Gourmet Food Delivery Reaches New Heights as Food Square and Instamart Bring 4,000 Premium Products to Mumbai Homes in Just 10 Minutes

August 24, 2025

Gourmet food delivery is no longer a dream; it’s here. Food Square has entered the quick commerce space with Instamart, bringing over 4,000 premium products to doorsteps in just 10 minutes.

This is the first time a high-end gourmet retailer has entered quick commerce at scale in India. A dedicated “Gourmet” section on Instamart makes shopping seamless, taking luxury groceries beyond aisles and straight into kitchens.“

Food Square was imagined as a playground for the extraordinary. With Instamart, we’re making it accessible in minutes. It’s not just a partnership, it’s a new way of experiencing gourmet food,” said Mayank Gupta, Co-Founder & MD, Food Square.

Co-founder & CEO Lalit Jhawar added, “India is exploring flavours in global ways. With Instamart, everyday luxury is no longer aspirational. It’s instantly available.”Hari Kumar G, Chief Business Officer at Instamart, said, “Through Food Square Gourmet, we are bringing curated premium products straight to doorsteps within minutes. It sets a new standard for gourmet retail in India.”

Coverage includes Andheri, Bandra, Goregaon, Powai, Vile Parle, and Tardeo. The partnership proves one thing: gourmet food delivery is now about speed, scale, and easy discovery.

Harry Potter Doughnuts Cast a Sweet Spell in India as Krispy Kreme Launches Limited-Edition Hogwarts Flavours for Fans Nationwide

Online Desk

August 24, 2025

The wizarding world just landed in India’s dessert market. Krispy Kreme has unveiled Harry Potter doughnuts, created with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to unveil Harry Potter doughnuts, a four-flavour tribute to the Houses of Hogwarts.

The limited-edition Harry Potter doughnuts launch on August 21 across Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Available at Krispy Kreme outlets and via Swiggy and Zomato, the collection blends fandom with indulgence.

Each house gets its own flavor: Gryffindor filled with cookie butter Kreme, Slytherin topped with green butter crème swirls, Hufflepuff layered with toffee custard, and Ravenclaw dipped in blueberry icing.“

These Harry Potter doughnuts are truly special and limited. Fans shouldn’t wait,” said Alison Holder, Chief Brand & Product Officer, Krispy Kreme.

In true Hogwarts style, the brand is hosting “Houses of Hogwarts Day.” Wear your house colours, walk into a store, and you could get a free box of six Original Glazed. No purchase required, while supplies last.

Fans are invited to post their favourites with #KrispyKreme and tag @Krispykreme_ind. Because this isn’t just a dessert drop. It’s a piece of fandom, flavour, and nostalgia rolled into one dozen.

Cinema Snacks Get an Upgrade as Cinépolis and Crax Redefine Movie Munching With Popcorn-Cheese Ball Tubs

Online Desk

August 24, 2025

Plain popcorn won’t cut it anymore. Cinépolis India has joined forces with Crax to create a new hero in cinema snacks: the popcorn-cheese balls tub. Two favourites, one box, bigger crunch.“

This isn’t just a menu update. It’s about reimagining the movie food ritual,” said Devang Sampat, MD of Cinépolis India. “Cheese was booming. Crax was the perfect fit.”

Vipul Prakash, CEO of DFM Foods, added, “Consumers don’t see popcorn and cheese balls separately. They see one tub. It elevates the movie experience instantly.”

Globally, Cinépolis has tested hybrid formats like nacho-popcorn in Mexico. In India, longer intermissions make snack innovation a natural fit. Each year, the chain plans at least one fresh partnership to keep the big screen exciting.

The collaboration is more than novelty. With 4 crore visitors annually, Cinépolis offers Crax visibility across ticketing touchpoints, lobby displays, and POS reminders. Cinema becomes a platform for brand building, not just food sales.

For Crax, this partnership opens the on-premise food service segment, expanding beyond packaged and at-home snacking. Both brands are open to taking the tub to retail shelves.

