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French Bagel Giant Bagelstein Opens First India Outlet in Hyderabad, Plans 100 Stores Nationwide by 2029

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French Bagel Giant Bagelstein Opens First India Outlet in Hyderabad, Plans 100 Stores Nationwide by 2029

French bagel chain Bagelstein has officially landed in India, opening its very first store at Nexus Mall in Hyderabad’s Kukatpally neighborhood. Known for its playful attitude and Parisian flair, the brand is kicking off what it hopes will be a country-wide bagel revolution.

The Hyderabad outlet brings a taste of Europe to the city, offering a carefully selected menu that includes fan favorites like the Halloumi Bagel and the Josephine Bagel. Alongside the food, guests can choose from a lineup of chilled teas, smoothies, and classic coffee options. Everything on the menu is made with fresh ingredients, staying true to Bagelstein’s quality-first philosophy.

The space itself has been designed to reflect Bagelstein’s signature quirky-yet-chic European vibe—think vintage posters, moody lighting, and plenty of character. But there’s a local twist too, with subtle nods to Indian culture built into the décor to help the international brand feel more at home.

Thierry Veil, Bagelstein’s co-founder and CEO, sees big potential in the Indian market. “India is a dynamic space for global food culture right now,” he said. “We’re excited to bring our distinctive bagels and French personality to a whole new audience in Hyderabad.”

But this isn’t a one-off. Bagelstein has its sights set on a much bigger play. Under a master franchise agreement signed in August 2024, the company is aiming to open 100 locations across India by 2029. Target cities on the roadmap include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.

Launched in Strasbourg in 2011, Bagelstein has grown to over 100 outlets across France and neighboring countries like Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. With Hyderabad now on the map, India becomes the latest addition to the brand’s expanding global presence.

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Esha Deol Becomes Brand Ambassador for Santé Spa Cuisine, Backs India’s Growing Plant-Forward Dining Movement

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Esha Deol Becomes Brand Ambassador for Santé Spa Cuisine, Backs India’s Growing Plant-Forward Dining Movement

Bollywood actress Esha Deol has been named the new brand ambassador for Santé Spa Cuisine, a renowned name in clean, wholesome, and mindful dining. The partnership brings together Deol’s personal philosophy of health and balance with the brand’s mission to promote nutritious, plant-forward meals made with love and sustainability in mind.

Known for her commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle and holistic wellness, Esha Deol is more than just a celebrity face — she lives the values that Santé Spa Cuisine stands for. From yoga and clean eating to mindful living, Deol has consistently promoted habits that align with the restaurant’s focus on conscious consumption, eco-friendly practices, and seasonal ingredients.

Speaking about the collaboration, Esha said, “I’ve always believed that food is one of the purest forms of self-care. Santé Spa Cuisine creates meals that are both nourishing and delicious, without compromising on ethics or quality. It’s a partnership that feels completely natural to me.”

Santé Spa Cuisine, which has expanded its footprint across major Indian cities, offers a wide array of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly dishes, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their clean label promise and commitment to sustainability have made them a go-to for health-conscious diners and culinary enthusiasts alike.

With Esha Deol coming on board, the brand aims to amplify its message of guilt-free indulgence and inspire more people to rethink what healthy eating looks and tastes like.

This collaboration marks a significant step in bridging the gap between wellness and lifestyle — proving that nutritious can indeed be glamorous.

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ISOPURE® Signs Rashmika Mandanna as First-Ever Indian Brand Ambassador, Launches Bold ‘Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t’ Campaign

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ISOPURE® Signs Rashmika Mandanna as First-Ever Indian Brand Ambassador, Launches Bold ‘Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t’ Campaign

ISOPURE®—the global protein brand known for its ultra-clean, zero-carb supplements—is stepping into the Indian spotlight with a bold new face: Rashmika Mandanna. For the first time in the country, the brand has signed on a brand ambassador, and they’ve chosen someone who walks the talk.

Whether she’s on set, on the move, or off-duty, Rashmika is known for staying grounded in her habits and honest in her approach to wellness. That’s exactly what ISOPURE® stands for: no fluff, no fillers—just high-quality protein for people who care about what goes into their bodies.

The partnership kicks off with the brand’s newest campaign, “EVERYTHING YOU NEED, NOTHING YOU DON’T,” which highlights ISOPURE®’s promise of clean, straightforward nutrition. At a time when ingredient lists are getting longer and more confusing, ISOPURE® is sticking to the essentials—pure whey protein isolate, zero carbs, no sugar, and no artificial extras.

