Walmart, the multinational retailer, has introduced a dedicated page for Indian sellers to join and sell on its marketplace platform. The company initiated a global seller summit in Jaipur on Tuesday, inaugurating a sequence of local events aimed at guiding potential sellers with valuable information on consumer behavior, market trends, and providing assistance with onboarding support and catalog setup, as stated in a press release.
“Investment in India holds a prime position in Walmart’s agenda, and the exclusive landing page reinforces our dedication to Indian sellers. Walmart Marketplace aims to unleash the potential of Indian enterprises by providing sellers with access to a global customer base,” remarked Michelle Mi, Vice President of Emerging Markets and Business Development for Walmart.
The release further added, “By offering specialized onboarding assistance and leveraging our expertise in navigating international supply chains, we are equipping sellers with the necessary tools to flourish not only in the US marketplace but also beyond.”
Flipkart, a leading player in e-commerce, engaged in discussions with Zepto regarding a potential deal. However, as reported by ET, these discussions have come to a halt and are unlikely to be revived, according to sources familiar with the matter. Zepto, a prominent player in the fast-growing quick-commerce segment, reportedly decided to pursue a financial round instead of a strategic sale, as disclosed by individuals speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the talks.
According to individuals familiar with the matter, the startup is presently negotiating with a group of private equity funds as well as current investors to finalize a new round of funding. Zepto is anticipated to secure a valuation of nearly $2.5 billion, nearly doubling that of its previous round, driven by the momentum in the quick commerce sector over the past few months.
Insiders familiar with the matter revealed that Flipkart, owned by Walmart, expressed interest in acquiring a majority stake in Zepto at a valuation below $2 billion, with the founders retaining control of the company.
One of the individuals cited mentioned, “The companies convened, and Flipkart extended a verbal offer to acquire a majority stake in Zepto… but the discussions for the deal didn’t progress further.”
Snackfax had previously reported on April 2nd that Zepto was re-entering the market to raise $250-300 million in capital, just six months after concluding a financing round that valued the company at $1.4 billion.
Insiders familiar with the matter revealed that Zepto has been in discussions with private equity firms like General Atlantic and sovereign funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), among others, regarding a potential investment.
Flipkart and General Atlantic refrained from providing comments. ADIA did not respond to inquiries.
Aadit Palicha, the CEO of Zepto, stated that the company is currently not considering strategic investors. He further mentioned that he wouldn’t comment on market rumors regarding external parties and investors.
Nearly all of the funds from the previous fundraising campaign are still in the bank, and the business is practically ebitda positive. Given that, Palicha stated, “We would not need to raise $500 million in any future fundraise or intention.”
He mentioned that any future fundraising efforts would primarily focus on strengthening the balance sheet in preparation for an initial public offering (IPO).
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Zepto has secured commitments from existing backers like Glade Brook Capital and Nexus Venture Partners among others.
These individuals further mentioned that the company is actively seeking an external investor to spearhead the financing round. Anu Hariharan, formerly leading Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator’s growth fund, YC Continuity Fund, may potentially invest in Zepto through her newly established firm, Avra. She currently serves as an independent director on Zepto’s board. Following the discontinuation of Y Combinator’s growth fund, in which Zepto was an investor, Hariharan departed from the renowned accelerator.
Queries directed towards Hariharan remained unanswered.
A person familiar with the matter stated, “Zepto has informed potential investors that it might increase the size of the round to approximately $500 million… Internal commitments from existing backers stand at $200 million.”
Another individual familiar with the developments suggested that Zepto might consider a combination of primary and secondary transactions. Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, the founders, collectively own over 20% of the company, initially launched as Kiranakart in 2020. The Mumbai-based company recently conducted a minor secondary round, during which some of its angel investors divested their shares.
