Kolkata’s Annapurna Swadisht appoints new Joint MD for strategic development and innovation

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October 12, 2023

Kolkata’s Annapurna Swadisht Ltd, a company renowned for its expertise in packaged snacks, food, and beverages, has recently appointed Mr. GP Sah (Gajanan Prasad Sah Kalwar) as an Additional Director and Joint Managing Director.

In his new role, Mr. GP Sah will spearhead the company’s advancement into the next stage of development, with a primary emphasis on broadening its product portfolio, especially in the recently explored domains of biscuits and noodles.

Moreover, he will concentrate on enhancing the company’s market influence in the eastern, central, and northern regions of India.

“There is a strong demand for packaged foods in urban and semi urban markets and the products of Annapurna Swadisht have tremendous potential to become folk favourites. I will strive to inculcate a culture of innovation and work towards enhancing productivity and efficiency which will set the foundation for sustainable business growth. In the medium term, I will also focus on building the organizational capability to make it ready to face challenges and become one of the fastest growing ready-to-eat food product companies in the coveted INR 1000 crore (in revenue) FMCG companies club.” said, Mr. GP Sah.

The company issued a formal announcement to the stock exchanges, stating, “The company’s Board of Directors has granted approval for the appointment of Mr. GP Sah as an Additional Director. Subsequently, he has been designated as the Joint Managing Director of the Company, effective from September 22, 2023.

This appointment is valid for a three-year term, contingent upon shareholders’ approval.”

In his previous role, Mr. Sah served as the Global CEO of the FMCG Division within CG Corp Global/Chaudhary Group. This division oversees the manufacturing of a range of products, among them the popular Wai Wai noodles.

Mr. Sah has an established track record of effectively revitalizing businesses, driving growth, expanding into global markets, bolstering brand visibility, optimizing operational efficiency, introducing cost-effective innovations, cultivating organizational development, and assembling high-performing teams.

“With his years of experience of building and nurturing various brands across the FMCG space, Mr Sah’s presence in the company is set to add tremendous value at a time when Annapurna Swadisht is looking to scale up and tap into the under-penetrated branded snacks markets in Tier III and Tier IV towns of the country”. said, Mr Shreeram Bagla, Managing Director, Annapurna Swadisht.

Mr. Sah has held a variety of positions across multiple domains, including production, engineering, product development, operations, project management, sales, marketing, and export. He has accumulated extensive experience in diverse business landscapes across more than 35 countries.

Annapurna Swadisht specializes in a wide range of product categories, including pellet-based snacks, corn-extruded snacks, potato chips, cakes, namkeen, candies, sweets, savories, biscuits, ready-to-drink beverages, and instant noodles.

Significantly, particular categories such as instant noodles, biscuits, and ready-to-drink beverages are relatively recent inclusions. The company foresees substantial growth potential in further developing these segments in the future.

Burger Singh achieves impressive 50% spike in sales, marking significant growth

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October 12, 2023

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Burger Singh, the Indian burger chain, has achieved remarkable success with its multi-channel marketing strategy in Kolkata. Over the past three months, the brand has effectively implemented a below-the-line (BTL) marketing approach to strengthen its brand identity and boost visibility, leading to a substantial increase in both overall sales and daily orders.

They employed a variety of captivating activities in their approach. These ranged from eye-catching pole boards and interactive traffic booth branding to umbrella branding, influencer and social media marketing, and dynamic look walkers distributing enticing flyers. This collective endeavor to connect with the local audience on a personal level undeniably played a pivotal role in the brand’s triumphant journey.

The results of these initiatives have been truly outstanding. When comparing August to September, there has been a remarkable 75 percent surge in daily orders and a substantial 50 percent boost in net sales, clearly highlighting the burgeoning popularity of Burger Singh in Kolkata.

Among these accomplishments, it’s essential to highlight the remarkable performance of the Park Street outlet, which serves as the flagship store for Burger Singh in the eastern region. This month alone, the Park Street outlet is poised to achieve an impressive net sale of INR 27 lakh.

Commenting on this remarkable success, Rahul Seth, Co-Founder of Burger Singh, expressed, “We are thrilled to witness the remarkable results of our substantial investments in the Kolkata region. It’s a testament to our commitment to bringing quality burgers to this vibrant community, and we’re grateful for the overwhelming response.”

