The Organic World, a grocery store specializing in organic and natural products, aims to expand its presence to 100 stores by the end of 2025. The retailer, which recently inaugurated its latest store in Bengaluru, currently operates 17 stores.
The retail expansion strategy will incorporate both COCO (Company Owned, Company Operated) and FOMO (Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated) models. Additionally, although the overarching goal is to establish a nationwide presence, the initial emphasis will be on key markets such as Chennai and Hyderabad.
In line with the company’s value proposition, the new store houses over 2,000 groceries. Gaurav Manchanda, Founder & Director, the Nimida Group, the parent company of The Organic World,said, “We are thrilled to extend our commitment to healthier choices to the vibrant community in ITPL, strategically situated near IT hubs such as Bellandur, Whitefield, and Marathahalli. Our 17th store is not just about expansion but also about empowering individuals to embrace a chemical-free lifestyle by making informed and better choices in their daily and monthly consumption.”
The company’s expansion strategy encompasses investments in company-owned stores and the exploration of the franchise model. This approach aims to make organic choices more widely accessible, fostering a healthier and more sustainable way of living for a broader audience.
It asserts to provide certified organic fruits and vegetables, atta, dals, rice, and flour free from chemicals, dairy and eggs without hormones and antibiotics, cold-pressed oils, pure desi cow ghee, home cleaning essentials devoid of toxins, beauty and personal care products without parabens and sulfates, health and wellness products free from chemicals, and snacks without trans fats. Additionally, it offers a thoughtfully curated selection of childcare products.
MiSora, an upscale Asian dining establishment, has opened its first location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as reported by Zawya.
Renowned for its Japanese fusion cuisine, MiSora will present guests with traditional sashimi and specialty rolls crafted with a regional perspective.
The recently established location on Prince Sultan Road in the Al Rawdah district will also feature meticulously crafted salads, dim sum, robata, and wok dishes.
MiSora head chef Rafiq Abrahams was quoted by the news agency as saying, “Our intention is not just to serve Japanese cuisine. Our intention is to immerse our patrons in the Japanese culture.
“From the kitchen to the table, from the preparation to the presentation, our dishes will exude the traditions of Japan and I am confident that the locals will notice.”
Chef Abrahams mentioned that the Japanese restaurant will procure top-notch ingredients from around the world.
He added, “Bringing Asian ingredients to the Middle East is something that will keep Misora patrons coming back for more. Ingredients that will entice the taste buds and create a sense of curiosity are the key to maintaining happy patrons.
“My aim is to engage as many senses as possible. It is not just about arousing the eyes and the palate. Patrons need to feel that they are walking into a new world. Those who have been to Japan will have a sense of familiarity.
“We want to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere by training the staff to provide exceptional hospitality whilst patrons feel embraced by the rich cultural tapestry MiSora has to offer.”
Swedish fashion brand Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has opened its 57th and 58th stores in India, marking a significant milestone in its aggressive expansion strategy within the South Asian country.
The most recent additions to H&M’s store lineup in India have been unveiled in Pune and Bengaluru. These new outlets are situated in Phoenix Mall of the Millennium, Pune, and Forum South, Bengaluru, according to a social media post by Louis Coucke, the CFO and country controller for India at H&M, posted on Friday.
The recent expansions bring H&M’s store tally in Bengaluru to six. In Pune, this latest rollout marks the fourth outlet and introduces the brand’s inaugural home concept store in the Maharashtra city.
“We are incredibly happy to open our sixth store in Bangalore. This city has exceeded all our expectations since our first launch in 2016,” said Yanira Ramirez, Country Sales Manager, H&M India.
“We have also seen incredible love for H&M HOME since its launch in India in 2022, and now, we are thrilled to bring this experience to Pune,” Ramirez added.
Market watchers perceive H&M’s expansion strategy in India as aggressive, given that the Stockholm-based fashion brand has opened 58 stores since its entry in 2015. In contrast, its competitor Zara from Spain, operating under the Inditex SA umbrella, has rolled out 21 stores in India, despite entering the market five years before H&M.
Established by Erling Persson in 1947, the Swedish fashion brand H&M made its foray into the Indian market in October 2015. As of November 2023, the brand has expanded its presence to 58 stores across 30 cities in the country. Additionally, H&M provides an online shopping platform accessible through its website, app, and through the fashion e-commerce company Myntra.
India, the world’s largest consumer and the second-largest producer of sugar, has accomplished a noteworthy achievement by being appointed as the Chair of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) for the year 2024.
As outlined in a press release from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, this declaration was made at the 63rd council meeting of the ISO in London, underscoring India’s rising prominence in the worldwide sugar industry.
Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary (Food) of the Government of India, expressed India’s commitment to spearheading sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation, sugar, and ethanol production, and maximizing the utilization of by-products.
With a substantial 15 percent share in global sugar consumption and a noteworthy contribution of 20 percent to global sugar production, India’s influence on global sugar trends is undeniable, as highlighted in the press release.
Being the largest consumer and the second-largest producer of sugar, the country is well-suited to assume leadership of the International Sugar Organisation, the premier international body for sugar-related products, boasting a membership of approximately 90 countries.
As Brazil takes the lead in the Western Hemisphere, India, positioned as the market leader in the Eastern Hemisphere, assumes a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the global sugar market.
Moreover, the press release emphasized that India’s rise to become the world’s third-largest ethanol producer highlights its dedication to green energy and its efforts to tackle issues associated with excess sugar in the domestic market.
India’s proactive stance on green energy is apparent in the notable surge in ethanol blending, reaching 12 percent in the fiscal year 2022-23, a significant jump from 5 percent in 2019-20.
This aligns with the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and contribute to meeting COP 26 targets. Ethanol production has surged from 173 crore litres to over 500 crore litres during the same period.
The Indian sugar industry has showcased resilience and adaptability, evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating mills during lockdowns and contributing to the country’s demand for hand sanitisers, the industry has proven its robustness.
Importantly, India has become the payer of the highest cane price to its farmers while maintaining efficiency, profitability, and self-sufficiency without relying on government financial assistance.
The sugar industry’s synergy with the government has resulted in a historic low in cane dues pendency. More than 98 per cent of cane dues for the 2022-23 season have been cleared, and over 99.9 per cent of cane dues from previous seasons have been settled, stated the press release.
This reflects the industry’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of farmers.
India has set a benchmark in keeping domestic sugar retail prices consistent and stable, limiting the increase to just 5 per cent, despite a global surge of about 40 per cent in one year, read the press release.
This consumer-centric approach has positioned India as a responsible player in the global sugar market.
On the technical front, the National Sugar Institute in Kanpur has extended its collaboration with several countries, including Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Fiji, read the release.
This collaboration aims to share the latest technologies and best practices in the sugar sector, showcasing India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation.
As India assumes the Chair of the International Sugar Organisation for 2024, the nation is poised to lead the global sugar industry toward sustainable practices, collaborative innovation, and responsible growth, further solidifying its standing as a key player in the international arena.
UK-based Young’s, a pub operator, has acquired the Tattenham Corner pub in Epsom Downs, renowned for its views of the Epsom racecourse. The purchase was made from Whitbread, a British multinational hotel and restaurant company, according to The Caterer.
The specifics of the transaction’s financial terms remain undisclosed.
Spanning 8,000 square feet, the pub is a two-story establishment with seating capacity for 220.
Young’s chief executive Simon Dodd was quoted by The Caterer as saying, “As Young’s continues to expand its presence in the home counties, Tattenham Corner offers a great opportunity for growth as an established site in an affluent area where we are yet to make our mark.
“Whilst the site undergoes an extensive refurbishment to create a premium pub and dining destination, we are working closely with Whitbread, along with Young’s internal recruitment team, the Ram Agency, to offer roles to the existing team.”
Young’s plans to refurbish the site, previously operated as a Beefeater.
Once the renovation is finished, Young’s will incorporate the site into its premium pubs portfolio in the region. This collection includes the Bear in Oxshott and the Chequers at Walton on the Hill.
The addition of this acquisition will expand Young’s pub portfolio to a total of 232 establishments.
In November 2023, Young’s reached an agreement to acquire City Pubs Group for a total consideration of £162 million ($201 million).
Young’s is set to acquire all the currently issued and future ordinary share capital of City Pubs.
Investors in City Pub Group will receive 108.75p in cash per share, with the remaining portion provided in Young’s shares.
Young’s CEO Simon Dodd stated at the time, “We are excited to be announcing the proposed acquisition of City Pubs, with the full recommendation of their board.”
Galinta, a company headquartered in Lithuania that provides packaged oats, wheat, and rice throughout the Baltic region, is poised for a sale.
The corporation has accepted a takeover proposal from the private equity firm INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund.
The specific financial details have not been revealed.
Galinta, with a staff of more than 100 employees, sells a range of essential products under its own brand at retailers including Rimi.
The company, possessing a buckwheat processing facility and two grain elevators as part of its assets, additionally provides private-label manufacturing services to retailers and wholesalers.
In a statement announcing the transaction, Galinta Group owner Marijus Mazuch said, “Galinta Group has been successfully operating in the market for more than two decades and holds a significant position for the production of groats and flakes as well as commercial activities across the Baltics and Europe more broadly. I strongly believe this transfer to professional investors will now allow the group to continue growing and further strengthen its already impressive market.”
