Thursday, January 15, 2026
Home Blog Page 462

Fast&Up unveils new RTD beverage for athletes and fitness enthusiasts

0
Fast&Up

Fast&Up, India’s leading sports and health nutrition brand, has unveiled its latest innovation – Fast&Up Reload Ready-to-Drink. Tailored for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals embracing an active lifestyle, this groundbreaking beverage provides a hassle-free solution for sustaining energy levels and optimizing performance.

Fast&Up Reload Ready-to-Drink boasts a meticulously crafted formula comprising five crucial electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. These essential elements aid in replenishing electrolytes lost during perspiration, thus maintaining an ideal fluid and electrolyte equilibrium. Distinguished from typical energy beverages, it contains a fraction of the sugar content and facilitates hydration twice as rapidly as water alone. Hence, it stands out as a superior option for revitalizing the body and staving off fatigue.

Continue Exploring: Fast&Up sets sights on UK retail expansion following ASDA success

It contains 20 times less sugar than most other energy drinks on the market and hydrates twice as fast as water alone, helping to re-energize the body and prevent fatigue and exhaustion. Unlike its counterparts, Fast&Up Reload Ready to Drink is caffeine-free, with no artificial flavors or colors. Additionally, it’s enriched with Vitamin B12 & C, which aids in reducing muscle soreness and tiredness. Available in the refreshing lemon blast flavor, Fast&Up Ready to Drink offers a revitalizing option for replenishing energy.

Reload Ready-to-Drink can be found in retail outlets nationwide, as well as directly on the website, Zepto, Swiggy, and Blinkit, with prices starting from INR 60.

Continue Exploring: Govt eyes stricter regulations as energy drink consumption surges among teens and athletes

Advertisement

Caprese Handbags appoints Kiara Advani as its new brand ambassador

0
Kiara Advani
Kiara Advani

Caprese, India’s leading women’s fashion handbag brand, has appointed Bollywood actor Kiara Advani as its new brand ambassador. To mark this exciting collaboration, Caprese has unveiled its latest spring-summer 2024 collection under the banner of “The Kiara Collection.” This partnership reflects Caprese’s dedication to empowering women to embrace and express their individual sense of style.

Since its inception in 2012, Caprese has been curating a diverse selection of women’s handbags influenced by global fashion trends and the enchanting ambiance of Capri. Tailored for contemporary women aspiring for a touch of timeless grace and sophistication in their daily attire, the brand encapsulates the essence of elevated style.

Continue Exploring: Korean beauty brand Laneige onboards Sara Tendulkar as brand ambassador

Kiara’s flawless fashion sensibility, effortlessly fusing modern trends with enduring charm, harmonizes seamlessly with Caprese’s brand ethos. Whether it’s a day at the beach or a casual evening with friends, “The Kiara Collection” caters to every occasion, featuring a diverse range of totes, satchels, laptop bags, slings, and fashion backpacks, ensuring versatility and elegance for every woman.

“The Kiara Collection represents a captivating fusion of Bollywood allure and enduring sophistication, reshaping modern fashion trends. We’re excited to introduce a collection that not only exudes elegance but also uplifts women, turning everyday experiences into stylish escapades. Kiara’s collaboration with Caprese will reinforce our leading position in the fashion industry,” remarked the Marketing Head of Caprese.

Customers can find all these stunning pieces for purchase on Caprese’s website, as well as at nearby retail outlets and on e-commerce platforms such as Myntra and Nykaa. The Kiara Collection offers a diverse range of handbags priced from INR 2199 to INR 3999.

Continue Exploring: Clovia enlists Manushi Chhillar as its new brand ambassador

Advertisement

Big Hello expands reach with four new stores in Hyderabad

0
Big Hello
Big Hello

Big Hello, a boutique fashion label catering to plus-sized clientele, has unveiled four fresh retail outlets in Hyderabad. Situated in Kukatpally, Upperpally, Miyapur, and Panjagutta, these establishments showcase chic, premium attire and accessories tailored for both plus-sized gentlemen and ladies across the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The new Hyderabad locations are crafted as ‘Experience Stores,’ boasting vibrant interiors, animated mannequins, and exceptional customer service, embodying the brand’s lively and inclusive ethos. Big Hello is pioneering in India by offering a dedicated lounge where customers can sit and shop in comfort, significantly enhancing their retail experience.

