Myntra Introduces Zero-Commission Model to Boost Emerging D2C Fashion Brands

Quick Commerce

January 9, 2026

Myntra has unveiled a zero-commission selling model aimed at accelerating the growth of emerging Indian fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, as competition intensifies among ecommerce platforms to onboard promising direct-to-consumer labels early in their journey.

The new structure has been introduced under Myntra’s Rising Stars programme and allows eligible homegrown D2C brands to list and sell on the marketplace without paying any commission during their initial phase of growth. The initiative is designed to help young brands move beyond limited reach on their own websites and social media platforms and access a nationwide customer base from the outset.

Brands joining the programme will gain exposure to Myntra’s more than 75 million monthly active users, along with the platform’s discovery tools, data-led merchandising support and delivery network that services 98 percent of India’s pin codes. By removing commission costs at the entry stage, Myntra said brands can deploy more capital toward marketing, product development and customer acquisition, areas that often strain early-stage businesses.

For many D2C labels, scaling beyond Instagram-led marketing and influencer partnerships remains a challenge due to high acquisition costs and fragmented logistics. Myntra’s model seeks to address this gap by offering built-in demand drivers such as platform-led visibility, targeted promotions, bank offers and access to its fulfilment infrastructure, enabling brands to focus on building consumer loyalty and consistent demand.

The Rising Stars programme currently hosts over 2,000 brands across fashion, beauty and lifestyle categories and has emerged as a key pipeline for new labels on the platform. Myntra said the zero-commission approach follows a pilot conducted during the 2025 festive season in the women’s ethnic wear segment. More than 200 new brands were onboarded during the trial, several of which achieved scale and wider customer reach within four months.

Myntra executives said the initiative reflects a broader push to support Made-in-India brands with technology, insights and visibility that can help them build sustainable businesses. As the D2C ecosystem matures, marketplace-led support models such as this are expected to play a larger role in shaping the next generation of Indian consumer brands.

D2C Home Appliances Startup Nuuk Sees Revenue Surge to INR 16 Cr in FY25

Growth

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Nuuk, a direct-to-consumer home appliances startup, reported a sharp jump in operating revenue in its first full year of operations, underscoring rising consumer interest in digitally native appliance brands focused on design-led offerings.

According to filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Gurugram-based company recorded operating revenue of INR 16 crore in FY25, a significant increase from INR 31.8 lakh in FY24. The previous fiscal largely reflected partial operations, as FY25 marked the first complete year of business for the startup.

Founded in 2023 by Gazal Kalra and Shalabh Gupta, Nuuk operates in the increasingly competitive home and kitchen appliances segment, where D2C brands are targeting urban consumers with products positioned around aesthetics, functionality and price accessibility. The company’s rapid topline growth in FY25 highlights early traction in this crowded category, particularly through online channels.

However, the revenue surge was accompanied by higher costs. Nuuk’s net loss widened to INR 39 lakh during FY25, compared with a loss of INR 7 lakh in the previous year. The rise in losses was primarily driven by increased operating expenses as the company scaled manufacturing, marketing and distribution to support a wider product range and growing order volumes.

Nuuk’s portfolio spans both home and kitchen appliances. It sells products such as room heaters, fans and steam irons, along with kitchen appliances including air fryers and juicers. Vacuum cleaners form its largest category, with 14 variants currently on offer. The company says its vacuum range has been designed keeping Indian household requirements and climatic conditions in mind, a positioning that has gained relevance as demand for convenient cleaning solutions grows in urban markets.

The Indian appliances market has seen a steady influx of D2C brands over the past few years, as consumers increasingly shift to online discovery and purchase. While profitability remains a challenge for many early-stage players, Nuuk’s FY25 performance reflects how scale and brand visibility can build quickly in the digital-first ecosystem, even as companies continue to invest heavily in growth.

Vichy Appoints Emily DiDonato as Global Brand Ambassador to Lead Its Shift Toward Integrative Skin and Hair Health

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Vichy has named model and wellness advocate Emily DiDonato as its global brand ambassador, marking a clear shift in how the French dermocosmetics brand wants to be seen going forward. In her new role, DiDonato will feature across Vichy’s upcoming skin and hair care campaigns and act as the brand’s voice on social media, helping shape conversations around long term skin health rather than quick fixes.

The appointment comes as Vichy sharpens its focus on integrative health, an approach that links dermatology, lifestyle and overall wellbeing. According to Vincent Chauvière, global brand president of Vichy Laboratoires, DiDonato stood out for how naturally she reflects these values. He said she brings together credibility, warmth and influence, while also being widely trusted in the beauty and wellness space to guide people toward healthier skin and hair from the inside out.

