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Indian Retailers See Slower-Than-Expected Festive Growth at 7%

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Indian Retailers See Slower-Than-Expected Festive Growth at 7%

India’s retail sales recorded a 7% increase during the festive season from October 7 to December 1, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, as revealed by the Retailers Association of India (RAI) in its latest Retail Business Survey. 

West India led the charge with an 8% rise, while North, South, and East India saw a 7% increase each.

Top Performers Across Categories 

Among product categories, food and grocery emerged as the top performer with a 14% growth, followed by quick service restaurants at 10%, jewellery at 9%, and consumer durables, electronics, and apparel at 7%. Other categories like footwear and beauty saw modest growth, while furniture lagged behind with a minimal increase.

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RAI CEO Kumar Rajagopalan noted that while the 7% growth during the festive season was promising, it fell short of the anticipated 10%. He highlighted that subdued consumption throughout the year pushed retailers to rely on promotions to drive sales. Rising operational costs, inflation, and limited spending by the lower middle-class segment remain significant challenges for the retail industry.

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Hope for a Better 2025!

Despite these hurdles, Rajagopalan expressed hope for stronger growth in 2025, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a steady growth trajectory to ensure profitability. As the apex body of retailers in India, RAI continues to work towards creating a favorable environment for the modern retail sector to thrive.

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Golden Arches Reach Gangtok: McDonald’s Opens First Restaurant in Sikkim

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Golden Arches Reach Gangtok: McDonald’s Opens First Restaurant in Sikkim

McDonald’s has officially launched its first outlet in Gangtok, Sikkim, located at West Point Mall. Spanning 2,240 sq. ft., the restaurant can accommodate up to 116 guests, marking a significant milestone for the global fast-food giant in the Northeast.

Top Executive Shares his Comments 

“We are excited to bring McDonald’s to Gangtok, a city full of energy and potential. This opening is part of our mission to make McDonald’s accessible to more customers across the Northeast. We’re looking forward to delighting the people of Gangtok with our diverse menu and welcoming dining experience,” said Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director of McDonald’s India – North and East.

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The launch event saw the presence of Bhoj Raj Rai, Sikkim’s Minister for Urban Development, who emphasized the significance of this addition to the region’s growing economy.

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Key Details of the Enterprise 

McDonald’s India – North and East operates under Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. and employs over 5,500 individuals across 190 locations. Through initiatives like the McDonald’s for Youth program, the company aims to create meaningful employment opportunities, targeting support for 2,000 individuals from underprivileged backgrounds by 2025. The chain also continues to invest heavily in employee training to ensure exceptional service and quality for its millions of annual customers.

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Blue Tokai Opens New Café in Faridabad, Strengthening North India Presence

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Blue Tokai Opens New Café in Faridabad, Strengthening North India Presence

Blue Tokai, the Gurugram-based specialty coffee brand, has expanded its presence in North India with the opening of a new café in Faridabad. 

New Cafe Boasts Amazing Attractions 

Located at the bustling World Street by Omaxe, the café spans 1,300 sq. ft. and promises to bring the brand’s signature coffee experience to the area.

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“We are delighted to have Blue Tokai Café join World Street by Omaxe,” said Jatin Goel, Executive Director of Omaxe Group. “Their presence adds to the diverse culinary experiences available here, and we’re excited about the value it will bring to the region.”

The Story of the Gurugram Based Company 

Founded in 2013 by husband-wife duo Matt Chitharanjan and Namrata Asthana, Blue Tokai began as a small coffee roastery and has since grown into a leading name in India’s coffee industry. 

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The company, supported by A91 Partners and Deepika Padukone’s Ka Enterprises, now operates 4 roasteries and over 110 cafés across major cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. It has also extended its footprint internationally with operations in Japan.

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Swiggy Aims to Onboard 100,000 Women Delivery Partners by 2030

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Swiggy Aims to Onboard 100,000 Women Delivery Partners by 2030

Swiggy, the popular food delivery platform, announced plans to onboard at least 100,000 women delivery partners by 2030. 

The company also revealed it has partnered with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to launch a financial literacy program aimed at educating delivery partners, with a special focus on empowering women in the workforce.

Swiggy’s Great New Initiative 

The MoU was signed during an event attended by Swiggy’s MD and Group CEO Sriharsha Majety, NSE MD and CEO Ashish Kumar Chauhan, and banker Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. During the event, ten women delivery executives who completed the highest number of orders in 2024 were honored, each receiving a cheque of Rs 11,000.

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Majety highlighted the significance of the initiative, recalling Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s earlier remark that the visibility of women running businesses, particularly in sectors like food and beverage, reduces crime and promotes stability. He emphasized that having more women on the streets as delivery partners sends a similarly positive signal. Swiggy is committed to reaching the goal of 100,000 women delivery partners by 2030, with continuous support through new policies and initiatives.

