Ilem Japan, a renowned Japanese skincare brand, has opened its first retail outlet in Chennai, located at Phoenix Palladium Mall in Velachery.
The recently opened store marks the brand’s second standalone outlet in the nation, succeeding the inauguration of its first comprehensive store at Phoenix Mall of the Millennium in Pune earlier this year.
Ishvani Patel, the founder of Ilem Japan, expressed, “As we unveil our store to the lively Chennai community, we’re thrilled to introduce the essence of Japanese wellness to you all. With our Chennai store’s debut, we extend an invitation for you to delve into a voyage of self-discovery, discovering the rich traditions and top-notch products that epitomize the Japanese spirit.”
The store will feature an array of products, encompassing essential items for face, body, and hair care.
In February 2023, the retailer entered the Indian market, initially establishing its online presence through its website. Presently, Ilem operates over eight kiosks in diverse malls across India.
Founded in April 2021 as an Internet-first startup specializing in multi-category skincare products, Ilem Japan now operates in Japan, India, and the United States.
The startup plans to utilize the new capital to amplify its existing retail and online footprint, scaling from 45 to 100 kitchens across India and overseas within the upcoming two years. Simultaneously, it aims to pioneer new automation technology to enhance consistency, ramp up production volume, and broaden its product range. Additionally, the fresh funds will fuel efforts to diversify its product portfolio.
Established in 2019 by Prem Rheja and Payal Raheja, The Betel Leaf operates as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) company specializing in the online sale of paan and other paan-derived products.
Its range includes Fresh Pans, ARID Pans, Celebration Hamper, Betel Chocolate, and Betel Leaf Tea. Within the Fresh Paan category alone, it boasts eight distinct flavors. Additionally, the company exports its products to Singapore, Malaysia, Nairobi, the UK, and the US.
Rheja expressed, “Our goal is to ensure that every consumer experiences the benefits of Betel Leaf through our range of paan and other paan-based products. We aspire to be pioneers and leaders in organizing this currently unstructured product category.”
“In today’s rapidly evolving India, sourcing authentic, hygienic, and convenient options for traditional Indian desserts like paan can prove to be quite a challenge. The Betel Leaf Co is tackling this issue directly by providing hygienic, fresh, and genuine paan, featuring a diverse range of flavors, delivered straight to our doorsteps,” stated Ivy Chin, a partner at Inflection Point Ventures.
The Betel Leaf is additionally seeking to broaden its retail footprint through collaborations with retail chains such as Reliance Retail, Spar, and other major players.
In 2021, the company successfully raised $800K in a seed funding round, with Venture Catalysts and 100Unicorns (formerly known as 9Unicorns) leading the investment.
The startup boasts prominent investors, including 100Unicorns, along with individual backers such as Amit Mehta, the promoter of S Amit group of companies, Arjun Vaidya, a venture investor at Verlininvest, and angel investor Masoom Minawala.
In 2023, India’s ecommerce market felt the impact of the broader funding downturn, witnessing a significant decline in startup funding compared to previous years.
Reports indicate that Indian ecommerce startups secured $2.6 billion in funding throughout the year, marking a 32% decrease from the $3.8 billion raised in 2022.
Lavie, a renowned fashion and lifestyle brand under Bagzone Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., has recently opened its 10th exclusive retail store in Pune, located at Aero Mall, as confirmed by a company official’s social media update.
In a LinkedIn post, Shekhar Gaikwad, zonal manager for Lavie in the West and North regions, announced, “Excited to share the launch of our 10th exclusive outlet at Aero Mall in Pune!”
The store provides a variety of products, including handbags, sling bags, tote bags, laptop handbags, and backpacks, among others.
In November 2023, Lavie expanded its offerings into the watch category by launching a line of watches tailored specifically for women.
Founded in 2010 by siblings Ayush and Shobha Tainwala, Lavie has since developed its online presence through its website and multiple e-commerce platforms. Additionally, the brand operates 119 physical stores across various regions of India.
Bagzone Lifestyle, headquartered in Mumbai, manages several brands, including Fé Lavie, a footwear brand, and Lavie Sport, specializing in athleisure wear.
Parle Agro, renowned for its inventive strides in the Indian beverage sector, has introduced Dhishoom, a nationwide launch of a jeera masala-infused carbonated beverage. By making Dhishoom accessible throughout the nation, Parle Agro pioneers the first national brand in this particular category.
Originally introduced in 2012 and primarily accessible in rural and small-town markets, Dhishoom has now been rolled out nationwide by Parle Agro in response to the increasing demand for jeera-based beverages in India. Through this strategic expansion, Parle Agro not only seeks to satisfy but also to spearhead the growth of this thriving category.
