The Organic World expands into sustainable personal care and hygiene market, unveils six innovative categories for Indian consumers

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March 16, 2024

The Organic World (TOW), India’s leading hub for organic and natural groceries, has launched an exciting expansion into its personal care and hygiene range. Addressing the growing need for sustainable choices, TOW has introduced six pioneering categories, with the goal of transforming how Indians engage in their daily self-care rituals.

In 2023, the Indian beauty and personal care market skyrocketed to an impressive $28.0 billion, with forecasts suggesting a remarkable growth path set to reach $46.6 billion by 2032. This surge is driven by a rising consumer inclination towards natural and organic options, alongside the growing prevalence of e-commerce platforms.

Continue Exploring: Beauty and personal care tops D2C sales charts in 2023: GoKwik Report

Gaurav Manchanda, Founder & MD of The Organic World, expressed his enthusiasm about this pivotal expansion, stating, “Since our inception in 2017, we’ve witnessed an extraordinary surge in demand for organic and natural products. This expansion into sustainable personal care and hygiene products is a natural progression in our commitment to offering consumers safer, chemical-free choices.”

Through careful consideration of consumer insights, TOW has pinpointed six essential categories poised for innovation: diapers, sanitary pads, face tissues, combs, beauty care, and bamboo products. These selections are tailored to conscientious consumers in search of eco-friendly alternatives that uphold quality and effectiveness.

Continue Exploring: Grocery retailer The Organic World to expand nationwide with 100 stores by 2025

TOW’s latest lineup features a wide array of items, such as biodegradable diapers tailored for environmentally aware parents, eco-friendly sanitary pads, untreated face tissues, sustainable bamboo combs, and an extensive range of essential beauty care products. These introductions seamlessly align with TOW’s mission to provide consumers with healthier, sustainable choices, empowering them to make conscientious decisions.

Vandana Kamath, Category Head at The Organic World, emphasized the growing consumer consciousness driving this paradigm shift, stating, “Today’s consumers are increasingly mindful of the impact of their choices on personal health and the environment. Our new product line reflects our unwavering commitment to providing accessible, affordable solutions that resonate with consumer values.”

The entire range of new products will be accessible through both online platforms and The Organic World brick-and-mortar stores, with prices spanning from INR 40 to INR 3000, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of consumer segments. With 17 established stores in Bangalore, TOW aims to broaden its presence throughout South India via a franchising approach, with a goal of reaching 100 stores by 2025.

Continue Exploring: The Organic World expands its vegan portfolio with exciting new offerings to meet growing demand

As India’s premier Responsible Retailer, TOW persistently advocates for local brands, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and women entrepreneurs, offering them a supportive platform to flourish amidst a competitive market environment. Through this ambitious expansion, TOW reaffirms its dedication to crafting a healthier, more sustainable future for consumers throughout India.

Livpure launches Allura line of water purifiers, setting new industry standard with 30-month free maintenance

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March 16, 2024

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Livpure, a key player in India’s home and living consumer product sector, has launched its revolutionary Allura line of water purifiers, setting a new standard in the market. This innovative range not only incorporates cutting-edge technology and stylish design but also includes an exceptional 30-month free maintenance service, a first in the industry.

Now accessible on leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, along with chosen Modern Retail Chains, Allura and Allura Premia assure customers unparalleled peace of mind with their extensive 30-month warranty coverage.

Livpure’s Managing Director, Rakesh Kaul, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing hassle-free solutions to customers, stating, “With Allura, we have combined top-notch aesthetics, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled convenience to deliver water that is not only 100 percent pure but also comes with the added benefit of hassle-free 30 months of maintenance. One needs to just GET IT, SET IT & FORGET IT!”

Continue Exploring: Livpure records 70% e-commerce growth in H1 FY24, solidifying its position as a premier choice in the water purifier market

The Allura range tackles the common challenges households encounter in maintaining water purifiers, providing relief from recurring expenses that could amount to INR 5000 annually. Both versions, Allura and Allura Premia, are outfitted with cutting-edge features such as an 8-stage purification process for Allura and a 10-stage filtration system for Allura Premia, guaranteeing the purest and healthiest water. With a storage capacity of 7 liters, these models ensure readily available purified water whenever needed.

Livpure’s initiative is geared towards rendering clean drinking water more accessible and economical for consumers. In conjunction with their Water as a Service initiative, offering IoT-enabled water purifiers installed in homes for as little as INR 399 per month, the debut of Allura underscores Livpure’s commitment to enriching lives with pioneering solutions.

