Wildflower Naturals Expands Quick-Commerce Presence with Swiggy Instamart

By

-

September 7, 2026

Wildflower Naturals, the consciousness-driven beauty and wellness brand that merges traditional Indian beauty practices with botanicals and modern formulating techniques, has extended its presence in the quick-commerce space through its tie-up with Swiggy Instamart. This expansion is a significant milestone for Wildflower Naturals’ omnichannel journey, which includes D2C, marketplaces, offline retail, and quick commerce on Blinkit.

With the increasing importance of the beauty and wellness space as an on-demand consumption segment, this partnership will enable Wildflower Naturals’ customers to access its products with ease and greater convenience. It is currently offering a select lineup of its best-selling and most-demanded products from skincare and personal care, which include the iconic Kumkumadi and Donkey Milk range of products.

Radhika Dang Gambhir, Founder & CEO of Wildflower Naturals, said, “Quick commerce is redefining how beauty and wellness consumers are discovering and buying products. With Wildflower Naturals in its growth phase and entering into a new chapter in its business, launching on Swiggy Instamart is an obvious next step in our omnichannel strategy. In addition, our current experience on Blinkit has enabled us to understand the possibilities of the channel and the expectations of digital-native consumers.”

Through Swiggy Instamart, the brand will be able to connect with its consumers through a convenient digital shopping space while ensuring that it engages better with millennials and Gen Z consumers. These digital natives discover beauty products online and look for a mix of efficacy, reviews, credibility, convenience, and immediacy.

The brand intends to expand its product portfolio on the platform based on product demand and performance. The brand’s quick-commerce strategy is not just about availability, but also about creating the right assortment and consumer experience on each platform.

Product quality continues to be the focus of the Wildflower Naturals growth plan. With in-house R&D and GMP-certified manufacturing, Wildflower Naturals has more control over the process of formulation, production, and quality. With expansion into different parts of India, the brand continues to ensure high-quality products, availability, and ease of use for customers.

The expansion into Swiggy Instamart takes place amid the significant year for Wildflower Naturals, 2026. The brand is currently increasing its presence not only in the areas of D2C, marketplaces, and quick commerce but also in selective retail, expanding its offerings outside of skincare. Also, Wildflower Naturals is working on strengthening its international presence, searching for new markets for its Indian-inspired and conscious beauty and wellness products.

Through its increasing presence in quick commerce, Wildflower Naturals plans to bring conscious beauty closer to consumers through convenient on-demand shopping and its philosophy of Indian beauty traditions, botanicals, and scientific formulation.

Pet food startup Lickicious secures Rs 19-Cr to expand pet nutrition business and target Rs 100-Cr revenue

By

BRL Editor

-

September 7, 2026

0

Pet food startup Lickicious secures Rs 19-Cr to expand pet nutrition business and target Rs 100-Cr revenue — Shashwat Sahai and Chandan Jha, co-founders, Lickicious

Pet food and nutrition company Lickicious has secured Rs 19 crore in growth funding through a combination of equity investment and institutional debt as it prepares to accelerate its expansion and target Rs 100 crore in annual revenue.

The funding round received institutional support from Prath Ventures. Additionally, the startup counts the founders of Atomberg and several senior industry executives among its early investors.

Established in 2024 by Shashwat Sahai and Chandan Jha, Lickicious operates under Nuvexo Wellness Pvt Ltd and offers a range of food and nutrition products designed for dogs and cats.

The company will primarily use the newly raised capital to enhance its capacity, strengthen organizational capabilities, and expand its product categories. As part of its growth strategy, Lickicious is setting up a 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution facility to increase production output, improve supply consistency, and maintain tighter quality control.

In addition, Lickicious plans to strengthen key business functions, including research and development, manufacturing, quality assurance, supply chain management, branding, and commercial operations.

Furthermore, the company aims to broaden its product portfolio across multiple categories, formats, and pet species while expanding its reach through additional sales channels. Consequently, the startup is moving beyond its current digital-first approach toward a more comprehensive omnichannel pet nutrition model.

Lickicious has set an ambitious target of achieving Rs 100 crore in annual revenue and aims to establish itself among India’s top three pet food companies over the next ten years.

