that traces of a banned antibiotic metabolite were detected in its eggs. The video, posted by the testing channel Trustified, alleged that blind lab analysis had found AOZ, a metabolite of the banned antibiotic Nitrofuran, in an Eggoz sample. The claim spread rapidly across Instagram and YouTube, sparking worry among customers and creating online chatter that linked the brand to cancer related risks.

Trustified, which calls itself India’s first fully blind testing certification initiative, reported AOZ levels of 0.73 per kg in a sample. Although the quantity was minimal, the claim pushed many consumers to question food safety standards and the oversight of premium food brands. With Eggoz known for its one hundred percent antibiotic free promise, the allegation quickly put pressure on the company to explain its side of the story.

Responding to the backlash, Eggoz issued a detailed note on Instagram on 9 December. The company stated that its eggs follow every guideline set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Eggoz also said that trace residues, when they appear, can come from environmental sources like groundwater contamination and not from the use of antibiotics in the farm.

Founder Abhishek Negi followed this with a personal statement on LinkedIn. He said the claims had created needless panic and that he was shocked by the misinformation circulating online. He added that the company had already initiated fresh testing through an independent NABL accredited lab to reassure its customers.

Advertisement

Chanel Taps BTS Star Jungkook as Global Beauty Ambassador, Betting on His 100 Million Fan Power

By
SnackTeam
-
0
Image of chanel.
Chanel Taps BTS Star Jungkook as Global Beauty Ambassador, Betting on His 100 Million Fan Power

BTS member Jungkook has taken on a new role in the global beauty industry, with Chanel announcing him as the worldwide face of its fragrances and beauty line. The decision marks one of the luxury house’s biggest celebrity partnerships of the year and reflects its growing focus on younger consumers who admire Jungkook’s style, discipline, and creative approach.

Chanel confirmed the news along with a portrait of Jungkook that highlights his clean, modern aesthetic. The brand described him as an artist whose influence stretches far beyond music. His presence in fashion, grooming, and youth culture made him an obvious choice for a partnership aimed at refreshing Chanel’s beauty communication. In his statement, Jungkook shared that he resonates with Chanel’s commitment to evolving without losing its roots. He said he tries to stay true to his own artistic voice while taking on new challenges, which is why this collaboration feels meaningful to him.

The appointment is expected to boost Chanel’s reach in key markets, especially across Asia, Europe, and the United States, where Jungkook has an enormous fan base. His previous brand collaborations have shown measurable impact in sales and digital visibility, often causing products to trend within hours. Industry watchers believe Chanel will experience a similar lift, particularly in its men’s fragrances and skincare categories.

For fans, the announcement brings together two powerful names that already shape global pop culture. For Chanel, it signals a confident step toward a more contemporary identity. And for Jungkook, it adds another milestone to a career that continues to grow across music, style, and now luxury beauty.

Advertisement

Hamleys Expands India Footprint with Experiential Café for Families at Phoenix Mall

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Hamleys has taken its retail experience a step further with the launch of India’s first-ever Hamleys Café at Phoenix Mall of the Millennium in Pune. Spanning 1,200 sq. ft., including 600 sq. ft. of seating and a capacity for 40 guests, the café is positioned alongside the Hamleys Play zone and Timezone, creating a seamless blend of play, retail, and family dining.

The café is designed to offer families a relaxed environment where parents can unwind while children engage with interactive play areas. It features a menu curated for all age groups, including Organic Pret coffee, gourmet sandwiches, pastas, fries, nuggets, and freshly prepared desserts by chefs trained at EL&N London. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, with pricing structured to remain accessible, starting from Rs. 99 for coffee and birthday packages from Rs. 399. The space also accommodates small celebrations, playdates, and casual family breaks, allowing parents to enjoy their time without losing sight of their children.

“This format represents a new chapter in Hamleys’ India strategy,” said a company spokesperson. “By integrating retail, play, and dining, we are creating an immersive experience that encourages longer visits, repeat footfall, and engagement across generations.”

Phoenix Mall, known for its strong family-oriented visitor base, provides an ideal environment for testing this concept, which the brand plans to potentially scale across other high-traffic locations in India. The café’s design emphasizes simplicity, accessibility, and comfort, aligning with Hamleys’ broader goal of enhancing experiential retail.

With this launch, Hamleys aims to strengthen its position as a destination for both shopping and family leisure, offering a model that combines entertainment, convenience, and quality dining. The initiative marks a shift in India’s retail landscape, highlighting the growing trend of integrated play-and-dine formats in major metropolitan markets.

Advertisement

How a Blinkit Dark Store Worker Climbed His Way to Zomato’s Design Team and Caught Deepinder Goyal’s Attention

By
Online Desk
-
0
Image of zomato
How a Blinkit Dark Store Worker Climbed His Way to Zomato’s Design Team and Caught Deepinder Goyal’s Attention

Zomato chief executive Deepinder Goyal shared a message this week that quietly captured the internet’s attention. The note came from Atharv Singh, a fourth year design student who once worked as a picker at a Blinkit dark store and is now preparing to join Zomato’s design team. Goyal posted the message on his social media, saying stories like these make every effort behind the company feel worthwhile.

