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BigBasket’s Revenue Drops to ₹7,673 Cr in FY25, Losses Jump 46% as Blinkit, Zepto & Instamart Crowd the Quick Commerce Race

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BigBasket’s Revenue Drops to ₹7,673 Cr in FY25, Losses Jump 46% as Blinkit, Zepto & Instamart Crowd the Quick Commerce Race

BigBasket, the online grocery player backed by Tata Digital, had a rough financial year as rising pressure from ultra-fast delivery apps like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy’s Instamart began to bite. The company’s annual turnover dropped in FY25, reflecting the increasingly competitive battlefield of India’s grocery delivery space.

As per Tata Sons’ FY25 annual report, BigBasket’s consumer-facing business, operated by Innovative Retail Concepts, reported a 3% dip in turnover — falling to ₹7,673 crore. Its wholesale/B2B arm, Supermarket Grocery Supplies, saw a sharper decline of 7%, closing the year at ₹2,227 crore.

What’s more concerning: the company’s losses have ballooned. Innovative Retail Concepts’ losses grew to ₹1,851 crore in FY25 — a steep jump from ₹1,267 crore in the previous year.

BigBasket, once known for its scheduled delivery slots, has been racing to catch up with the fast-paced quick commerce trend. Its 10-minute delivery vertical, BB Now, was launched to stay relevant in a market where instant gratification is quickly becoming the norm.

Tata Group had acquired a controlling stake in BigBasket back in 2021, buying out Alibaba’s share in a deal that valued the firm between $1.5 billion and $2 billion.

Earlier this year, The Economic Times reported that Tata had engaged top global investment banks to help raise $1.3 billion in funding for its digital portfolio — with $1 billion reportedly marked for BigBasket alone. The move signals that despite current setbacks, Tata is betting big on scaling its grocery play — even if it means burning cash in the short term to stay in the game.

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Deepinder Goyal’s Next Bet Isn’t Food — It’s Emergency Response: Zomato Eyes National Impact With In-House Paramedics & 10-Minute Ambulance Promise

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Deepinder Goyal’s Next Bet Isn’t Food — It’s Emergency Response: Zomato Eyes National Impact With In-House Paramedics & 10-Minute Ambulance Promise

Zomato, best known for delivering food in minutes, is now setting its sights on something far more critical: saving lives. As part of its ongoing effort to build a 10-minute ambulance service under Blinkit, its quick-commerce wing, the company is developing its own paramedic training programme to ensure rapid, high-quality emergency response.

Co-founder Deepinder Goyal shared the update on July 24, noting that while the journey has been demanding, the company remains all-in. “This might be the toughest project we’ve ever taken on — in terms of both effort and complexity — but there’s no turning back now,” he posted on X.

What began as a quiet pilot with just five ambulances in Gurugram has gradually scaled up. Zomato now has 12 ambulances on the road, and the service area has grown significantly — from a small stretch near Golf Course Road to nearly half of the city.

So far, the team has handled 594 calls, and half of those were critical cases requiring immediate attention.

Now, Zomato is turning inward to tackle the next big hurdle: skilled responders. “We’re building a full-fledged paramedic training programme from scratch,” Goyal said. “Our goal is to raise the standard of emergency care in India — not just for ourselves, but for the ecosystem.”

He closed with a clear message: “We’re still figuring things out, but we’re not stopping until people know they can count on life-saving help — and know it’s only 10 minutes away.”

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Lotte India Bets Big on Sweet Snacks with Launch of Pepero Biscuits, Eyes ₹2,000 Cr Revenue Target

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Lotte India Bets Big on Sweet Snacks with Launch of Pepero Biscuits, Eyes ₹2,000 Cr Revenue Target

Lotte India, the local arm of South Korea’s Lotte Group, is shaking up the snack aisle with the launch of its first-ever biscuit snack for the Indian market — Pepero. Already a cult favourite in Korea, Pepero is making its official India debut in two variants: Original and Crunchy.

The move marks Lotte India’s entry into the fast-growing biscuit snack segment, with the company setting its sights on ₹2,000 crore in revenue this year.

