Morpheus Brandy, crafted by Radico Khaitan Limited, an Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) company, has achieved sales of one million cases for consecutive years. The company asserts Morpheus to be the first premium brandy to reach this milestone and has captured a 64 per cent share of the premium brandy market in India.
Building upon the success of Morpheus XO Brandy, Radico Khaitan introduces a more premium extension to its brandy portfolio: Morpheus Blue XO Premium Brandy.
Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan Limited, expressed, “Morpheus Brandy, our inaugural offering in the premium segment, has attained remarkable success, emerging as a trailblazer within the industry. Its nationwide presence across 25 states signifies the realization of a dream, marking it as the first brandy to achieve true national recognition. This milestone underscores our steadfast dedication to excellence and the enduring trust of our consumers.”
He further noted that Morpheus primarily sells in the southern states, emphasizing that the company had always envisioned it as a national brand.
Morpheus Brandy’ Global Reach
Morpheus is presently exported to 27 countries, with its blend meticulously crafted using aged eau-de-vie sourced from grapes.
The brandy has garnered numerous Monde Selection Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023, alongside various other industry accolades both on a global and local scale.
Dadu’s, celebrated for its fusion of traditional and contemporary Indian sweets and snacks, has opened a store in Kompally, Hyderabad. This expansive establishment stands as one of their largest, marking their milestone tenth location in the city. Showcasing an extensive array of offerings all under one roof, this outlet introduces Banquets, a generously-sized convention space ideal for events and social gatherings. Spanning five floors and covering a total area of ten thousand square feet, the building is home to both Dadu’s Sweets and Masala Republic.
Masala Republic, an acclaimed restaurant situated on the first floor, has swiftly garnered a loyal following among Hyderabad’s culinary connoisseurs. Esteemed for its exclusively vegetarian menu, Masala Republic caters to the discerning tastes of young, urban diners who seek outstanding cuisine and desserts. Offering a diverse selection including Fusion Chaat, Modern Indian, Continental, Chinese dishes, and beyond, the restaurant embodies its dedication to vegetarianism through its tagline, #thevegetarian.
Diverse Delights: From Pan-Indian Mithai to Modern Fusion Flavors
Now, Kompally residents can indulge in a diverse range of authentic and premium mithais, featuring South Indian delights like Bobbatlu, Bellam Ariselu, Putharekulus, and Kaju Pakam. Additionally, the store presents an assortment of namkeens, including Chekkalus, Chekodis, Murrukkus, and Sakinalus, satisfying varied cravings and preferences.
Dadu’s offers a wide spectrum of delights, spanning Pan-Indian Mithai, traditional South Indian Sweets and Savories, and Modern Mithai ideal for gifting. Their selection also includes Turkish Delicacies, Dry Fruits, and premium gelato featuring fusion flavors like motichoor and rose kheer. Notably, the Kompally branch introduces an Interactive Gifting Station, empowering customers to craft bespoke gift hampers for any occasion. These personalized hampers and gift boxes can be tailored on-site to suit individual preferences.
Rajesh Dadu, the owner of Dadu’s, expressed, “We are thrilled and delighted by the inauguration of our latest outlet in Kompally, Hyderabad. With confidence in this new venue and our innovative banquet space, we foresee significant success ahead. Our brand has been steadily expanding, and with the imminent launch of a state-of-the-art factory this year, we are poised for exponential growth. This new outlet will further enhance the diverse portfolio of Dadu’s Group. We have ambitious plans to introduce numerous additional branches in the near future, positioning ourselves to leave a notable imprint on the city’s hospitality sector.”
Muskaan Dadu, the Managing Partner, expressed, “We are delighted to introduce yet another outstanding addition to our repertoire. We are confident that our latest offerings will guarantee utmost satisfaction for our clientele. Looking ahead, we are gearing up to unveil two additional stores at the airport and one within the city. Our overarching vision is to extend the esteemed traditions of our mithai craftsmanship beyond borders through our forthcoming export initiatives. Our primary focus remains on upholding excellence in quality, surpassing customer expectations, sharing our cultural heritage, and enriching celebrations with the distinctive Dadu’s essence.”
