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Madhuri Dixit Paid Rs 1.6 Crore to Promote Odisha Handloom as State Bets Big on Celebrity Power

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Madhuri Dixit Paid Rs 1.6 Crore to Promote Odisha Handloom as State Bets Big on Celebrity Power

Odisha’s handloom sector has stepped into the spotlight after a statement in the Assembly confirmed that Madhuri Dixit is being paid Rs 1.6 crore for her role as the state’s handloom brand ambassador. The announcement immediately stirred interest across political and cultural circles, partly because of the size of the fee and partly because of the growing importance of celebrity endorsements in promoting traditional crafts.

Madhuri’s involvement is meant to give Odisha’s handloom industry a stronger national presence. Her long standing popularity, television reach, and huge social media following have made her one of the most recognisable faces in Indian entertainment. Officials believe her association will help the state’s rich weaving traditions reach new audiences, especially younger buyers who often look to familiar personalities when discovering regional crafts.

Odisha’s handloom legacy includes famous styles such as Sambalpuri, Bomkai, and Berhampuri. Despite their beauty and history, these textiles often struggle to compete with mass produced fabrics that dominate the urban market. By bringing in a well known national figure, the government hopes to increase visibility and open fresh business opportunities for weavers who depend on the craft for their livelihood.

The decision, however, has sparked a debate inside the Assembly. Some members questioned whether such a large fee is justified at a time when several weaving clusters are still recovering from slow sales and rising production costs. Others argued that strategic marketing is essential if the sector is to grow and that investing in a high profile ambassador can bring long term returns.

Madhuri’s presence at recent cultural events has already created a noticeable buzz. The state now hopes that this renewed attention will translate into stronger demand, better income for artisans, and a brighter future for Odisha’s celebrated handloom heritage.

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Prada Taps Chinese Superstar Yang Mi as New Ambassador as She Brings a Fanbase of 113 Million

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Prada has added fresh star power to its global roster with the appointment of a new brand ambassador who already commands massive influence across Asia. The luxury house revealed the news with a polished campaign that instantly caught attention across fashion circles. The move reflects Prada’s growing focus on China, a market that continues to play a decisive role in shaping luxury trends and consumer behaviour.

The actress featured in the announcement is known for her long list of blockbuster television dramas, strong box office performances, and an online presence that few can rival. With more than 113 million followers on Weibo, she brings a level of visibility that most global brands dream of. Her partnership with Prada signals a closer alignment between prestige fashion labels and top tier Chinese talent, particularly at a moment when luxury spending patterns in the region are shifting quickly.

Prada’s choice also reflects the brand’s recent creative direction, which blends clean Italian elegance with a sharper, more contemporary image. The actress’s poised style, often seen in tailored silhouettes and muted colours, fits naturally with the house’s current aesthetic. Industry watchers see this collaboration as a major step toward strengthening Prada’s connection with younger consumers who admire her confidence, work ethic, and polished public persona.

Fashion analysts expect the partnership to extend beyond campaigns and public appearances. There is speculation that Prada may use her presence to highlight upcoming collections in key Asian markets, deepen cultural ties, and create limited edition collaborations that speak directly to her enormous fanbase.

With this announcement, Prada has made a clear statement. The brand is not only investing in global visibility but also embracing a cultural force who continues to shape conversations in entertainment, beauty, and style across China.

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Anheuser-Busch Acquires Majority of BeatBox in $490 Million Deal, Expands Beyond Beer Portfolio

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Anheuser-Busch has struck one of its most significant deals in the ready-to-drink beverage segment, agreeing to purchase an 85 percent stake in BeatBox for a transaction valued at 490 million dollars. The agreement, which was finalized this week, includes a structured path for Anheuser-Busch to move toward complete ownership over the next five years, signaling the company’s confidence in the explosive growth of flavored alcoholic beverages.

BeatBox, best known for its brightly packaged, high-ABV party punches, has built a strong presence among younger consumers and has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing alcohol brands in the United States. Industry analysts say the company’s ability to blend viral marketing with strong retail performance has made it an attractive target for major strategics looking to diversify beyond traditional beer categories.