“Pepero is hugely popular in Korea, but what we’re bringing to Indian shelves is a twist on the original — slightly sweeter, to suit local palates,” said Milan Wahi, Managing Director of Lotte India, during a press briefing. “This isn’t just an import; it’s been developed for Indian consumers and is proudly made in India.”

Crafted at Lotte India’s new facility in Rohtak, Haryana — the company’s first manufacturing plant outside South Korea — the biscuit sticks are part of a bigger game plan. The plant is backed by a ₹475 crore investment, with ₹225 crore earmarked specifically for Pepero production. Another ₹15 crore is going into a marketing blitz to establish the brand in a competitive market.

Wahi explained that the brand is targeting India’s massive Gen Z population, a group 377 million strong, with a positioning that blends mass appeal with a premium edge.

“Snacking in India is no longer just about hunger. It’s about self-expression, routine, sharing, and even identity. We believe Pepero fits right into that cultural moment,” he said.

While Pepero already commands a $1.3 billion market back home in Korea, Lotte Group is aiming for a tenfold expansion globally — targeting $13 billion in brand value over the next decade. India is the launchpad for that vision.

Wahi also confirmed that India would serve as an export hub for Pepero, with plans to ship locally-made variants to the Middle East and Far East in the next phase.

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Shilpa Shetty Joins WickedGüd’s Satirical Campaign To ‘Unjunk’ India’s Comfort Food Scene, Targets Gen Z With Bold Messaging

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Shilpa Shetty Joins WickedGüd’s Satirical Campaign To ‘Unjunk’ India’s Comfort Food Scene, Targets Gen Z With Bold Messaging

WickedGüd, the better-for-you food startup founded by Bhuman Dani in 2021, is flipping the script on what it means to eat well in India. Known for shaking things up on Shark Tank India, the brand just dropped the first chapter of a cheeky new digital campaign featuring actor and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty — who also happens to be an investor in the company.

The campaign kicks off with a scene that feels ripped straight out of a social media controversy. Shilpa, famously health-conscious, is seen pushing away a bowl of noodles on camera. Moments later, she’s roasted in a mock news segment for turning down a food she’s now endorsing. Instead of dodging the shade, the film leans into it — letting Shilpa address the irony head-on.

She goes on to explain that WickedGüd’s noodles are nothing like the usual suspects. No maida, no palm oil, no shady chemicals — just real ingredients like whole wheat, oats, lentils, and chickpeas. The video wraps with a wink and a line that sticks: “It’s so good — it’s WickedGüd.”

At its core, WickedGüd is trying to rewire the way India thinks about comfort food — making indulgent dishes not just guilt-free, but genuinely good for you. And with this campaign, the brand isn’t just selling noodles. It’s taking a sharp, satirical look at how we treat food, health claims, and celebrity culture.

“Our goal has always been to make comfort food that doesn’t compromise on either taste or nutrition,” says Bhuman Dani. “And we wanted to spark a real conversation — not with the usual ad-speak, but through humour and honesty. Shilpa was the perfect partner for that.”

Targeted at Gen Z and millennials who are paying closer attention to what they eat, the campaign skips the traditional sales pitch. Instead, it leans on smart storytelling, irony, and a bit of drama to make its point.

Reflecting on her involvement, Shilpa Shetty shares, “I’ve always felt that healthy eating shouldn’t feel like a punishment. What drew me to WickedGüd is how they’ve managed to keep the joy in food while taking out the junk. This campaign really speaks to that balance — it’s a message I believe in, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

As WickedGüd continues to grow, this campaign sets the tone for where the brand is headed — a place where nutrition, fun, and bold honesty can all sit at the same table.

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Eternal-Owned District Makes Surprise Fashion Debut, Expanding Beyond Events

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Eternal-Owned District Makes Surprise Fashion Debut, Expanding Beyond Events

In a quiet but notable shift, Eternal’s lifestyle platform District has begun offering clothing, accessories, and fashion merchandise on its app—marking the company’s first official step into the competitive online fashion space, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to IndianStartupNews (ISN).