Mizu Izakaya, a renowned name in the hospitality scene, is gearing up to team up with Cobbler and Crew. This anticipated collaboration, scheduled for May 29th, brings together two exceptional mixologists. Avantika Malik, the Head Mixologist at Mizu Izakaya, will join forces with Aashie Bhatnagar, the celebrated mixologist from Cobbler and Crew and winner of the prestigious ‘2023 People’s Choice Award’. Together, they aim to craft exceptional cocktails, merging their skills to offer guests a truly memorable drinking experience.
Vedant Malik, Founder and Director, alongside Chef Lakhan Jethani, Head Chef and Co-founder of Mizu Izakaya, shared their excitement about the collaboration. “Partnering with Cobbler and Crew is an exhilarating journey for us at Mizu. With Aashie joining Avantika in Mumbai, this collaboration is all about pushing boundaries and crafting unforgettable experiences,” expressed Malik.
Avantika Malik, the Head Mixologist at Mizu Izakaya, mirrored the enthusiasm. “Partnering with Aashie from Cobbler and Crew is a thrilling opportunity for me. We’re poised to fuse our expertise and passion to craft something truly exceptional for our guests,” she remarked.
This collaboration between two leading mixologists guarantees an array of inventive and enchanting cocktail concoctions for guests, rendering it an unmissable occasion.
The boutique presents a carefully curated array of timepieces for both men and women, showcasing renowned brands including Baume & Mercier, Bulgari, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, and Zenith.
To mark International Burger Day 2024, Swiggy, a foodtech giant, has shared insights into burger ordering trends over the past year. With close to 40 million burgers ordered, it underscores the increasing love for this timeless favorite across India.
One notable highlight was a burger enthusiast from Chandigarh who ordered a staggering 1,146 burgers, averaging about three burgers per day. This data shows a significant increase in burger consumption among Swiggy users. Dinner and late-night hours were the peak times for burger orders, accounting for over 19.5 million orders. Lunchtime saw 9.6 million orders, and snack time had more than 7.4 million orders, indicating that burgers are a go-to choice throughout the day.
Bangalore took the crown as the Burger Capital of India with over 6 million burgers ordered. Mumbai closely followed with nearly 5 million orders, and Delhi with over 3.2 million orders, showcasing the widespread adoration for burgers across major cities.
Top Five Most Ordered Burgers
Common accompaniments included fries and Coke, while cheese slices and cheese dip were the preferred toppings for burgers. Swiggy’s top five most ordered burgers were the Crispy Veg Burger, McAloo Tikki Burger, McVeggie Burger, Crispy Chicken Burger, and Chicken Zinger Burger – timeless favorites. Innovative flavors also gained popularity among Swiggy users, with unique options like the Signature Quinoa Burger, Beetroot Falafel Burger, Kurkure Chaap Burger, and Rajma Mexicana Burger becoming favorites.
Ryze, the nicotine gum brand from Fertin Pharma, has partnered with 100days, a digital commerce specialist, to drive its bold expansion plans in India. Fertin Pharma A/S, the global leader in contract development and manufacturing of nicotine gums, brings over 25 years of experience in crafting nicotine products, including nicotine replacement therapy options.
Ryze’s Tailored Approach to the Indian Market
In its upcoming launch, Ryze seeks to lead a meaningful push towards healthier choices among smokers by offering effective solutions to assist in breaking the habit. After thorough research into the Indian market, Ryze is introducing nicotine gums with flavors specifically designed for the Indian taste buds, including mint, fruit, saunf, pudina, and paan. With this debut, Ryze aims to transform the process of quitting tobacco, empowering individuals across India to take charge of their health and overall well-being.
Based in Gurugram, 100Days.co is a subsidiary of Visage Lines, established by Shantanu Deshpande, who also owns Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae brands. This company offers extensive e-commerce solutions, serving as a key ally to various international brands. It aids in the swift expansion of their direct-to-consumer (DTC) operations by providing marketing, logistical, and technological support.
Partnering with Ryze, they’re tasked with crafting and managing Ryze’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) online store, offering full-scale assistance spanning from executing marketing strategies to establishing technological frameworks, managing warehouses, and ensuring seamless last-mile delivery services.
