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Beyoung goes global, expands to Middle East through partnership with Noon.com

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Beyoung goes global, expands to Middle East through partnership with Noon.com

Udaipur-based fashion brand Beyoung has entered the Middle East market through a strategic partnership with e-commerce platform Noon.com.

Beyoung to operate 300 outlets globally

The direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand also plans to open 300 offline stores globally within three years and achieve INR 600 crore turnover by 2027.

Continue Exploring: Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

“Launching with Noon.com is a pivotal moment for us,” said Shivam Soni, CEO and founder of Beyoung. “We ardently believe that the UAE has a large, untapped market of consumers who require value for money and premium fashion, and we’re excited to connect with them. This paves the way for us to reach the global mass market, including the untapped tier II, III, and IV cities.”

Beyoung targets presence in GCC, MENA regions

Further, Beyoung aims to strengthen its presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, using this partnership as a gateway to international markets.

Continue Exploring: Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

Established in 2018 by four entrepreneurs – Shivam Soni, Shivani Soni, Sakshi Soni, and Shankar Mali – Beyoung offers affordable, premium fashion for men and women. Its product range includes plain t-shirts, joggers, cargo pants, and urban shirts, priced between INR 400 and INR 1,500.

Currently, Beyoung has offline stores in Udaipur, Bhilwara, Kota, and Lucknow.

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Reliance Brands Managing Director Darshan Mehta to step down after nearly two decades

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Reliance Brands Managing Director Darshan Mehta to step down after nearly two decades

Darshan Mehta, Managing Director of Reliance Brands, is stepping down from his position after nearly 20 years at the helm. Mehta will transition into a mentorship role within the Reliance Group.

Darshan Mehta continues to serve as Non-executive D

According to TOI, Mehta will “mentor next-generation leaders and will also help evaluate and explore untapped business opportunities” in his new role. He will also continue serving as a non-executive director on the board of Reliance Brands.

Continue Exploring: Globus Spirits launches luxury whisky brand DŌAAB in India

Mehta has been instrumental in expanding Reliance’s footprint in the luxury and premium retail sectors since joining in 2007. Under his leadership, the company forged partnerships with global brands like Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, and Bottega Veneta, bringing them to India. Today, over 90 global brands operate in India through Reliance Brands’ partnerships.

Reliance Brands’ loss widens to INR 288.4 Cr

Notably, Reliance Brands, a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures, is tasked with introducing and building global luxury and premium brands in fashion and lifestyle segments. Despite its strong market presence, the company reported widened losses of INR 288.4 crore in FY24.

Continue Exploring: Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

Mehta’s departure marks the end of an era for Reliance Brands. The company will now be overseen by a leadership team comprising senior executives, including Vikas Tandon, Dinesh Taluja, Prateek Mathur, and Sumeet Yadav. A successor for the Managing Director position has not been announced yet.

As Reliance Brands navigates the competitive retail environment, Mehta’s mentorship role will provide valuable guidance. The company continues to build its luxury and premium portfolio amidst India’s growing appetite for premium brands and unique consumer experiences.

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Subway aims to double store count in India to 1,700 in six Years

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Subway aims to double store count in India to 1,700 in six Years

Subway, the global Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain, plans to double its store count in India from 850 to 1,700 over the next 5-6 years, targeting both metro and non-metro cities.

India is an important market for us – CEO, Subway

“India is an incredibly important market for Subway. We feel the opportunity here for Subway is greater than in any other market,” John Chidsey, Global CEO of Subway, said while talking to ET Retail. He emphasised that India’s young population and growing economic wealth make it an attractive market.

Continue Exploring: Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

Chidsey noted that Indian consumers increasingly prioritise convenience, time, and healthier products, aligning with Subway’s focus on fresh and healthy options. The brand’s success in India can be attributed to its regional customization, which will continue to be a key strategy.

“We have this barbell menu strategy where we have value products on one end, and premium on the other end. So, we have a little bit of something for everybody and it does fit well in tier II and tier III cities from a menu standpoint,” Chidsey explained.

Subway runs 37,000 outlets

Meanwhile, Subway has recently introduced new menu options, including Sub Cravers, Crispers, and Hot and Cheesy Signature Subs. To further capitalise on India’s growth, the chain plans to launch a breakfast menu and test 20-30 new options.