The announcement provided information on Galinta Group’s 2022 revenues, noting an approximate amount of €38.5 million ($42.1 million) without offering a comparative figure.
Deimantė Korsakaitė, managing partner of INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund, said, “The business has the potential for rapid growth by both increasing volumes in existing markets and expanding into the new ones as well as the launch of new product segments.”
The transaction is anticipated to be finalized early next year, pending approval from competition authorities in Lithuania.
Korsakaitė added, “We believe that the plant-based food sector has strong potential for growth and Lithuania demonstrates a competitive advantage in the field of food processing, especially in the grain segment. Therefore, it has represented one of the strategic sectors we have looked at for potential investment since the fund’s establishment.”
Galinta represents the ninth investment for INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund, which has previously supported enterprises across various sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and waste management.
With the European Investment Fund (EIF) as its primary investor, the fund concentrates on the Baltic states, Poland, Scandinavia, and central European markets.
Radico Khaitan Limited, a prominent participant in India’s IMFL industry, has announced the launch of Magic Moments Remix Pink Vodka.
This release is strategically designed to satisfy the growing demand for flavored and vibrant alcoholic beverages.
The initial release will focus on markets in UP and Assam, with intentions to expand across the nation within the next 2-3 quarters.
The flagship brand of Radico Khaitan is the Magic Moments Vodka collection, which includes the Remix series such as Verve, Dazzle, and Vodka Cocktails.
Maintaining a steadfast presence in India’s premium vodka market, it is celebrated for its inventive selection of flavors.
The brand surpassed the five million cases sales milestone in FY2023, underscoring its commitment to providing high-quality vodka that aligns with the varied preferences of Indian consumers.
“The launch of Magic Moments Vodka was our response to the increasing premiumization trend in the Indian liquor industry way back in 2006 when Vodka was not really a household drink. Magic Moments today is the 7th largest Vodka globally. The addition of Magic Moments Remix Pink Vodka is a direct response to the positive reception of Magic Moments Verve Cranberry Tease vodka, reflecting our commitment to offering innovative flavours. We are excited to present a vodka that not only upholds the highest quality standards but also delivers a distinct and enchanting taste experience,” said, Mr. Amar Sinha, Chief Operating Officer at Radico Khaitan.
With a portfolio boasting over 20 variants, the brand currently holds a commanding 60% market share encompassing both domestic and international vodka brands.
The debut of Magic Moments Remix Pink Vodka represents a notable evolution within the Magic Moments Vodka lineup, strategically catering to the increasing demand for colored vodka.
The vodka incorporates natural flavors extracted from black mulberry, elderflower, and raspberry.
The vodka is available in three distinct sizes: 750 ml, 375 ml, and 180 ml.
Kraft Heinz Company has unveiled its first fully recyclable cap for the widely recognized squeezy ketchup bottle. This marks a collaborative achievement, harnessing the innovative design and manufacturing capabilities of Berry Global. The initiative aims to support retail brands in their shift towards more sustainable packaging solutions.
Historically, Heinz sauce bottles utilized a flexible silicone valve to dispense a consistent portion of sauce per squeeze. However, this design posed challenges in terms of recyclability. Now, in collaboration with Berry Global, Heinz has made a significant shift to a mono-material cap manufactured in PP. This strategic change ensures that the packaging meets the necessary requirements for recyclability.
The project spanned eight years, encompassing 45 prototypes and over 185,000 hours of development to achieve the ideal equilibrium between functionality and sustainability. Berry played a pivotal role throughout the entire process, participating in the design and production phases—from conceptualization to crafting the series tools within Berry’s in-house tool shop. Additionally, Berry contributed to the development of assembly equipment for industrial production.
Heinz adhered to a meticulous testing protocol to ensure that the cap adhered to the highest quality standards. An extensive consumer survey affirmed that the novel concept would be positively embraced by the public, given its consistent dispensing of the perfect amount of sauce without compromising squeezability.
In fact, the study discovered that the latest cap design allows consumers to extract more ketchup from the bottle, particularly when it is nearly empty. This highlights Berry’s comprehensive approach to improving the cap’s performance while also addressing recyclability.
The idea secured the Rigid Pack of the Year award for Kraft Heinz during the 2023 UK Packaging Awards.
Matthias Hammersen, sales director – Food Market at Berry Global, said, “Heinz set us the kind of challenge that suits us and our development departments best: to reconstruct the design of the cap to make it fully recyclable, without affecting the performance that millions of consumers know and love. We’re delighted that the finished result exceeds our initial expectations and actually improves the consumer experience.”