Originally launched as a standalone venture focused on dining out and ticketed experiences, District had not signaled any ambitions to explore e-commerce, let alone fashion. The app was eventually merged with Paytm Insider, cementing its role as Eternal’s hub for event discovery and lifestyle bookings. That context makes this move all the more unexpected.

The fashion rollout was quietly activated within the District app, without a formal press announcement. With this shift, Eternal now finds itself competing directly with heavyweights like Nykaa Fashion, Myntra, Flipkart, Amazon Fashion, and Reliance’s Ajio—brands that dominate India’s booming online apparel market.

What’s unclear is how aggressively Eternal plans to pursue this new vertical. While the listings are live, there’s no word yet on how much investment or strategic focus the company intends to place on scaling its fashion ambitions.

The timing of the move is interesting. Eternal—formerly known as Zomato—recently reported its Q1FY26 financials, showing a steep 90% drop in profits, down to ₹25 crore. However, revenues jumped 70% year-on-year to ₹7,167 crore, thanks largely to robust growth in Blinkit and Hyperpure, its fast-growing B2B supply arm.

Whether fashion becomes a serious revenue contributor or just another experiment remains to be seen—but District’s sudden wardrobe upgrade suggests Eternal is hunting for new growth levers in every possible direction.

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Priyanka Gill’s Coluxe Secures Funding from Startup Sherpas, Apollo Singapore and More—Readies Launch of 300+ Fine Jewellery Pieces

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Priyanka Gill’s Coluxe Secures Funding from Startup Sherpas, Apollo Singapore and More—Readies Launch of 300+ Fine Jewellery Pieces

Coluxe, a fresh face in India’s fine jewellery landscape, has just wrapped up its friends and family funding round. The round brought together a range of well-known names from the entrepreneurial world, including HCL co-founder Ajai Chowdhry, Tej Kapoor of ICICI Ventures, Appreciate Capital’s Sairee Chahal, Startup Sherpas, Kunal Chowdhry from Apollo Singapore Investments, Rachin Dewan of Rachin Dewan Ventures, and Synage’s Kunal Milwani.

With funding now in place, the brand is preparing for an official digital debut this August. The investment will help Coluxe roll out its online store, expand its jewellery lineup, and strengthen operational support systems.

Founded by Priyanka Gill earlier this year, Coluxe is carving a niche for itself in a market that’s long leaned heavily on traditional gold. The brand puts a modern spin on jewellery by offering modular, mix-and-match pieces built around lab-grown diamonds and vibrant gemstones. The idea? Create jewellery that’s stylish, personal, and suitable for daily wear—something women can buy for themselves, not just receive as heirlooms.

“There’s a huge gap between what people want and what the market offers,” said Gill. “Lab-grown diamonds are helping bridge that divide, especially in a country where only a tiny slice of gold buyers own even one diamond.”

Coluxe aims to speak to urban shoppers looking for sustainability and self-expression in what they wear. Its debut earlier this month featured a limited Rakhi-themed capsule sold via WhatsApp, which reportedly sold out in just a week—an encouraging sign for what’s to come.

The upcoming August collection will launch with more than 300 styles across rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, and stackable sets. Future drops will be built around storytelling—think zodiac symbols, manifestation themes, classic solitaires, and gift-worthy pieces.

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Cremeitalia Unveils 4 Bold Cream Cheese Flavours and a Rich Cheese Sauce to Spice Up Indian Kitchens

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Cremeitalia Unveils 4 Bold Cream Cheese Flavours and a Rich Cheese Sauce to Spice Up Indian Kitchens

Cremeitalia, the artisanal cheese brand loved for its rich, indulgent offerings, has just rolled out a mouthwatering new line-up that’s already making waves in the dairy aisle. The launch includes a velvety Cheese Sauce and four bold Cream Cheese variants: Korean Chilli, Herb Garlic, Jalapeño, and Classic. Made with authentic ingredients and crafted for versatility, this new range is set to become a staple in Indian kitchens.