According to Atharv’s note, his journey began with a simple but heavy challenge. He wanted to pursue design, but his parents could not afford his education. Instead of giving up, he joined Blinkit as a picker, taking up long hours and difficult shifts while studying on the side. Over time, things began to improve. He grew more confident, gained experience and kept pushing himself.

The turning point came when he secured an opportunity to join Zomato as a designer. For Atharv, it was more than a job. It felt like a step toward the future he had dreamed of. Impressed by his dedication, Goyal shared the note with a quiet sense of pride, writing that moments like these make everything feel absolutely worth it.

The post quickly went viral, with people celebrating the young student’s determination and the encouragement shown by Goyal. Many users called it the highlight of their day. Others shared their own stories of struggle and small wins. One person wrote that even one percent of such journeys feels inspiring. Another said nothing hits harder than someone fighting to earn and support their own dreams. A third person even joked about combining Zomato delivery and content creation as a million dollar idea.

Atharv’s story stood out because it felt real, simple and honest, and sometimes that is all it takes to remind people why hard work still matters.

Advertisement

Orkla India Strengthens Convenience Foods Portfolio Amid Rising E-Commerce Demand

By
SnackTeam
-
0

Orkla India, the owner of iconic brands MTR and Eastern, is aggressively eyeing acquisitions and betting on the growing demand for ready-to-eat meals and hyperfast delivery to drive double-digit revenue growth in the coming fiscal years. The company, which merged MTR and Eastern in 2023, aims to return to the double-digit growth levels last seen in fiscal 2023, according to CEO Sanjay Sharma.

Speaking to Reuters, Sharma said the company is evaluating a broad spectrum of acquisition opportunities, ranging from Rs 1–2 crore ($11–22 million) to larger deals, particularly those that resonate with local culinary culture. “We have sufficient cash and the ability to raise more funds if required to pursue strategic deals,” he noted.

Orkla India’s convenience foods portfolio, which includes vermicelli, ready-to-cook breakfast kits, and other instant meals, now contributes 33.4 percent of the company’s revenue, up from 31.5 percent in the previous year. Online channels, including e-commerce and app-based platforms, accounted for 7.5 percent of sales last year, up from 5.1 percent, reflecting a 47 percent year-on-year jump. Hyperfast delivery apps such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart have further accelerated adoption of ready-to-eat products, especially in urban markets, despite a broader slowdown in discretionary consumption.

Sharma emphasized that rising disposable incomes and the growing preference for convenience among millennials and dual-income households will continue to fuel the convenience segment, potentially outpacing traditional spice sales. The company is also tracking broader M&A activity in India’s consumer goods space, which has hit a four-year high, including deals like Tilaknagar Industries’ $486 million acquisition of Imperial Blue whisky and Wilmar International’s $832 million stake purchase in AWL Agri Business.

With its combined focus on strategic acquisitions, convenience foods, and rapid digital distribution, Orkla India is positioning itself to capitalize on shifting consumption patterns, ensuring that the merged MTR-Eastern portfolio remains at the forefront of India’s evolving food market.

Advertisement

Go Colors Bets Big on Experience-Led Retail With New 2,400 Sq Ft Mumbai Flagship

By
SnackTeam
-
0
Image of Go colors.
Go Colors Bets Big on Experience-Led Retail With New 2,400 Sq Ft Mumbai Flagship

Mumbai has become the newest focus point for Go Colors as the women’s bottomwear specialist unveiled a 2,400 square foot flagship store on Bandra’s Linking Road, one of the city’s busiest fashion corridors. The store is now the brand’s largest in Mumbai and expands its local footprint to 65 outlets, reinforcing its strategy of building larger, experience-led locations in major metros.

The launch follows recently opened flagship formats in Chennai and Bengaluru, part of a broader retail blueprint aimed at showcasing the complete Go Colors assortment in an environment created for discovery and trial. The company said the new store introduces wider trial rooms, dedicated zones for fabrics and fits, and curated capsules designed to simplify browsing for consumers who shop across multiple use cases.

Founder and CEO Gautam Saraogi described the opening as an important milestone in the brand’s physical expansion. He noted that Linking Road’s high footfall and mix of young shoppers make it a strong market for the company’s next-generation stores, which emphasise depth of assortment over a traditional compact layout.

Content creator and actor Prajakta Koli, who inaugurated the store, is also the face behind the brand’s limited-edition MostlySane collection. The line, created in collaboration with Go Colors, occupies a prominent space within the store. Chief Marketing Officer Vatsal Koolwal said the collection reflects a growing demand for clothing that balances comfort and style in everyday wear, particularly among younger consumers.

Koli spent time interacting with shoppers at the launch, describing the store as welcoming and intuitive, with a layout that mirrors how women navigate bottoms across work, travel, and daily comfort needs.

Go Colors now operates more than 800 exclusive stores in over 200 cities and expects to add 80 to 90 new stores annually as part of its nationwide expansion strategy driven by design, innovation and in-store experience.

Advertisement
123...1,374Page 2 of 1,374