Flipkart’s pursuit of a strategic deal highlights the sector’s significance for the Walmart-owned e-tailer, particularly in the instant-delivery segment where it has trailed. According to individuals familiar with the plans, Flipkart intends to introduce its own rapid delivery service by July and is currently establishing dark stores to facilitate deliveries within 30 minutes.
The Bengaluru-based company had previously engaged in discussions with Dunzo, a cash-strapped quick-commerce player in which Reliance Retail holds the largest stake, for a substantial investment. However, these discussions did not advance.
PhonePe, backed by Walmart, also approached Dunzo for its ONDC-led e-commerce venture of Pincode. However, the transaction fell through as the company’s board vetoed the proposal. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an Indian government-backed marketplace aimed at empowering sellers and offline businesses to mitigate the dominance of Amazon and Flipkart.
Flipkart’s efforts to invest in or acquire a standalone player in the quick commerce industry are directed towards securing strategic control in a sector that is becoming progressively competitive within e-commerce. Snackfax has been covering Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Zomato’s Blinkit as they rapidly expand into new categories beyond groceries and staples, encroaching on the domain of horizontal e-tailers like Flipkart, Amazon India, and Meesho.
In the last month, numerous brokerage reports have highlighted the increasing significance of quick commerce for brands and the potential pressure it may exert on major e-commerce players. A recent report by UBS stated that quick commerce has transitioned from being a “good to have” to an “indispensable” aspect. According to the report, this emerging sector is projected to reach a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of approximately $34 billion by FY29, with a Total Addressable Market (TAM) potential of $520 billion.
The report stated, “We reckon that the three major quick commerce platforms presently hold a favorable edge in the essential infrastructure required—such as the deployment of dark stores and logistics infrastructure—though the possibility of a more fragmented market structure over the medium term cannot be discounted.”
By the end of FY24, the market is projected to have reached a size of $5 billion. “This would suggest a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 45% over FY24-29,” it further stated.
Abhishek Ganguly, Atul Bajaj, and Amit Prabhu, Co-Founders, Agilitas Sports
Agilitas Sports, a budding sportswear startup, has stepped into the consumer market by acquiring the brand license for the renowned Italian sports brand, Lotto.
The startup has secured exclusive rights to design, manufacture, and distribute the brand in India, South Asia, and Australia under a 40-year-long license agreement.
“Agilitas plans to introduce a diverse range of products in footwear, apparel, accessories, and sports equipment,” stated the startup.
Abhishek Ganguly, cofounder and CEO of Agilitas, announced that the startup will produce Lotto shoes at Mochiko’s Noida factory, which they recently acquired. He anticipates that the shoes will be available for purchase by early 2025.
“In order to expand the Lotto brand through product development, innovative design, supply chain management, branding, marketing, and distribution channels, Agilitas will invest in a dedicated management team. Our goal is to create a vertically integrated, agile supply chain and product creation cycle that spans from manufacturing to retail. This would allow us to respond swiftly and nimbly to customer insights and the newest trends,” Ganguly said.
The startup has secured rights from Lotto’s parent company, WHP Global. Agilitas also announced plans for substantial investments in manufacturing, design, research and development, supply chain, marketing, and distribution in the coming months.
Agilitas will implement an omnichannel approach, distributing Lotto products through its website, online marketplaces, exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), and various other channels right from the launch’s inception.
Senior vice-president of WHP Global’s sports vertical Margaret Kivett commented on the partnership, saying, “Partnering with Agilitas Sports marks an exciting chapter for Lotto.” We are excited to work with their vibrant team to strengthen Lotto’s position in important international markets, especially in football & racket sports hotspots like Australia and India.
Ganguly stated that Agilitas intends to capitalize on factors including Lotto’s brand recognition, diverse distribution channels, high-quality products, customer experience, and the startup’s vertically integrated manufacturing setup to carve out a distinct position in the Indian sportswear market.
He mentioned that the startup intends to unveil additional brand acquisitions in the coming months, with plans to introduce new brands throughout 2025 as well.
