US-based fast-food chain McDonald’s has recently inaugurated its new drive-through store in Kerala, as announced by a company official on social media earlier this week.
The standalone outlet spans a 14,000 sq. ft. plot of land in the Kottayam district.
“Presenting our newest store in the state of Kerala at Kottayam. It’s a free-standing drive-thru on a pad of 14,000 sq. ft. land. Enjoy the McDonald’s experience,” said Sachin Damle, director – real estate at Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. in a LinkedIn post.
The establishment features a McCafé in addition to its drive-thru and McDelivery services.
“We are looking forward to expanding similar format stores across west and South of India,” added Damle.
Hardcastle Restaurants possesses and manages McDonald’s eateries throughout West and South India. Maintaining a master franchisee connection with McDonald’s Corporation USA, it has safeguarded the brand since 1996.
Diverse Formats Drive Success:
The company functions through diverse formats and brand extensions, encompassing standalone restaurants, drive-thrus, 24/7 operations, McDelivery, McBreakfast, and dessert kiosks.
McDonald’s India maintains its dedication to establishing drive-thru destination stores in city suburbs and along national highways. According to a previous company release, it is anticipated that 30-35% of new stores in the next 4-5 years will be drive-thrus.
As of June 2023, the fast-food chain presently runs more than 361 restaurants spanning 58 cities in West and South India.
Quaker, a renowned and trailblazing name in the oats sector, is delighted to announce the addition of the celebrity power couple, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, as its latest brand ambassadors. This significant partnership symbolises the amalgamation of Quaker’s 145-year heritage in promoting the ‘goodness of oats’ globally with the modern influence and allure of Kiara and Sidharth.
Breaking Boundaries:
The brand has steadfastly committed itself to fulfilling the promise of making oats accessible to a wider audience through more delectable means. It has spearheaded inventive approaches to honour this commitment. As a contemporary nutrition brand providing a diverse array of oats-based choices, Quaker persistently redefines the way oats are embraced. It establishes them not only as a breakfast option but also as versatile ingredients for a range of delicious and nutritious meals.
Relaying her excitement, Kiara Advani, commented, “Oats have been a constant part of my diet, a delightful addition that I truly love. They’re my morning and evening essential, a wholesome choice with nutritious energy. Partnering with Quaker resonates with my belief in maintaining a balanced lifestyle without compromising on taste. I’m excited to collaborate with Quaker to highlight how oats, with their inherent goodness, effortlessly elevate everyday meals, making conscious eating both convenient and delicious.”
“Teaming up with Quaker feels like the perfect match, as oats have long been my go-to to get an energized start to the day. When it comes to a speedy, wholesome meal, they are my top pick; quick to make and filled with goodness. I look forward to showcasing how these versatile oats seamlessly fit into anyone’s schedule, transforming mindful eating into a delightful journey,” expressed Sidharth Malhotra.
Sravani Babu, Associate Director and Category Lead – Quaker, PepsiCo India, said, “With Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra joining the Quaker family, their vibrancy, relatability, and commitment to a balanced lifestyle complement Quaker’s ethos perfectly. Kiara’s vivacious energy and Sidharth’s active lifestyle resonate with today’s generation, making them influential advocates for a wholesome way of living. Their shared values align seamlessly with Quaker’s mission, enhancing the brand’s endeavour to inspire individuals to embrace oats as a delicious and beneficial dietary inclusion. Together, Kiara and Sidharth bring not only star power but also an authentic passion for wellness, making them ideal ambassadors to further champion the ‘goodness of oats’ message.”
The new brand ambassadors will play a pivotal role in new campaigns and launches, engaging audiences in the delightful journey of oats.
Gurugram-based e-commerce platform Snapdeal has demonstrated a distinctive approach among its peers in the horizontal e-commerce domain by consistently placing a priority on profitability. In FY23, the company effectively slashed its consolidated losses by 45%, bringing the figure down to INR 282 Crore from INR 510 Crore in FY22. Remarkably, Snapdeal achieved profitability in the third quarter of the current fiscal year, FY24.
The firm effectively reduced its consolidated Adjusted EBITDA loss by 65.6% to INR 144 crore in FY23, a significant improvement from the INR 419 crore reported in FY22, as stated by the company.
Snapdeal’s Proactive Measures:
“Snapdeal’s improved performance was underpinned by its success in increasing gross margins to 35.5% of revenue in FY 2022-23, up from 31.8% of revenue in FY 2021-22 on a standalone basis,” the company said in its statement.
According to the company, enhanced utilization of analytics in marketing contributed to a heightened efficiency in marketing expenditures. On a standalone basis, marketing and business promotion expenses decreased to 31.3% of revenue in FY 2022-23, marking a substantial decline from 66.6% of revenue recorded in FY 2021-22.
