Federation of Retailer Association of India Flags Risk of Illegal Trade as It Seeks Review of Tobacco Excise Duty

Business

January 8, 2026

The Federation of Retailer Association of India has urged the government to reconsider a proposed hike in excise duty on legal tobacco products, warning that the move could severely hurt small retailers across the country. The industry body says a sharp increase in taxes risks shrinking margins for neighbourhood stores while pushing consumers toward cheaper and illegal alternatives.

According to FAI, tobacco products remain a key revenue driver for lakhs of small kirana stores and paan shops, especially in semi urban and rural areas. Any sudden increase in excise duty would directly impact daily cash flows for these retailers, many of whom are already dealing with rising operating costs and slowing discretionary spending.

The association has also flagged concerns around the unintended consequences of steep taxation. Higher prices on legal tobacco could strengthen the parallel market, benefiting unregulated and illicit operators who do not follow quality controls or pay taxes. This, FAI argues, not only harms legitimate businesses but also leads to revenue leakage for the government.

FAI has called for a balanced review of tobacco taxation that takes into account both public health objectives and economic realities. It believes that a more measured approach would help protect small retailers while maintaining stability in the legal market. The association has stressed that predictable and gradual tax changes allow businesses to plan better and adapt without sudden shocks.

Retailers say tobacco sales often support the viability of small stores by driving footfall and complementary purchases of everyday essentials. Any disruption to this cycle could affect employment and livelihoods linked to the informal retail ecosystem.

As the government evaluates its next steps, FAI hopes policymakers will engage with ground level stakeholders before finalising any decision. The association maintains that safeguarding small retailers is critical not just for commerce, but for sustaining millions of families that depend on local retail for income.

BuyBuyCart Expands Private Label Play With Launch of B2 Premium Snack Range Across High Demand Grocery Categories

Business

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

BuyBuyCart has expanded its private label portfolio with the launch of B2 Premium, a new range of snacks and food products aimed at everyday consumption. The move marks a clear push by the retail supermarket chain to strengthen its in house offerings across categories that see high and repeat demand.

B2 Premium brings together a wide selection of products including dry fruits, flavoured makhana, nuts, seeds, chips, cookies, cakes, candies, tea and condiments. The range has been developed with a focus on consistent quality and familiar flavours, targeting consumers who want reliable pantry staples without paying a premium attached to national brands.

According to the company, sourcing and processing have been carefully managed to preserve natural taste and nutritional value. The emphasis is on products that fit into daily routines, whether as quick snacks, accompaniments to meals or ingredients used at home. With consumers becoming more selective about what they eat, BuyBuyCart appears to be positioning B2 Premium as a dependable option that balances taste, nutrition and value.

The launch also reflects a broader trend in Indian retail, where private labels are playing a bigger role in driving margins and building customer loyalty. By expanding its own brand portfolio, BuyBuyCart gains greater control over pricing, quality standards and supply chains while offering shoppers more choice within its stores.

BuyBuyCart has grown rapidly in recent years, expanding its footprint as demand for organised retail continues to rise in urban and semi urban markets. Strengthening private labels allows the company to differentiate itself in a crowded supermarket space where price competition is intense.

With B2 Premium, BuyBuyCart is signalling its intent to move beyond being just a distributor of established brands. Instead, it is betting on its understanding of local preferences and buying habits to build a trusted private label that becomes a regular part of consumers’ grocery baskets.

Tesco lifts profit outlook after strong Christmas sales, strengthens UK grocery market share

Business

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Britain’s largest supermarket chain Tesco has strengthened its full year earnings outlook after delivering a resilient performance during the crucial Christmas trading window, underlining its ability to win customers in a challenging consumer environment.

The retailer said it now expects adjusted operating profit to land at the upper end of its previously stated guidance of £2.9 billion to £3.1 billion for the current financial year. The company had reported adjusted operating profit of £3.13 billion in 2024–25. The revised outlook follows a 3.2 percent increase in underlying UK sales over the six week festive period ending January 3, reflecting steady demand despite persistent inflation and pressure on household spending.

Tesco continues to outperform the broader UK retail market, benefiting from a sharp focus on value at a time when consumer confidence remains fragile and employment growth has softened. Industry data shows the grocer closed 2025 with a UK grocery market share of 28.7 percent, up 20 basis points year on year and its highest level since March 2015. Like for like UK sales rose 3.9 percent in the third quarter to November 22, easing from 4.6 percent growth in the previous quarter.

While the Christmas performance came in slightly below analyst expectations, investors have remained optimistic. Tesco shares have risen 22 percent over the past year, reflecting confidence in the group’s long term strategy under chief executive Ken Murphy.