Dhishoom offers consumers an authentic jeera drink experience, featuring a harmonious fusion of savory, tangy, and citrusy flavors skillfully combined with the perfect blend of jeera masala and carbonation. This concoction delivers a refreshing taste with a satisfying punch. Its distinctive and attention-grabbing packaging stands out prominently on retail shelves. Available in two convenient sizes—125ml and 250ml—priced at INR 10 and INR 20 respectively, Dhishoom ensures affordability without sacrificing quality.
Commenting on the launch, Ankit Kapoor, Head of Marketing and International Business at Parle Agro, expressed, “The nationwide rollout of Dhishoom signifies our entry into the masala soda segment on a national scale, aiming to take the lead in the diverse jeera masala drink market. We intend to leverage our deep understanding of consumer preferences, our expertise in design-led brand building, and our extensive distribution network to unlock the potential of this category.”
The jeera masala drink category, comprising both organized and unorganized sectors, holds a significant market size of around INR 700 crore. Presently, regional players largely control specific market areas, leaving room for a prominent national brand to step in and secure market presence. Parle Agro seeks to bridge this void by establishing itself as the pioneer nationwide brand in this segment.
Commenting on the launch, Nadia Chauhan, Joint Managing Director of Parle Agro, emphasized, “Our dedication to pushing boundaries and elevating categories drives our passion. The nationwide launch of Dhishoom underscores our resolve to tap into market opportunities fully. Our objective is to establish Dhishoom as the definitive preference in the jeera masala drink category, solidifying Parle Agro’s leadership not only in this category but also in the broader beverage industry.”
In its marketing strategy, Parle Agro will leverage its robust distribution network and deploy captivating Point-of-Sale Materials (POSMs) to amplify the brand’s presence. Furthermore, digital platforms and partnerships with influencers will be utilized to effectively engage the target audience on a regional scale.
In Indian villages, where over half the population neglects daily brushing, and in cities, where only a fifth brush twice a day, Colgate Palmolive India’s managing director, Prabha Narasimhan, emphasizes the responsibility of the company to enhance oral hygiene habits. Narasimhan points out that while every household in India purchases toothpaste, regular usage remains a challenge.
Narasimhan stated, “Our primary goal is to properly promote the value of oral care. When we constantly adhere to this purpose, the category flourishes. Conversely, when we falter, the category’s growth rate slows. “As the category leader achieves double-digit growth, we see an acceleration in category expansion.”
The company that produces the well-known toothpaste brand commands fifty percent of the oral care market in the country and experienced a growth of 10.6% during the quarter ending in March.
In the past year, numerous fast-moving consumer goods categories, including oral care, experienced a slowdown, particularly in rural markets. Consumers there tightened their spending to counter inflation in daily groceries and household items. Additionally, companies decreased pack sizes without reducing prices, causing consumers to adjust their usage while purchasing a similar quantity of packs.
However, consumption in villages surpassed that of urban markets last quarter as many companies reduced prices due to declining commodity costs. Colgate noted that there is a growing sense of optimism in rural areas, which is expected to continue improving as inflation stabilizes and there are anticipations of a regular monsoon season.
Narasimhan added that based on current indications, inflation is expected to remain relatively low, increasing at a gradual pace. She emphasized that unlike many commodity-linked categories, the toothpaste category does not fluctuate significantly with commodity cycles.
Oral care consumption in India is notably low compared to other countries. For instance, markets like the Philippines consume 1.8 times and Brazil 3.1 times more than India. The US-based oral care giant has been focusing on innovation, especially in premium products, which consequently yield higher profit margins.
Analysts noted that the management is heavily prioritizing premiumization, aiming for a threefold growth in premium products compared to the core portfolio.
“To attain this objective, Colgate is strategically concentrating on its Total portfolio and intensifying efforts in organized channels. Furthermore, it aims to regain its former market share of Total from a decade ago, which has decreased from double-digit prominence in modern trade to single digits,” as stated in a report by Elara Securities.
Nonetheless, only 12% of the oral care category consists of premium products, whereas 28% of SEC A consumers purchase premium items within this segment. In contrast, in categories like personal care, premium products constitute 30% of the category, with half of the SEC population opting for higher-priced items.
The company’s reliance on oral care products in India is significant, unlike its global counterpart, which boasts a robust portfolio in personal care as well. Plans are underway to introduce new products from its global portfolio, the company announced.
Narasimhan expressed, “Colgate will remain synonymous with oral care, and we aspire for it to continue receiving the same level of prominence, affection, and trust it enjoys today. However, we recognize an opportunity for diversification, which constitutes the fourth pillar of our strategy in developing the Palmolive brand.”
Ecommerce platforms have united in support of the Centre’s proposal to mandate compliance with quality norms for consumer reviews.