The Cheese Sauce is smooth, creamy, and perfect for everything from sandwiches and pastas to roasted vegetables and dips. Meanwhile, the Korean Chilli Cream Cheese adds a spicy, umami punch inspired by the growing popularity of Korean flavors in India—ideal for Korean-style buns or fiery bagels. Herb Garlic and Jalapeño Cream Cheeses offer familiar yet elevated twists for snacking, wraps, and breakfast spreads.

“We’re tapping into the evolving needs of chefs and cheese lovers who are looking for easy, flavour-packed cheese options for everyday use,” said Prateek Mittal, Co-founder and CEO of Cremeitalia. “Each product was thoughtfully developed to balance authenticity with convenience.”

The full range is now available online at www.cremeitalia.com and in premium retail stores such as Reliance Retail (Signature & Fresk Pik), Nature’s Basket, and other gourmet outlets.

This latest product expansion underscores Cremeitalia’s commitment to bringing world-class cheese experiences to Indian consumers. Whether you’re a home cook looking to spice up your meals or a foodie craving something new, Cremeitalia’s new offerings are sure to deliver a burst of flavour and inspiration to your kitchen.

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Abhinav Pathak’s Escape Plan Bags $5M from Jungle and Fireside to Build 100 Stores and Redesign India’s $3.5B Travel Gear Market

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Abhinav Pathak’s Escape Plan Bags $5M from Jungle and Fireside to Build 100 Stores and Redesign India’s $3.5B Travel Gear Market

Lifestyle startup Escape Plan, based in Bengaluru, has landed $5 million in seed funding to build what its founders call a “next-gen travel essentials brand” for modern Indian consumers. The round was led by Jungle Ventures (via First Cheque@Jungle) and Fireside Ventures.

The company is the brainchild of Abhinav Pathak, previously the co-founder of Perpule, which was acquired by Amazon in 2021, and Abhinav Zutshi, a seasoned player in India’s retail space with stints at Big Bazaar, Landmark Group, Bestseller Group, and Forever 21. Together, they’re setting out to reimagine how Indians shop for travel accessories—blending utility with style and speed.

Escape Plan wants to shake up what it sees as a stale category by focusing on design-driven, multifunctional products—from travel bags to on-the-go accessories—that align with a lifestyle where travel is now a constant, not an exception.

With the fresh capital, the startup plans to open over 100 offline stores across India within the next 18–24 months, and also integrate with quick-commerce and travel platforms to enable 1-hour delivery in top cities—targeting last-minute travelers and gifting needs.

“Travel today is not a special event—it’s embedded in the daily lives of consumers, whether for work, weekend getaways, or lifestyle shifts,” said CEO Abhinav Pathak. “But travel gear hasn’t caught up. We want to build products that are functional, good-looking, and available when you need them most.”

India’s travel and luggage market is currently pegged at $3.5 billion, and is expected to touch $5 billion by 2028. Escape Plan wants a major piece of that pie, aiming to fill the gap between global design trends and what’s available to Indian consumers.

Rishab Malik, Partner at Jungle Ventures, sees the startup as tapping into a clear gap in the market. “Indians today know what’s happening globally—but when it comes to travel gear, the local offerings just don’t match that aesthetic or utility. The Escape Plan team brings retail and tech know-how that legacy players lack. They’re creating something the market hasn’t seen before.”

Vinay Singh, Partner at Fireside Ventures, echoed the sentiment: “This is more than luggage—it’s identity, access, and design. With their omni-channel model and clear brand story, we see Escape Plan emerging as a lifestyle brand that can resonate far beyond India.”

With experienced founders, a fast-moving rollout plan, and a bold pitch, Escape Plan may just be plotting a new course for India’s travel accessories game.

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Deepinder Goyal’s Eternal Sees 90% Profit Crash in Q1FY26 Even as Revenues Jump 70% to ₹7,167 Cr

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Deepinder Goyal’s Eternal Sees 90% Profit Crash in Q1FY26 Even as Revenues Jump 70% to ₹7,167 Cr

Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, has taken a sharp hit on its bottom line in the first quarter of FY26, even as its revenues posted a strong surge. The company, led by Deepinder Goyal, reported a consolidated net profit of just ₹25 crore for the April–June quarter—down significantly from ₹253 crore during the same period last year, marking a staggering 90% year-on-year fall.