This launch is set to drive significant sales for Livpure as it expands distribution channels to make the Allura range accessible nationwide in the coming months. Revolutionizing the water purification market with its unmatched features and services, Livpure’s initiative promises to redefine consumer expectations.

Continue Exploring: Livpure sets sights on kitchen market expansion, unveils strategic plans for FY24

India mulls extending duty-free imports of yellow peas beyond April

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March 16, 2024

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India may allow duty-free imports of yellow peas beyond April to mitigate pulses inflation, as stated by an official. This decision is based on projections of reduced chana yield due to decreased acreage and productivity.

“Yellow pea imports are expected to help offset the anticipated shortfall in the supply of chana as the domestic crop is projected to be lower than that last year on drop in acreage and weather impacting the yields,” said the official, who did not wish to be identified.

In early December 2023, the Centre permitted duty-free imports of yellow peas until March 2024, later extending the period until April. This move was part of efforts to mitigate the high food inflation resulting from elevated pulse prices in recent months.

Continue Exploring: India extends duty-free import window for yellow peas to April 2024

The Wholesale Price Index inflation in pulses reached 18.48% in February, up from 16.06% in January. With the general election scheduled for April-May, the government has made several attempts to curb price rise in food items such as export restrictions, stock limits, offloading its own stocks and removal of import duties.

“The area under chana is less this year and the yield in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka is expected to be 10-12% lower this year,” said Suresh Agrawal, president, All India Dal Mills Association.

According to agriculture ministry data, the sown area under chana witnessed a decline of over 5% year-on-year during the rabi season of 2023-24. Additionally, concerns over moisture and erratic rainfall are anticipated to further diminish the overall yield.

According to government estimates, India is projected to import approximately one million tonnes of yellow peas by March 31 in the current fiscal year, potentially marking the highest volume in recent memory.

Continue Exploring: Chana Dal goes affordable with the launch of government’s ‘Bharat Dal’ brand

India predominantly sources its yellow peas imports from Canada and Russia.

As a significant consumer and producer of pulses, India fulfills a portion of its consumption requirements through imports. The nation’s staple pulse varieties include chana, masur, urad, Kabuli chana, and tur.

Food inflation has remained persistently high for several months, with pulses playing a significant role. The erratic monsoon rains in 2023, attributed to El Niño, have exerted pressure on agricultural output. The Ministry of Statistics estimates a farm output growth of 1.8% for this fiscal year, a decrease from the 4% recorded in 2022-23.

Mango shifts focus to adaptable clothing as climate change alters seasonal trends

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March 16, 2024

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Mango, the Spanish retailer, is focusing on adaptable clothing to assist customers in coping with unpredictable temperature fluctuations due to climate change, stated Chief Executive Toni Ruiz.

Previously, the clothing industry operated on clearly defined seasonal cycles. However, with the advent of global warming, it now needs to adapt to periods characterized by a mix of hot and cold temperatures, producing garments that reflect these transitions, explained Ruiz.

“Before, when you came back from summer, all the shops were full of winter clothes,” Ruiz said in an interview. “More and more the customer is going to look for what they need at that moment.”

Continue Exploring: Spanish fashion brand Mango sees India as key driver for global expansion

As Spain and other European countries witness elevated temperatures during certain times of the year, alongside increased rainfall in specific regions, clothing trends are also undergoing a shift.

Ruiz highlighted the growing popularity of lightweight trench coats among women as a prime instance of seasonally-transitional attire. Mango is also introducing clothing options for men crafted from “performance” fabrics, engineered to be more breathable and adept at managing sweat on sweltering days.

Ruiz mentioned that in the past few years, Mango, a family-owned business, has transitioned its sourcing strategy. It now procures trend-dependent items from European manufacturers and functional wardrobe pieces from manufacturers based in Asia.

“We have the ability to work in two parallel worlds, depending on the needs and the nature of the product,” he said. “I believe that is a necessary virtue at the moment in this disruptive world.”

At the end of 2023, Mango had sourced from about 3,000 factories in China, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. According to Ruiz, about 40% of Mango’s suppliers were located in Europe, but more than 80% of volumes were still manufactured in Asia.

The flexible supply chain has enabled Mango to successfully navigate recent disruptions to shipments through the Red Sea, a risk that Ruiz mentioned is now effectively managed.