Ryze spokesperson remarked, “Teaming up with 100days allows us to leverage their extensive experience in launching and expanding direct-to-consumer platforms for modern brands. With them, we’ve found a partner equipped to provide strategic insights and robust execution capabilities for our ambitious market entry strategies, ensuring our exceptional product reaches a broad audience swiftly.”
“We are excited to work with Ryze Nicotine Gums to bring their groundbreaking tobacco alternatives to Indian consumers. Drawing on our experience elevating digital commerce for leading brands, we’re excited to support Ryze’s efforts and impact positive change in countless lives, one nicotine gum at a time,” said Maninder Singh, Co-Founder and Head of 100Days.co.
Wagamama, a prominent pan-Asian restaurant operator, has teamed up with Travel Food Services (TFS), a rapidly expanding travel food and retail company, to enter the Indian market later this year.
After the expansion, Wagamama will be operational in 19 countries worldwide, maintaining its enduring global appeal.
Launch Strategy
Initially, Wagamama will open in Mumbai Airport’s International Terminal, with plans for further expansion in transport hubs across the country.
“We’re thrilled to make our debut in India later this year in collaboration with Travel Food Services,” said Thomas Heier, Wagamama’s CEO. “Introducing our pan-Asian cuisine to a market we expect will show significant demand is incredibly exciting. We eagerly anticipate working closely with TFS to expand our footprint across India as we continue our global expansion into dynamic growth markets.”
Wagamama is a beloved pan-Asian dining hotspot in the United Kingdom, renowned for its culinary ingenuity, top-notch food quality, and unwavering dedication to providing a memorable experience for every guest. Its global recognition is anchored by iconic dishes like the savory grilled chicken ramen, zesty firecracker specialties, and comforting chicken katsu curry. Moreover, Wagamama’s menu continuously evolves to accommodate various dietary preferences, with an impressive 50% of its offerings tailored to plant-based diets.
Stepping into the Indian market signifies the latest chapter in Wagamama’s impressive success saga.
The journey began in 1992 with the opening of its first location in London’s Bloomsbury. Taking cues from the dynamic atmosphere of Japanese ramen bars and a reverence for Asian culinary traditions, Wagamama set out to innovate dining: providing a unique experience where customers could savor fresh, nourishing flavors while seated together on its iconic, inclusive benches.
India presents an enticing market opportunity for Wagamama, given its rapidly expanding economy. The country boasts a sizable, diverse population, including a burgeoning middle class characterized by rising disposable incomes and a growing penchant for travel. Moreover, India is predominantly youthful, aligning closely with Wagamama’s core customer demographic, particularly those who favor the vegetarian options the brand is celebrated for.
“We’re delighted to introduce a well-known brand to Indian travellers. Varun Kapur, Executive Director of Travel Food Services, said, “We’re eager to open our doors and welcome customers later this year.”
House of Masaba, a Mumbai-based apparel brand, has unveiled its first flagship store in Chandigarh. The inauguration event was hosted by digital creator Meera Bachan, Suhani Bachan, and other digital influencers from Chandigarh.
Covering a sprawling expanse of 2,451 square feet, the store is situated on Madhya Marg in sector 7 of Chandigarh. This newest establishment will showcase a curated selection from the Festive and Pret collections, complemented by an extensive array of cosmetics and beauty items from LoveChild by Masaba.
The Journey of House of Masaba: From 2009 to Present
Established in 2009, House of Masaba is the brainchild of Indian fashion luminary Masaba Gupta, renowned for her exquisite creations in bridal, festive, resort wear, and jewellery. Masaba, the daughter of Indian actress Neena Gupta and cricket legend Vivian Richards, has carved a niche as a luxury designer.
House of Masaba runs flagship outlets throughout India and extends its global reach through its online platform. With a network of 15 stores nationwide, the brand has a strong presence, including four stores in Delhi, four in Mumbai, two in Bengaluru, and one each in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Kolkata, and Ludhiana.
Senco Gold Ltd, a prominent jewellery chain, expects a 15-20% growth in revenue and profit in the current fiscal year, despite the escalating prices of gold and global uncertainties.