“Our next phase is about building better products, stronger manufacturing, and a stronger brand,” said Shashwat Sahai, Co-founder of Nuvexo Wellness.

Commenting on the investment, Harmanpreet Singh, Managing Partner at Prath Ventures, noted that product quality and consumer trust are increasingly shaping India’s pet food sector. He added that Lickicious is making strategic investments in manufacturing capabilities, product innovation, category development, and channel expansion to fuel its future growth plans.

Meanwhile, the company has built its offerings around principles such as palatability, transparent nutrition, and quality standards. Through these products, Lickicious aims to address the evolving needs of pet owners seeking nutrition-focused food options for their dogs and cats.

Country Inn enters Delhi NCR with 29-Room smart stays hotel in Gurgaon

By

BRL Editor

-

September 7, 2026

0

Country Inn Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Delhi NCR with the launch of Country Inn Smart Stays, Gurgaon, on Golf Course Road.

Located in DLF Phase 1, the new hotel introduces the Smart Stays format to one of Gurgaon’s most dynamic business and lifestyle districts. Designed to meet the needs of today’s smart travellers, the hotel combines comfortable accommodation, easy accessibility, and thoughtfully designed spaces for work and relaxation, while delivering the Country Inn brand’s signature heartfelt hospitality.

The 29-room hotel offers accommodation across Deluxe and Classic categories, with select rooms featuring balconies.

Strategically located on Golf Course Road, the hotel provides convenient access to Global Business Park, DLF Cyber City, CyberHub, One Horizon Centre, MG Road, and several shopping malls.

Additionally, the Arjun Nagar Market Complex, located opposite the hotel, offers guests easy access to local food outlets, shops, banking facilities, and other everyday services. Meanwhile, Qutub Plaza is also within walking distance.

Furthermore, the hotel features common areas with a bookshelf and seating space on each floor. It also provides dining services through a partner cloud kitchen.

Speaking about the opening, Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “The opening of Country Inn Smart Stays, Gurgaon, marks our entry into Delhi NCR, bringing our Smart Stays format to a prime location on Golf Course Road. Designed for the city’s dynamic business traveller, the format is ideally suited to this location, offering a smart and efficient stay in the heart of Gurgaon’s business district.

Our commitment to the region extends beyond this opening, with the upcoming ZANA Luxury Escape, Sohna, Gurgaon, a hotel that will offer luxurious stays and the largest ballroom on the Gurgaon-Sohna corridor. As we accelerate the company’s growth across key markets like Delhi NCR, our expansion plans include adding more properties across Gurgaon as well as entering Noida, allowing us to cater to a wider spectrum of business and leisure travellers across the region.”

Indian space startup Pixxel bags $100 Million to expand satellite capabilities

By

BRL Editor

-

September 7, 2026

0

Indian space startup Pixxel bags $100 Million to expand satellite capabilities — Awais Ahmed & Kshitij Khandelwal, co-founders, Pixxel

Indian space technology startup Pixxel said on Monday that it had raised $100 million in a Series C funding round led by Singapore state investor Temasek and British space technology venture firm Seraphim. Notably, the investment marks the single-largest funding round raised by a space technology company in India.

Google-backed Pixxel’s latest funding round also included existing investors Radical Ventures and growX Ventures, along with new investors 360 ONE Asset and IMM Investment. Consequently, the company’s total funding has now reached $195 million, according to its statement.

Pixxel emerged as one of several Indian space startups after the government opened the sector to private players. Founded by Awais Ahmed & Kshitij Khandelwal, the company initially focused on hyperspectral satellites capable of revealing information about the Earth’s surface beyond the capabilities of conventional imagery.

Since then, Pixxel has expanded its operations to include Aurora, its Earth intelligence software, as well as satellite systems designed for both commercial and sovereign space missions. Together, these offerings form the foundation of Pixxel’s planetary infrastructure vision, connecting sensors, software, and space systems to help governments, industries, and institutions transform Earth observation data into actionable intelligence, its statement said.

Meanwhile, the fresh capital will enable Pixxel to expand its sensing capabilities through its Honeybee satellite constellation and high-resolution optical imaging satellites. Additionally, the company will further develop Aurora as a platform that integrates these datasets and delivers decision-ready insights.