Established in 2023 by former Puma India executives Ganguly, Atul Bajaj, and Amit Prabhu, Agilitas operates within India’s burgeoning sportswear sector. Its goal is to operate as a comprehensive footwear company, overseeing the entire process from design to retail.
Since May last year, it has raised INR 530 crore in funding from investors such as Convergent Finance and Nexus Venture Partners. Although it has not yet entered the consumer market, the sportswear company made strides in the B2B sector last year with the acquisition of India’s largest sports footwear manufacturer, Mochiko Shoes, for an undisclosed sum.
Mochiko produces footwear for various brands including Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Skechers, Reebok, Asics, Crocs, Decathlon, Clarks, and US Polo in India.
Regarding the acquisition, Ganguly mentioned that Mochiko is expected to reach a turnover of INR 1,000 crore by the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) based on current order book projections. He anticipates this figure to double over the next four years.
Discussing the consumer aspect of the business, the CEO of Agilitas expressed the startup’s intention to establish three to four brands under its umbrella through long-term partnerships or acquisitions. However, he clarified that Agilitas would refrain from creating a brand from scratch at this stage.
“This year, we are strengthening the retail identity, the marketing proposition, and the product on the front of consumer brand. Additionally, it takes time since we have to start from zero when designing and producing the products, coming up with layouts for retail stores, and developing the app and online store,” Ganguly added.
Central to Agilitas’ extensive expansion strategy is the burgeoning Indian footwear and athleisure wear market, driven by increasing disposable incomes and a burgeoning middle class. According to a report, the indigenous footwear sector is anticipated to grow to a market worth INR 1.91 Lakh Cr by FY28.
The Good Glamm Group, a content-to-commerce platform, has downsized its workforce, letting go of 150 employees, which accounts for 15% of its total staff.
The company announced in a statement that it has implemented a new organizational structure aimed at optimizing its operations. This restructuring process resulted in the elimination of certain redundancies over the past 15 months.
“This strategic initiative represents the ultimate step towards the company’s goal of team integration, which is to become a profitable enterprise by FY25,” the statement from the company read.
“The optimization, which involved layoffs, occurred as a result of completing the integration process among the various acquired companies,” it further explained.
As part of this restructuring, the Mumbai-based company has also announced several promotions, including the appointment of Manan Jain as Group COO, Kartik Rao as Group Chief People’s Officer, and Ashish Jadhav as Group Head of Product.
These developments came at a time when the company witnessed some changes in its top leadership, including co-founder Priyanka Gill and CFO Piyush Kalra stepping down from their positions.
Last month, The Good Glamm Group had announced Kamal Lath’s appointment as Group CFO. Meanwhile, Gill embarked on a new journey with venture capital firm Kalaari Capital, while Kalra transitioned to the role of CFO at appliances firm Versuni.
“The integrations also led to the promotion of high-performing individuals from acquired companies to senior group roles,” the company added, highlighting examples such as Jain, who originally joined from Popxo, acquired by the company in 2020, and Palak Agarwal, formerly head of commercial finance at the video commerce platform Bulbul, among others.
In March, the beauty products and content company secured INR 245 crore (approximately $30 million) at a steady valuation of $1.2 billion from existing investors such as Warburg Pincus, Prosus, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Accel. It was reported that the company intended to utilize these funds to meet its working capital needs.
The operational streamlining and cost reduction efforts of The Good Glamm Group began at a time when the broader ecommerce roll-up sector began exhibiting noticeable signs of distress. Larger players were pausing on new acquisitions of firms while actively seeking fresh capital.
According to reports, The Good Glamm Group is projected to experience a growth rate of approximately 50% in FY23, a slower pace compared to the previous year. The company’s strategy prioritizes reducing cash burn and attaining profitability, aiming for an initial public offering in 2025. However, it has not yet filed its financial statements for FY23 with the Registrar of Companies.
On April 4, the company made headlines by announcing a joint venture with former tennis player Serena Williams to launch a beauty brand in the US.