Meanwhile, the company implemented various measures to reduce losses, leading to a 31% decline in its consolidated revenue to INR 388 crore in FY23, down from INR 563 crore in FY22.
Although the company did not disclose specific figures for FY24, its primary focus lies in attaining break-even and enhancing profitability.
“In the ongoing October-December quarter, we are profitable on a consolidated basis.”
AceVector Limited (formerly Snapdeal) oversees two subsidiary entities: Unicommerce Esolutions and Stellaro Brands. In the fiscal year ending March 2023, Unicommerce recorded a revenue of INR 90 crore, accompanied by a profit after tax of INR 6.45 crore. Meanwhile, Stellaro Brands, the other subsidiary, reported a revenue of INR 2.4 crore but incurred a loss of INR 6.96 crore.
Snapdeal submitted its Initial Public Offering to the Securities and Exchange Board of India in December 2021. Nevertheless, the company decided to withdraw its $152 million IPO in response to subdued sentiments in the public market.
The growing consumer preference for personal care products through social media platforms has facilitated the Unilever Dubai Personal Care (DPC) factory to broaden its array of offerings, encompassing a wider selection of premium and niche products.
“DPC was set up with an AED 1 Billion AED (€250K investment). We have subsequently invested in growing its capabilities to produce many new products. We as a business are also looking into launching more premium and niche products from this site aside from our regular products which consumers already love,” said Mahmoud Abdel Naly, Head of Unilever and Well-being Supply-chain, Middle East and Turkey.
“This factory is primarily a hair and skin care products site, which is a growing business all around the world and within the region. Especially with the advent of TikTok trends, consumers are keener to care of themselves than before”, he added.
The DPC factory adopts cutting-edge technologies and possesses the capacity to produce 250 million units of 400 distinct types of products.
“We are currently catering to the entirety of the Middle East with our skin and hair care products as well as exporting to parts of Latin America and have also exported to North America in the past as well” he added.
According to him, Dubai was chosen because it stands out as one of the most dynamic business hubs globally, reinforced by world-class infrastructure. The city boasts a highly competitive business environment and holds trade agreements with numerous countries both regionally and globally. Additionally, it serves as a magnet for talent in a region marked by turbulence, occupying a coveted position as the gateway between the East and the West.
DPC serves as a benchmark for incorporating cutting-edge technology throughout Unilever, integrating 4th Industrial Revolution (IR) technologies into all facets of its operations. It has been acknowledged by the World Economic Forum as an ‘Advanced Lighthouse of 4th Industrial Revolution’—a first within Unilever and the UAE, and the initial non-energy site in MENA to receive such recognition.
DPC’s AI-driven Approach:
Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as robotics, machine learning, and AI allows swift delivery of products to the market. The factory can promptly augment its production capacity to meet the demands of the market.
For instance, quality control is overseen by harnessing the power of machine learning, complemented by the integration of high-speed cameras on the production lines to automatically reject substandard products. Additionally, AI is utilised to enhance resource efficiency, such as energy usage, resulting in a reduction of the environmental impact by lowering CO2 emissions. This approach also leads to decreased water consumption and waste generation.
Jubilant FoodWorks, currently increasing its investments in the Domino’s Pizza brand, is also placing significant bets on Popeyes. The prominent food services company intends to elevate the US fried chicken brand to revenue levels of INR 1,000 crore within the next four to five years. Additionally, it aims to achieve a milestone of 250 restaurants in the coming years.
Sameer Khetarpal, MD & CEO of Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, said, “We aim to make Popeyes the fastest QSR brand to get to INR 1,000 crore. We are very happy to see the progress made by Popeyes. India is a large chicken-eating market. Whether it’s North India, consumers love chicken tikka or tandoori chicken or the Southern region, where they love Chicken Chettinad or Chicken 65. Therefore, chicken is the front and centre of our protein consumption.”
“We will become the fastest QSR brand to get to INR 1,000 crore and that is what the teams are working on. It takes 11-12 years for a QSR brand to get to that level and we hope to do it in a fraction of that time,” he added.
At present, the company operates 22 Popeyes establishments across six cities. During the first half of this fiscal year, it added nine new restaurants under the brand, affirming its commitment to open a total of 30 additional restaurants by the end of this fiscal year.
During an earnings call in October, the company’s leadership stated that the Popeyes model has been internationally proven.
“Chicken is a large market and we have a benefit of learning from the sharp brand proposition and the experience of RBI (Restaurant Brands International), which is our partner and who owns brand Popeyes. So, therefore we have a good start. We’ve said that we’ll get to 250 odd stores in the medium term.”