CaratLane ties up with MoEngage to strengthen omnichannel customer engagement

By

BRL Editor

-

September 5, 2026

0

Jewellery retailer CaratLane has entered into a strategic partnership with insights-driven customer engagement platform MoEngage to strengthen customer interactions and deliver more personalised experiences across its digital and physical retail channels.

As a digital-first brand, CaratLane sought a solution that would give its marketing teams greater autonomy while enhancing customer engagement. In particular, the company aimed to reduce its dependence on engineering and data science teams for activities such as audience segmentation, campaign management, and performance analysis. At the same time, CaratLane required a secure and scalable platform that could integrate seamlessly with its existing technology ecosystem.

Following an extensive evaluation, CaratLane selected MoEngage for its intuitive interface, strong engagement capabilities, and ability to provide marketers with greater flexibility. Moreover, the platform’s segmentation and customer journey orchestration tools can help marketing teams execute campaigns more efficiently and independently.

Importantly, MoEngage’s ability to address complex business requirements played a key role in CaratLane’s decision. The platform can support the jewellery retailer’s large-scale website lead-generation initiatives by managing extensive pop-up campaigns while working alongside its in-house tools and proprietary prospect modelling systems. As a result, CaratLane can optimise the customer experience without disrupting its existing workflows.

Furthermore, CaratLane completed the implementation in less than two months, enabling the company to quickly leverage MoEngage’s capabilities.

“MoEngage provides the perfect blend of marketer agility and data flexibility we need to deliver truly personalised customer experiences at scale. Their platform’s intuitive design and seamless integration with our existing tech stack were key in enabling our teams to innovate faster and drive deeper engagement,” said Gurukeerthi Gurunathan, Co-Founder & CTO, CaratLane.

Meanwhile, the partnership will support CaratLane’s broader objective of creating more meaningful customer interactions while helping its teams respond faster in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

“CaratLane is a trailblazer in the omnichannel retail space, and we are incredibly excited to partner with them on their growth journey. Marketers today need agility and powerful, actionable insights at their fingertips. The rapid, two-month implementation is a testament to the fantastic collaboration between our teams, and we are proud to provide a platform that champions the self-sufficiency of their marketers,” highlighted Yash Reddy, Chief Revenue Officer at MoEngage.

Going forward, CaratLane plans to explore additional MoEngage capabilities, including AI-powered product recommendations and advanced personalisation tools. Through these technologies, the brand aims to further refine customer experiences, increase engagement, and strengthen relationships with shoppers across every touchpoint.

Nykaa raises stake in Earth Rhythm as beauty portfolio expansion continues

By

BRL Editor

-

September 5, 2026

0

Beauty and fashion platform Nykaa has completed a transaction to increase its ownership stake in personal care brand Earth Rhythm, according to a filing with the exchanges on Sunday. As part of the transaction, Nykaa has increased its stake in Earth Rhythm by around 25%, with the company receiving the newly issued shares.

Earlier, Nykaa’s board had approved the proposal to increase its ownership in Earth Rhythm in May.

Notably, Nykaa first invested in Earth Rhythm in April 2022, when it acquired an 18.51% stake in the personal care brand for Rs 41.65 crore. Subsequently, in November 2024, it was reported that Nykaa’s parent company had acquired a majority stake in the clean beauty and personal care brand.

Founded in 2015 by Harini Sivakumar, Sivakumar Varadarajan, and Arun Kumar, Earth Rhythm was formerly known as Soapworks India. Since its inception, the internet-first brand has built a portfolio of organic beauty products across skincare, haircare, and makeup.

However, Nykaa did not disclose the financial details of the latest transaction or specify its total ownership stake in Earth Rhythm following the deal.

Meanwhile, Nykaa has continued to invest in and acquire smaller beauty and wellness brands as part of its broader expansion strategy in India’s online retail market. For instance, in August, Nykaa’s board of directors approved the acquisition of a 51% stake in Mumbai-based skincare brand Aminu for Rs 32 crore.

Financially, Nykaa’s parent company reported a net profit of Rs 80 crore in the June quarter, compared with Rs 24 crore in the corresponding period a year earlier. Furthermore, its operating revenue increased 29% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 2,782 crore in Q1 FY27, up from Rs 2,155 crore in the same quarter a year earlier.