It’s clear that Cinema snacks are no longer background munching. With popcorn and cheese balls in one tub, they’re now part of the big screen food experience.

PVR INOX Expands in Suburban Mumbai with Sky City Mall Megaplex, Featuring Luxury Insignia, 4DX Thrills and IMAX Experience

Growth

Online Desk

August 23, 2025

Image of pvr inox. — PVR INOX Expands in Suburban Mumbai with Sky City Mall Megaplex, Featuring Luxury Insignia, 4DX Thrills and IMAX Experience

Mumbai’s cinema landscape just got bigger. PVR INOX has opened a new 10-screen Megaplex inside Oberoi Realty’s Sky City Mall in Borivali East, bringing some of the most advanced movie-viewing formats under one roof.

Spread across 43,500 square feet, the new property can seat 1,372 people at full capacity. It features a mix of premium and large-format screens, including Insignia for luxury viewing, IMAX with Laser for high-definition spectacle, and 4DX for immersive motion and sensory effects, alongside standard auditoriums.

Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX Limited, called Mumbai a cornerstone market for the company and said the Borivali launch reaffirms its intent to create aspirational cinema destinations across India. Built under the company’s capital expenditure model, the multiplex is designed to cater to varied audience preferences, from luxury-seeking cinephiles to families and youth looking for big-screen experiences.

The location is significant. Borivali, a fast-growing residential and commercial hub in the city’s north, has seen rising demand for premium leisure spaces. Partnering with Oberoi Realty, PVR INOX hopes to tap into this shift. “This project reflects our vision of building dynamic, inclusive spaces that move with the pace of the city and its people,” said Vikas Oberoi, Chairman and Managing Director of Oberoi Realty.

The launch adds to PVR INOX’s national portfolio, which already makes it India’s largest multiplex operator. With formats like IMAX and 4DX becoming more accessible to suburban audiences, the Borivali Megaplex signals a broader push to redefine the cinema-going experience, positioning theatres as social and cultural destinations beyond just films.

Yakult Danone India Targets Double-Digit Growth Till 2030, Expands to 700 Cities and Brings Taapsee Pannu on Board

Online Desk

August 23, 2025

Image of yakult — Yakult Danone India Targets Double-Digit Growth Till 2030, Expands to 700 Cities and Brings Taapsee Pannu on Board

Yakult Danone India, the joint venture between Japan’s Yakult Honsha and France’s Groupe Danone, is sharpening its focus on the Indian probiotics market with plans to clock double-digit growth every year through 2030.

The company, which introduced its probiotic drink to India in 2008, has built a strong foothold in the segment through a unique direct-to-home model led by its network of “Yakult Ladies.” Today, that strategy has helped the brand expand its reach to nearly 700 cities across the country.

In a bid to strengthen consumer connect, Yakult has signed actor Taapsee Pannu as its new brand ambassador. The company believes Pannu’s influence will help deepen awareness about the benefits of probiotics at a time when health and wellness are gaining sharper consumer focus.

“The Indian probiotics drink market has come a long way in less than two decades. Our next milestone is to sustain double-digit growth every year until 2030, backed by consumer trust and a growing appetite for scientifically validated health products,” said Eiji Amano, Managing Director, Yakult Danone India.

The growth ambitions come against the backdrop of a booming category. According to IMARC Group data, India’s probiotic drinks market was valued at Rs 1,348.8 million in 2024 and is projected to touch Rs 5,778.9 million by 2033. That represents a compound annual growth rate of 16.67 percent between 2025 and 2033, underscoring the scale of opportunity.

For Yakult Danone India, the combination of wider distribution, a trusted scientific legacy, and fresh consumer-facing campaigns is expected to anchor its next growth phase in the country’s expanding wellness economy.