Key Details of the Programme 

The financial literacy program, in collaboration with NSE, will offer interactive sessions conducted by Sebi-certified trainers. Topics covered will include budgeting, investment strategies, debt management, and understanding capital markets. The training will be accessible through audiovisual content on Swiggy’s partner app, the DE app, making it easily available to delivery partners.

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Chauhan remarked that this partnership reflects the shared goal of empowering gig workers, especially women, by providing them with the financial knowledge needed to build long-term financial security and independence.

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TIGC Celebrates Expansion into Kerala with Grand Opening in Kochi

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TIGC Celebrates Expansion into Kerala with Grand Opening in Kochi

The Indian Garage Co. (TIGC), a popular menswear brand, has expanded into Kerala with its new store in Lulu Mall, Kochi. This marks the brand’s third physical retail outlet in India.

“We’re excited to announce the opening of our third store at the iconic Lulu Mall in Kochi, marking our first venture into Kerala,” the brand shared in a LinkedIn post, along with images of the store. The store was inaugurated by Shibu Philips, Director of Shopping Malls, Lulu Group India.

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Key Details of the New Store

Alongside its flagship menswear line, the Kochi store will feature TIGC’s womenswear collection, FreeHand, and its plus-size fashion brand, HardSoda.

After establishing a solid online presence for over a decade, TIGC ventured into offline retail in October. The brand’s first physical store, located on Brigade Road in Bengaluru, spans 3,000 square feet and is situated in one of the city’s busiest shopping areas. Just earlier this month, TIGC opened a second store in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad.

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The Company’s Long Term Plans

Looking ahead, the company plans to open 80 to 100 more stores across India in the next three to five years, as noted by Alka Dembla, Head of Retail at TIGC, in a past interview.

Founded in 2012 by Anant Tanted with just four people, TIGC now boasts a workforce of about 400 employees. In FY 2024, the brand achieved a revenue of Rs 400 crore and has set its sights on reaching Rs 600 crore by the end of FY 2025.

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HUL Shakes Up Distribution: Direct Supply to Kiranas in Mumbai and Beyond

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HUL Shakes Up Distribution: Direct Supply to Kiranas in Mumbai and Beyond

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is reshaping its distribution model by directly supplying products to kirana stores in Mumbai, with plans to expand to Delhi and other major cities. 

This shift is part of a broader effort by the FMCG giant to streamline its supply chain and cut delivery times from three days to under 24 hours, while also addressing the credit limitations faced by the kirana stores, which account for about 75% of its sales.

HUL’s New System

In the new system, HUL will take full control of the back-end logistics, including warehousing and delivery, leaving distributors to handle only the orders and payments from local stores. Arun Neelakantan, executive director for customer development at HUL, explained that this model will ensure quicker and more reliable service for kirana shops, many of which struggle with maintaining large inventories due to financial constraints.

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“We’re focused on providing the best possible service to kirana stores,” Neelakantan said. “They often can’t afford to keep a large stock on hand, so they need frequent deliveries and don’t want too much capital tied up in inventory.”

India’s Largest Distribution Network 

HUL’s vast distribution network, the largest in India, reaches over nine million stores, including three million outlets directly. The company first tested this new distribution approach, named Samadhan, near Chennai nearly two years ago, aiming to compete with B2B online platforms like Udaan and Flipkart Wholesale, which offer next-day deliveries and serve multiple brands.

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Kirana stores remain the backbone of FMCG sales in India, controlling about 80% of the market. While online platforms and large wholesalers like Reliance and Udaan account for only about 5% of FMCG sales, their larger scale gives them an edge in terms of supply and pricing power.

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Mumbai Goes Electric: BluSmart Promises Safer, Smarter, Cleaner Rides

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Mumbai Goes Electric: BluSmart Promises Safer, Smarter, Cleaner Rides

BluSmart, the Gurugram-based electric vehicle cab service, is set to launch its operations in Mumbai on January 1, 2025. 

The company shared the news on December 28 via X (formerly Twitter), revealing plans for an exclusive “invite-only” preview before the service becomes available citywide.

Exclusive Pre-Launch Access

To kick things off, BluSmart will provide early access to a limited group of users. Interested riders can sign up by filling out a form with their name, phone number, and email address. Those selected will get a chance to experience the service ahead of its official rollout.

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“From January 1, 2025, BluSmart is bringing safe, reliable, and punctual rides to Mumbai,” the company announced. “After months of preparation, we’re thrilled to finally make this vision a reality in your city.”

