Lee Cooper’s SS’24 women’s footwear line, “Shoes Don’t Judge,” presents a varied selection of designs tailored to complement diverse styles and occasions. Offering a distinctive blend of styles, a rich spectrum of colors, and versatile materials, the collection caters to every event and preference.
In a society rife with preconceptions and biases, shoes emerge as a symbol of neutrality and inclusivity. They refrain from judging individuals based on their looks, social standing, or origins. Rather, they offer a platform for self-expression, empowering people to embrace their authentic identities.
In a press release, the company stated that for the Lee Cooper brand, “Shoes Don’t Judge” transcends mere campaign status—it embodies a movement that honors individual choices and preferences without bias or judgment.
Nykaa, a Mumbai-based fashion and beauty retailer, has brought the beauty brand Florence by Mills to the Indian market. Created by British actress and activist Millie Bobby Brown, Florence by Mills caters specifically to Gen Z consumers.
“We are thrilled to exclusively launch Florence by Mills on Nykaa, bringing Brown’s vision of clean and affordable beauty to our customers. We believe that this collaboration will resonate strongly with our Gen Z audience, empowering them to embrace their individuality and redefine beauty standards,” said Anchit Nayar, executive director of Nykaa Beauty.
The items can only be found on Nykaa’s platforms, which include the Nykaa app, website, and Nykaa’s retail outlets.
“I wanted to create something for me and my generation, a brand that reflects us and our self-expression while being good for you, simple to use, and suitable for changing, transitional skin. With Florence by Mills, everyone can discover and build their own beauty philosophy with clean, accessible, and easy-to-use beauty essentials,” said Brown.
Nykaa’s international brand portfolio also features Charlotte Tilbury, Urban Decay, Kiehl’s, Dr. Barbara Sturm, YSL Beauty, MAC, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Carolina Herrera, Benefit Cosmetics, and Laneige.
Founded in 2012 by Indian entrepreneur Falguni Nayar, Nykaa emerged as a digital-first omni-channel beauty platform. Its first brick-and-mortar store debuted at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in 2014.
In 2018, the company expanded its product categories by introducing Nykaa Fashion and Nykaa Man. Presently, Nykaa operates various store formats including Nykaa Luxe, Nykaa On Trend, and Nykaa Kiosks.
Operating under beauty and fashion e-tailer FSN e-Commerce Ventures, the brand reported a 97.55% rise in its consolidated net profit to INR 16.18 crore for the December 2023 quarter.
Following the discovery of several instances of liquor brands violating surrogate advertising regulations, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has called upon companies to ensure adherence to these standards. Moreover, they have asked for a compilation of products promoted under the same brand as alcoholic beverages, commonly referred to as brand extensions, within the last three years.
It has also sought revenue and turnover data pertaining to the sale of alcobev, as well as information on brand extension products (such as mineral water, playing cards, and music CDs) over the last three years.
Moreover, CCPA seeks details of expenditures related to promoting brand extensions over the past three years. These include expenses for sponsoring events, award ceremonies, music festivals, compensating celebrities and influencers, as well as airing TV advertisements.
The agency aims to determine the correlation between the actual sales of the brand extension product and the money spent on its promotion.
“This assessment is critical for determining whether promoting of brand extension products authentically represents the extended product or functions as a surrogate for alcoholic beverages under the same brand,” CCPA chief commissioner Rohit Kumar Singh said.
The directive sent to all alcohol companies and industry associations arrives just days before the launch of the Indian Premier League, a time when such advertisements are commonly broadcasted and heavily promoted on social media platforms. Due to the ban on liquor advertisements, companies have resorted to surrogate ad campaigns to promote their products.
“The industry is advised to ensure that all brand extensions follow the broad principles of advertising only genuine extensions (that is, turnover and distribution in proportion to advertising spends), and ensure that advertisements contain no cues of restricted category such as tag lines and layouts and do not unduly suppress the category name and extension being advertised,” the two-page direction said. It also said that surrogate advertising posed a threat to consumer rights.
Back in 2018, PepsiCo made waves in the sparkling water scene by introducing bubly sparkling water. Fast forward to today, and they’re at it again with an exciting addition: bubly burst. This fresh offering is a delicious, fruit-infused sparkling water beverage boasting vibrant flavors, vivid hues, no extra sugar, and low calories. Alongside its flavorful twist, bubly burst continues the playful spirit of the original bubly line, featuring whimsical messages and cheerful greetings on its packaging.
With a delightful mix of flavors and a playful fizziness, the new bubly burst comes in six tantalizing options: Triple Berry, Peach Mango, Watermelon Lime, Pineapple Tangerine, Cherry Lemonade, and Tropical Punch. Each flavor contains just 10 calories or fewer, without any added sugar, delivering a burst of fruity goodness. Packaged in 100% recycled PET single-serve 16.9oz bottles, bubly burst will be conveniently available nationwide at grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and online.