“Fitness isn’t about punishing routines or extremes,” Rashmika shares. “For me, it’s about showing up for myself every day—even when I’m short on time or in the middle of a hectic shoot schedule. I’ve learned that what I consume has to support my lifestyle, not complicate it. That’s why ISOPURE® makes sense to me—it’s simple, clean, and effective.”

Sumit Mathur, General Manager for South Asia at Glanbia Performance Nutrition, adds, “We’ve always believed in keeping things honest—both in our products and in our purpose. Rashmika is someone who lives with intention, and that makes her the perfect fit for ISOPURE®. This partnership is about more than protein—it’s about setting a new standard for what wellness looks like.”

To mark the collaboration, ISOPURE® is launching the #PurityChallenge, including two interactive product tests—ISOMIX and ISOFOAM—that allow people to see the difference for themselves. No gimmicks, just science-backed clarity.

And here’s the bottom line: ISOPURE® isn’t trying to be for everyone. It’s for those who read the labels, who ask questions, and who refuse to compromise. Whether you’re chasing gains or just trying to stay consistent, ISOPURE® helps you focus on the stuff that actually matters—one scoop at a time.

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CBSE Launches ‘Oil Boards’ Campaign in Schools After NFHS Data Reveals 1 in 5 Urban Indians Are Overweight

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CBSE Launches ‘Oil Boards’ Campaign in Schools After NFHS Data Reveals 1 in 5 Urban Indians Are Overweight

In a bid to make students more mindful of what’s on their plates, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out a new advisory that encourages all its affiliated schools to install “Oil Boards” — eye-catching posters or digital displays warning against the overuse of unhealthy fats and oils.

This circular, issued on July 15, 2025, builds on the earlier “Sugar Boards” campaign and continues CBSE’s push to get schools more actively involved in everyday health awareness. The idea is simple: place bold reminders in cafeterias, corridors, and common areas that spark conversations about eating better.

Behind this move is a troubling trend. Obesity rates in India — especially among kids and teens — are climbing steadily. The National Family Health Survey (2019–21) showed that 1 in 5 adults in urban areas is now overweight or obese. And according to The Lancet, that number is expected to more than double by 2050. What’s more, problems like poor diet and lack of exercise, once limited to adults, are now showing up earlier — in school years.

To tackle this, CBSE wants schools to treat students as active players in their own health. Here’s what that looks like:

  • Set up ‘Oil Boards’ in places students pass by every day — not to lecture, but to nudge.
  • Print small reminders on notebooks, folders, or school diaries that encourage kids to rethink their food choices and get moving.
  • Rework canteen menus to add more fruits, veggies, and low-fat options while pulling back on packaged, sugary, or deep-fried snacks.
  • Make movement a habit — through stretch breaks between classes, walkable school layouts, or simply making stairs the fun option again.

CBSE’s message is clear: good habits start young, and schools have a real shot at shaping them without being preachy. Just a few smart nudges in the right places can go a long way.

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Lululemon to Enter India in 2026 With Tata CLiQ Luxury Tapping Into the Country’s $1.8 Billion Fitness and Athleisure Market

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Lululemon to Enter India in 2026 With Tata CLiQ Luxury Tapping Into the Country’s $1.8 Billion Fitness and Athleisure Market

Lululemon, the Canadian athleisure giant known for its cult-like following and premium activewear, is officially entering the Indian market in 2026. The launch will be in collaboration with Tata CLiQ Luxury, and will roll out via both e-commerce and a brick-and-mortar store.

This debut feels well-timed. India’s fitness scene has evolved far beyond traditional gym workouts. While only 0.2% of Indians hold gym memberships, there’s a sharp uptick in boutique wellness trends—Pilates studios have long waitlists, wellness retreats are booming, and luxury gyms now focus more on “movement therapy” than dumbbells and treadmills. Green juice bars are on the rise, tennis clubs are thriving, and unconventional fitness formats like Hyrox and pickleball are gaining popularity.

Lululemon’s arrival taps into this exact cultural shift. No longer just functional, activewear is now a lifestyle statement for India’s new-age wellness consumer. Yoga pants are worn for everything from brunch to boardrooms. For many, fitness is not just about health—it’s about status, community, and self-expression.

Known for its sleek design, technical innovation, and premium price tags, Lululemon already enjoys global cult status. Its India entry signals more than just a retail expansion—it’s a nod to India’s changing priorities, where mental wellness, movement, and aesthetics are deeply intertwined.