Darpan Sanghvi, the founder and CEO of the company, had stated at the time that FY25 would be profitable for the company because “we’ve been focusing on reducing our cost base, whether it’s fixed costs or marketing cost, and getting more operating synergies of all the acquisitions coming in together and getting to profitability in the last 12 months.”
Svish, a direct-to-consumer brand focused on personal hygiene, has successfully raised an undisclosed sum in a bridge funding round. The investment comes from cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, alongside participation from Ruchirans Jaipuria and several other angel investors.
As part of the investment deal, Dhawan has also taken on the role of brand ambassador for the company.
The startup plans to use the fresh capital to expand into sexual health and new grooming categories.
Established in 2020 by Ishan Grover and Jaideep Mahajan, Svish is a direct-to-consumer brand specializing in personal hygiene. The brand offers products across three main categories: sanitization, hair hygiene, and ‘below the belt’ hygiene.
Dhawan expressed his excitement about starting this thrilling journey with SVISH. He highlighted the brand’s dedication to innovation and quality, which resonates with his own values. Being an athlete, grooming holds significant importance, and he is enthusiastic about endorsing a brand that provides exceptional products.
Mahajan emphasized that Dhawan’s collaboration with Svish adds an invaluable dimension to the brand.
“His reach in the public domain and relevance make him the ideal ambassador for our mission to redefine standards for hygiene and grooming,” he stated.
“Having reduced our burn rate by over 60%, the company is now poised to attain profitability and strengthen its position as a market leader,” Jaipuria commented.
Svish now joins the ranks of startups such as TagZ, Upstox, and Sarva, where the cricketer has made investments.
In 2022, Dhawan unveiled a global investment fund aimed at supporting sportstech startups, starting with an initial fund of $75 million and an additional greenshoe option of $25 million.
It’s noteworthy that in 2022, Svish secured INR 10 crore in a pre-Series A funding round, spearheaded by Wami Capital, with LC Nueva AIF also contributing.
Before that, in 2021, it obtained INR 400K in seed funding from LC Nueva AIF.
Indian cricketers have been increasingly investing in the startup ecosystem for a while.
On Wednesday (April 17), the former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made an investment in EMotorad.
Just a few weeks ago, KKR captain and Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer also invested in the healthtech platform Curelo.
Last year saw Hardik Pandya endorsing the kids’ footwear brand Arreto and the direct-to-consumer food startup Yu, while Dhoni chose to invest in the creatortech startup Rigi and the fitness startup Tagda Raho.
Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has announced plans to expand the reach of its cashierless shopping technology, Just Walk Out, to more third-party stores from 2024 to 2025.
The company aims to launch more small-format third-party stores equipped with the technology in 2024 than in any previous year, planning to more than double the number of such stores.
This move comes despite the recent decision to halt the use of the technology in its own Amazon Fresh grocery stores.
The Just Walk Out system, currently in operation across 140 stores in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, enables customers to enter a store by scanning an app, choose their products, and exit without the necessity of checking out at a register.
The technology not only boosts sales and throughput but also streamlines staffing needs, allowing stores to potentially operate for extended hours, even around the clock without overnight staff present.
Just Walk Out proves particularly effective in stores offering a curated selection of items, catering to customers who typically purchase only a few products.
Responding to reports suggesting that Just Walk Out technology relies on human reviewers in India to monitor shoppers, Amazon clarified that its associates do not observe live video feeds of customers to generate receipts.
The company stressed that the process is entirely automated through computer vision algorithms, with human reviewers utilized only as is customary in other AI systems that prioritize accuracy.
Amazon highlighted that customers favor its Dash Cart particularly in larger grocery stores.
The Dash Cart utilizes advanced computer vision technology, akin to Just Walk Out, to automatically tally the cost of items as they’re added, enhancing the shopping experience, especially in larger establishments.