“Since we created and launched the bubly brand six years ago, bubly has taken the sparkling water category by storm – skyrocketing to the #1 brand in awareness, and the #1 most preferred sparkling water brand in the marketplace. As the category has become more mainstream, new consumers are coming into the space looking for solutions that have a stronger and slightly sweeter taste than a typical sparkling water, while maintaining many of the same credentials that the sparkling water category is known for today. That is what bubly burst is bringing to the table – sparkling water with a delicious burst of fruit flavor, all brought about in a way that only the bubly brand can,” said Todd Kaplan, chief marketing officer – Pepsi and Sparkling Water.
“We are confident in the strength of the bubly brand to stretch into this new space, providing consumers with the same fun and playful energy they love and have come to expect from bubly. The launch of bubly burst is a big bet for our organization that will truly accelerate bubly’s growth to entirely new heights while expanding its consumer base as the brand continues to assert its leadership role within the sparkling water category,” he added.
European consumers are increasingly favoring a variety of healthier beverage choices over traditional alcoholic drinks, marking a significant shift in preferences across the region.
This insight comes from a study conducted by Prinova, a supplier of ingredients and premix solutions for the F&B and nutrition industries, shedding light on evolving trends in the beverage space.
The findings indicate that a notable portion of consumers, especially those aged 25-34, are cutting back on their alcohol consumption. Out of the 1,277 physically active European consumers surveyed, 42.5% acknowledged reducing their alcohol intake in the last three years, signifying a significant shift from traditional drinking norms.
What alternatives are they embracing? A range of healthier options, including tea, coffee, still water, and juices/smoothies, are leading the way. This transition isn’t limited to a single demographic; preferences differ among age groups, genders, and regions. For instance, while the older generation favors dairy beverages, the younger cohort leans more towards alcohol-free beer.
Energy emerges as the coveted wellness benefit, surpassing hydration and post-exercise recovery. This is reflected in the 35% of men reducing alcohol consumption by opting for energy drinks. Moreover, a significant portion of consumers expressed a desire for a broader selection of healthy beverages, with millennials leading the charge at 64%.
The study also reveals the key ingredients influencing consumer decisions. Vitamins and minerals are at the forefront, closely followed by plant protein, suggesting an increasing demand for functional beverages enhanced with high-quality micronutrients.
Other factors shaping purchase decisions encompass affordability, the use of natural ingredients, reliance on trusted brands, and reliance on scientifically proven formulas.
Commenting on the findings, James Street, global marketing director at Prinova, said, “Consumers are increasingly re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol, whether that means embracing the ‘sober-curious’ trend or simply moderating their intake. However, our research also suggests that many more would be persuaded do so if they could replace booze with appealing healthy alternatives.“
He added, “Given the scale of this market need, and the increasingly wide range of on-trend functional ingredients available, it’s clear that there are still huge opportunities for innovation in the functional beverage space”.
Kalyan Jewellers, a renowned jewellery retailer, has opened two fresh outlets in Delhi. The new stores, situated in Kohat Enclave (Pitampura) and Sector 7, Rohini, were officially unveiled by Bollywood sensation Nora Fatehi.
To mark the inauguration, Kalyan Jewellers introduced a variety of promotions in the newly opened showrooms.
“The inauguration of our two new showrooms in New Delhi is a significant milestone for us. We are not just expanding our geographical footprint but also bringing our unique jewellery experience to more customers,” said Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers.
“As we celebrate these launches in New Delhi, we are also eagerly looking forward to the launch of our 250th showroom globally, in Ayodhya. With this we will mark another landmark moment in our three-decade-long journey,” he added further.
The new showrooms will showcase Muhurat, a bridal jewellery collection curated from various regions of India. Additionally, they will feature exclusive sections dedicated to Kalyan’s renowned house brands, including Tejasvi (Polki jewellery), Mudhra (Handcrafted Antique Jewellery), Nimah (Temple Jewellery), Glo (Dancing Diamonds), Ziah (Solitaire-like Diamond Jewellery), Anokhi (Uncut Diamonds), Apoorva (Diamonds for Special Occasions), Antara (Wedding Diamonds), Hera (Daily Wear Diamonds), Rang (Precious Stones Jewelry), and the recently launched Lila (Colored Stones and Diamond Jewellery).
“I am thrilled to be associated with this iconic brand which has time and again revolutionized India’s jewellery industry with its pioneering initiatives. I am confident that patrons in the region will enjoy the unique jewellery experience of the brand,” said actor Nora Fatehi.