Impresario appoints Divya Aggarwal as Chief Growth Officer to drive expansion and innovation

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October 12, 2023

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Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (Impresario), a well-known player in India’s food services industry, has announced the appointment of Divya Aggarwal as the Chief Growth Officer.

In her new role, Divya will take on the responsibility of supervising marketing and communication strategies while spearheading growth initiatives for all of Impresario’s brands.

Divya will assume a pivotal role in advancing Impresario’s portfolio of brands, such as SOCIAL, antiSOCIAL, Smoke House Deli, BOSS Burger, Lucknowee, Slink & Bardot, and Prithvi Café, elevating them to new levels and extending their presence across India.

Divya began her career at IMRB International and subsequently assumed roles at Nestlé, where she managed well-known brands such as Nescafé, Maggi, and Cerelac.

“I feel grateful and privileged to lead the role of Chief Growth Officer for Impresario. Some of the brightest minds of India’s food services market work here and are driven towards offering memorable experiences to people. I’m excited to be at the confluence of this growth curve and I look forward to learning and shaping the trajectory of India’s culinary, co-working, community, and cultural landscape.” said, Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

She has also accrued experience with esteemed global brands, including Disney Star, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., where she played an instrumental role in introducing Popeyes to the Indian market, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Apart from her corporate background, Divya has explored entrepreneurship with The Green Snack Co. It’s noteworthy that Divya previously held the position of Head of Marketing at Impresario in 2019.

“Divya has been a leader, a guide, and a force to reckon with in the F&B and hospitality industry. She has been an asset to the Impresario team, helping to grow the brand in new businesses and regions. We are excited to be working with her and see where this leads as we scale new heights for Impresario.” said, Riyaaz Amlani, Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.

Impresario serves as the parent company for renowned brands such as SOCIAL, Smoke House DELI, BOSS Burger, Slink & Bardot, and Prithvi Café.

Over the years, these brands have steadfastly strived to enchant their audience by offering unique atmospheres along with community-centric interactions.

With its wide-ranging network of establishments, the company has ingrained itself as a vital component of India’s social and cultural fabric, committed to serving a diverse array of preferences and tastes.

Novotel Pune celebrates a decade of excellence with the launch of ‘Novolution’ premier rooms, setting new standards in guest experience

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October 12, 2023

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Novotel Pune marks a decade of success by introducing the “Novolution” Premier Rooms to enhance its offerings.

Novotel Pune, under the Accor India brand, has initiated a mission to revolutionize the guest experience.

They’ve carefully designed a selection of modern, technologically advanced rooms to cater to the preferences and tastes of today’s contemporary travelers.

With their minimalistic design, sleek aesthetics, and subdued color palettes, these rooms offer an unparalleled experience for guests.

The deluxe rooms, starting at approximately 290 square feet, exude a lively and contemporary ambiance.

The premier suites encompass about 560 square feet. These suites feature a spacious bedroom with a king-sized bed, complemented by a separate living area for relaxation or entertainment.

The bathrooms are equipped with both bathtubs and rain shower facilities, ensuring a luxurious experience.

Novotel is established in over 60 countries, boasting a network of more than 530 establishments, and is affiliated with Accor, a global hospitality company that encompasses over 5,200 properties and 10,000 dining venues across 110 nations.

Menswear brand DaMensch achieves remarkable growth with 25 new retail stores in 12 months

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October 12, 2023

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Homegrown men’s fashion label DaMensch announced on Wednesday that they have successfully launched 25 exclusive retail outlets throughout India in just a year.

The direct-to-consumer (D2C) innerwear brand is striving to surpass the INR 100 crore milestone by strategically expanding its retail presence in major cities including Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.

“Even though DaMensch has always banked on a multi-channel approach, offline continues to be a focus channel for us. We have stocked the stores with the entire range of products offered by DaMensch, so that the consumers can touch and feel their premium prowess before making their purchasing decision,” said Gaurav Pushkar and Anurag Saboo, Co-Founders of DaMensch.

“We intend to expand to at least 100 stores by the end of 2024,” they added.

Based in Bengaluru, DaMensch was established in 2018 as a brand specializing in men’s innerwear. In the year 2021, they expanded their offerings to include outerwear as well.

The brand opened its first physical store at Mantri Square Mall in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru in 2022.