DiDonato began her modelling career at 17 and quickly rose to international prominence, fronting campaigns for major fashion and beauty houses and appearing in publications such as Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. Over time, she has built a parallel identity beyond fashion. Through social media and personal projects, she has focused on wellness, mental balance and nutrition, earning certifications as both a nutrition coach and a yoga instructor.

For DiDonato, the partnership feels personal. She said she has long admired how Vichy connects science backed skincare with health driven routines. She described the brand as an iconic French dermo name that encourages people to become the healthiest version of themselves, not just visually but holistically.

With this appointment, Vichy is signaling a broader evolution. By aligning with a figure who bridges beauty, science and wellness, the brand is positioning itself for a future where skincare is part of a larger conversation about how people live, eat, move and care for themselves every day.

AI Skincare Brand NXTFACE Taps Cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues to Win Over Gen Z Consumers

Skincare

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

AI driven skincare brand NXTFACE has announced Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as its national brand ambassador, marking a strategic push to deepen its connection with younger consumers. The association comes ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League season, a period when interest in women’s cricket and athlete led endorsements tends to peak.

NXTFACE positions itself at the intersection of technology and personal care, using artificial intelligence to recommend skincare routines tailored to individual needs. By bringing Rodrigues on board, the brand is leaning into authenticity rather than aspiration alone. Known for her candid personality and outspoken views on confidence and self belief, Rodrigues has built a following that extends beyond cricket fans, especially among Gen Z audiences.

According to the company, the partnership will be rolled out through an integrated marketing campaign spanning digital platforms, social media and on ground activations. The messaging will centre on self acceptance and personal transformation, themes that align closely with both the athlete’s public image and the brand’s philosophy. Rather than promising instant perfection, the campaign aims to encourage users to understand and care for their skin on their own terms.

For NXTFACE, the timing is deliberate. The Women’s Premier League has emerged as a powerful cultural moment, offering brands a chance to associate with ambition, discipline and modern Indian womanhood. Associating with a young, high performing sportsperson allows the brand to stay culturally relevant while standing apart in a crowded skincare market.

Rodrigues, who has often spoken about navigating pressure and expectations in professional sport, said the collaboration felt natural because it focused on confidence rather than correction. Her involvement is expected to bring relatability and credibility to the brand’s conversations around skin health.

As competition intensifies in the beauty and personal care space, endorsements alone are no longer enough. With this partnership, NXTFACE is betting that technology backed personalisation and a familiar, grounded face can help it cut through the noise and build lasting trust with India’s next generation of consumers.

Fabpad Raises Seed Funding Led by Inflection Point Ventures to Scale Menstrual Hygiene Access Across India

funding

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Fabpad, an Indian menstrual hygiene brand, has raised fresh seed funding to strengthen its distribution network and expand its presence across multiple sales channels. The round was led by Gurugram based Inflection Point Ventures, though the company did not disclose the amount raised. The funding marks an important step for the brand as it looks to scale access to menstrual care products across urban and non urban markets.

Founded by Shripriya Dhelia, with Dipesh Dhelia serving as chief executive officer, Fabpad operates across both reusable and disposable menstrual hygiene categories. The company follows an asset light model and caters to consumer, institutional and private label segments. Over the years, it has supplied products at scale to NGOs, institutions and large buyers while steadily building a pan India footprint.

According to the company, the newly raised capital will be used to expand distribution across direct to consumer platforms, online marketplaces, quick commerce channels and offline retail. A portion of the funds will also go towards brand building, customer acquisition and strengthening senior leadership across growth and operations. Working capital support is another focus area as the company looks to maintain a stable and transparent order pipeline across its different business lines.

Fabpad’s approach reflects a broader shift in India’s menstrual hygiene space, where brands are increasingly balancing affordability, scale and operational efficiency. While awareness around menstrual health has improved in recent years, access and consistency remain uneven, especially outside major cities. Brands operating with institutional partnerships and retail reach are playing a key role in closing that gap.

Inflection Point Ventures, which has backed several early stage consumer and health focused startups, said it sees long term potential in companies addressing essential needs with scalable models. For Fabpad, the funding provides momentum to deepen its market presence while continuing to serve both impact driven and commercial segments.

As competition intensifies in the menstrual care market, Fabpad’s next phase will likely be defined by how effectively it converts expanded reach into sustained trust and repeat adoption across India.