Elior India Bets on Cafeteria Tech, Picks Majority Stake in Platos Founded by Arjun Subramanian and Raj Jain

Growth

Online Desk

August 23, 2025

Image of elior — Elior India Bets on Cafeteria Tech, Picks Majority Stake in Platos Founded by Arjun Subramanian and Raj Jain

Elior India, the Indian arm of France-based Elior Group, has acquired a majority stake in Platos, a cafeteria management company that has been building a digital-first dining platform for corporates since 2019.

Founded by Arjun Subramanian and Raj Jain, Platos operates across seven Indian cities and has created a cafeteria and catering aggregation model that connects food brands and institutional caterers with large workforces. The acquisition will integrate Elior’s institutional food services business with Platos’ tech-enabled operations, combining scale with digital transparency.

While Elior India did not disclose the size of the stake, the partnership is aimed at reshaping how corporate India eats. By 2026, Elior and Platos project they will be serving more than 1,50,000 meals daily across over 150 establishments in the country.

“Platos joining the Elior family is a step towards building dining ecosystems that are more transparent, trusted and engaging,” said Rohit Sawhney, CEO of Elior India.

Platos’ digital platform has been steadily expanding, offering wider menu options to employees and corporates while also ensuring better operational control for cafeteria managers. Its entry into Elior’s network is expected to accelerate growth and streamline food services at scale.

For Elior, which operates globally in over 20 countries, India remains a priority market. The acquisition underscores the company’s strategy of local partnerships to deliver personalised and technology-driven experiences, especially at a time when employers are looking to enhance workplace amenities to retain talent.

With this deal, the cafeteria business, long seen as functional, is being repositioned into a more curated, data-backed, and employee-centric offering.

Happydent PVR INOX Activation Shines Bright as a Positive Cinema Advertising Innovation

Online Desk

August 22, 2025

Happydent PVR INOX Activation Shines Bright as a Positive Cinema Advertising Innovation

A new wave of cinema marketing has landed. Happydent PVR INOX collaboration turned the Ambience Gurugram property into an activation zone from July 18–24. The move connected directly with the brand’s campaign, Chamka Gum: Chamka Muskaan, Jagmag Jahaan.

The cinema space became interactive. Visitors were welcomed by a kiosk that hosted an AI-powered photobooth. One smile, and the system lit up the portrait, producing a Polaroid with sparkle effects. Young cinemagoers rushed in for a chance to win exclusive rewards.

Inside, the spectacle continued. A large silhouette installation was placed near the projector window, casting radiant beams across the screen. It was the first time a chewing gum brand attempted such a cinema advertising feature of merging light and storytelling inside the theatre hall.

Perfetti Van Melle’s category head, Saurabh Nath, called it a natural extension of Happydent’s creative ethos. “Happydent PVR INOX activation shows how a smile can be more than an ad symbol. It’s an experience,” he said. Gautam Dutta, CEO of PVR INOX, added that brand experience in theatres is evolving rapidly, and this example proves how immersive formats build stronger recall.

The collaboration didn’t just end in visuals. A Petromax beam highlighted the trash zone in the lobby, nudging visitors to keep the venue clean. Happydent PVR INOX marks a new era of cinema-linked activations where consumer engagement is live, participatory, and charged with creativity.

Rapido Misleading Ads Land Company in Trouble With ₹10 Lakh Fine, Shaking Consumer Trust in Auto Rides

Online Desk

August 22, 2025

Rapido Misleading Ads Land Company in Trouble With ₹10 Lakh Fine, Shaking Consumer Trust in Auto Rides

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has delivered a heavy blow to Rapido. The bike and auto aggregator faces a ₹10 lakh fine for what officials labeled as Rapido’s misleading ads.

According to the CCPA, the claims qualified as deceptive marketing under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The ₹50 cashback was not real money but app tokens. They carried a seven-day limit and worked only on bike rides. None of these restrictions was disclosed.

Investigators noted the misleading campaigns ran for 548 days across more than 120 cities. Ads appeared on Facebook and YouTube. Exposure was large, and consumer trust took a hit.