The jeweller also plans to open 15-20 new stores during the current 2024-25 financial year (FY’25), with approximately half being owned by franchisees.
“We anticipate a conservative growth of 15%, which could potentially reach 20% under normal circumstances, in both revenue and profit for FY’25,” stated Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold.
The jewellery chain saw a remarkable 39% year-on-year increase in revenue during the fourth quarter of FY’24 (2023-24), reaching INR 1,137 crore, with its profit also surging by 23% to INR 32.17 crore.
Throughout the fiscal year, revenue surged by 29%, totaling INR 5,241 crore, driven by escalating gold prices and heightened demand from both existing and new stores. Net profit also grew by 14%, reaching INR 181 crore.
Store Expansion Strategy
During the fiscal year 2023-24, the retail jewellery chain inaugurated 23 new outlets, increasing its total count to 159.
“We intend to incorporate an additional 15-20 stores in the ongoing fiscal year. These establishments will be evenly split between company-owned and franchise-based models. We’ve allocated significant funds, totaling more than INR 38.23 crore, towards new store capex and capacity enhancement, as part of our nationwide strategy,” he stated.
Sen also highlighted the retail jewellery chain’s expansion into new markets in the western and southern regions of the country, emphasizing that the majority, around 70-80%, of its growth would still originate from the eastern and northern parts of India.
The company plans to further strengthen its brand presence in these new markets.
Sen stated that Senco will capitalize on its brand and customer loyalty, although margins will face pressure due to the significant increase in gold prices.
He mentioned that the company must bear additional expenses to implement customer-centric schemes such as shielding customers from gold price fluctuations, aiming to attract more foot traffic into stores.
In FY’24, its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margin decreased by 60 basis points year-on-year to 7.2%.
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is reportedly exploring opportunities to enter the ecommerce and payments space as it expands its presence in burgeoning consumer-facing markets.
According to the Financial Times, the conglomerate, known for its diverse interests from ports to power, is gearing up to seek a license for operation on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Additionally, discussions are underway between the company and various banks regarding the potential launch of a co-branded Adani credit card.
Potential Entry into Online Shopping via ONDC
Moreover, the Adani Group is also considering the provision of online shopping services through the government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
Should these plans come to fruition, it’s probable that the company will deliver these services through the Adani One app, which was introduced in 2022.
The proposed expansion will position the Adani Group squarely in competition with established players such as Google and Walmart-backed PhonePe, which have already established widely-used UPI-based payment apps. It will also bring them into the arena with domestic contenders like Paytm and Tata, which respectively offer grocery and online food delivery services via ONDC.
Earlier reports also indicated that the Adani Group is contemplating a collaboration with ride-hailing platform Uber to introduce its fleet of electric passenger cars.
Rebounding from Hindenburg Controversy
It’s worth noting that accusations of corporate misconduct and market manipulation by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research resulted in the Adani Group’s market value plummeting by over $150 billion last year. Additionally, it led to the loss of over $100 billion from Adani’s personal wealth.
Nonetheless, the group appears to have bounced back from the Hindenburg shock, as shares of Adani Group’s flagship company, Adani Enterprises, have nearly recouped all stock market losses suffered last year.
ONDC Integration Across Various Sectors
The Adani Group’s foray into e-commerce and payments coincides with the rise of ONDC, which is catalyzing success stories for Indian companies seeking to broaden their digital ventures.
In February, the online bus ticket booking platform redBus forged a partnership with ONDC to provide metro ticket booking services and facilitate auto-rickshaw rides.
Ride-hailing titans like Ola and Uber have also joined the network to extend their range of mobility services.
Additionally, Ola Cabs, led by Bhavish Aggarwal, is poised to introduce fashion and grocery delivery services through the ONDC.
Meanwhile, the digital division of Hindi media outlet Dainik Jagran is in the final stages of integration with the ONDC.
Earlier this month, automobile giant Hero MotoCorp also joined the ONDC platform to retail two-wheeler parts and accessories online.
Fintech unicorn Paytm is also strategizing to venture into the ride-hailing domain by providing auto-rickshaw booking services in tier I cities, in collaboration with the ONDC.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