By tying up with Tata CLiQ Luxury, Lululemon is also positioning itself firmly within the upper-tier of the Indian fashion and lifestyle space—appealing to the same audience that shops for Louis Vuitton bags and SoulCycle vibes. With the athleisure market heating up, Lululemon’s entry could just redefine India’s fitness fashion future.

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Jewellery at Your Door in 24 Hours: GIVA Debuts ‘GIVA Go’ in 4 Cities

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Jewellery at Your Door in 24 Hours: GIVA Debuts ‘GIVA Go’ in 4 Cities

Jewellery shopping just got a serious upgrade. GIVA, the fast-growing direct-to-consumer jewellery brand, has rolled out a new express delivery service—GIVA Go—starting in four major cities: Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

The new service promises to get select pieces of fine jewellery into customers’ hands within just 24 hours of placing an order. Depending on the time of purchase, some shoppers could even receive their items the same day.

“Jewellery is often tied to moments—gifting, celebrating, even last-minute surprises,” said Anirudh Kudva, Chief Revenue Officer at GIVA. “With GIVA Go, we’re closing the gap between decision and delivery. You shouldn’t have to wait days to experience something special.”

The one-day delivery promise is powered by GIVA’s network of city-based fulfilment hubs—dark stores stocked with the brand’s best-selling collections—and a tight logistics system that ensures quick dispatch. Orders placed between 12 PM and 1 PM are eligible for same-day delivery, while those made by 3 PM get fulfilled within hours in certain localities.

Eligible products are marked with a GIVA Go badge across the company’s website and app, making it easy for shoppers to know what’s available for fast shipping.

GIVA, which started out in 2019 with a sharp focus on silver jewellery, has rapidly grown its offerings to include gold and lab-grown diamonds. What began as an online-first venture now spans dozens of retail stores across India, starting with its first offline location in Bengaluru in 2022.

With over 2 million Indian customers and counting, GIVA’s business has seen robust growth. In FY 2023–24, it clocked ₹273.6 crore in operational revenue—a 66% jump from the previous year. The company is eyeing a milestone ₹500 crore in total revenue soon, as it continues building on both its digital and offline presence.

Plans are already in motion to expand GIVA Go to more cities in the coming months. For shoppers who want a dose of sparkle without the wait, this might just be a game-changer.

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OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal Invests in Culture Circle at ₹400 Cr Valuation After Shark Tank Deal; Founders Devansh Jain Nawal & Ackshay Jain Eye Global Expansion

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OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal Invests in Culture Circle at ₹400 Cr Valuation After Shark Tank Deal; Founders Devansh Jain Nawal & Ackshay Jain Eye Global Expansion

Culture Circle, the fast-growing luxury fashion app co-founded by Devansh Jain Nawal and Ackshay Jain, has secured fresh strategic backing from OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal—just months after the brand made waves on Shark Tank India.

What’s notable? The duo walked away from an ₹8 crore offer on the show and instead shook hands with Ritesh and Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl on a ₹3 crore deal they believed better aligned with their long-term vision. That bet seems to be paying off. The app is now valued north of ₹400 crore and has seen its business multiply fourfold in recent months.

With over 1 million monthly users and a network of 4,000 fully verified sellers, Culture Circle has quietly become one of the most influential names in the luxury streetwear space—regularly featuring among the top 50 shopping apps in India. The platform focuses on offering authenticated drops from names like Nike, Yeezy, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, all verified through a proprietary five-step AI-backed process.

“Culture Circle doesn’t just sell fashion—it understands what the new generation wants,” said Agarwal. “That mix of community, credibility, and tech made this a no-brainer for me.”

The founders aren’t just thinking local, either. With plans to expand globally this year and new flagship stores lined up in Mumbai, Gurugram, and two other cities, Culture Circle is on track to turn its hype into a cross-border brand. Their tech platform SourceX, an in-house AI engine, will also play a key role as they move into new categories.

“This partnership isn’t just about money—it’s about building something meaningful,” said Nawal. “We’re here to reshape how Gen Z connects with fashion, and Ritesh shares that vision.”

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Influencers Radhika Seth and Meghna Kaur Team Up With Akash Thakkar to Launch Premium Coffee Brand ‘NAKED’ With 9 Limited-Edition Blends

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Influencers Radhika Seth and Meghna Kaur Team Up With Akash Thakkar to Launch Premium Coffee Brand ‘NAKED’ With 9 Limited-Edition Blends

Three friends, a shared love for great coffee, and a refusal to play by the old rules—this is how NAKED was born. Kaur, along with Naheel Koroth and Akash Thakkar, decided it was time to stir things up in India’s specialty coffee space. And they’re not easing into it—they’re jumping in headfirst.