With this launch, Big Hello now boasts 11 physical retail stores across Bangalore, Chennai, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad. In addition to its e-commerce platform, the brand plans to open eight more stores in Hyderabad by the end of this financial year. Big Hello is owned by Absolute Brands and Retail Private Limited (ABRPL), a rapidly growing fashion retail company founded by Vishnu Prasad.

Continue Exploring: Apparel exports set for 8-9% growth in FY2025: ICRA

Vishnu Prasad, Founder and CEO of Absolute Brands and Retail Pvt Ltd (ABRPL), noted, “Hyderabadis are known for their penchant for expressing individual style through impeccably fitting attire. However, for many plus-sized individuals, sourcing such garments has been challenging. Big Hello’s arrival in Hyderabad addresses this issue, offering locals effortless access to top-tier fashion and tailored fits, without compromise.”

Big Hello offers a diverse selection of Western and Indian ethnic wear for both men and women, including shirts, t-shirts, trousers, jeans, chinos, shorts, blazers, kurtas, ethnic bottomwear, and bandhgalas. The brand also features accessories like belts, tummy tuckers, scarves, ties, pocket squares, and suspenders, all designed to complement the unique curves of plus-sized bodies.

Prasad further stated that Big Hello’s expansion will extend beyond Telangana into other southern states. “We’re positioning Big Hello as the premier hub for plus-size fashion nationwide. Our brand delivers chic, premium clothing meticulously designed to complement the distinctive curves and shapes of plus-sized individuals.”

The Big Hello outlets in Hyderabad are situated at Vasavi Sri Sri Signature in Kukatpally, Mantra Mall in Upperpally, GSM Mall in Miyapur, and Uma Plaza at Nagarjuna Circle in Panjagutta.

The Indian market for plus-size fashion apparel, valued at INR 88,000 crore, constitutes a 12 percent share of the total fashion market. Within this, the organized sector represents approximately INR 29,000 crore. Projections indicate that this market is poised to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25 percent over the upcoming five years.

Continue Exploring: Tata’s Trent set to outshine competitors as low-priced apparel draws in young buyers

Advertisement

Flipkart’s budget-friendly e-commerce platform Shopsy appoints Prathyusha Agarwal as its new head

Prathyusha Agarwal
Prathyusha Agarwal

Shopsy, Flipkart‘s budget-friendly e-commerce competitor to platforms like Meesho and Amazon Bazaar, has appointed Prathyusha Agarwal as its head.

Agarwal will also take on the position of vice president at Flipkart, the parent company, as confirmed by a spokesperson. Prior to this role, she served as the chief business officer at the edtech firm Byju’s, and has held positions at Zee Entertainment, Tata Cliq, and Unilever, as outlined in her LinkedIn profile.

The Arc was the first to report Agarwal’s appointment.

Earlier, Shopsy was led by Adarsh Menon, who held the position of Senior Vice President and also oversaw the ReCommerce division along with other new ventures. In October of last year, Menon departed from Flipkart to assume the role of Global President at the car rental company Zoomcar.

This development comes amidst a series of high-level changes at Flipkart. The company enlisted Anuj Rathi as CEO of its travel booking unit Cleartrip, following the departures of former CEO Ayyappan R and former CFO Aditya Agarwal.

Continue Exploring: Google joins Walmart-led funding round to back Flipkart’s expansion plans

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of customer growth and retention, marketing, and ads, Prabh Simran Singh, along with the Vice President (VP) of monetization, Sankalp Mehrotra, are also poised to depart from the company.

In recent months, several other Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) have also parted ways with the company, including Amitesh Jha, who oversaw marketplace and categories, Dheeraj A, responsible for fintech and payments, and Bharath Ram, who led growth and retention, among others.

In January, it was reported that Flipkart was implementing performance-based reductions across all sectors, including vice presidents in engineering and product roles, resulting in layoffs affecting 5-7% of the company’s workforce.

