Edition #17: Xiaomi's India Troubles, Patanjali's Legal Battle & Festive Season Playbook (Podcast Special)

 👋 Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get Retail Detail every Friday.

📰 India Retail Pulse

Unrest in Nepal Forces Indian FMCG Giants to Halt Operations Civil unrest and political instability in Nepal have led to temporary disruptions and delays for Indian FMCG companies, including Dabur, ITC, and HUL, which operate in the country. While the immediate impact is expected to be minor, the companies are closely monitoring the situation. 🔗 Read More

ITC, PepsiCo Make Beeline for 10% Bite of Balaji Wafers FMCG majors ITC and PepsiCo are in a race to acquire a 10% stake in Balaji Wafers, one of India’s largest savory snack brands. The move underscores the intense competition to capture a larger share of the country's booming packaged snacks market. 🔗 Read More

Patanjali Challenges Delhi HC Order on Chyawanprash Ads Patanjali has challenged a Delhi High Court order that temporarily restrained it from airing "disparaging" advertisements for its chyawanprash. The legal battle with rival Dabur highlights a growing tension over comparative advertising in the health and wellness sector. 🔗 Read More

Mars Cosmetics to Expand into Skincare & Haircare Mars Cosmetics has announced a major expansion into the skincare and haircare segments, with an ambitious goal of reaching ₹1,000 crore in revenue within the next three years. The company plans to leverage its omnichannel strategy, including new kiosks and its D2C platform, to drive this growth. 🔗 Read More

Delhi Readies Liquor Policy Overhaul The Delhi government is preparing a comprehensive overhaul of its liquor policy. Key changes on the cards include relocating vends from crowded residential areas, aligning pricing with neighboring states, and creating a more consumer-friendly retail experience. 🔗 Read More

Instamart’s Growth is Self-Driven, Not Rival-Led: Swiggy CEO Swiggy CEO Sriharsha Majety stated that Instamart's rapid growth is driven by its own strategy and not solely by competition. The quick commerce platform is capitalizing on a surge in demand, which is partly being fueled by recent GST rate cuts. 🔗 Read More

Xiaomi’s India Growth Hit by Regulations Xiaomi's growth in the Indian market has been impacted by new government regulations, a drop in sales, and delays in product launches. The Chinese smartphone giant is facing significant headwinds in a highly competitive and evolving landscape. 🔗 Read More

Exporters Knock on RBI's Door for US Tariff Buffer Indian exporters and industry bodies are appealing to the Reserve Bank of India for a "US tariff buffer," requesting a temporary, weaker rupee exchange rate to help offset the financial impact of new US tariffs on their shipments. 🔗 Read More

Finance Ministry, Consumer Affairs Department Review MRP Circular The finance ministry and the department of consumer affairs are jointly reviewing a recent circular that permits companies to revise the MRP on unsold stock following GST rate changes. The review aims to provide clarity and prevent confusion among consumers and businesses. 🔗 Read More

Rupee Sinks to Record Low on Tariff Concerns The Indian Rupee has hit a record low against the US dollar. The depreciation is attributed to strong dollar demand from importers and lingering concerns among investors about the economic fallout from new US tariffs. 🔗 Read More

Steve Waugh, Tim Thomas Launch ‘Australia Essence’ in India Former Australian cricketer Steve Waugh and his partner Tim Thomas have launched "Australia Essence" in India. The venture aims to introduce premium Australian brands in categories like food, beverages, and apparel to the Indian market. 🔗 Read More

Amazon Expands 10-Minute Delivery Service to Mumbai Amazon has expanded its "Amazon Now" 10-minute delivery service to Mumbai, its third city in India. The move signals the company's aggressive push to compete in the country's fast-growing quick commerce segment. 🔗 Read More

🌍 World Retail Headlines at a Glance

Swiss Watchmakers Turn US Tariffs Into Timepieces In a creative response to new US tariffs, Swiss watchmakers Swatch and Raymond Weil have released limited-edition watches referencing the 39% duty. The watches are a blend of protest and art, with one brand even offering a corresponding discount. 🔗 Read More