Continue Exploring: Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

Globally, Subway operates over 37,000 outlets.

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Franks Hot Dog makes Indian debut in Pune, eyes 300 outlets in five years

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Franks Hot Dog makes Indian debut in Pune, eyes 300 outlets in five years

Global gourmet hot dog brand Franks Hot Dog has entered the Indian market through a partnership with FranGlobal, launching its first outlet at Elpro City Square Mall in Pune.

Partnership with FranGlobal allows to bring Franks’ legacy- CEO

“India is a dynamic market with a deep love for innovative food experiences. Our collaboration with FranGlobal allows us to bring Franks’ legacy of premium quality and creativity to this exciting new audience, starting with Pune,” said Benjamin Attal, CEO of Franks Hot Dog.

Continue Exploring: Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

Pune’s vibrant culinary scene and adventurous food lovers provide the perfect setting for Franks Hot Dog to introduce its innovative menu. “This partnership is a testament to India’s growing appetite for global food brands. Pune is the perfect city to introduce Franks Hot Dog, with its unique offerings and strong brand story,” added Gaurav Marya, Chairman of Franchise India and FranGlobal.

Further, the Pune outlet offers signature gourmet hot dogs, loaded fries, and refreshing beverages, blending global appeal with local tastes. Options like the Spicy Tandoori Dog and Masala Loaded Fries cater to Indian palates while maintaining international standards.

Continue Exploring: Star Localmart eyes retail expansion with 3000 stores in next five years

Franks Hot Dog to open 100 outlets in 3 years

Moving forward, Franks Hot Dog and FranGlobal aim to establish 300 outlets across India within five years, with 100 locations opening in the first 18 months. This launch marks a significant milestone in Franks’ global expansion strategy, including new outlets in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and eight locations in France by 2024.

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Globus Spirits launches luxury whisky brand DŌAAB in India

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Globus Spirits launches luxury whisky brand DŌAAB in India

Globus Spirits Limited has entered India’s luxury whisky segment with its first single malt whisky under the DŌAAB India Craft Whisky brand. 

This move caters to the country’s evolving whisky market, where consumers increasingly prefer premium craft spirits.

Globus Spirits derives brand name from Hindi

The brand name DŌAAB, derived from Hindi words “dō” (two) and “aab” (water), symbolises the merging of perspectives and influences. The first limited-edition release, 01 Six Blind Men and the Elephant, draws inspiration from Indian folklore and features whisky aged in 100% ex-bourbon barrels.

Continue Exploring: Cricketer Yuvraj Singh debuts into retail market with guilt-free snacking brand Twiddles

Meanwhile, Shekhar Swarup, Joint Managing Director of Globus Spirits Limited, said, “Within two years, the company has innovated into various segments in the drinks industry of India, and we are proud to raise the standards with the launch of DŌAAB. As a company, we continue to aspire for more and will offer the best offerings cutting across all segments.”

DŌAAB available in key cities

Further, DŌAAB India Craft Whisky, 01 Six Blind Men and the Elephant, is priced between INR 4,500 and INR 5,500 per 750 ml bottle, depending on state pricing norms. Initially available in Delhi, Gurgaon, Lucknow, and Jaipur, the brand plans to expand to other markets.

Continue Exploring: Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

To be noticeable, the packaging combines traditional Rajasthan’s mandana art with modern aesthetics, reflecting DŌAAB’s focus on blending tradition and innovation. This aligns with the brand’s goal of offering unique experiences to whisky enthusiasts.

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Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Blue Tokai aims for threefold revenue growth by 2027, eyes IPO

Indian coffee chain Blue Tokai is targeting a threefold increase in annual revenue by 2027, reaching INR 10 billion, according to CEO and co-founder Matt Chitharanjan.

Blue Tokai to run 350 cafes in 3 years

The company plans to expand its footprint in India’s growing INR 25 billion specialty tea and coffee cafe market by opening 350 cafes in cities like Hyderabad and Chennai within three years.