During a meeting held on Wednesday (May 15), representatives from leading ecommerce firms and tech giants like Flipkart, Amazon, Google, and Meta approved a proposal advocating for mandatory adherence to the standards set for “online consumer reviews” introduced in 2022.
The events unfolded during a stakeholder consultation organized by the Department of Consumer Affairs in New Delhi, focusing on safeguarding consumer interests from fraudulent online reviews.
Led by consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare, the meeting also saw participation from industry association representatives, consumer advocacy groups, legal professionals, and activists.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs announced that a draft Quality Control Order will be open for public feedback within a specified period. Before this step, stakeholders thoroughly discussed and expressed support for the concept of implementing a QCO to address fake online reviews.
“Stakeholders welcomed the discussion regarding the implementation of a Quality Control Order for IS 19000:2022. There was a unanimous agreement among all stakeholders that tackling fake reviews is crucial for safeguarding consumer interests in online shopping and necessitates vigilant monitoring. The Draft Quality Control Order will be open for public consultation, inviting comments within a designated timeframe,” the statement added.
Earlier this week, consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare reprimanded ecommerce platforms, noting the prevalence of fake reviews on their websites despite the Centre’s notification of voluntary standards on “online reviews” in late 2022.
Khare also suggested the possibility of mandating ecommerce platforms to adhere to quality consumer review norms as a measure to curb fake reviews.
The department outlined several quality control measures within the framework issued in 2022 to protect consumers’ interests by combatting deceptive reviews on ecommerce platforms. These standards delineated the responsibilities of both the review author and the review administrator.
Nevertheless, compliance with these norms was optional rather than compulsory. However, the Centre now intends to enforce mandatory compliance with these norms to safeguard “consumer interest”.
To provide context, grievances related to ecommerce recorded on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) witnessed a staggering 366% surge from 2018 to 2023. According to government data, complaints surged from 95,270 in 2018 to 4.44 lakh in 2023, constituting 43% of the total grievances.
The recent initiative is a part of the government’s endeavors to safeguard the interests of online consumers. In December of the previous year, the Department of Consumer Affairs released guidelines on dark patterns and cautioned ecommerce platforms against employing such misleading tactics in their user interfaces.
Ecommerce platforms have previously come under scrutiny from authorities. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) instructed quick commerce platforms to substantiate their claims of ’10-minute’ delivery. Additionally, Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal have been served notices by the consumer protection body for retailing substandard toys.
Springwel Mattresses is nearing the finalization of acquiring SleepyCat, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) mattress startup, in a bargain deal, according to sources. The deal, primarily involving the sale of shares, has been under negotiation for several months and is anticipated to be completed in the upcoming weeks, they further noted.
In these types of transactions, instead of receiving a cash payout, the company and its investors are provided with shares in the acquiring company.
A source familiar with the situation stated that the agreement between Springwel and SleepyCat is expected to lack a cash element. Due to the intense competition within SleepyCat’s sector and challenges in fundraising, selling to a larger entity appeared to be the most favorable choice.
Whether the SleepyCat team will continue to operate the business autonomously or integrate into Springwel remains uncertain.
Queries directed towards SleepyCat and Springwel went unanswered.
SleepyCat finds itself in competition with other robustly funded and larger startups like Wakefit, supported by Peak XV Partners, and The Sleep Company, backed by Premji. The recent $22 million funding round of The Sleep Company, its largest yet, underscores the investor trend of favoring top-performing ventures while steering clear of others.
Consolidation within the direct-to-consumer (D2C) realm isn’t a novel concept. Enterprises unable to expand often find themselves acquired by bigger entities, usually at a significant markdown. SleepyCat serves as a prime illustration of this trend.
Established in 2017 by Kabir Siddiq, the company has secured slightly over $5 million in funding from investors such as DSG Consumer Partners, Saama Capital, Rishabh Mariwala’s Sharrp Ventures, and others over the course of approximately seven years, as reported by Tracxn, a provider of private markets data.
In August, there were reports indicating that Springwel was negotiating to obtain a controlling interest in SleepyCat for an estimated INR 70-80 crore, although talks had reached an impasse.
Despite securing funding, SleepyCat did not achieve the rapid scaling it had hoped for.
In FY19, upon receiving its initial institutional funding, the company boasted a revenue of INR 10 crore and garnered a profit of INR 55 lakh. However, by the conclusion of FY23, four years later, its revenue had surged to INR 55 crore, albeit with losses ballooning to INR 16 crore.
In the early stages, many startups experience exponential growth due to their small revenue base. However, SleepyCat defied this trend, possibly contributing to its lack of new funding rounds since 2021, despite the fervent investment climate.
Since its acquisition by Ananta Capital in July 2022, SpringWel Mattresses, a longstanding company, has maintained steady growth in its revenue.