Continue Exploring: Fashion giant Mango sets sights on 500 new stores in global expansion strategy by 2026

According to Ruiz, the retailer has been directing its investments towards increasing its store count and advancing its technology. He mentioned that they are leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor social media trends and cross-reference consumer data with collections and other brands.

He mentioned that the company possesses its own internal AI platform, akin to the ChatGPT interface, which aids in training designers. Approximately 20 pieces have been crafted with the assistance of AI, he noted.

AI is “a great wingman in our strategy to understand what’s happening in the world,” Ruiz said.

Bulgari sees record-breaking sales in India in 2023, eyes further expansion and e-commerce opportunities

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March 16, 2024

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Bulgari, the Italian luxury fashion house, saw its best-ever sales performance in India in 2023, according to CEO Jean-Christophe Babin in a recent interview. This year shows even more promise, with robust demand for its jewellery products driving growth.

Babin noted that the launch of the Jio World Plaza, a luxury mall in Mumbai, has yielded “very good” outcomes for Bulgari. The brand introduced India-inspired creations like the Mangalsutra and the B.zero1 Kada bracelet, which have been well-received.

“While Indians love our Serpenti watch, we have thought of creating jewellery that resonates better with Indian hearts. Indians are deeply rooted in their tradition and culture,” Babin said.

“We are probably the only global jeweller to have Indian products such as the Mangalsutra and the Kada. The Mangalsutra got sold extremely quickly. Now we have had to re-manufacture it. But it’s always sold out at the stores. It’s always on waiting lists. We are also selling this to non-Indians because they see the beautiful aesthetic from Bulgari. The kada was created for Indians, as we see a strong tradition of men wearing jewellery here, but we think it will be a success outside India too,” he added.

Continue Exploring: Jewellery consumption set for 10-12% value growth in FY24, driven by soaring gold prices: ICRA

Bulgari aims to expand its footprint in India by establishing additional boutiques in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The brand also intends to broaden its reach from the existing 12 stores across six cities to approximately 20 stores spanning at least a dozen cities, utilizing multi-brand partnerships.

However, Babin highlighted that the primary obstacle for luxury brands seeking to expand in the Indian market is the scarcity of high-quality retail space, particularly in the form of luxury malls.

“Today, the main issue is the landlords. If we manage to convince them that western luxury brands can generate important additional revenues, jobs and tax revenue for the government, then there are no limits,” he said.

“I mean, if I were a top landlord in India, I would try to engage with more luxury brands in order to open at least one mall in each of the top 10 cities of India, considering the size of India. India has a huge upside and potential as long as we can provide more shelter to luxury brands here,” he said.

Bulgari is also exploring the possibility of entering the e-commerce market in the country.

“We are also considering some partnerships with Ethos for instance, because Ethos has a very, very well-organised supply chain when it comes to e-commerce. We won’t build 200 boutiques in India,” said Babin.

“So this is important. We have to complement the brick-and-mortar network together with touch points which are digital. So, our website is one but we can also partner with others. We are partnering with a platform in China for instance,” he added.

Continue Exploring: Jewellery brand A Little Extra secures INR 60 Lakh investment deal on Shark Tank India Season 3

Acknowledging that the pandemic presented challenges for India, as it did for several other nations, Babin remarked that a semblance of normalcy has been restored over the past eighteen months.

“We can feel a really strong desirability for Bulgari among Indians. It is related, obviously, to some specific products. But I also think the style of the brand itself is magnificent, and the fit between Bulgari jewellery and India is probably the best fit between any European jeweller and the Indian culture,” he said.

“India has always worshipped coloured stones, and not only diamonds. In some other countries, it’s diamonds only. We do both. So that’s great. Look at the Indian monuments such as the Taj Mahal, it’s magnificent, it’s huge, like our jewellery which is also pretty bold. We like big stones, contrasts, colours and emotions, and all these characteristics are very Indian. So, I’m pretty sure that getting to the right location, the right retailing, borrowing from the Indian culture some symbols which can resonate very well with our customers, and expanding our presence and our awareness will create for Bulgari a very, very big opportunity here,” he added.

HUL partners with Tea Research Association to tackle climate change challenges in tea industry

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March 16, 2024

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Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced a partnership with the Tea Research Association (TRA), Tocklai, Jorhat. TRA is recognized as one of the oldest and largest tea research associations globally. The collaboration seeks to address the challenges posed by climate change to the tea industry.