The food services company further mentioned that as it introduces the brand to new cities, it will inaugurate larger flagship stores. Additionally, there is a concentrated effort on establishing a robust back-end supply chain and identifying optimal store locations for expansion.
Domino’s Makeover
Meanwhile, the food services company is currently intensifying its investments in Domino’s Pizza through a brand relaunch initiative. The objective is to increase the brand’s share in consumption occasions within the country while concurrently expanding the overall pizza category.
Epigamia has introduced a new range showcasing ready-to-eat puddings available in chocolate and caramel flavours.
In addition to these, their “Ultimate Luxury Milkshake” range offers three choices: Cookies & Cream, Belgian Chocolate, and Vanilla Coffee.
“We are enthused to introduce new flavours in the milkshake and pudding category right around the festive season. This is a time for making treasured memories and indulging in delectable delicacies. The newly introduced products are designed to elevate special occasions. Therefore, we are happy to introduce these exquisite treats that encapsulate the holiday spirit,” said Rahul Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Epigamia.
Availability across India:
These ready-to-eat puddings and premium bottled milkshakes will be available at major retail stores and various online platforms throughout India.
Lite Bite Foods has unveiled 10 new establishments across the country in December.
This indicates a significant expansion, with a particular focus on tier 2 cities such as Kochi, Mohali, and Faridabad.
“Our relentless pursuit isn’t just about growth; it’s a commitment to redefining culinary experiences. Each launch signifies our dedication to pushing boundaries and creating exceptional moments,” said Rohit Aggarwal, Director of Lite Bite Foods Pvt Ltd.
Lite Bite Foods’ Expansion Spree
The company has firmly established its presence in key cities, including Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Indore, Lucknow, Kanpur, Mohali, and globally in Singapore, Washington DC, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bangkok.
Presently, they oversee 44 Punjab Grill outlets, 17 YouMee outlets, 32 branches of Street Food by Punjab Grill, and 27 establishments of Asia 7.
The brand’s expansion into vital markets like Bangalore, Kochi, and Gurgaon, coupled with its successful establishment in tier 2 cities, underscores LBF’s adaptability and strategic acumen.
YouMee’s reach into tier 2 cities spreads the joy of Sushi, Dim sums, and Ramen, bringing delight to every corner of those urban areas.
These launches underscore the company’s vision for expansive growth and fulfilling customer requirements.
Kalyan Jewellers has announced the establishment of a subsidiary in Oman as part of its business expansion. The recently formed subsidiary, named Kalyan Jewellers Procurement SPC, completed its incorporation on December 28, 2023, according to a regulatory filing.
“The object of incorporation of this step down subsidiary is to expand jewellery business in Oman,” it added.
Kalyan Jewellers’ H1 Net Profit Surges:
Kerala-based Kalyan Jewellers saw a 30 percent increase in consolidated net profit, reaching INR 278 crore in the first half of the current fiscal year, compared to INR 214 crore in the corresponding period last year.
It boasts 209 showrooms spanning India and the Middle East.
Biscuit manufacturer Parle caused a stir among internet enthusiasts when it shared a post featuring an influencer’s face on the packet’s cover instead of the iconic Parle-G girl. This amusing post was a reaction to content creator Zervaan J Bunshah‘s viral video, where he posed a humorous question to his followers. In the video, he asked, “If you meet the owner of Parle, do you call him Parle sir, Mr. Parle, or Parle G?”
In the video, Bunshan is observed seated in a car, wearing a perplexed expression, while the catchy melody of ‘Ae Jee Oo Jee’ from Anil Kapoor‘s movie ‘Ram Lakhan’ plays in the background.
The video also captured the attention of Parle-G, who joined in the amusement with a humorous comment. The official Parle-G account remarked, “Bunshah ji, you can call us the OG.”
Parle-G’s Playful Twist featuring Influencer:
Subsequently, rather than the iconic girl, Parle-G showcased a cheerful image of Bunshah on the biscuit wrapper. “While you figure out what to call the owner of Parle-G, you can call us your favourite biscuit to enjoy with a cup of chai. What say @bunshah ji,” read the caption.
The content creator expressed immense joy at the gesture and responded to the post, recalling fond memories of enjoying Parle-G biscuits during his childhood.
“BAHAHAHAHAHA SEASONS GREETINGS INDEED. Parle G will always be my nourishment growing up, after any excursion, party, gathering, craving, fancy cake mein bhi ingredient rehta hai! I toh ate the biscuits as a kid thinking I’d become smarter. Usme toh kalti diya tum logon ne,” he wrote.