Continue Exploring: Flipkart mulls reverse flip to India as IPO looms on the horizon

In 2021, Flipkart introduced Shopsy to enter the competitive low average selling price (ASP) market, directly challenging platforms like Meesho. This primarily focuses on offering unbranded products across categories such as apparel, small electronics, and kitchenware.

The sector continues to garner attention, evident from Amazon’s launch of its own budget-friendly, unbranded fashion and lifestyle platform named Bazaar in April of this year. Additionally, Reliance-owned ecommerce platform Ajio is preparing to unveil a similar low-priced platform known as Ajio Street.

In May, Meesho finalized a $275 million funding round through a combination of primary and secondary share sales. This initial tranche is part of a larger financing round of $600 million that the Bengaluru-based company aims to close.

Continue Exploring: Meesho secures $275 Million in first tranche of larger funding round

Advertisement

Superfoods Valley secures INR 7 Cr in Pre-Series A funding round for Good Monk brand expansion

Amarpreet S Anand and Sahiba Kaur, Co-Founders, Superfoods Valley
Amarpreet S Anand and Sahiba Kaur, Co-Founders, Superfoods Valley

Superfoods Valley, a Bengaluru-based nutrition and foodtech startup, has raised INR 7 Crores in a Pre-Series A funding round.

The funding round saw participation from new investors Sharrp Ventures and Thinkuvate, along with existing investor Multiply Ventures.

The startup plans to utilize the newly acquired investment to scale its flagship brand, Good Monk, renowned for its unique range of nutrition mixes and instant fruit drink mixes.

Established by Amarpreet S Anand and Sahiba Kaur, with a mission to address hidden hunger (micro-nutrient deficiency), Good Monk offers a variety of nutrition mixes designed to seamlessly integrate into food without altering its taste, color, or aroma. The Good Monk Family Nutrition Mix undergoes clinical testing, with 95% of individuals experiencing significant enhancements in energy, immunity, and gut health through consistent consumption over 120 days.

Amarpreet S Anand, the Founder of Superfoods Valley, said, “We are delighted to have our investors support us in this journey, as the potential impact of Good Monk on the health of Indians is substantial. It presents perhaps the simplest method of fortifying your daily diet. It’s no wonder that the business has experienced a rapid 3X growth over the last three months.”

Continue Exploring: D2C nutrition brand Earthful secures INR 3.3 Crore in pre-seed funding led by Green Ivy Venture and angel investors

Sahiba, Co-Founder and Mom-preneur, expressed, “As a parent founder, the ultimate satisfaction comes from engaging with our customers and witnessing how our product enhances their family’s well-being. There’s truly no greater joy than that!”

Sanjay Ramakrishnan, Founder and general partner of Multiply Ventures, stated, “Our decision to invest in the brand for the second time underscores our steadfast confidence in the company’s vision, leadership, and growth prospects. We believe that our ongoing investment will not only propel the brand’s success but also lead to significant and impactful advancements in the nutrition sector.”

Chaitanya Rathi, partner at Sharp Ventures, commented, “Good Monk’s innovative strategy in addressing the issue of micro-nutrient deficiency aligns with our mutual dedication to supporting brands that offer impactful solutions for nutritional health.”

Minal Shah, Vice President of Thinkuvate, shared, “Being a parent, I’m familiar with the nutritional gaps in our children’s diets today. With this convenient, user-friendly nutrition sachet, incorporating essential nutrients into our children’s and our own diets becomes effortless. Considering Good Monk’s patented product and formulae, along with their clinical trial outcomes, we believe this product has the potential to become a staple ingredient on our tables in the future, much like salt and pepper.”

Continue Exploring: Healthy snack brands see explosive growth amidst health-conscious consumer trend

Advertisement

Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic expands into fine dining, set to launch its first lounge in Dehradun

0
Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic
Scuzo Ice 'O' Magic

Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic, renowned for its innovative live popsicle concept, is expanding into the realm of lounge and fine dining experiences, while maintaining its signature healthy desserts. The brand is set to launch its first lounge in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, marking the beginning of this exciting journey. Alongside its famed desserts, patrons can look forward to indulging in a tantalizing array of offerings including pizza, bruschetta, pasta, and many other delectable delights.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Dehradun, Scuzo is poised to unveil its latest venture, blending nutritious desserts with Italian culinary delights, with plans for nationwide expansion. Featuring an elegant lounge ambiance, it promises a hospitable environment for patrons to mingle and engage.