Since taking the helm in 2020, Murphy has steered the business toward improving product quality, accelerating innovation and strengthening customer service. These efforts have been complemented by aggressive pricing measures, including matching Aldi prices on more than 650 everyday items and expanding Clubcard exclusive discounts.

More recently, Tesco announced it would freeze prices on over 3,000 branded products, spanning staples such as breakfast cereals, baked beans and tea. According to Murphy, investments in value, quality and service have lifted customer satisfaction and driven strong growth in fresh food, helping Tesco consolidate its leadership position in an increasingly competitive grocery market.

Capture A Trip Raises ₹75 Lakh on Shark Tank India at ₹15 Crore Valuation to Expand Experiential Travel

funding

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Delhi-based experiential travel startup Capture A Trip has secured ₹75 lakh in funding from Shark Tank India judges, marking a key milestone for the young brand as it looks to scale beyond its current footprint. The investment values the company at ₹15 crore and was finalised during a recent episode of Shark Tank India Season 5.

Founded by Nitin Khanna and Anurag Singal, Capture A Trip operates in the fast-evolving experiential travel segment, focusing on curated, community-led journeys for first-time travellers and small groups. The brand has built its offerings around safety, affordability and immersive experiences, targeting travellers who seek structured trips to offbeat locations rather than conventional holiday packages.

On the show, the founders pitched for ₹75 lakh in exchange for a 5 percent equity stake, outlining their plans to expand international routes while strengthening their presence across lesser-explored destinations within India. The pitch drew strong interest from the panel, leading to multiple counteroffers and a brief bidding contest.

The final deal saw Kunal Bahl, founder of Titan Capital and former Snapdeal CEO, partner with Mohit Yadav, co-founder and chief executive of personal care brand Minimalist. Together, the two investors agreed to invest the full amount sought, backing the founders’ vision and execution capabilities. Each Shark had initially proposed separate terms before joining forces to close the transaction on mutually agreed conditions.

Capture A Trip plans to deploy the capital towards broadening its destination portfolio, investing in on-ground operations, and enhancing customer experience as demand for experiential and community-based travel continues to rise among younger consumers. The startup also aims to deepen its engagement with repeat travellers while maintaining a strong focus on safety and group dynamics.

The funding comes at a time when experiential travel is gaining traction in India, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing appetite for curated experiences over traditional tourism. With backing from seasoned consumer and brand-building investors, Capture A Trip is positioning itself to tap into this shift and build a differentiated travel platform for the next generation of explorers.

Ananya Panday Named Brand Ambassador for Tanishq Natural Diamonds as the Jewellery Giant Targets Gen Z Buyers

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Ananya Panday is set to be announced as the new brand ambassador for Tanishq Natural Diamonds, marking a notable shift in how the heritage jewellery brand is speaking to a younger audience. The collaboration signals Tanishq’s intent to strengthen its connection with Gen Z and millennial consumers who value individuality, authenticity and modern styling, without losing sight of tradition.

Tanishq Natural Diamonds has been sharpening its focus on storytelling around rarity and provenance at a time when consumers are becoming more conscious about what they buy and why. By bringing Ananya on board, the brand appears to be blending legacy with contemporary appeal. Known for her understated fashion choices and growing influence among younger shoppers, Ananya represents a generation that mixes classic tastes with a fresh, confident outlook.

Industry watchers see this move as part of a broader repositioning within the diamond jewellery space, which is steadily moving away from occasion only purchases to everyday luxury. Natural diamonds, with their emphasis on uniqueness and timeless value, fit well into this narrative. The campaign is expected to highlight craftsmanship and authenticity while presenting diamonds as expressive and personal rather than reserved for milestones alone.

For Ananya Panday, the association marks another major brand milestone. Over the last few years, she has built a strong presence not just on screen but also as a fashion and lifestyle figure with considerable youth appeal. Aligning with a brand like Tanishq further elevates her positioning as a modern face backed by credibility and scale.

While official campaign details are yet to be revealed, the partnership is expected to roll out across digital, print and in store touchpoints. As competition intensifies in the jewellery market, this collaboration could help Tanishq Natural Diamonds stand out by striking a balance between heritage, aspiration and a distinctly younger voice.

Cosmix Scales 2.5X in Three Years as Plant-Based Nutrition Startup Draws Strategic Interest

Growth

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Cosmix, a fast-growing player in India’s plant-based nutrition space, has emerged as a standout name in the country’s health supplements market, riding a sharp growth trajectory over the past few years. Founded with a focus on clean-label, plant-based protein supplements, the startup has expanded its business more than 2.5 times over the last three years, reflecting rising consumer demand for wellness-led nutrition products.