As of today, it serves over 1 million consumers. According to the most recent audited financial results for the fiscal year 2022, DaMensch has achieved a revenue of nearly INR 60 crore, as stated by Ashmeer Sayyed, the brand’s Chief Retail Officer.

Tamil Nadu officials to probe violations at Tasmac liquor outlets after numerous complaints

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October 12, 2023

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The state excise department has assigned government officials to carry out comprehensive investigations into the complaints lodged against each establishment and make a determination.

It is worth noting that Tamil Nadu currently has 4,289 Tasmac liquor outlets. The state had previously closed down 500 outlets in response to similar complaints from the public. The closure of these establishments significantly empowered the complainants, who are now advocating for the closure of an additional 275 liquor outlets.

R.M. Surulirajan, a businessman in Coimbatore while speaking to said, “The decision of the state government to shut down 500 Tasmac outlets in June 2023 has emboldened the complainants and gives a feeling that the government would act and shut down liquor outlets if it finds that the complaint was genuine.”

The state government has already assigned government officials to conduct a thorough intelligence analysis of the outlets for which complaints have been brought to its attention.

Sources within Tasmac indicated that numerous complaints were unfounded, and the department was diligently investigating the authenticity of these complaints.

MorLuxury set to revolutionize the Indian beauty market with a debut of high-end American beauty brands

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October 12, 2023

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MorLuxury, a renowned American beauty e-commerce platform, is on the verge of making a thrilling debut in the flourishing beauty market of India. With a strategic vision to transform the beauty landscape in India, MorLuxury is introducing an intricately curated selection of high-end American beauty, cosmetics, skincare, and haircare brands, thoughtfully chosen to captivate beauty enthusiasts across the nation. MorLuxury is set to establish itself as the premier choice for discerning Indian consumers in pursuit of emerging American indie beauty brands.

This expansion into the heart of India seamlessly harmonizes with MorLuxury’s fundamental values, which are firmly grounded in innovation, a steadfast dedication to excellence, and a strong commitment to inclusivity. The platform’s sophisticated and user-friendly interface perfectly matches its carefully curated product selections, guaranteeing a personalized shopping experience that gracefully caters to the individual needs of each customer.

MorLuxury’s allure extends beyond the mere commitment to convenience; it entices Indian beauty aficionados with a opulent selection of top-tier beauty, haircare, and skincare brands readily available at their fingertips. The shopping experience at MorLuxury is distinguished by its effortless nature and transparency, ushering in an era where the quest for authentic beauty recognizes no limits.

Prachi Vaidya, Co-Founder at MorLuxury, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to introduce our exclusive selection of US-based beauty and skincare brands to the Indian market. Recognizing the surging demand for authenticity and uncompromising quality in the Indian beauty sphere, our platform is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled international experience, inviting Indian consumers to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, to luxuriate in the very essence of American indie beauty.”

Manny Khan, Co-Founder at MorLuxury, added, “With MorLuxury, the pursuit of authentic beauty is limitless, and we’re excited to embark on this transformative journey with Indian beauty enthusiasts. Through innovation and dedication, we’re igniting a global passion for authenticity and quality in beauty. Our carefully curated selection of exclusively available premium American beauty brands is designed to captivate the senses of Indian consumers.”

MorLuxury’s aspiration transcends the role of a mere shopping platform; it strives to become a trusted companion on every individual’s beauty journey, committed to ensuring that every facet of the experience exudes authenticity, product excellence, and unmatched customer service. This commitment sets MorLuxury apart in the bustling landscape of beauty e-commerce.

As MorLuxury gears up for its grand debut in the Indian market, customers can eagerly anticipate the unveiling of an expansive array of high-end beauty and skincare products that were previously hard to come by. This launch is poised to revolutionize the beauty industry in India.

Reliance Retail expands Yousta with four new stores in Kerala

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October 12, 2023

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Reliance Retail is set to enhance its youth-oriented fashion retail concept, “Yousta,” by opening four new stores in Kerala. These newly established outlets in Palakkad, Edappal, Alathiyur, and Vengara are poised to collectively offer cost-effective, stylish fashion options to the young demographic throughout the state.