India’s First Rooftop Restaurant at a Train Station Inside NCRTC’s 18,578 Sq Metre Commercial Bet at Ghaziabad RRTS

Business

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Ghaziabad is set to witness a quiet but significant shift in how India thinks about railway stations. The Ghaziabad RRTS station, also known as Namo Bharat Station, is on track to become the country’s first train station to feature a rooftop restaurant along with mall style commercial facilities. The move is part of a broader plan by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation to turn transit hubs into destinations rather than just points of entry and exit.

NCRTC has invited bids for licensing Property Development areas within the station, located on the Delhi Ghaziabad Meerut corridor. The idea is simple but ambitious. Create a space where commuters can eat, shop and unwind without stepping out of the station complex. Under the proposal, cafes, food outlets, retail stores and a rooftop dining experience will be developed inside the designated PD zone.

In total, around 18,578 square metres of commercial space will be offered on a licence basis against a fixed rent. This space will be accessible not just to daily commuters using the RRTS network but also to local residents from surrounding areas. For Ghaziabad, this effectively adds a new urban hotspot built around public transport.

The project reflects a growing trend in infrastructure planning where transport systems are expected to generate revenue beyond ticket sales. Globally, transit oriented development has helped cities unlock land value while improving commuter experience. NCRTC appears to be applying the same logic to India’s first semi high speed regional rail system.

If executed well, the Ghaziabad station could set a template for future RRTS stations across the corridor. A rooftop restaurant overlooking a busy rail hub may sound unconventional today, but it signals a future where stations are no longer just functional spaces, but social and commercial centres woven into daily city life.

Prada Returns to Indian Inspiration This Time with Chai, Cardamom and a Luxury Price That Has Everyone Talking

Luxury

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Prada is once again borrowing from India, and this time the inspiration comes straight out of a teacup. After last year’s controversy around Kolhapuri chappals, the Italian luxury house has unveiled Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum, a unisex fragrance that draws on the everyday ritual of chai. The launch has already sparked chatter, curiosity and more than a little eye rolling.

According to Prada, the scent blends sandalwood with cardamom, aiming to recreate the warmth and familiarity of Indian tea culture. Chai, for millions, is not a trend or an aesthetic. It is a pause between meetings, a conversation starter, a habit formed at street corners and kitchen counters. Translating that into a luxury perfume priced far beyond the daily cup has raised obvious questions about who gets to profit from cultural symbols and how.

This is not Prada’s first brush with Indian craftsmanship. Its Kolhapuri inspired footwear last year drew criticism for failing to credit or meaningfully engage with the artisans behind the design. The brand eventually acknowledged the roots, but the episode left a lingering discomfort. With the chai inspired fragrance, the conversation has resurfaced, this time focused on cultural extraction rather than design plagiarism.

At the same time, there is no denying the commercial logic. Global luxury has been increasingly obsessed with Indian motifs, flavours and rituals, especially as India’s consumer market grows louder and richer. Chai offers an instantly recognisable hook, even for buyers who have never set foot in an Indian city.

What remains unclear is whether such products deepen understanding or simply repackage familiarity for profit. A bottle of Infusion de Santal Chai may smell comforting, but for many Indians, chai is comfort precisely because it is ordinary and shared. When that ordinariness is turned into a high priced luxury object, it invites admiration, criticism and debate in equal measure.

Flipkart Appoints Gunjan Bhartia as Senior Vice President, Business Finance

Business

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Flipkart has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Gunjan Bhartia as Senior Vice President, Business Finance, as the company sharpens its focus on scaling and optimising its supply chain operations.

In his new role, Bhartia will oversee business finance for eKart across all verticals. His mandate includes driving financial planning, strengthening performance management frameworks and supporting key strategic initiatives as Flipkart continues to expand its logistics and fulfilment capabilities. The appointment comes at a time when the Walmart-owned ecommerce major is investing heavily in supply chain efficiency to support growth across categories and improve delivery speed and reliability.

Bhartia brings with him more than 28 years of experience in finance leadership roles across Asia and the Middle East. Over the course of his career, he has worked across complex, large-scale organisations and has been closely involved in transformation initiatives, governance structures and execution of multi-billion-dollar programmes.

Prior to joining Flipkart, Bhartia held senior positions at global conglomerate GE, where he worked across multiple geographies and business units. He later joined South Korea-based ecommerce company Coupang, one of Asia’s largest digital commerce platforms, where he was part of the leadership team navigating rapid growth in a listed-company environment. His experience spans strategic finance, operational controls and scaling businesses in high-growth markets.