For Anheuser-Busch, the acquisition marks a deliberate step forward in expanding its Beyond Beer portfolio. The global brewer has spent the past several years assembling a lineup of high-performing brands outside the core beer category, including Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, and Phorm Energy. Adding BeatBox positions the company to capture more share in the ready-to-drink and flavored malt beverage market, which continues to outpace traditional beer in growth.

Executives familiar with the deal say BeatBox’s distribution network, brand equity, and momentum among Gen Z and millennial drinkers made it a strategic fit for Anheuser-Busch’s long-term modernization plans. With the transition to majority ownership now underway, both companies are expected to outline their integration strategy in the coming months, focusing on scaling BeatBox’s footprint across national retail chains and expanding production to meet accelerating demand.

The acquisition underscores a broader shift across the beverage alcohol industry, where established giants are increasingly turning to innovative, lifestyle-driven brands to fuel future growth.

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Zepto Secures Shareholder Approval to Go Public, Targets June 2026 IPO

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Quick commerce player Zepto has taken a key step toward becoming a publicly traded firm, securing shareholder approval to shift from a private limited structure to a public company. The move sets the stage for the Mumbai-based startup to file its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India within this month, according to people familiar with the process. The company is targeting an IPO by June 2026, marking one of the most anticipated public listings in India’s fast-growing online grocery sector.

Zepto, founded in July 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, has grown into a seven billion dollar enterprise in just over four years. It has raised nearly one point eight billion dollars, close to sixteen thousand crore rupees, from a roster of global investors. The rapid capital inflow has powered its national expansion and the creation of one of India’s largest dark store networks.

The company’s regulatory filing noted that shareholders cleared the proposal to convert the entity into a public limited company on November twenty one. Zepto declined to comment on specifics of the IPO timeline but confirmed that both operational and financial indicators have strengthened in recent quarters.

A spokesperson said order volumes are increasing between twenty and twenty five percent every quarter, while cash burn continues to narrow. The company’s focus on improving capital efficiency while maintaining triple-digit annual growth has become a central talking point for investors tracking its progress.

As of September 2025, Zepto operated more than nine hundred dark stores across major cities. Internal data reviewed by investors shows the company generated three billion dollars in gross sales, roughly twenty six thousand crore rupees, during the period, with annual cash burn estimated at one thousand to one thousand one hundred crore rupees.

With the quick commerce market continuing to expand and competition intensifying, Zepto’s decision to move toward a public listing marks a significant moment for the sector as it prepares for its next phase of scale and consolidation.

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LocalCircles Survey: 50% of Online Grocery Packaged Foods Are Ultra-Processed, Parents Demand Red Labels

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A new nationwide survey has raised serious concerns about the kind of food young Indians are consuming through quick-commerce platforms. LocalCircles, which gathered responses from more than twenty-four thousand parents across two hundred and seventy-seven districts, reports that close to half of all packaged food available on major apps falls into the category of junk or ultra-processed items. The findings point to a sharp rise in products high in fat, sugar, or salt dominating digital storefronts, leaving families with limited healthier alternatives.

Parents say this growing dependency on quick-commerce has made access to sweets, salty snacks, soft drinks, instant noodles, chocolates, and similar packaged items alarmingly easy. Thirty-nine percent of households in the study admitted that their Gen Z members frequently order these foods online, often without any awareness of the long-term effects on health. Over the past few years, ultra-processed products have been closely linked to obesity, early onset of diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle diseases. Health experts warn that these items tend to be high in calories but poor in fibre and vital micronutrients, creating a dangerous nutritional imbalance.

The research team also examined the inventory of top platforms. Blinkit showed the highest concentration, with as many as sixty-two percent of packaged food listings qualifying as ultra-processed or HFSS. Other players, including Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Big Basket, were found to have more than forty percent of their packaged offerings in similar categories. Parents participating in the survey expressed deep concern about this overwhelming presence of unhealthy choices.

Ninety percent of respondents said they want online platforms to display a clear red marker on items considered harmful, arguing that simple labelling could guide young buyers toward better decisions. The survey signals rising public pressure for stronger regulation and transparent digital labelling to help address the swelling tide of obesity and diet-related illnesses among India’s youth.