Larry Ellison is Back on Top, 48 Years After Founding Oracle Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has climbed back to the top of the world's richest list, a significant milestone 48 years after co-founding the software giant. His return to the top is a testament to Oracle's continued market strength. 🔗 Read More

Kering Delays Full Valentino Acquisition to 2028 Luxury conglomerate Kering has delayed its full acquisition of Valentino to 2028, citing debt concerns. The company will instead prioritize strengthening its existing brand portfolio, including Gucci and Bottega Veneta. 🔗 Read More

Sue Kesey, Probiotic Yogurt Pioneer, Dies at 86 Sue Kesey, co-founder of Springfield Creamery, who was instrumental in popularizing probiotic yogurt in the US, has died at the age of 86. Her work helped pioneer the natural foods movement and had a lasting impact on the dairy industry. 🔗 Read More

Laura Ashley to Open First U.K. Store Under New Owners Laura Ashley is set to open its first U.K. store under its new owners, Marquee Brands. The move is a significant step in the brand's revival, as it aims to re-establish its physical presence in its home market. 🔗 Read More

CreateMe Wants to Make the Sewing Machine Extinct CreateMe has unveiled new fashion automation technology that aims to replace the traditional sewing machine. The technology enables robotic apparel manufacturing, promising faster, more sustainable, and on-demand production. 🔗 Read More

Armani's Will Instructs to Gradually Sell Brand or Seek IPO Following the death of Giorgio Armani, a document has revealed that his will instructs the gradual sale of his fashion brand or an IPO. The will prioritizes LVMH, L'Oreal, and EssilorLuxottica as potential buyers, providing a clear succession plan for his empire. 🔗 Read More

🔥 Top Funding & Quarterly Results

Cafe Chain Black Rock Coffee Bar Raises $294 Million in US IPO The US cafe chain Black Rock Coffee Bar has successfully raised $294 million in its US initial public offering. The IPO, priced at $20 per share, marks a significant funding milestone for the company. 🔗 Read More

Cookware Brand Ember Raises $3.2 Mn Indian cookware brand Ember has raised $3.2 million to expand its research and development and scale manufacturing. Chef Saransh Goila has also joined the company as a partner to drive innovation and growth. 🔗 Read More

👔 Key Retail Appointments & Exits

M&S Digital Chief Exits Months After Damaging Hack The digital chief at Marks & Spencer has exited the company just months after it was hit by a major security hack. The departure signals a potential leadership shake-up in the wake of the data breach. 🔗 Read More

Ferragamo Recruits New Ad Interim CFO Ferragamo has named a new ad interim Chief Financial Officer from within the company's ranks. The appointment follows a leadership change and is part of a broader management reshuffling at the luxury fashion house. 🔗 Read More

🤖 Deep Dive: Preparing for the Festive Season in India

I am excited to share that my co-founder, Hans, and I recently had the pleasure of being guests on a fantastic podcast by MetricsCart, hosted by the amazing Shreshta Joy.

The topic? How D2C brands can effectively capture the festive shoppers during the upcoming Diwali season in India.

We had a great conversation, breaking down practical, actionable tips for D2C brands. We covered everything from the ideal timing for your Diwali campaigns to the art of creating irresistible bundle deals and using urgency triggers to drive conversions. We also delved into how consumer behavior shifts during this festive period and how quick commerce is fundamentally changing the game for brands across India.

Expert Tips for a Successful Diwali Season

• Personalization is Key: D2C brands have a unique advantage over large marketplaces by offering a personalized experience. This can be as simple as a handwritten note with each order or as complex as offering expert consultations to help customers find the perfect product for them.

• Go Beyond the Product: Stand out by offering extra services that add value. Consider in-home try-on options for apparel or one-on-one expert advice for skincare. These services build trust and make the shopping experience more comfortable.

• The Power of "Little Extras": Don't underestimate the impact of small, thoughtful additions. Including freebies or mini-products with your orders can delight customers and encourage them to return directly to your website in the future.

For a deeper dive into these strategies and more, check out the full episode on YouTube. The insights from this conversation can help you prepare for a successful and profitable festive season.

Let me know 💬

Got a tip? Looking to work with us? Any feedback? Email me.