Continue Exploring: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterates stance on FDI rules for e-commerce platforms

Currently operating over 130 cafes, Blue Tokai has the backing of Belgian investment firm Verlinvest. “Our revenue run rate for this year is INR 3.7 billion, and we are targeting INR 10 billion by 2027,” Chitharanjan said.

An initial public offering (IPO) is part of the company’s long-term plans but not a current focus. “Market conditions will fluctuate, and we are more concerned about reaching our internal goals. Healthy profit margins will make us an attractive IPO candidate,” he added, noting that Blue Tokai’s patient investors are not pushing for a quick market debut.

Continue Exploring: Proost Beer raises INR 30 Cr in Series A Funding to boost supply chain

Blue Tokai nets $81 Mn 

India’s coffee culture is expanding, driven by affluent urban consumers using cafes for work and meetings. Major players like Tata Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and McDonald’s McCafe are scaling operations. Despite competition, Chitharanjan is confident. “We’re not at a stage of the market where there’s a lot of competitive pressure. It’s more about growing the overall market pie, rather than stealing share from each other,” he said.

Since its inception in 2013, Blue Tokai has raised $81 million and focuses on long-term growth in the specialty coffee segment.

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Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Zomato leads in food delivery market with 58% share, Swiggy trails behind

Zomato continues to dominate the food delivery segment with a 58% market share in the June quarter of FY2024-25, according to a report by Motilal Oswal.

Swiggy captures 42% of food delivery market

Its rival Swiggy, which recently made its stock market debut, trails behind with a 42% share.

The food tech giant’s stronger execution has enabled it to gain market share from Swiggy between FY22 and Q1 FY25, increasing its share from 54% to 58% in terms of gross order value (GOV). Analysts at Motilal Oswal attribute this growth to Zomato’s effective strategies.

Continue Exploring: Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

In the quick commerce segment, Blinkit leads with a 46% market share in Q1 FY25, followed by Zepto at 29% and Swiggy Instamart at 25%. However, Motilal Oswal notes that Swiggy can regain lost ground in both segments with tighter execution and better utilisation of its unified app approach.

Zomato expects 30% growth rate in 5 years

However, Zomato expects its food delivery business to grow at an annual rate of 30% over the next five years. Despite intensified competition and surging sales in quick commerce, food delivery remains a lucrative business for Zomato and Swiggy.

Continue Exploring: Biryani By Kilo secures $2 Mn from Pulsar Capital at $100 Mn Valuation

In Q1 FY25, Zomato’s food delivery business reported a GOV of INR 9,264 crore, up 27% year-over-year (YoY). In comparison, Swiggy’s food delivery business reported a GOV of INR 6,808.3 crore, up from INR 5,958.7 crore in the same quarter last year.

Brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has reaffirmed its ‘overweight’ rating on Zomato and increased its price target to INR 355 from INR 278, implying an upside potential of over 31%. Zomato’s shares traded 0.24% higher at INR 271.35 apiece on the BSE.

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Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Taqtics secures $1.2 Mn seed funding to transform retail and QSR operations

Taqtics, a SaaS platform revolutionising retail and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) operations, has raised $1.2 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by Sprout Venture Partners and Capital-A, with participation from Java Capital.

Funding enables to simplify retail operations – Co-founder

The investment will enhance Taqtics’ product capabilities, expand its market presence, and introduce AI-driven analytics to streamline operational processes. Co-founder Yuyutsu Sharma stated, “This funding enables us to advance innovation, leveraging AI and automation to simplify retail operations. Our mission is to digitally transform how retail and QSR brands manage daily operations across locations.”

Continue Exploring: Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

Established in 2021, Taqtics offers an all-in-one platform for retail and restaurant management. Its features include real-time store audits, employee training, SOP management, visual merchandising, asset management, and issue-tracking capabilities.

Taqtics is tailored to meet demands of retail, QSR – Capital-A

“Taqtics is uniquely tailored to meet the evolving demands of the retail and QSR industries,” noted Ankit Kedia, Founder of Capital-A. “Vertical AI tools like Taqtics are essential for scalable and efficient operations. We’re excited to partner with them on this journey.”

Continue Exploring: HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

Further, Sahil Gupta, Partner at Sprout Venture Partners, emphasised, “The challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple locations are significant. Taqtics offers an innovative solution to simplify oversight and drive operational excellence. We’re eager to support their growth into key markets.”