This amusing tale mirrors a comparable exchange at Lay’s last month. Bunshah, renowned for his entertaining Parsi caricatures, went on Instagram to convey his displeasure regarding the altered taste of Lay’s Magic Masala variant. Lay’s India noticed the influencer’s video, which presented a comical rant against the well-loved snack.
“What have you done to my Magic Masala? The magic is no longer there. Now, it is meetha masala. This is possibly the worst thing you could have done. Are you out of your goddamn mind?” he had said in the video.
In addressing Bunshah’s apprehensions, Lay’s provided reassurance that the cherished Magic Masala variant he enjoyed would make a comeback soon. They clarified that the variant he critiqued was a limited-edition pack.
“Hello! We understand that India’s Magic Masala has been your favourite, and you want the magic back. This pack was a limited edition, and we intend to add more joy to the life of our consumers. So, don’t worry, we have your back! India’s Magic Masala is coming back,” the company wrote in a DM to the content creator.
Ecommerce giants Amazon and Flipkart saw a notable 39% surge in their combined advertising revenue, amounting to INR 8,705 crore for the fiscal year concluding in March 2023. This upswing is attributed to advertisers across diverse categories actively utilizing these platforms and tapping into the expanding user base, as per data filed by the companies with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).
During the fiscal year 2023, Amazon Seller Services, the marketplace division of Amazon, reported a 29% increase in advertising revenue, reaching INR 5,380 crore, as per information sourced from RoC filings on the business intelligence platform Tofler. In a parallel trend, Flipkart Internet, the marketplace division of Flipkart, witnessed a robust 60% growth in revenue from this segment, reaching INR 3,325 crore.
In FY22, the two companies collectively generated INR 6,256 crore in ad revenue, with INR 4,171 crore attributed to Amazon Seller Services and INR 2,085 crore to Flipkart Internet.
As per a report by Bain & Co, India is projected to have approximately 230–250 million online shoppers engaging in transactions annually, and the ecommerce market is anticipated to reach $57–60 billion by 2023. Additionally, a report from Magna Global indicated an expected 13.8% growth in digital ad revenue in India, reaching INR 56,703 crore in 2024.
Experts state that both Amazon and Flipkart possess ad-tech platforms—Amazon Ads and Flipkart Ads—facilitating brands in reaching their target audiences in a cost-effective manner.
According to Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner at Kurate Digital Consulting, brands are allocating more of their advertising budget to ecommerce platforms due to their ability to enable highly effective targeting based on categories, brands, and user behavior.
“Ecommerce is growing at a healthy pace, and a lot of digital-first and traditional advertisers are spending heavily on these platforms. Both Amazon and Flipkart have become great platforms to convert users into buyers. The return on investment for brands is comparatively better than other platforms,” he said.
An Amazon spokesperson highlighted the complexity of the digital landscape, noting that customers fluidly move between browsing, streaming, researching, and making purchases across channels and devices.
“With hundreds of millions of worldwide active customer accounts, Amazon has a deep understanding of how shoppers engage with products and brands as they discover, browse, and purchase online. Advertising with Amazon Ads is helping businesses of all sizes and from all industries, regardless of whether they sell directly on Amazon or not, reach customers at every stage of their journey,” the spokesperson added.
Flipkart had not responded to queries as of the time of press.
According to Shashank Rathore, Vice-President of Ecommerce at Interactive Avenues, the digital arm of IPG Mediabrands India, ecommerce, as an advertising platform, is now on par with performance marketing giants such as Google and Facebook.
“Looking ahead to 2024, a significant disruption is expected with FMCG, dairy, grocery and F&B investments shifting from Amazon and Flipkart to quick-commerce platforms. This strategic realignment reflects the industry’s adaptability to evolving consumer trends,” he added.
Hareesh Tibrewala, Joint Chief Executive at Mirum India, pointed out that marketplaces such as Flipkart and Amazon also provide comprehensive media solutions from a brand-building standpoint.
“Finally, in consumers’ lifecycle, an ecommerce portal represents a point of conversion and, hence, a valuable touch point for a brand. All this is contributing to increased media spend on ecommerce platforms,” he added.
Tibrewala anticipates a migration of advertising expenditure from social channels to alternative platforms such as OTT and ecommerce.
Madison Digital CEO Vishal Chinchankar said, “Ecommerce advertising significantly levels the playing field compared to giants (Google and Meta), and the growth of ecommerce is not only on the back of giants but there is a huge headroom as the overall digital pie is increasing. A sophisticated mix of creativity and data works extremely well for brands on ecommerce platforms. In my mind, performance marketing is like a drip to the brands and their businesses; it’ll only increase.”
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