Every item in the Yousta inventory is priced under INR 999, and a significant proportion can be purchased for less than INR 499. Yousta showcases a diverse range of products, including fashionable clothing sets, unisex and character-themed merchandise, and regularly introduces fresh fashion selections in its “Starring Now” collection each week.

The new Kerala stores, much like their Telangana and Chhattisgarh counterparts, are equipped with modern, technology-driven layouts, positioning themselves as the preferred fashion hubs for the youth. In alignment with Yousta’s dedication to innovation and customer-centric interactions, these stores will incorporate multiple tech-enhanced features, such as QR codes for effortless access to information, self-checkout counters for speedy transactions, and convenient charging stations.

Yousta has joined forces with a non-profit organization, enabling customers to contribute their gently used clothing within the stores, with the intention of utilizing them for community initiatives.

According to a press release, customers can also browse the collection online via Ajio, and in the near future, it will also be available on JioMart.

Orkla restructures Indian business into three units, boosting growth strategy

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October 12, 2023

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On Wednesday, Orkla ASA, a Norwegian industrial investment firm that holds ownership of MTR Foods, announced the consolidation of its Indian operations into a single business entity called Orkla India. This move positions Orkla India as one of the twelve independent portfolio companies within the organization.

As part of this restructuring, three distinct business units have been established: MTR, Eastern, and International Business (IB).

According to the company, this step will bolster the overall business capabilities and foster a more concentrated growth strategy across the various business units.

In the midst of this restructuring, Sanjay Sharma from MTR will assume the role of CEO for Orkla India. In this capacity, Sharma will be in charge of supervising the three distinct business units, each with its own CEO reporting directly to him.

The company announced that it will expand its product range to include offerings from MTR and Eastern, while also strengthening its global presence through the recently formed IB unit.

MTR and Eastern will retain their distinct brand identities, while capitalizing on the shared synergies, scale, expertise, and cost advantages facilitated by this restructuring.

Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen, Chairman of Orkla India, said, “Our acquisition of Eastern has significantly scaled our business in India reaffirming our position in this market. The three business units will play a pivotal role in fortifying Orkla’s overall portfolio which believes in the strength of local brands and leadership within distinct markets.”

On this reorganization, Sharma said, “Each of our business units is at a different stage of evolution, and under one umbrella of Orkla India, we will have a deep dedicated focus to accelerate their growth.”

Bagzone Lifestyles raises $9 Million investment from First Bridge India Growth Fund for expansion

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October 12, 2023

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Krishankant Rathi, Founder of First Bridge; Ayush Tainwala, CEO of Bagzone Lifestyles, and Vishal Gupta, Co-Founder of First Bridge

Bagzone Lifestyles, the parent firm of the fashion accessories label Lavie, secured $9 million in funding from the First Bridge India Growth Fund.

As per the company’s statement, this collaboration assists in establishing the company as a frontrunner in the fashion accessories sector. Given the handbag market’s proximity to INR 10,000 crore, the company asserts its market share to be in the range of 5–10 percent.

The company intends to utilize the funds for expanding its in-house manufacturing capabilities, setting up a 150,000 square foot facility. Furthermore, it envisions broadening its offline footprint through the inauguration of 300 exclusive brand outlets.

Further, “we are planning to introduce a new product category by the end of this year. The production for this category is still in its initial stages,” Ayush Tainwala, CEO of Bagzone Lifestyles, said.

“We are very excited to partner with First Bridge. They come with a long track record of building many successful consumer businesses. We hope to grow 10X in the next few years and become a multi-category, multi-brand business,” Tainwala added.

During the fiscal year 2023, it achieved customer sales totaling INR 500 crore.

At the same time, it seeks to attain a 70 percent localization rate in its procurement initiatives, all the while increasing its physical store footprint. As a consequence of this growth strategy, it anticipates generating employment opportunities for 1,000 people across the country, thereby making a direct contribution to the nation’s economic advancement. Moreover, it plans to enter Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets.

Managing Partner of First Bridge, Vishal Kumar Gupta, said, “The company operates in a market that will benefit from the shift to organised and an exponential increase in women’s consumption in the next few years. We are confident of a successful journey of hyper-growth with team Lavie.”

As per a recent Statista survey, the handbags sector in India is expected to achieve a revenue of $4.19 billion in 2023, projecting an estimated annual growth rate of 6.14 percent from 2023 to 2026 (CAGR 2023–2026).

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