The expansion of the Dash Cart is already in progress, with Amazon integrating it into all Amazon Fresh stores and collaborating with third-party grocers to achieve broader adoption.
Customers also show a preference for the security and convenience offered by the palm recognition service Amazon One.
The service, allowing customers to securely check out using the palm of their hand, has been utilized over eight million times.
Despite a record number of operational breweries, production rates in the US craft-beer industry saw a decline in 2023, according to preliminary figures from the national Brewers Association (BA).
Small and independent brewers experienced a 1% drop in annual beer production compared to 2022, with a total output of 23.4 million barrels.
However, craft beer’s overall annual market share slightly increased by 0.2% from the previous year, reaching 13.3% in 2023.
According to the BA, the growth stemmed from craft declines being less pronounced compared to the overall losses in beer volume.
Craft beer’s production decline comes as the country’s overall beer market saw a 5.1% decrease in volumes last year, attributed to factors such as pricing and slightly stronger growth in onsite sales compared to distribution, according to industry analysis.
Alongside production data, the BA also unveiled its roster of the leading craft brewers in the US, determined by beer sales volumes.
Boston Beer Co., D. G. Yuengling & Son, Duvel Moortgat, Sierra Nevada Company, and Gambrinus were among the top five craft players. Prominent breweries included Pabst Brewing Company, Heineken, Molson Coors, Constellation, and Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Even though craft production decreased in the US, the number of operating breweries in the craft sector reached an all-time high, rising by 1.37% compared to 2022, totaling 9,683.
Among these breweries, there were 3,900 taproom breweries, 3,467 brewpubs, 2,071 microbreweries, and 245 regional craft breweries.
However, closure rates for craft breweries increased again in 2023, rising from 3% to approximately 4%.
In 2023, the US experienced 495 brewery openings, marking a 9.8% decrease compared to 2022, while closures surged by 31%, with 418 breweries shutting their doors.
Reflecting on the results, Bart Watson, Vice President of Strategy and Chief Economist of the Brewers Association, commented, “2023 proved to be yet another competitive and challenging year for small and independent brewers.”
“However, despite the slowdown in growth, small brewers have demonstrated remarkable resilience, evident in the rise in the number of breweries, relatively low closure rates, and advancements in onsite sales and job opportunities.”
He further remarked, “As always, the beverage alcohol market and consumer demand continue to undergo evolution.”
“Accordingly, many brewers are updating their operations to align with these changes, refining their business models, go-to-market strategies, and brand strategies to adapt to evolving consumer preferences.”
Little Caesars, the American pizza chain, has recently inked numerous multi-unit development agreements aimed at enhancing its footprint across the United States.
Under these agreements, over 30 new restaurants are slated to open in pivotal markets such as San Diego, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
This initiative aligns with the brand’s strategy to expand its presence through collaborative efforts with operating partners.
Leo Gonzalez, a franchise owner, is spearheading the expansion endeavors in Southern California.
Having successfully managed numerous Little Caesars outlets in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Gonzalez has pledged to launch nine additional locations in San Diego by 2027.
Jocelyn Monperousse and Lissette Isabel, co-owners of RJBL Pizza, are set to unveil the first traditional Little Caesars establishment in Bradenton, Florida.
Their franchise agreement for five units is a component of a comprehensive strategy to foster the development of the Tampa market until 2027.
Patrick Cunningham, Vice President of Development for Little Caesars in the US, commented, “The expansion and traction we’ve achieved in the initial three months of 2024 highlight the resilience and appeal of Little Caesars. Our franchise-friendly business model has attracted numerous seasoned multi-unit operators.”
“We have a strong development pipeline, and we’re committed to building on this momentum as the year progresses. We’re actively looking for ways to expand our reach while using innovation and technology to adjust to our clients’ shifting needs.”
Little Caesars is also introducing a fresh restaurant prototype known as Little Caesars’ PODs.
The PODs are crafted off-site, enabling a quicker construction timeline in contrast to traditional restaurants.