The topline, however, told a different story. Revenue from operations rose 70% to ₹7,167 crore, thanks in large part to the aggressive growth of its quick commerce arm Blinkit and B2B supply platform Hyperpure.

But that growth came at a cost. Eternal’s profitability took a backseat as it continued pouring money into expanding its fast-delivery and going-out services. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter dropped to ₹172 crore, down 42% from last year. CFO Akshant Goyal acknowledged that these expansions were weighing on margins, though food delivery margins improved slightly, climbing to 5.0% of Net Order Value (NOV) from 3.9% in Q1FY25.

Expenses ballooned as well, touching ₹7,433 crore—nearly 77% higher than the ₹4,203 crore spent in the corresponding quarter last year.

Seasonal challenges didn’t help. “The first quarter tends to put pressure on margins due to monsoon-related disruptions and fewer available delivery partners,” Deepinder Goyal told shareholders.

In a major shift, Blinkit for the first time overtook Zomato’s food delivery business in terms of Net Order Value. Eternal’s overall B2C NOV rose 55% year-on-year to ₹20,183 crore, with Blinkit alone contributing ₹9,203 crore—up a massive 127% from Q1FY25.

The quick commerce platform also saw its user base explode. Monthly transacting customers on Blinkit more than doubled to 16.9 million, while the company added 243 new stores in just one quarter, taking the total count to 1,544. CEO Albinder Dhindsa said Blinkit remains on track to hit its 2,000-store goal by the end of the year and is simultaneously scaling up warehousing space, which now spans 10.4 million sq. ft.

While Blinkit hasn’t yet turned profitable, its losses are narrowing. The EBITDA margin loss improved to -1.8% of NOV, compared to -2.4% in the previous quarter.

All eyes will now be on whether Eternal can strike a balance between growth and profitability in the quarters ahead.

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Tilaknagar Industries in Talks to Acquire Popular Whisky Brand Imperial Blue from Pernod Ricard

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A major shake-up could soon be underway in India’s liquor space, with Tilaknagar Industries, headed by Amit Dahanukar, emerging as the likely buyer for Pernod Ricard’s well-known whisky brand, Imperial Blue. The acquisition, pegged between ₹4,000-5,000 crore, is reportedly in the final stages, with insiders hinting at a formal announcement before the end of the month. Inbrew Beverages, led by Ravi Deol, is also still in the race, but Tilaknagar seems to have pulled ahead.

Both companies stayed tight-lipped when asked about the development, and Pernod Ricard India, too, didn’t offer any comment. However, Tilaknagar’s board is set to meet on Wednesday to explore a fresh round of fundraising—widely believed to be linked to the Imperial Blue deal. The funding could come through a mix of financial instruments like equity, bonds, debentures, preference shares, or warrants, depending on what the board decides. The company’s filing indicates the capital may be raised in multiple rounds, potentially through public offerings, private placements, rights issues, or QIPs.

Pernod Ricard has been weighing the sale of Imperial Blue—which clocks in at nearly 23 million cases sold annually—as it looks to pivot more aggressively towards its high-end offerings. In the pecking order of Indian whiskies, Imperial Blue holds the third spot, trailing only Diageo’s McDowell’s No. 1 (32.2 million cases) and Pernod’s own Royal Stag (31 million cases).

Tilaknagar, known best for its blockbuster Mansion House brandy, has been trying to diversify its alcohol portfolio. Its line-up currently features names like Mansion House Gold Barrel whisky, Madira Gold Dark rum, and Blue Lagoon gin. The brandy segment remains its biggest breadwinner, particularly in southern markets where Mansion House moves close to 8 million cases annually.

Speaking during the company’s last earnings call, Tilaknagar’s president of strategy and corporate affairs, Ameya Deshpande, gave a glimpse of where the company is headed. “By 2030, we want brandy to continue leading our business but aim for non-brandy products to make up 20% of our revenues—up from today’s 6%,” he said.

If the Imperial Blue deal goes through, it could mark a huge leap in that direction.

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