Based in Thrissur, Kerala, Kalyan Jewellers has established a significant foothold in the Indian market for almost thirty years. The brand recently disclosed a 21.51% increase in consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT), reaching INR 180.37 crore for the December quarter. According to the company’s regulatory filing, its PAT was recorded at INR 148.43 crore during the same period last year.
The brand maintains a notable presence in the Middle East as well.
Pizza Hut, India’s cherished and trusted pizza brand, has launched its global bestseller, Melts, marking the brand’s entry into a new category in the Indian market. Melts is a versatile, convenient, and satisfying meal option that caters to consumers’ on-the-go lifestyle, perfect for anytime, anywhere consumption.
Crispy, cheesy, and abundantly packed, the freshly introduced Melts boasts a thin, crispy crust generously loaded with tantalizing fillings, 100% melted mozzarella cheese, flavorful sauce, all folded over and expertly baked to perfection with a buttery glaze and distinctive spice sprinkles. Having achieved global acclaim, Melts is now customized to cater to Indian taste buds, presenting six delightful variations: Loaded Veggie BBQ, Loaded Chicken BBQ, Cheesy Cheese, Cheesy Cheese Chicken, Magical Makhni Paneer, and Chicken Tikka and Keema Supreme.
Merrill Pereyra, Managing Director, Pizza Hut Indian Subcontinent, said, “Melts is a product unlike any we have ever had in India, and marks our entry into a brand-new category. We are thrilled to launch such a versatile food item that is so convenient to eat, anytime, anywhere ensuring no interruption, only satisfaction for our customers who are always on the go. The variety of flavours and a great value price point will surely delight and surprise all Pizza Hut lovers, and we are eagerly awaiting their response.”
Whether you’re settling in for a cozy movie night, tackling a hectic workday, or seeking to savor a culinary treat, the crispy, cheesy, and loaded Melts are bound to satisfy your cravings. Priced affordably starting at just INR 169, Melts can be savored at any of Pizza Hut’s 850+ restaurants across India, available for dine-in, delivery, and takeaway. Moreover, Pizza Hut presents enticing Melts combos and deals, including options like the Melts Meal for 1 and the 3-course Meal for 2, adding extra value to your dining experience.
In addition to Melts, Pizza Hut has unveiled its eagerly anticipated Thin N’ Crispy crust, showcasing a range of distinctive topping combinations, thereby expanding the array of pizza crust options available for customers to relish.
PepsiCo Inc. has reached an agreement to become the exclusive beverage provider for all Subway sandwich shops in the US, replacing rival Coca-Cola Co. as the drink supplier for one of the nation’s largest chains.
On Tuesday, Subway announced a new 10-year agreement to feature PepsiCo products, including Mountain Dew sodas, Tropicana juices, and Gatorade sports drinks.
Starting from January 2025, Coca-Cola brands such as Sprite, Fanta, and Diet Coke will gradually phase out from the sandwich chain. This replacement process will extend over several months across Subway’s network of franchisee-owned restaurants.
“We are committed to serving Subway through the end of this year,” Coca-Cola said in a statement. The beverage giant has served Subway’s US restaurants for nearly 20 years, the company said.
Subway is Coca-Cola’s largest US fountain account by number of locations, according to Beverage Digest.
Subway, which operates about 20,000 restaurants in the US and nearly 37,000 worldwide, has announced its intention to extend its existing agreement with Frito-Lay, the snack-food unit of PepsiCo, to supply chips and snacks at its establishments until 2030. Moreover, PepsiCo is already the beverage provider for Subway outlets in several regions outside the US.
In 2023, Subway announced a deal to be acquired by the Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group for nearly $10 billion. The deal is pending a Federal Trade Commission investigation, according to Politico.
Following online backlash over the launch of its ‘Pure Veg Mode’ service, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal stated on Wednesday that the company has opted to remove the on-ground segregation of the fleet, which was set to wear green uniforms.
“All our riders — both our regular fleet, and our fleet for vegetarians, will wear the colour red,” Goyal said, adding that “the fleet meant for vegetarian orders will not be identifiable on the ground (but will show on the app that your veg orders will be served by the veg only fleet).”
Update on our pure veg fleet —
While we are going to continue to have a fleet for vegetarians, we have decided to remove the on-ground segregation of this fleet on the ground using the colour green. All our riders — both our regular fleet, and our fleet for vegetarians, will…
Zomato had announced on Tuesday the launch of a Pure Veg Mode service to cater specifically to customers who have a pure vegetarian dietary preference.
Goyal stated that for the ‘Pure Veg Mode’, the company will collaborate with select restaurants serving exclusively vegetarian food, while excluding any establishments offering non-vegetarian items. Additionally, he mentioned that the pure veg fleet will utilize green delivery boxes instead of the standard red ones.