The company is actively seeking multi-unit franchise operators to participate in its development initiatives, with a specific focus on non-traditional locations like universities, water parks, airports, and stadiums.
Multi-unit franchising opportunities abound throughout the US, with regions such as the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, Kansas City, New Orleans, and the Carolinas identified as areas ripe for growth.
France’s Danone announced on Thursday that pricing negotiations with retailers have concluded for the year, anticipating a reduced impact on its European operations following stronger-than-expected first-quarter sales.
The producer of Activia yogurt, Evian water, and Aptamil maintained its targets for like-for-like sales growth in 2024, ranging between 3% and 5%, alongside a moderate enhancement in recurring operating margin.
Danone’s shares surged by 3% at market open, further climbing to 1.5% higher by 0707 GMT.
During a call to discuss earnings, Chief Financial Officer Juergen Esser stated that the majority of pricing negotiations with European retailers have concluded, indicating a gradual return to normal business operations.
Similar to Nestle and P&G, Danone is among several prominent consumer goods companies that have significantly increased prices over the last couple of years to navigate elevated input costs, frequently engaging in contentious discussions with retailers such as Carrefour and Tesco.
Cost pressures have escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and irregular weather patterns affecting agricultural commodities, and the situation has exacerbated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During the first quarter, Danone implemented a price increase of 2.9%, marking its most modest hike in at least two years, contrary to analysts’ projections of a 2.7% rise. In the preceding fourth quarter, the company had raised prices by 4.3%.
“This update is likely to position the shares as slightly outperforming peers this morning,” commented Jefferies analyst David Hayes. “The release’s confident tone regarding ‘everything going to plan’ is reinforced by strong performance in key areas.”
Danone’s shares have declined by 3.3% since the beginning of the year, significantly lagging behind the EURO STOXX Consumer Products and Services index, which has risen by 7.3%.
In the first quarter, like-for-like sales increased by 4.1% to 6.79 billion euros ($7.25 billion), surpassing expectations for 3.4% growth according to a consensus compiled by the company from 17 analysts.
Despite investor apprehensions that the price increases might result in retailers’ private label brands gaining market share, Danone’s first-quarter sales volumes/mix grew by 1.2%, surpassing the 0.8% increase anticipated by analysts.
Hope Bagozzi, Tim Hortons’ Chief Marketing Officer, expressed, “We’ve dedicated significant effort to crafting fresh and enticing menu additions for Tims’ lunch and dinner offerings. After extensive testing and perfecting our recipes, we’re thrilled to introduce Flatbread Pizzas to our customers nationwide.”
The menu will showcase four flavors, each served on a base of roasted garlic flatbread.
Priced at $7.99, the Bacon Everything Flatbread Pizza boasts double-smoked bacon, herb and garlic cream cheese, and a combination of mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, all crowned with Everything Seasoning.
Also priced at $7.99, the Chicken Parmesan Flatbread Pizza features slow-cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack cheese, and vine-ripened tomato sauce.
At the same price point, the Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza presents pepperoni, mozzarella, Monterey Jack cheese, and vine-ripened tomato sauce.
The Simply Cheese Flatbread Pizza, priced at $6.99, offers a vegetarian choice. It showcases a blend of mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese along with vine-ripened tomato sauce.
Bagozzi emphasized, “Our Flatbread Pizzas are versatile for any occasion. They’re a delightful choice for a fulfilling workday lunch or a crowd-pleasing option for family dinners or weekend get-togethers. You can easily mix and match flavors by picking up a few boxes. They’re also perfect for sharing as a snack with loved ones.”
In February 2024, the company unveiled two fresh additions to its menu lineup: the Sweet Chili Chicken Loaded Wrap and the Loaded Bowl.
These options feature grains, lettuce, freshly diced tomatoes, and cucumbers, with choices of crispy or slow-cooked chicken, or a vegetarian alternative.
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