Data from the National Consumer Helpline confirmed this. From April 2023 to May 2024, 575 complaints were filed. That jumped to 1,224 from June 2024 to July 2025. Half remain unresolved. Most grievances flagged overcharging, refund issues, driver misconduct, and failed cashback promises.

CCPA ordered Rapido to withdraw all Rapido Misleading Ads with immediate effect. The company must also reimburse affected users and file a compliance report within 15 days. Regulators said Rapido had shown a pattern of indifference toward grievances.

The order makes one point firm. Exaggerated service claims have consequences. For Rapido, the fine is not just about ₹10 lakh. It’s about consumer trust that now hangs in doubt.

NIC Modak Ice Cream Wins Hearts This Ganesh Chaturthi With a Festive Limited-Edition Flavour

Online Desk

August 22, 2025

NIC Modak Ice Cream .png — NIC Modak Ice Cream Wins Hearts This Ganesh Chaturthi With a Festive Limited-Edition Flavour

Ganesh Chaturthi just got a modern twist. Walko Food Company has launched NIC’s limited-edition Modak Ice Cream, an Indian snack innovation designed for the festive season. A creamy tribute to Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet, the flavour blends coconut richness with velvety ice cream indulgence.

The NIC Modak Ice Cream blends coconut sweetness with a rich festive flavour, all on NIC’s signature velvety base. It’s not just another dessert; it’s an authentic nod to the festival made accessible in a tub.

For families, it offers a refreshing twist to the traditional modak, turning prasad and family gatherings into something more memorable. Whether served at the festive table or savoured after an evening aarti, this premium ice cream balances heritage and innovation without losing authenticity.

The convenience is key. The NIC Modak Ice Cream is available instantly on Swiggy, Zomato, select online platforms, and across all NIC parlours. Perfect for last-minute orders or planned family feasts, this limited-edition flavour makes sure tradition fits right into the freezer.

Jeetendra Bhandari, Founder, Walko Food Company, said, “At NIC, we have always celebrated India’s food culture by shaping it for the present. The NIC Modak Ice Cream reflects this mission through authentic, festive, and indulgent.”

With this launch, Walko Food strengthens NIC’s position as one of India’s most loved premium ice cream brands. Known for festive flavours that merge tradition with quality, the company once again proves why innovation continues to define its growth story.

Phab Bhel Bars Revolutionize Snacking as India’s First Savoury Protein Bar That Blends Street-Style Flavour With Plant Protein

Online Desk

August 22, 2025

Phab Bhel Bars Revolutionize Snacking as India’s First Savoury Protein Bar That Blends Street-Style Flavour With Plant Protein

Street food culture just got a radical upgrade. Phab has unveiled Phab Bhel Bars, India’s first savoury protein bar, under its bold new “Street Collection.”

For years, Bhel has defined the Indian street snack experience with its crunchy, tangy, spicy, unforgettable flavor, but it was never portable. It wasn’t protein-rich and not clean. That changes today. The Phab Bhel Bars deliver all the punch of chaat with the benefit of 10 grams of plant protein, wrapped in a pocket-sized format.

The line-up comes in three flavours: The OG Bhel, Curry Leaf Podi, and Peri Peri. Each one packs an authentic bite, powered by Chana Jor Garam for that unmistakable crunch. No shortcuts here, just real taste meeting real function.

Founder and nutritionist Gayatri Chona, who openly calls herself a Bhel addict, explained, “Bhel has always been part of my routine, but the traditional version was messy and didn’t fuel you for the day. With Phab Bhel Bars, we kept the crunch and spice but added 10 grams of protein. It’s the snack I always wanted, and now it’s here.”

The best part is these bars cut the clutter. No palm oil, gluten, or cones falling apart. Just clean ingredients, bold flavours, and an easy format. Toss it into a bag, keep it in the car, or grab it post-gym. It’s snacking without the mess.

With the Phab Bhel Bars, the brand is reinventing snacking, setting a new standard. A savoury protein bar rooted in Indian taste, powered by nutrition, and designed for today’s lifestyle.

1...545556...1,378 Page 55 of 1,378

NewsHub