Their brand, NAKED, isn’t about frills or fluff. It’s about great coffee, done simply and done right. They’re starting strong with nine distinct coffees, each sourced from eight carefully selected estates across India and beyond. Some are microlots, others nanolots—tiny, unique batches that won’t return once they’re gone. That’s the point: it’s personal, limited, and ever-evolving.

Built for those who know what they like—or want to discover it—NAKED offers both whole beans and customized grinds, depending on how you brew at home. But the real game-changer? A single-serve pour-over bag. It’s coffee-shop quality made for people who are always moving.

“We’re not trying to mystify coffee,” says Seth. “We’re just keeping it real. You shouldn’t need a barista degree to enjoy a good cup.”

Every bit of this brand has been handcrafted—from the roast to the logo. No outside agencies. No focus groups. Just three friends with a vision, doing the work themselves. The idea? Build something real, and make people feel like they’re part of it.

“It’s been equal parts chaos and clarity,” Kaur admits. “But we’ve touched every piece of this—from the beans to the packaging. We’re building a brand, yes, but we’re also trying to grow a culture around good coffee.”

As younger Indians dive deeper into home brewing and hunt for brands that feel genuine, NAKED hopes to strike the right balance: quality without pretense, simplicity without shortcuts, and coffee that feels less like a product and more like a story you’re a part of.

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Did Deepinder Goyal Just Buy a $78 Million Jet? Here’s What the Zomato CEO Has to Say

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Did Deepinder Goyal Just Buy a $78 Million Jet? Here’s What the Zomato CEO Has to Say

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has set the record straight after buzz started flying about him allegedly purchasing a private jet. The speculation was triggered by a Moneycontrol report claiming that an aviation startup backed by Goyal had acquired a Bombardier Global aircraft, which has reportedly been sitting at Delhi airport’s VIP terminal since June and is scheduled to start flying mid-July.

Goyal, however, quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut the story down. “For those who care about facts over flashy headlines—LAT is a startup building planes for regional travel. It hasn’t bought any jet, and it’s definitely not in the plane-buying business,” he posted.

LAT Aerospace, the startup in question, is backed by Goyal but, according to him, is focused on regional aviation tech—not hoarding high-end aircraft.

That said, Goyal didn’t exactly deny the idea of owning a jet someday. When someone cheekily commented, “Owning a jet ain’t a crime. Get a Gulfstream G650!”—a nod to one of the world’s most luxurious aircraft—Goyal replied with just two words: “One day.”

The chatter comes hot on the heels of another high-profile purchase—Goyal recently bought a lavish apartment in Gurugram’s ultra-exclusive The Camellias for ₹52.3 crore.

Forbes currently pegs Goyal’s net worth at $1.6 billion, thanks to his stake in Zomato. While the CEO may not be boarding a private jet just yet, he’s clearly flying high—just not in the way headlines might have you believe.

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Zulu Club Raises $250K from TDV Partners to Bring 100-Minute Fashion Deliveries and Try-at-Home Kits to Delhi NCR

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Zulu Club Raises $250K from TDV Partners to Bring 100-Minute Fashion Deliveries and Try-at-Home Kits to Delhi NCR

Gurugram-based fashion delivery start-up Zulu Club has raised $250,000 in pre-seed funding from early-stage VC firm TDV Partners. With the capital, the brand is gearing up to expand across more neighbourhoods in Delhi NCR, aiming to get closer to the fast-moving urban shopper.

Zulu Club blends convenience with experience by offering a unique fashion delivery model: users can shop from local malls and retail outlets, request live product guidance, and receive curated “Try-at-Home” kits—all delivered in just 100 minutes.

Founder Adarsh Bhatia says the idea came from a common frustration: fast fashion apps may offer endless variety, but they leave out the confidence and comfort of trying things on. “We’re bringing back that confidence—without dragging people into traffic or endless returns. Zulu Club is for millennials and Gen Z who want quick access to style, with a personal touch,” he said.

Instead of static images and confusing size charts, Zulu Club lets users actually try clothes at home before making a decision. It’s a model built around the needs of time-strapped, style-conscious urban consumers.

“Fashion shopping should be simple, smart, and trustworthy,” added Ujwal Sutaria, General Partner at TDV Partners. “Zulu Club is solving a real pain point—people don’t just want fast delivery, they want to feel good about what they’re buying.”

With the new funding, Zulu Club plans to refine its Try-at-Home experience, enhance personalisation, and strengthen ties with malls and retail outlets. The team is also investing in logistics and customer experience to make fashion shopping smoother, faster, and more human.

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