At Flipkart, Bhartia will report into the company’s finance leadership and work closely with the eKart management team. His role will focus on enabling long-term value creation by aligning financial discipline with operational priorities, particularly as the company builds out its logistics infrastructure to handle higher volumes and more complex supply chain demands.

Flipkart’s supply chain arm eKart plays a critical role in the group’s broader ecommerce operations, handling warehousing, last-mile delivery and reverse logistics across the country. With this appointment, the company aims to reinforce financial oversight and decision-making as it continues to expand its footprint and compete in India’s fast-evolving ecommerce landscape.

Uniqlo Owner Fast Retailing Raises Full-Year Forecast After 34% Jump in Quarterly Profit

Growth

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

Fast Retailing, the Japanese apparel giant behind Uniqlo, has raised its full-year forecast after delivering a strong jump in quarterly profit, underscoring resilient global demand despite higher trade costs and geopolitical noise.

The company reported a 34 percent rise in operating profit to 205.6 billion yen for the September to November quarter, driven by a 15 percent increase in revenue. The performance comfortably exceeded market expectations, with analysts tracked by LSEG forecasting operating profit of around 177 billion yen for the period. Following the results, Fast Retailing lifted its operating profit outlook for the year to 650 billion yen from an earlier estimate of 610 billion yen, putting it on course for a fifth straight year of profit growth.

China, Fast Retailing’s largest overseas market, played a key role in the quarterly rebound. Autumn sales gained momentum, supported by a collaboration with Chinese e-commerce major JD.com that helped attract new customers. The company said it continues to expect revenue and profit growth in China through the rest of the financial year ending August 2026, even as diplomatic tensions between Japan and China remain unresolved.

At the same time, the retailer is accelerating its push in Western markets as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on China. During the quarter, it opened large-format stores in Antwerp, Birmingham and Munich, and outlined plans to launch new flagship outlets in major US cities including Chicago, New York and Boston.

Fast Retailing said it was able to absorb the impact of additional US tariffs during the quarter, with margins holding up better than anticipated. In Japan, operating profit rose 20.6 percent from a year earlier, supported by strong demand for sweatshirts and heat-retaining innerwear. International operations recorded profit growth of 41.6 percent, with several overseas markets posting double-digit increases in both revenue and earnings.

Often viewed as a bellwether for consumer spending trends in Japan and China, Fast Retailing’s latest results suggest demand for everyday apparel remains firm, even as global retailers navigate trade pressures and uneven economic conditions across key markets.

“L’Oréal, Estée Lauder See Sales Growth Halve Amid Intensifying Beauty Market Competition in India

Beauty

SnackTeam

January 9, 2026

India’s beauty market is getting crowded, and the pressure is beginning to show on some of the world’s biggest cosmetic companies. Global majors such as L’Oréal and Estée Lauder have reported a sharp slowdown in sales growth in India, as aggressive new-age brands and a rapidly evolving online ecosystem reshape consumer behaviour.

L’Oréal India’s sales growth dropped to 5 percent in FY25, less than half of the 14 percent it recorded the previous year. Estée Lauder, which operates in the country through Elca Cosmetics, saw growth slow to 7 percent, down from 19 percent in FY24. The strain was also visible at Quest Retail, the Indian partner for The Body Shop and Kiehl’s, which reported a 6 percent decline in sales in FY25 after posting similar growth a year earlier.

Industry executives point to intensifying competition and a shift in where and how consumers shop. Online-first brands and digitally savvy global entrants are increasingly winning customers through sharp pricing, frequent launches and heavy promotional activity. This has weakened the long-standing advantage of established players built around physical distribution and brand legacy.

“Growth in beauty is now skewed toward brands that are more aggressive on promotions and customer acquisition,” said Biju Kassim, CEO, beauty at Shoppers Stop, which manages labels such as Shiseido and Bobbi Brown in India. According to him, the momentum is clearly shifting toward D2C brands and newer international names, leading to market share erosion for incumbents.

India’s beauty and personal care market is still on a strong growth path. A joint report by Nykaa and Redseer Consulting estimates the market will expand from $21 billion currently to $34 billion by 2028, driven by rising online penetration and growing demand for premium products.

The boom has also led to an explosion of brand launches. In FY25 alone, Nykaa onboarded over 600 Indian and global beauty brands, almost double the number added the previous year. The strategy helped the platform deliver 25 percent growth last fiscal, underlining how distribution power is increasingly shifting toward digital marketplaces.

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