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Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

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Ashutosh Dubey
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Blitz bags $6 Mn in Series A funding to boost ‘Same-Day’ delivery infrastructure

Blitz, a same-day delivery platform for omnichannel sellers, has secured $6 million (INR 51 crore) in its Series A funding round led by IvyCap Ventures.

Existing investors IndiaQuotient and Alteria Capital, along with angel investors Ramesh Bafna (Zepto), Siddharth (Snitch), Vinit Gautam (Bestseller CEO), and Amitabh Suri (Arvind Fashion CEO), also participated.

Continue Exploring: HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

Blitz to expand in 20 cities

Established in 2020 by Gaurav Piyush, Mayank Varshney, and Yash Sharma, Blitz provides logistics support to quick commerce across 10 cities. The Bengaluru-based startup plans to utilise the fresh funds to enhance its 60-minute delivery infrastructure and expand its dark store network to 20 cities.

Meanwhile, the omnichannel platform offers 60-minute deliveries from local stores and same-day shipments from urban warehouses in cities like Bangalore, Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Pune. The startup claims its dark store model will become a key logistics asset for e-commerce players aiming to offer fast, reliable deliveries.

“With support from our amazing investors, Blitz is at the forefront of transforming q-commerce into an indispensable part of everyday life across geographies,” said Yash Sharma.

Continue Exploring: Doodhvale Farms net $3 Mn funding to expand dairy business

Global Q-commerce market to attain $303.3 Bn by 2030

Notably, the global quick commerce market is projected to reach $303.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 34.1% from $38.9 billion in 2023. Blitz competes with Shiprocket, Pickkr, ShipBob, and Amazon Prime‘s next-day delivery in the delivery space.

The startup’s expansion plans come as consumers increasingly prefer same-day deliveries and quick commerce, creating opportunities for new players. Logistics unicorn Delhivery recently announced plans to launch a network of multi-tenant dark stores for rapid in-city delivery, while food delivery major Swiggy is operationalizing ‘mega dark stores’ in Bengaluru.

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HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

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Ashutosh Dubey
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HealthKart secures $153 Mn in funding led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal

HealthKart, India’s largest omnichannel nutrition platform, has secured $153 million in funding from ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal Alternates. 

Existing investors A91 Partners and Neo Group also participated in the round, with Avendus Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor.

HealthKart crosses INR 1000 Cr in revenue

Notably, the health tech company achieved significant milestones in FY24, crossing INR 1,000 crore in revenue and attaining full-year EBITDA profitability. The company plans to utilise the funds to strengthen its power brands and expand its presence in international markets.

Continue Exploring: Biryani By Kilo secures $2 Mn from Pulsar Capital at $100 Mn Valuation

Meanwhile, Sameer Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of HealthKart, stated in the media release, “We welcome ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal to HealthKart and hope to leverage their expertise during the next phase of growth. Very excited about our first ESOP buyback program which will create meaningful value for people who have played a critical role in building HealthKart. We firmly believe that people are our greatest asset and we aim to align their personal success with the company’s long-term vision.”

HealthKart announces INR 55 Cr ESOP for employees

Further, HealthKart announced an employee ESOP buyback worth INR 55 crore, benefiting both current and former employees who contributed to the company’s growth.

Continue Exploring: 10-minute food delivery startup Swish raises $2 Mn in seed funding

“ChrysCapital is excited to partner with HealthKart as it embarks on its growth journey. The Indian sports nutrition market is expected to expand due to rising fitness awareness and nutrition importance. MuscleBlaze stands out as a leading brand, supported by proprietary channels, while HK Vitals offers high-quality nutraceuticals,” commented Arpit Vinayak, Vice-President of ChrysCapital.

Rohit Mantri, Co-Head and Managing Director of Private Equity at Motilal Oswal Alternates, added, “We’re excited to partner with HealthKart in its next growth phase. The company has demonstrated a strong track record of creating market-leading consumer health brands through differentiated products and multi-channel distribution. HealthKart’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable dietary supplements aligns perfectly with our objectives of promoting healthier lifestyles.”

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