06 November 2023, Mumbai
As per the latest ETRetail report l
India's economy, one of the world's fastest-growing, is booming with consumer spending during the festive season.
People are splashing out on cars, phones, and TVs, buoying growth. Online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart saw sales rise almost 20% in the first week of festive sales compared to last year.
Digital transactions via the Unified Payments Interface also jumped about 40% in October compared to the same month last year.
As per the latest ETRetail report l
India's economy, one of the world's fastest-growing, is booming with consumer spending during the festive season.
People are splashing out on cars, phones, and TVs, buoying growth. Online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart saw sales rise almost 20% in the first week of festive sales compared to last year.
Digital transactions via the Unified Payments Interface also jumped about 40% in October compared to the same month last year.
Fashion enthusiasts in Hyderabad have reason to celebrate as Rare and Basics (R&B), the chic fashion brand under the Apparel Group umbrella, has just unveiled its latest store at Ashoka One Mall in Kukatpally. This marks the 13th retail outlet for R&B in India and the fourth in Hyderabad.
Apparel Group, the global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, introduced R&B to the world in October 2012 with the launch of its first store in Oman. With a presence in seven countries, including India, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, the brand continues to capture hearts across the globe.
In India, R&B has already established itself in key cities such as Kozhikode, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Mysore, and now Hyderabad. With a portfolio of over 80 brands, including renowned names like Aldo, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, and more, Apparel Group is making waves in the Indian fashion scene. Hyderabad's fashion scene just got a stylish upgrade with the arrival of R&B's latest store.
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28 September 2023, Mumbai
Flipkart Ventures, the venture capital arm of Flipkart, announced an investment in five early-stage startups through its accelerator program, Flipkart Leap Ahead (FLA), on Monday. The program is designed to foster innovation and nurture entrepreneurship.
Nuances
The selected startups, Algomage, Castler, FlexifyMe, Nimble Box.ai, and ReCircle, will receive equity-based investments ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 to support the development of capacity and machine learning-powered solutions, a digital escrow banking stack, and initiatives related to the circular economy.
Handholding
In addition to financial support, Flipkart will also provide mentorship and support to these startups, assisting them in achieving product-market fit, establishing scalable architectural foundations, and building cohesive teams.
This investment is a testament to Flipkart's commitment to supporting India's vibrant startup ecosystem, which plays a pivotal role in the country's digital journey.
21 October 2023, Mumbai
Good Glamm Group's Brand Aims to Empower Individuals to Embrace Their Natural Beauty While Making Conscious Choices for the Planet
Organic Harvest, a division of the Good Glamm Group, has launched a new makeup range made of certified organic ingredients. The brand has also launched a digital video campaign featuring the famous actor Nimrat Kaur to promote this new line.
Highlights
Its aim at Organic Harvest is to help people celebrate their natural beauty while also making mindful choices for the planet’s well-being.
The new makeup range includes a variety of products, including matte lipsticks, matte liquid lipsticks, BB cream, matte compact, kohl, and liquid eyeliner. All of the products are made with certified organic ingredients, which are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides.
The brand is hoping that its new makeup range will appeal to consumers who are looking for clean and sustainable beauty products. The brand is also targeting consumers who are looking for products that will enhance their natural beauty.
02 October 2023, Mumbai
Singapore-based direct-to-customer (D2C) fashion and lifestyle brand, Styched, has successfully acquired Zymrat, a trailblazing performance-wear brand.
This strategic move marks Styched’s second acquisition, following the notable success of its previous venture, Flatheads, which gained recognition on Shark Tank India Season 2.
Nuanced process
The acquisition was finalized through a combination of cash and equity swap arrangements, complemented by the talent acquisition of the skilled Zymrat team. While the precise financial terms remain confidential, this milestone underscores a significant achievement for both companies.
At the time of the acquisition, Zymrat boasted an impressive Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of USD 1 million, reflecting its robust market presence and promising growth potential. This acquisition is a testament to Styched’s commitment to expanding its product portfolio and strengthening its position as a leading D2C fashion brand.
Benefits for Styched and Zymrat
This acquisition is mutually beneficial for both Styched and Zymrat. Styched will gain access to Zymrat’s expertise in the performance-wear segment, enabling it to expand its product offerings and cater to a wider range of customers.
Additionally; Styched’s strong distribution network will help Zymrat reach a larger audience and accelerate its growth.
Zymrat, on the other hand, will benefit from Styched’s financial resources and operational expertise. This will enable Zymrat to invest in product development, marketing, and customer service, further enhancing its competitive edge in the market.
27 September 2023, Mumbai
Antar-Agni, the avant-garde clothing brand by designer Ujjawal Dubey, has made a stylish debut in Kolkata with its first flagship store. Situated on Sarat Bose Road, this 900-square-foot vintage-themed boutique encapsulates the essence of colonial aesthetics while showcasing Antar-Agni's unique conceptual collections.
The store's inauguration coincides with the launch of an exclusive 'made-for-Kolkata' festive wear line, marking a significant milestone for the brand. The interior design expertly combines tradition with modernity, featuring a central room leading to more intimate spaces.
About Brand
Antar-Agni, founded by Ujjawal Dubey in 2014, has gained recognition for its boundary-pushing, ungendered silhouettes and innovative textile experiments.
This Kolkata flagship joins its New Delhi counterpart, providing a physical space for customers to experience the brand's non-conformist ethos. Antar-Agni's availability through e-commerce and select multi-brand stores further underscores its commitment to redefining contemporary fashion.