The brand entered the national spotlight after its appearance on Shark Tank India in 2024, where it secured a ₹1 crore investment from Namita Thapar in exchange for 1 percent equity. The deal significantly boosted Cosmix’s visibility and credibility, helping it scale faster across digital channels and deepen its connect with health-conscious consumers.

Financially, the company delivered a strong performance in FY24. Cosmix reported revenue of ₹24.4 crore during the year and closed the fiscal with a profit of ₹2.8 crore, underlining its ability to combine growth with improving operational efficiency in a category often marked by high customer acquisition costs.

The startup’s growth story aligns closely with Marico’s broader push into health, nutrition and wellness. The FMCG major has been steadily building a portfolio of digital-first and direct-to-consumer brands as it looks beyond its traditional staples business. In recent years, Marico has invested in and scaled brands such as Plix, True Elements, Beardo and Just Herbs, strengthening its presence across nutrition, personal care and beauty.

Collectively, Marico’s D2C brands have generated close to ₹900 crore in revenue so far, and the company has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the segment. Over the next three years, Marico aims to scale its digital and new-age brands business to ₹2,000–2,500 crore in revenue, making it a meaningful growth engine.

Within this context, Cosmix’s emphasis on plant-based nutrition, profitability at an early stage and strong consumer recall positions it as a strategic fit for larger players seeking to deepen their footprint in the fast-evolving wellness market.

India’s Diamond Demand to Double by 2030 as De Beers Plans Aggressive Retail Expansion

Growth

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

India is emerging as a central pillar in De Beers’ global growth strategy, with diamond demand in the country projected to double by the end of the decade. Speaking to ETRetail, De Beers Group Chief Executive Officer Al Cook said the company expects India’s appetite for natural diamonds to be twice its 2024 levels by 2030, driven by economic momentum, rising incomes and deep-rooted cultural affinity for the gemstone.

The outlook comes as De Beers continues to expand its retail footprint in the country. The company recently opened its fifth Forevermark store in Mumbai, which Cook described as the largest diamond store owned by De Beers anywhere in the world. According to him, India’s historical connection with diamonds, combined with current economic trends, makes the market a natural focus for long-term investment.

India’s role in the global diamond trade has been changing rapidly. While the United States has traditionally accounted for nearly half of global diamond consumption, India has posted sustained double digit growth in recent years. In 2025, natural diamond demand in the country grew by about 11 percent, enabling India to overtake China to become the world’s second-largest diamond market.

Cook linked this growth to strong macroeconomic fundamentals. India’s GDP growth in the range of 6 to 8 percent and the steady expansion of the middle class have significantly broadened the consumer base for discretionary products such as jewellery. High-income households in the country are also expected to double again by 2030, strengthening demand across both bridal and everyday wear segments.

To tap this opportunity, De Beers plans to scale up its Forevermark presence from five stores currently to 25 by the end of this year, with a longer-term target of 100 stores nationwide by 2030. Cook said the pace of expansion reflects the company’s confidence in India’s demand trajectory.

Addressing the growing visibility of lab-grown diamonds, Cook drew a clear distinction between the two categories, pointing to significant differences in pricing and consumer perception. With younger buyers playing an increasingly important role, including Gen Z accounting for more than half of diamond purchasers in India, De Beers sees the country not just as a source of diamonds, but as one of its most important consumer markets going forward.

Meesho General Manager Megha Agarwal Resigns in First Senior Exit After IPO

Business

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Ecommerce marketplace Meesho has reported its first senior leadership change since its stock market debut, with Megha Agarwal stepping down from her role as General Manager – Business. The development was disclosed in a regulatory filing made on January 7.

Agarwal was part of Meesho’s senior management team and reported directly to founder and chief executive Vidit Aatrey. She joined the Bengaluru-based company in 2019 and played a key role in shaping its scale-up journey over the past five years. In 2022, she was elevated to lead Meesho’s growth function, overseeing initiatives aimed at expanding user acquisition and category depth. She took charge as General Manager – Business in 2023 following the exit of Utkrishta Kumar.

In her most recent role, Agarwal led category management across the marketplace and was closely involved in commercial strategy and seller expansion. Meesho confirmed in its exchange filing that she tendered her resignation on January 7, marking the first senior-level exit after the company’s public listing in December.