Continue Exploring: Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic expands into confectionery market, unveils new menu packed with delectable delights!

Gagan Anand, Founder of Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic, remarked, “The launch of our first lounge marks an exhilarating chapter in our journey, driven by our passion for crafting unforgettable culinary experiences. With our debut in Dehradun, we’re thrilled to showcase our commitment to innovation and excellence, inviting patrons to explore the richness of diverse cuisines within our vibrant lounge setting. We’re confident that our newest venture will not only flourish in Dehradun but also extend its success to cities like Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Rajkot, and Hyderabad.”

Scuzo aims to captivate and delight the food enthusiasts of both the city and the nation by seamlessly blending ‘Italiano Cucina’ with nutritious desserts. From savoring a traditional pasta entree paired with a revitalizing drink to relishing a slice of genuine Italian pizza, Scuzo meticulously attends to every facet of fine dining.

Continue Exploring: Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic unveils Noida’s first franchise outlet, marking its sixteenth milestone in India’s live popsicle concept!

Advertisement

United Spirits reports INR 384 Cr net profit in Q4, driven by strategic initiatives and premiumization

United Spirits
United Spirits

Diageo India, operating under United Spirits Ltd and a subsidiary of the British liquor powerhouse Diageo, has reported a substantial 88% surge in standalone profit after tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter, reaching INR 384 crore compared to INR 204 crore in the same quarter of FY23. The net PAT margin for Q4FY24 is now at 14.4%, a significant increase from 8.2% previously.

Throughout FY24, United Spirits Ltd (USL) saw an NSV of INR 10,692 crore, marking a 3.06% year-on-year increase. The company credits this growth to a focus on premiumization and “choiceful consumption,” leading to increased brand loyalty.

In the fourth quarter, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) amounted to INR 361 crore, up from the previous fiscal year’s Q4 of INR 338 crore, and INR 1,708 crore for the entire previous fiscal year.

Continue Exploring: United Spirits reports 63% YoY growth in Q3 net profit, reaches INR 350 Crore

United Spirits Ltd’s (USL) earnings per share (EPS) reached INR 5.28 in the March quarter, while the EPS for FY24 totaled INR 18.04.

Hina Nagarajan, CEO & Managing Director of Diageo India, remarked, “We have successfully concluded the fiscal year 2023-24, meeting our double-digit growth targets and achieving mid-teen margins despite a challenging external landscape. The year saw demand gradually stabilizing, influenced by sustained consumer inflation and the normalization of post-pandemic consumption patterns.”

Speaking on USL’s premiumization initiatives, she further stated, “We persist in innovating and refreshing to ensure future expansion. Our flagship brand is currently undergoing renovation and expansion within the new ‘House of McDowell’s’ framework to attract fresh consumers across various subsegments and formats.”

Godawan 100, Diageo’s craft whisky, was recently honored as the “Single Malt Whisky of the Year” at the London Spirits Competition. Nagarajan also highlighted the victory of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s Premier League (WPL) team in the 2nd edition of the WPL in March 2024. Notably, the team is owned by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd (RCSPL).

Continue Exploring: Godawan single malt whisky grows Its market presence, enters Punjab, Chandigarh, and Madhya Pradesh

Advertisement

Jaipur Watch Company secures INR 2.4 Cr in funding, eyes further expansion with larger round

Gaurav Mehta, Founder, Jaipur Watch Company
Gaurav Mehta, Founder, Jaipur Watch Company

Jaipur Watch Company, renowned for its luxury timepieces, has successfully secured INR 2.4 crore in its latest fundraising round, resulting in the dilution of approximately 8% of the company’s equity stake, according to its Founder, Gaurav Mehta.

Nirav Jogani from Lemon Funds and Jignesh Shah from Dev Diamonds and Lucky Jewellery spearheaded the funding round.

Continue Exploring: Breitling’s revenue surges over 40% in India, eyes top three position in luxury watch market

The funds will be allocated towards the company’s retail expansion, marketing endeavors, and inventory enhancements. Jaipur Watch Company, which presently operates five exclusive outlets, intends to augment its presence by adding three more outlets within the current year.