HUL stands as a prominent tea producer, boasting renowned brands like Brooke Bond Red Label, Taj Mahal, and Taaza. Through this partnership, HUL strives to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the tea industry by advocating for regenerative agricultural practices.

Multiple factors, such as the delicate nature of tea cultivation, local climate fluctuations, and disruptions caused by irregular rainfall, water scarcity, and soil erosion, can present challenges in tea production. HUL, in collaboration with TRA, will undertake a comprehensive ‘Lifecycle Analysis’ for Indian tea. The aim is to formulate strategies that mitigate carbon footprint throughout the value chain. Leveraging the gathered data, the partnership will engage with experts to devise appropriate mitigation and adaptation plans applicable across the tea industry.

Continue Exploring: Surplus in global tea market to impact Indian tea prices and exports

This study aims to provide policymakers with pertinent information and data to enhance their understanding of the intricacies involved. It will aid in crafting supportive policies conducive to transitioning towards a sustainable, low-carbon production system. The tea industry is already experiencing the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of climate change. Despite the implementation of various climate change adaptation measures financed by both private and public sectors, the mitigation aspect remains largely unaddressed.

Continue Exploring: Commerce Ministry mandates auction route for dust tea sales in India

HUL spokesperson said, “Through this study, an attempt will be made to calculate the carbon footprint for tea estates. This will help businesses make informed decisions about how best to manage their carbon impact and where the biggest return on investment in carbon mitigating activities can be achieved. Additionally, large tea estates will be able to adopt suitable mitigation strategies to achieve low carbon tea production. This, in turn, will also help manufacturers to address the needs of climate-conscious consumers in India and abroad.”

Presently, the project’s scope encompasses 19 tea estates/factories and 19 small tea growers, encompassing all major tea-growing regions across Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is projected to benefit approximately 15,000 hectares of land.

Deliveroo beats earnings guidance, expects positive cash flow in 2024

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March 15, 2024

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Deliveroo, a British meal delivery firm, reported better-than-expected core earnings of £85 million ($109 million) for 2023 and anticipates further progress in 2024 with a transition towards positive cash flow.

Competing against Just Eat Takeaway and Uber Eats, Deliveroo disclosed a 3% year-on-year decline in total orders, although they slightly rebounded in the final quarter to remain unchanged for the year.

Deliveroo’s shares were trading up 1.7% at lunchtime, as its guidance aligned with market expectations.

Restaurant and grocery price inflation contributed to a 3% increase in the total value of orders, amounting to 7.6 billion pounds.

Continue Exploring: Uber Eats introduces live location sharing to facilitate seamless deliveries

CEO Will Shu stated that Deliveroo has advanced towards profitability while enhancing delivery speed and reliability for customers.

He said he expected core earnings to increase this year to 110-130 million pounds

“On a free cash flow basis, we were on the brink of break even in ’23 and we’ll improve on that in ’24,” he said in an interview.

In Britain and Ireland, Deliveroo recorded a 7% growth in its gross transaction value (GTV), aligning with the overall market trend, whereas it experienced a 3% decline in its international markets.

Continue Exploring: Deliveroo venturing into non-food retail, aiming to boost growth and diversify offerings

Nevertheless, the company noted a steady improvement in the trend, with international markets returning to growth in the final quarter.

Shu guided to 5-9% growth in GTV this year, in line with market forecasts that average 7.4%.

Deliveroo ended the year with 679 million pounds of cash on its balance sheet after returning 309 million pounds to shareholders via a tender offer and buybacks.

Shu said he would keep the cash position under review. “We’ll consider different things but right now we’re very happy with where we are,” he said.

Nestle’s Essentia Water launches exciting new line of flavored and functional water

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March 15, 2024

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Essentia Water, a brand owned by Nestle, has unveiled its “first-ever” selection of flavored and functional water, branded as Essentia Hydroboost.

Essentia Hydroboost comes in three flavors: lemon lime, peach mango, and raspberry pomegranate.

Each bottle is packed with hydrolates, a blend of B-complex vitamins, along with 400mg of electrolytes, which is said to have 30 times more electrolytes than the leading premium still water.

Continue Exploring: Sports nutrition brand Warrior diversifies portfolio with Protein Water launch

Zola Kane, head of marketing at Essentia Water, said, “Essentia Hydroboost expands the Essentia Water portfolio to deliver more supercharged hydration than ever before. As our lives get busier and busier, hydration becomes even more important. Essentia Hydroboost, created without excessive ingredients and complicated claims, makes it easier for people to choose a water that is not only delicious, but provides a boost of hydration when they need it most.”