The announcement comes at a crucial phase for Meesho as it adjusts to heightened scrutiny as a listed entity. The company debuted on the exchanges on December 10 after raising ₹5,421 crore through its initial public offering. On the day of the disclosure, Meesho’s shares closed nearly 5 percent lower at ₹173.20 on the BSE.

Financially, Meesho has reported steady improvement in its operating performance. In the first half of FY26, operating revenue rose to ₹5,577 crore, compared with ₹4,311 crore in the same period last year. Net losses narrowed sharply to ₹700 crore from ₹2,512 crore year-on-year.

For the full FY25, Meesho posted a 23 percent increase in operating revenue to ₹9,390 crore. However, the company reported a net loss of ₹3,942 crore, largely due to a one-time tax expense linked to relocating its corporate domicile from the United States to India.

As Meesho focuses on profitability and execution discipline, leadership continuity will remain a key area of attention for investors and stakeholders alike.

D2C Beauty Brand AntiNorm Raises ₹28 Crore in Seed Funding Led by Fireside Ventures

funding

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Image of AntiNorm — D2C Beauty Brand AntiNorm Raises ₹28 Crore in Seed Funding Led by Fireside Ventures

New Delhi-based direct-to-consumer beauty brand AntiNorm has secured ₹28 crore in a seed funding round, signalling growing investor confidence in India’s emerging new-age beauty labels. The round was led by consumer-focused venture capital firm Fireside Ventures, with strong follow-on participation from existing backers V3 Ventures and Rukam Capital, both of whom increased their exposure to the company.

The funding marks a significant milestone for AntiNorm as it looks to scale beyond its early traction phase and build a differentiated presence in India’s increasingly competitive beauty and personal care market. Founded with a focus on challenging conventional beauty norms, the brand positions itself around ingredient transparency, performance-led formulations, and a modern consumer-first approach.

According to the company, the capital infusion will be channelled into three priority areas. A large portion will be invested in expanding distribution, with a dual focus on strengthening its digital channels while selectively entering offline retail to improve reach and visibility. AntiNorm plans to tap into premium retail formats and experiential touchpoints as part of its offline strategy, aimed at driving brand discovery and trust.

The brand will also step up investments in research and development, as it works to broaden its product portfolio and introduce formulations tailored to evolving consumer needs. Building in-house R&D capabilities and collaborating with formulation partners are expected to be key focus areas as the company looks to differentiate itself through product efficacy rather than marketing-led growth alone.

In parallel, AntiNorm intends to scale its direct-to-consumer operations by enhancing supply chain efficiency, improving customer experience, and strengthening its core team across marketing, technology, and operations. The company believes that tighter control over the D2C stack will be critical to sustaining margins while scaling volumes.

The fundraise comes at a time when India’s D2C beauty segment continues to attract capital, driven by rising disposable incomes, premiumisation, and a shift towards digital-first brand discovery. With Fireside Ventures backing its next phase of growth, AntiNorm is positioning itself to compete in a crowded but fast-expanding market where differentiation, execution, and consumer trust remain decisive.

&Done Raises $3 Million in Funding Led by RTP Global to Scale Science-Backed Haircare Brand

funding

SnackTeam

January 8, 2026

Gurugram based haircare startup &Done has raised $3 million in a fresh funding round led by global venture firm RTP Global, signalling continued investor interest in science backed beauty brands built for Indian consumers. The round also saw participation from All In Capital and Suashish, along with angel investors Kitty Agarwal of Info Edge Ventures and Titan Capital founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal.

Founded in 2023 by Atit Jain and Saumya Yadav, &Done began its journey as a professional haircare brand focused on salon use before entering the consumer retail segment last year. The company positions itself as a performance led brand, developing formulations designed specifically for Indian hair types while matching international quality benchmarks.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to strengthen the team, deepen research and development capabilities, expand the product portfolio and step up investments in brand building and marketing. Yadav said the brand aims to address a long standing gap in the market where consumers struggle to find solutions that deliver visible results. The founders believe trust, clinical formulation and professional validation will be key to winning long term loyalty.

&Done’s professional range is currently available across more than 500 salons in markets including Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabad. The company follows an omnichannel strategy, selling through both digital platforms and offline channels. Over the coming year, it plans to widen its retail portfolio with problem focused products targeting concerns such as dandruff and scalp health.

Manufacturing is based in India, while select ingredients are sourced internationally to meet formulation standards. RTP Global said the brand’s salon first approach gives it a strong edge in an increasingly crowded beauty landscape and positions it to build a differentiated presence in professional haircare.

Prior to this round, &Done had raised Rs 3 crore. The funding comes amid a wave of investments into India focused hair and beauty brands, reflecting growing demand for specialised, results driven personal care products.

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