According to regulatory filings obtained via Tofler, the company achieved a revenue of INR 253 crore in FY23, marking a 24 percent surge compared to the preceding year. Despite this growth, the company’s profit remained unchanged at INR 2 crore for both fiscal years.
Established entities such as Springwel have been strategically acquiring smaller companies, particularly those emerging in the sector, to strengthen their market standing. In a similar vein, last year, Sheela Foam, a competitor of Springwel, acquired a 35 percent stake in Furlenco, an online furniture company.
The Haryana Cabinet has approved a new excise policy for the year 2024-25 after receiving approval from the Election Commission, as stated in an official announcement. This policy has been sanctioned for a duration of one year, starting on June 12.
“In the new policy commencing on June 12, there will be a slight uptick in the excise duty imposed on both Indian Made Foreign Liquor and country liquor,” it said.
However, no specifics regarding the magnitude of the excise duty hike were disclosed.
The cabinet convened in Chandigarh, presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The previous excise policy (2023-24) spanned a year from June 12, 2023.
The maximum basic quota for IMFL will be 700 lakh proof litres, and for country liquor, it will be 1,200 lakh proof litres for the year 2024-25.
The statement mentioned that the QR code-based track and trace system, initially introduced in 2023-24 for IMFL and country liquor, will now also encompass imported foreign liquor.
The department stated that it will establish minimum retail sale prices for imported liquor brands to streamline business operations.
With the approval of this policy, the excise department will initiate e-auctions for the allocation of retail vends starting from May 27th.
The maximum quantity of retail vends will remain unchanged in the new policy.
According to the statement, anyone wishing to participate in the e-auction must provide either an Aadhar Card or Parivar Pehchan Patra, Income Tax Returns for the past three assessment years, and demonstrate a minimum net worth of INR 60 lakh.
Due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during the ongoing Lok Sabha election, approval from the EC was obtained before finalizing the policy decision.
South Africa-based Nando’s, renowned for its flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken, has announced a joint venture with leading Indian food service company, K Hospitality Corp, to expand its footprint in India.
Teaming up with K Hospitality Corp, Nando’s India is embarking on ambitious expansion plans, aiming to launch up to 150 restaurants in untapped cities over the next decade. The upcoming venture is set to debut in Hyderabad, marking its inaugural presence in the city, in just a matter of weeks.
Discussing the joint venture, John Sikiotis, CEO of Licensed Markets & India at Nando’s, expressed, “Delivering spicy, flavorful cuisine to the nation that pioneered it presents its challenges. However, with their extensive market expertise, we are thrilled to embrace K Hospitality Corp as our joint venture collaborator in our journey.”
With over 1200 restaurants spanning 22 countries across five continents, Nando’s aims to expand its reach further through the new joint venture partnership. The company anticipates that this collaboration will enable them to extend their saucy offerings to a broader audience in India.
Karan Kapur, executive director for K Hospitality Corp, remarks, “Both partners share common values as brands and businesses, including a profound love for Nando’s iconic flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken and a deep commitment to hospitality and community. We are eager to expand Nando’s footprint across various cities in India in the next decade.”
“It’s not solely about the chicken; it’s equally about the individuals behind its creation,” states Sameer Bhasin, CEO of Nando’s India.
Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman Hospitality
Chowman, a Kolkata-based oriental restaurant chain, is planning to file for an IPO by the end of the fiscal year 2026, according to Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman Hospitality.
The brand, which began its journey in 2010 with a 350 sq. ft. outlet in Kolkata, now boasts 35 locations across Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
“By the end of FY25, we anticipate having 50 outlets of the brand. We plan to open 15 more locations in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. After that, we will begin expanding further into India,” he said.
“As we will be filing for the IPO soon, we plan on sticking with the company-owned & company-operated model for running our outlets,” he stated.
The average Chowman outlet spans 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft., with the capital expenditure for opening a location ranging from INR 1 crore to INR 1.5 crore.
The brand also plans to revamp its app and launch the updated version in October.
“We introduced our app in 2017, and as of right now, over three lakh loyal users place orders through it. We already have about 350 bikes in our own delivery fleet, and we plan to add more as we grow into new cities,” he stated.
Currently, 65 percent of the brand’s revenue comes from its food delivery service, with the remaining 35 percent generated from dine-in business.
“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the revenue split between delivery and dine-in business used to be 50:50. However, the dynamics have shifted since the pandemic,” he emphasized.
The brand currently operates a single cloud kitchen in Kolkata and does not intend to open additional ones. However, it plans to invest in cloud kitchens in tier II cities during the second phase of its expansion.
The restaurant chain, which achieved a turnover of INR 150 crore last fiscal year, aims to reach INR 220 crore by the end of this fiscal year.
“We’re seeing an upsurge of 20% in same-store sales for our new outlets and a 5-6 % rise for our older ones,” he said.
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