So far, the company has amassed approximately INR 3.5 crore in total funding. Mehta disclosed that discussions are underway to secure a larger funding round ranging between INR 5.5 to 6 crore. Among its investors are Tushar Kapoor, Director of Kapsons, along with Dexter Angels and Marwari Catalysts.

Continue Exploring: Bangalore Watch Company targets annual production of 5,000 units, unveils expansion plans with exclusive outlets and funding drive

Advertisement

Home decor startup Vaaree secures INR 20.78 Cr in pre-Series A funding round led by Capier Investments

Garima Luthra, Pranav Arora, and Varun Vohra, Co-Founders, Vaaree
Garima Luthra, Pranav Arora, and Varun Vohra, Co-Founders, Vaaree

Vaaree, a home furnishing startup, has raised INR 20.78 crore ($2.5 million) in Pre-Series A funding, led by Bengaluru-based venture capital firm Capier Investments.

The round also saw participation from Peak XV’s Surge Ventures, known for backing Indian startups such as Ethereal Machines, InCore, Mindgrove, and ZeroK, among others.

Capier Investments contributed INR 12.47 crore, while Peak XV’s Surge Ventures invested INR 8.31 crore in the round.

According to its filings, the company’s board of directors approved a resolution in March to issue 3,063 Pre-Series A cumulative compulsorily convertible preference shares, with a face value of INR 10 each, aiming to raise INR 20.78 crore.

Continue Exploring: D2C homecare startup Happi Planet raises $1M funding from Fireside Ventures to expand offline presence and drive growth

Entrackr was the first to report on this development.

Established in 2022 by Garima Luthra, Pranav Arora, and Varun Vohra, Vaaree is an omnichannel home decor startup providing a wide array of products, including kitchenware, home decor items, bedding, and furnishings.

Last year, the Bengaluru-based startup secured $4 million in a funding round spearheaded by Peak XV’s Surge, with involvement from PeerCapital, All In Capital, and Better Capital.

Back then, the company stated it would use the funds to ramp up its hiring efforts and enhance the user experience on its online platform.

Continue Exploring: Home furnishing startup Vaaree secures $4 Mn in seed round led by Peak XV’s Surge

The company has also received funding from angel investors such as CRED cofounder and CEO Kunal Shah, Sugar Cosmetics cofounder and CEO Vineeta Singh, and Mamaearth cofounder Gazal Alagh, among others.

According to Research Markets data, India’s home decor market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.14%, reaching a valuation of $40.98 billion by 2028.

It’s no surprise that several new players are emerging in the sector, attracting significant investor interest.

Livspace, a home renovation and interiors platform, joined the unicorn club in 2022 by securing $180 million in its Series F round, led by private equity group KKR. Currently, it is preparing to relocate its headquarters from Singapore to India, with an IPO on the horizon.

Last year, HomeLane, a startup specializing in home interior solutions, secured INR 75 crore from its existing investors.

Continue Exploring: D2C home care brand Koparo secures INR 6 Crore from 4P Capital Partners and Shark Tank India

Advertisement

India’s coffee exports soar 12% to $1.28 Billion in 2023-24

0
Coffee
Coffee

India’s coffee exports increased by 12.22% in 2023-24, reaching $1.28 billion, driven by a surge in global demand for Robusta coffee, according to data from the commerce ministry.

In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the country exported coffee valued at $1.14 billion.

India ranks as the third-largest producer and exporter of coffee in Asia, cultivating both Arabica and Robusta varieties.

Continue Exploring: Subko Coffee Roasters reports 94% surge in sales to INR 13.5 Cr in FY23

Arabica coffee beans have less caffeine than Robusta beans. Arabica has a sweeter as well as smoother taste, whereas Robusta is usually more bitter and harsh on the palate.

In volume terms, India’s coffee shipments increased by 13.35% to 125,631 tonnes during the January-March period of 2023-24, compared to 110,830 tonnes exported in the same period in 2023.

Italy, Russia, the UAE, Germany, and Turkey stand as key coffee export destinations for India.

Continue Exploring: Indian coffee growers rejoice as robusta prices hit historic high of INR 10,080 per 50 kg bag

Advertisement