17 October 2023, Mumbai
CMAI Achievers Club features winning strategies of D2C brands for 300% growth.
Indian D2C brands succeed by being customer-oriented, expert, and strategic. They optimize their supply chains, e-commerce, and customer experience.
They also manage product quality and returns well. To compete with big brands, they focus on quality and market segmentation. Social media is key for engaging customers and telling stories. But D2C is not the only way to win.
Other options like retail or partnerships can also work
Discounts can help, but creating valuable content and having a long-term vision are more important. Brands need to understand how discounts work in marketplaces. Hero products are vital for marketplaces, while D2C websites can mix them with new arrivals.
Entrepreneurs can use easy platforms to build their online presence. A brand is more than a name; it is a story and an experience.
Marketing and branding are linked, but marketing covers pricing, distribution, and advertising, while branding creates a unique identity and loyalty. A brand name matters because of the effort behind it.
02 October 2023, Mumbai
Nykaa's Beauty Bars triumphantly returned to Hyderabad's Sarath City Mall, drawing over 200 beauty enthusiasts.
Wow Factor
Renowned makeup artist Aliya Baig led an exclusive masterclass, sharing tips using brands like Maybelline New York, Huda Beauty, Innisfree, Nykaa Cosmetics, NYX Professional Makeup, and Kay Beauty. Nykaa offered transformative makeovers with essential beauty products.
Hyderabad's own makeup expert, Tripti Malhotra, showcased a versatile day-to-night festive look. She prepped the model's skin with Innisfree's Vitamin C Serum, NYX Professional Makeup's Primer, and Nykaa Cosmetics' Matte to Last foundation.
Cheeks gleamed with Maybelline New York's Masterchrome highlighter mixed with Kay Beauty's Crème Blush.
Spectacular
The eyes sparkled with Huda Beauty's Empowered Eyeshadow Palette and NYX Professional Makeup's Ultimate Shadow Palette, accentuated by Maybelline New York's Kajal and Mascara. The final touch was Nykaa's Matte To Last Lipstick in shade Janhavi and Kayali Vanilla 28 perfume.
Nykaa's spokesperson expressed excitement about bringing beauty closer to consumers and hosting more Beauty Bars across cities.
Nykaa's Beauty Bars provide an interactive platform for beauty enthusiasts to explore trends, engage with top brands, and meet experts in their city. Follow @MyNykaa on Instagram for this journey into timeless beauty and glamour.
Expansion Aligns with Meesho's Vision of Democratizing Online Commerce
Meesho, the e-commerce platform, has recently announced its foray into the realm of branded products through the launch of Meesho Mall. This expansion aligns with the company's vision of democratizing online commerce for all, as it aims to digitalize the operations of small-scale merchants and regional brands, integrating them into the e-commerce ecosystem.
Meesho Mall is a curated section on the Meesho app that features a wide range of branded products from various categories, including apparel, footwear, electronics, beauty, and home décor. The platform offers a number of benefits to its customers, including:
Meesho Mall is a welcome addition to the Indian e-commerce landscape, as it provides a platform for small-scale merchants and regional brands to reach a wider audience and grow their businesses.
10 October 2023, Mumbai
The ET Soonicorns Summit 2023 is a platform to track the dynamic growth of the startup-tech sector and to nurture a strong entrepreneurial culture that will inspire the creation of future-oriented businesses in India. The summit will feature prominent leaders from India's startup ecosystem who will share their insights on various topics, such as:
How to boost India's tech capabilities to achieve the India@100 vision
How to assess financial readiness and key trends for startup IPOs
How to leverage AI and digital currency in India's fintech sector
How to support the rise of cleantech and electric vehicle startups
The summit is expected to attract a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders who are passionate about the growth of India's startup-tech sector. It will provide a platform for networking, learning, and sharing ideas.
Key themes:
Boosting India's tech capabilities
Startup IPOs
Fintech and digital currency
Cleantech and electric vehicles
Target audience: Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders who are passionate about the growth of India's startup-tech sector.
30 September 2023, Mumbai
Flipkart and Amazon, two major players in the Indian e-commerce industry, are gearing up to launch their annual flagship sales on October 8, 2023.
Amazon had initially announced October 10 as the start date for its Great Indian Festival, but it has now synchronized its start date with Flipkart's Big Billion Days. As in previous years, Amazon Prime members will have early access to both sales events.
Background
For Flipkart, which is backed by Walmart, the significance of Big Billion Days cannot be overstated. This event accounts for a significant portion of the company's annual sales, and its competitors and many other businesses rely on it as well.
Add on; Flipkart Plus members will also have early access to the sale, which is expected to generate high levels of anticipation and participation in this major retail extravaganza.
The upcoming sales events are expected to attract millions of customers and sellers across India. They are also likely to have a significant impact on the Indian economy, as consumers are expected to spend heavily on a variety of products, including smartphones, electronics, apparel, and home appliances.
21 September 2023, Mumbai
As per latest ET report, Myntra, India's leading e-commerce platform for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, is gearing up for the upcoming festive season by expanding its home category with over 50,000 new products and more than 20 new brands.
Sanguine demand
Myntra platform has observed a consistent increase in the demand for stylish and distinctive home products, and with home decor taking center stage during the festive season in India, it has expanded its selection to meet the home-related needs of our fashion-forward customers.