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Zepto’s Full Supply Chain Automation Boosts Productivity by 45 Percent, Says CEO

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Quick commerce company Zepto has completed a full automation rollout across its supply chain network in India, a move that the company says is reshaping how it manages fast-moving consumer goods at scale. Chief executive Aadit Palicha announced the development after sharing a look into the firm’s upgraded warehouse operations, where automated systems now process close to 25 lakh units every day across multiple locations.

According to Palicha, the technology overhaul is already delivering measurable gains. Early data from the automated sites shows a sharp rise in outbound productivity, with warehouse teams recording improvements of more than 45 percent compared to earlier manual operations. The company expects the efficiency jump to translate into annual savings worth several hundred crores, giving Zepto a stronger cost structure in a market where margins are typically under pressure.

The automation programme has been built almost entirely in-house. Zepto’s engineering teams have designed the software that coordinates every automated asset running inside the network. These systems plug directly into the company’s logistics backbone, allowing for continuous tracking, routing, and movement of inventory in real time. Palicha said this level of integration is now central to Zepto’s ability to scale while keeping unit economics intact.

The rollout comes at a time when the quick commerce industry is navigating constraints on warehousing and staffing. Dark store capacity has struggled to keep up with growing urban demand, and smaller warehouse formats, including refurbished neighbourhood properties, have become essential to meeting delivery timelines. The sector has also been dealing with operational pressure in food-led verticals, with Zepto Café recently scaling down due to sourcing concerns and shortages of trained kitchen staff.

With its latest push, Zepto is betting that automation will give it a decisive long-term advantage as the race for speed and efficiency intensifies.

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The Rs 10 Biscuit War: Biscoff Takes On Parle G, Britannia Good Day and India’s Most Loyal Snack Fans

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Biscoff has stirred up a fresh storm in India’s biscuit aisles, and this time the buzz is louder than ever. The caramelised biscuit that was once treated like a small luxury has suddenly appeared in neighbourhood shops with a ten rupee price tag. The moment this news hit social media, the reactions ranged from disbelief to pure excitement. Many thought it was a prank until shoppers began sharing photos of the new pack, confirming that the brand has officially stepped into the Indian mass market.

The big development behind this surprise move is a new partnership between Mondelez and Belgium’s Lotus Bakeries. For the first time, Biscoff will be manufactured in India instead of being imported, which makes the lower price possible. The flavour that built Biscoff its cult following will stay the same, but everything else is changing. The biscuit now enters a space ruled for decades by Parle G, Good Day and other homegrown staples that have shaped childhoods across the country.

This has led to the internet turning the moment into a playful biscuit battle. Memes show Parle G bracing for competition, while others joke about Biscoff losing its elite status. Yet beneath the humour lies a real shift. A brand that was earlier spotted only in cafes, flights and premium stores now sits beside everyday favourites, signalling how quickly tastes and choices in India are evolving.

Whether Biscoff becomes a long term challenger to the country’s top selling biscuits remains to be seen. For now, the ten rupee pack has done something remarkable. It has made people talk about biscuits the way they talk about blockbuster releases, and that alone shows how powerful a simple snack can become when it reaches every shelf and every pocket.

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Estée Lauder and Jo Malone Launch AI Scent Advisor to Personalize Online Fragrance Discovery

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The Estée Lauder Companies and Jo Malone London have launched a new AI-powered digital experience aimed at transforming online fragrance discovery. Named the Jo Malone London Scent Advisor, the platform is now live on JoMalone.com in the United States and United Kingdom and offers customers a personalized way to find their ideal scent through an interactive, conversational interface.

The tool allows users to describe the type of fragrance they are looking for, whether for personal use or as a gift. Using Google Cloud’s Gemini and Vertex AI, these natural language inputs are matched with Jo Malone London’s proprietary fragrance data to generate tailored recommendations that replicate the brand’s in-store consultation experience. The solution was developed collaboratively by The Estée Lauder Companies’ AI and Innovation teams, combining deep fragrance expertise with advanced AI capabilities.