Essentia Hydroboost can be found at retailers across the nation, priced at $1.99 for a 15.2 fl oz bottle and $21.48 for a 12-pack of 15.2 fl oz bottles.

Starbucks continues expansion in India with strategic Yamuna Expressway store

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March 15, 2024

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Starbucks, the US-based coffee chain, has launched its new highway store on the Yamuna Expressway, as reported by a company official on social media.

This marks Starbucks’ second establishment along the expressway connecting Delhi, Noida, Mathura, and Agra.

“Excited to announce the launch of our new store last weekend at Yamuna Expressway (Agra-Delhi stretch),” said Rahul Chaudhary, business development head – North at Starbucks India in a LinkedIn post.

Situated strategically at the 16 km mark on the Yamuna Expressway, this Starbucks outlet serves as a key rest point for travelers heading from Agra, Vrindavan, or Mathura to Noida, Delhi, or Haryana. Beyond this point, the expressway is access-controlled, exclusively designed for high-speed vehicular traffic en route to Delhi.

Recently, the coffee retailer reached a milestone in India, with the opening of its 400th store located at The Lakshmi Mills in Coimbatore.

Continue Exploring: Starbucks hits 400th store milestone in India with grand opening in Coimbatore

In India, the Starbucks-branded coffee chain operates through a joint venture split evenly between Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. and Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

In 2023, Starbucks expanded its presence in India by entering 15 additional cities and inaugurating 71 new stores.

The beverage giant revealed plans to double its workforce, aiming to increase its partners to approximately 8,600 from the current 4,300. This expansion strategy includes entering tier 2 and 3 cities in India, as well as introducing services such as drive-thrus, airport locations, and 24-hour store formats to better serve the diverse needs of customers.

The company is currently striving to achieve a milestone of operating 1,000 stores in India by 2028, with the ambitious target of opening a new store every three days.

Continue Exploring: Starbucks CEO bullish on India’s coffee market, targets 1000 cafes by 2028

NRAI Pune Chapter to host exclusive panel discussion on AI’s impact on the hospitality sector

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March 15, 2024

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The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Pune Chapter is excited to announce an upcoming panel discussion on AI impacting Hospitality. Esteemed speakers such as Jaytesh Calpakkam (The Internet Generation), Vijayan Parthasarathy (ReserveGo), and Ayush Awasthi from (RenoApp) are part of the event. Scheduled on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at One Lounge in Koregaon Park, Pune, this panel discussion aims to shed light on the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on the hospitality industry.

This event caters specifically to Food & Beverage Brand Owners, industry decision-makers, venture capitalists (VCs), and other relevant stakeholders. With an anticipated attendance of 150 professionals, its primary goal is to offer invaluable insights into the impact and expansion of artificial intelligence in the hospitality sector. Attendees can anticipate a knowledge-sharing session with the panelists, accompanied by interactive Q&A sessions.

Praful Chandawarkar, NRAI Pune Chapter Head and Founder and Managing Director of Malaka Spice expressed his excitement about the event, “Emphasizing the significant impact of new-age technology and artificial intelligence on the hospitality sector, the panel discussion aims to highlight the capabilities, growth opportunities, focus areas, and challenges brought about by AI-enabled startups in the hospitality sector.”

Continue Exploring: From smart kiosks to AI-powered chefs: How artificial intelligence stirred up the food business and restaurants in 2023

AI is reshaping India’s Food and Beverage sector, ushering in an era marked by efficiency, personalization, and guest satisfaction. With intelligent chatbots facilitating seamless bookings and delivering real-time customer support, and data analytics platforms optimizing pricing strategies and forecasting guest preferences, AI technologies are streamlining operations, cutting costs, and boosting ROI. As AI evolves further, it holds the potential to reshape the hospitality landscape across India.

Established in 1982, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) stands as the voice of the Indian Restaurant Industry. Representing the interests of over 500,000 restaurants, contributing to an industry valued at INR 4.23 lakh crores, NRAI holds a pivotal position within the sector. As the leading association in the Indian Restaurant Industry, NRAI is dedicated to advancing and fortifying the Indian Food Service Sector. With a mission to guide the industry towards enhanced profitability and growth, NRAI advocates for its members through initiatives such as advocacy, training, research, and industry events.

Continue Exploring: NRAI urges govt to restore input tax credit and raise GST to 12%

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