However, the decision has not been well-received by a section of people, who argue that it would further “strengthen caste segregation.” Additionally, concerns have been raised about the possibility of some societies and resident welfare associations barring Zomato’s regular fleet.
Following this, Goyal stated in a late-night tweet that the food delivery platform would swiftly reverse the decision if it resulted in any negative social repercussions.
In a long post on X, Goyal also sought to allay concerns that Zomato’s regular fleet may be barred by some societies and RWAs. “We now realise that even some of our customers could get into trouble with their landlords, and that would not be a nice thing if that happened because of us,” he said.
Addressing the backlash, Goyal said, “Thanks everyone for talking about this last night. You made us understand the unintended consequences of this rollout. All the love, and all the brickbats were all so useful – and helped us get to this optimal point.”
According to a recent study conducted by WorldFish India, Indians are increasingly consuming fish, even in inland regions where it has not been a traditional dietary staple. This trend is attributed to rising incomes, evolving dietary preferences, and enhanced fish availability.
The surge in consumption, particularly among affluent consumers, can be attributed to the popularity of value-added products such as ready-to-cook meals and premium varieties like pomfret and lobster.
“If such options aren’t accessible, consumption won’t see an uptick,” explained Arun Padiyar, a specialist from WorldFish India and the primary author of the study.
Between 2005-06 and 2019-21, the percentage of individuals consuming fish rose from 66% to 72.1%, while annual per capita fish consumption increased from 4.9 kg to 8.9 kg. Data derived from National Family Household Surveys spanning the same period indicate that among fish consumers, per capita consumption surged from 7.4 kg to 12.3 kg.
The northeastern and eastern states, alongside Kerala and Goa, continued to exhibit a strong preference for fish consumption. Tripura boasted the highest proportion of fish consumers at 99.35%, trailed by Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and West Bengal. Conversely, Haryana recorded the lowest percentage of fish eaters at 20.6% in 2019-21, followed by northern Punjab and Rajasthan.
Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most significant surge in fish consumption, with a 20.9% increase. Arun Padiyar attributed this notable rise in Kashmir to enhanced connectivity and the establishment of cold storage networks.
Following Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh witnessed a substantial increase of 15 percentage points, while Karnataka observed a rise of 10.1 percentage points. Additionally, consumption in the national capital increased by 8.7 percentage points.
The research also unveiled a rise in the frequency of fish consumption, with weekly intake showing an 11.3% increase. Kerala emerged as the region with the highest frequency of fish consumption, with over 50% of the population incorporating it into their daily diet, followed by Goa (36.2% daily consumption) and West Bengal (21.9%). Meanwhile, Assam and Tripura recorded the highest weekly consumption rates.
The study also noted a disparity in fish consumption between genders in the country. In 2019-21, approximately 78.6% of men consumed fish compared to 65.6% of women. This gender gap was narrower in states where fish consumption was more prevalent and frequent, such as Kerala. Padiyar suggested that this gap could be attributed in part to a higher proportion of men dining at hotels and restaurants compared to women. While urban areas exhibited higher fish consumption, including dining out, the analysis indicated that consumption in rural areas was growing at a faster rate.
Despite a general rise in non-vegetarian food consumption between 2005-06 and 2019-21, fish consumption continues to trail behind eggs and chicken. However, this gap is less pronounced in coastal states.
Interestingly, the study revealed a larger increase in weekly fish consumption among lower-income groups, possibly indicating improved availability and accessibility of fish. Over the same 15-year period, fish production in India more than doubled, reaching 14.2 million metric tonnes, with the majority being allocated for domestic consumption.
Much of the increase was attributed to the expansion of fish farming or aquaculture, encouraged by government schemes. According to a survey conducted by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) last year, 56% of households cited increased availability and more variety as reasons for higher consumption.
“Push for fish farming can lead to a big boost for local consumption,” said NCAER senior fellow Saurabh Bandyopadhyay.
Despite the increased domestic supply—India being the world’s second-largest producer of farmed fish—fish imports surged fivefold between 2005 and 2020, from 14,000 tonnes to 76,000 tonnes. Arun Padiyar suggested that these imports were probably comprised of value-added products like cleaned and deboned fillets tailored for high-end restaurants. According to the study, if current trends persist, annual per capita consumption could reach 16.1kg before 2050. Furthermore, the study highlighted the potential for this number to double with concerted efforts from both the government and private sectors.
When examining fish consumption on a global scale, India’s growth stood out as one of the highest within the World Bank group of lower-middle-income countries. In 2020, India’s per capita consumption slightly exceeded half of the group’s average of 14.9kg.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