Pioneering the EV Ride-Hailing Market

Launched in 2019, BluSmart positions itself as South Asia’s largest all-electric ride-hailing platform and EV charging network. Unlike many competitors, BluSmart operates on an asset-heavy model, owning its entire fleet and employing drivers on a fixed salary.

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With a presence in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, the company also made its international debut in the UAE earlier this year. BluSmart’s fleet of over 8,500 electric vehicles has completed 21 million rides, covering an impressive 680 million clean kilometers.

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Ola Electric Undergoes Leadership Changes as Restructuring Efforts Heat Up

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Ola Electric Undergoes Leadership Changes as Restructuring Efforts Heat Up

Ola Electric, the Bengaluru-based electric vehicle giant, has seen the departure of two senior executives—Chief Marketing Officer Anshul Khandelwal and Chief Technology and Product Officer Suvonil Chatterjee. 

Both leaders resigned for personal reasons, as mentioned in their resignation letters to the management. They expressed their appreciation for their time at the company, praising its rapid growth and supportive work culture.

Ola Electric Makes a Clarifying Statement 

In a statement, Ola Electric confirmed that neither Khandelwal nor Chatterjee has familial ties to any of the company’s directors. Sources suggest that internal candidates might step in to fill their roles as part of a broader restructuring initiative within the company.

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Restructuring at Ola Electric

The company, led by Bhavish Aggarwal, has been undergoing a restructuring process over the past few months. Reports from November indicated that the restructuring could impact more than 500 employees—roughly 12% of the company’s 4,000-strong workforce. The goal is to streamline operations, eliminate redundant roles, and enhance efficiency and margins to ensure long-term profitability.

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This restructuring is not the first of its kind. Similar efforts were made in 2022 in preparation for Ola Electric’s initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, which launched on August 2, 2024, and closed on August 6, 2024, resulted in the company’s shares being listed on the BSE and NSE on August 9, 2024.

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Jammu Joins Blinkit’s Fast Delivery Revolution with New Store Openings

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Jammu Joins Blinkit’s Fast Delivery Revolution with New Store Openings

Blinkit, the quick commerce service owned by Zomato, has launched in Jammu with three new stores aimed at meeting the rising demand for fast deliveries. The company made the announcement on Sunday, marking its expansion into the region.

Details of New Stores in Jammu

The new Blinkit stores are located in Trikuta Nagar, Roop Nagar, and Akhnoor Road. According to Blinkit’s Founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa, the Trikuta Nagar store will serve surrounding areas like Preet Nagar and Railhead Road, while the Roop Nagar outlet will cover Durga Nagar and Bhawaninagar. The Akhnoor Road location will cater to Shakti Nagar and Rehari Colony.

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“We’re thrilled to bring quick and reliable delivery services to Jammu,” Dhindsa said in a LinkedIn post, expressing excitement over the company’s latest expansion. The move sees Blinkit stepping up its competition with other quick commerce giants like Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, all of which are vying for dominance in the fast-growing Indian market.

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A Growing Market

India’s quick commerce sector is currently valued at $3.34 billion and is expected to skyrocket to $9.95 billion by 2029, growing at a rate of more than 4.5% annually. However, despite this rapid expansion, the sector has only captured about 7% of its potential market, which is estimated to be worth $45 billion. This reveals ample opportunity for further growth and development in the industry.

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Curefoods Set to Scale Krispy Kreme’s Presence with 100 Cloud Kitchens by 2025

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Curefoods Set to Scale Krispy Kreme’s Presence with 100 Cloud Kitchens by 2025

Curefoods, a rising cloud kitchen startup, has secured the distribution rights for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and coffee in South and West India from Landmark Group. 

Ankit Nagori, founder and CEO of Curefoods, confirmed the acquisition, highlighting that bringing an international brand to India was a key strategic move for the company. 

Partnership with an Established Brand

He explained that partnering with an established global brand like Krispy Kreme alleviates product development challenges, as the brand comes with its own global infrastructure and marketing support.

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Currently, Krispy Kreme operates in India through Citymax Hotels India, a subsidiary of Dubai-based Landmark Group. This deal marks a significant step for Curefoods, especially as it is part of a broader collaboration where Landmark Hospitality Services has invested in Curefoods’ recent $40 million funding round.

The Potential of Krispy Kreme in India

Nagori is optimistic about the potential of Krispy Kreme in India, forecasting that the brand could reach Rs 100 crore in revenue by 2025. Curefoods plans to integrate Krispy Kreme into its existing network of over 300 cloud kitchen locations and expand its presence on food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato. The company also plans to open 100 new cloud kitchens and 25 standalone Krispy Kreme stores by 2025.

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In addition to Krispy Kreme, Curefoods is looking to take its homegrown brands to international markets. After launching Sharief Bhai in the Middle East, the company is planning to expand its pizza brand Olio into Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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