The caps are currently being introduced nationwide in the UK, specifically on 400ml and larger top-down bottles of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, including the 50% Less Sugar and Salt varieties. Moving forward, there are plans to extend the rollout of the cap to encompass a broader range of Heinz sauces in both the UK and Europe.
By transitioning to the recyclable cap, Heinz asserts that it has the potential to prevent 300 million plastic lids from ending up in landfills each year on a global scale.
Jojo de Noronha, president of Kraft Heinz Northern Europe, said, “We know our consumers care about their impact on the environment and so do we, which is why we’re delighted to see our innovative, more sustainable caps on Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottles across the UK. Although a small change, this makes it easy for the millions of Heinz lovers across the country to recycle their whole squeezy bottle at once – a small action with big potential for impact.”
Sofiprotéol, the investment division of the French agri-food company Avril Group, has purchased a partial ownership interest in the vinegar producer Martin-Pouret.
Specifics regarding the financial terms of the transaction were not revealed.
The investment aims to expedite the development of Martin-Pouret’s new vinegar production facility, which is due to open in September 2024.
Commenting on the news, Violaine Grison, co-head of investment at Sofiprotéol, said the funding will support the vinegar group’s “growth ambitions”, with the new factory helping to “boost the company’s local roots.”
She added, “Supporting entrepreneurs, playing a role in the development of SMEs in our regions and ensuring the know-how of our companies is preserved over the long term are at the heart of Sofiprotéol’s mission”.
In September, reports from France revealed that the new facility, with a construction cost of approximately €7.6 million, is set to be situated in Boigny-sur-Bionne within the Orléans district.
Spanning across 10,500 square meters of land, the factory is expected to feature a surface area of 4,800 square meters, as reported by the national newspaper La République du Centre.
The upcoming facility is anticipated to have a “favorable impact on employment” and enhance the “appeal” of the region.
Martin-Pouret stated that the vinegar facility will initially “generate two to four additional jobs.”
Established in 1797, Martin-Pouret is purportedly the sole company in France with the expertise to “proficiently execute the traditional Orléans vinegar-making method,” employing grapes sourced from local wine regions.
Since 2019, David Matheron and Paul-Olivier Claudepierre have co-owned the group.
The vinegar collection of Martin-Pouret encompasses a variety of unflavored and flavored red and white wine vinegars, Normandy cider vinegar, along with Modena balsamic vinegar and dressing.
Additionally, the company manufactures mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, pickles, and appetizer dips.
Its products are available in a blend of specialty retailers, delis, and restaurants throughout Europe, as well as in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and New Zealand.
Speaking in a statement, Paul-Olivier Claudepierre and David Matheron, Martin-Pouret’s business partners said, “Sofiprotéol has perfect knowledge of our trade, shares our vision of responsible, high-quality food, and promotes French manufacturing”.
Among Sofiprotéol’s investment portfolio are eight consumer food companies, including the packaged salads producer Pierre Martinet, in which it acquired a 16% stake in 2019.
Over the recent years, Avril has disclosed several investments, including its acquisition of a majority stake in the French plant-based food manufacturer Hari&Co in July.
In its integrated results for 2022, the group reported a 30% growth in revenue, rising from €6.9 billion to €9 billion, with EBITDA increasing from €356 million to €583 million. The total investments made by the group last year amounted to €303 million.
Neighbourhood Coffee Company, a women-led Toronto-based coffee producer, is making waves with the introduction of Canada’s first fully compostable, single-serve coffee pod.
Made exclusively from plant-based materials, Neighbourhood Coffee’s biodegradable pods are designed to be compatible with all models of Keurig single-serve coffee machines.
Karen Hales, co-founder and CEO of Neighbourhood Coffee, said, “With sustainability always top of mind at Neighbourhood Coffee, we’re charting a green path forward and are thrilled to be the first roaster in Canada to offer 100% biodegradable coffee pods that break down in a matter of weeks versus the hundreds of years required for plastic capsules. This is a proud milestone for our small, local business. By making our small-batch, premium coffee available in compostable K-cups, we are marrying innovation with sustainability while still delivering the vibrant micro-roasted flavours Neighbourhood Coffee is known for.”
Nexe Innovations, the developer behind Neighbourhood Coffee’s pods, has ensured sustainability through five years of rigorous, science-backed testing.
Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute, the pods from Neighbourhood Coffee undergo rapid composting. As they are plant-based, the company states that these pods can break down in industrial composting within a span of 17 to 25 days.
The company’s environmentally friendly capsules are presently offered in two flavors: Medium-Dark Roast Signature Blend and Annex Artisanal Espresso Roast.
All of Neighbourhood Coffee’s products are available on its website.
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