Jo Dancey, Global Brand President of Jo Malone London, emphasized the role of technology in bridging the gap between curiosity and confidence in fragrance selection. Brian Franz, Chief Technology, Data & Analytics Officer at The Estée Lauder Companies, added that the AI-powered solution enables deeper consumer insights while creating a more personalized experience. Jose Gomes, VP of Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods at Google Cloud, noted that the partnership demonstrates how AI can enhance consumer engagement while maintaining brand identity.

The Scent Advisor follows recent digital initiatives from Jo Malone London, including its Scent Layering tool and a TikTok fragrance filter, highlighting the brand’s focus on consumer-centered digital innovation. The launch also coincides with strategic investments in The Estée Lauder Companies’ Fragrance Atelier in Paris, reinforcing the importance of fragrance within the company’s global growth strategy.

Founded in 1994 and acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999, Jo Malone London is known for its refined, British-inspired scents. The Estée Lauder Companies markets its products across approximately 150 countries through brands including Estée Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, TOM FORD, Aveda, Le Labo, Dr. Jart+, and the DECIEM portfolio.

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Louis Vuitton Steps Into A New Era With A Six Floor House In Seoul That Shows How Far The Brand Can Push Luxury And Design

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Louis Vuitton Steps Into A New Era With A Six Floor House In Seoul That Shows How Far The Brand Can Push Luxury And Design

Louis Vuitton has opened a grand new space in Seoul that feels more like a creative universe than a regular store. The six story building brings together fashion, art and design in a way that invites visitors to slow down and enjoy every corner. Instead of walking into a simple retail setup, people step into a place where the heritage of the brand is displayed through light, texture and colour.

The highlight of the space is the way Louis Vuitton has used its iconic trunks. They appear in tall sculptural stacks and playful installations that fill the room with a warm glow. The signature monogram patterns in rich shades of gold, red and brown create a sense of movement as they rise from the floor. The presentation makes the trunks feel like pieces of art rather than travel objects.

Across the six floors, the brand has created experiences that reflect its long journey. Visitors can find ready to wear collections, classic bags, rare archival pieces and rooms that celebrate the craftsmanship behind each item. The building also includes curated displays that focus on the work of global artists who have collaborated with the brand through the years.

Seoul has become an important city for luxury houses and this opening shows how strongly Louis Vuitton wants to deepen its presence in the region. The new space feels like a message to the world that the brand is ready to offer something beyond regular shopping. It gives people a chance to enjoy fashion in a more personal way.

With this six story world, Louis Vuitton has created a place where tradition and imagination come together beautifully, making it one of the most striking openings of the year.

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Nexus Venture Partners Raises $700M Fund to Back AI, Enterprise, and Consumer Startups in India and US

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Nexus Venture Partners has closed its eighth fund, raising $700 million to back early-stage startups across India and the US, with a focus on artificial intelligence, enterprise software, consumer tech, and fintech. The fund, one of the largest VC raises this year, represents a continuation of Nexus’s strategy of supporting seed and Series A companies while expanding its footprint in US-only AI ventures.

Co-founder Suvir Sujan explained that the firm will continue backing Indian software startups but will now deploy capital to US AI and enterprise companies where it has domain expertise. “We understand open source and the AI stack. This fund allows us to play on the front foot in the US while maintaining our India-focused investments,” he said.

Founded in 2006 by the late Naren Gupta, Sujan, and Sandeep Singhal, Nexus has been an early backer of companies including Zepto, Rapido, and Postman. The firm has returned around $700 million in cash to limited partners over the past few years, generating total liquidity of $1.5–2 billion through exits such as Delhivery, PubMatic, Cloud.com, Mezi, and Gluster.

Nexus expects four to five IPOs from its portfolio in the next two to three years, with early bets like Zepto planning to go public soon. Sujan noted that a few large winners could drive outsized returns even if only a handful of companies scale to $3–5 billion valuations, where Nexus holds 15–20% stakes.

The fund will also continue supporting operationally intensive consumer startups, including Rapido, Zepto, and Snabbit. Sujan highlighted Snabbit’s focus on delivering reliable home-cleaning services, aiming to scale into adjacent categories, echoing the trajectory of other successful ventures in the portfolio.

With cross-border enterprise and AI startups attracting attention globally, Nexus is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging opportunities while reinforcing its commitment to Indian software innovation.

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