Including other income of Rs 9.3 crore during the quarter, the company’s total income stood at Rs 2,791.3 crore.

Mamaearth parent Honasa Consumer sets Rs 5,550-Cr revenue target for FY31

By

BRL Editor

-

September 5, 2026

0

Mamaearth parent Honasa Consumer sets Rs 5,550-Cr revenue target for FY31 — Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh, co-founders, Honasa Consumer

Honasa Consumer Ltd, the parent company of beauty brand Mamaearth, expects to more than double its revenue to Rs 5,550 crore by FY31. Meanwhile, the company also expects its EBITDA margin to expand to 15 percent over the next five years, according to its founders.

Looking ahead, Honasa Consumer founders Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh said they aim to “become the fastest-growing company in Indian FMCG to reach the Rs 5,000 crore revenue mark.”

Furthermore, the company plans to reach around Rs 5,500 crore in revenue by FY31 by “building brands that are loved by Indian consumers.” Honasa Consumer also targets a 15 percent EBITDA margin, “unlocking a further 500 basis points as mix and scale move our way,” the founders said in their message to shareholders in the Annual Report.

Meanwhile, Honasa Consumer reported a total income of Rs 475.53 crore in FY26, registering 15.37 per cent year-on-year growth. However, the founders clarified that revenue and margin targets do not represent the company’s sole objectives.

Instead, the company plans to drive growth through a focused portfolio of categories, including face cleansers, shampoos, sunscreens, moisturisers, face serums, lipsticks, and baby care. These categories currently contribute around 80 percent of Honasa Consumer’s revenue. At the same time, the company plans to expand into “newer partitions within existing and new categories.” “So, we directed the great majority of our brand investment at a focused set of categories,” they said.

Additionally, the founders highlighted the performance of the company’s flagship brand, Mamaearth. During FY26, the brand increased both its Value Market Share and Share-Amongst-Handlers in Face Cleansers and Shampoos across General Trade and Modern Trade channels, according to NielsenIQ.

“The brand that built this company is growing again and is better built now for what comes next,” it said.

At the same time, the founders pointed to changing consumer behaviour in the beauty market. They said “discovery has moved to our mobiles, where beauty is found and debated through creators rather than told through mass media communication”. Moreover, consumers are increasingly trading up and prioritising product efficacy and transparent ingredients.

Meanwhile, Gen Z consumers continue to influence market trends by adopting products earlier and raising expectations. “We have watched this story unfold before, in the US, in China, and in Indonesia: wherever e-commerce has surged, it is the home-grown challengers who gain the most. India’s online share of retail is still in its early innings and set to roughly double by the turn of the decade. We intend to be standing exactly where that wave breaks,” they said.

Founded in 2016, the Gurugram-based company operates through a house-of-brands model focused on millennial and Gen Z consumers. Subsequently, Honasa Consumer went public in November 2023 and now owns brands including Mamaearth, The Derma Co, Aqualogica, and Dr Sheth’s.

Araiya Hotels & Resorts opens Soul by Araiya Paithalmala in Kerala

By

BRL Editor

-

September 5, 2026

0

Araiya Hotels & Resorts opens Soul by Araiya Paithalmala in Kerala — Amruda Nair, founder and CEO, Araiya Hotels and Resorts

Araiya Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Soul by Araiya Paithalmala – A Vihaara Resort, the latest addition to its growing portfolio of boutique hotels and retreats across India.

Owned by Subhakaran K V and family, the new property strengthens Araiya Hotels & Resorts’ focus on delivering thoughtfully curated hospitality experiences across emerging leisure destinations. Furthermore, the resort aims to celebrate authenticity, wellness and a deep connection with its natural surroundings.

Nestled amid the scenic landscapes of the Western Ghats, Soul by Araiya Paithalmala offers guests a tranquil retreat where nature sets the pace. Moreover, the property invites travellers to slow down, reconnect and experience the restorative beauty of one of Kerala’s most serene mountain destinations.

Surrounded by cool mountain air, panoramic valley views, and lush forests, the resort offers a sense of quiet luxury. Moreover, this tranquil setting continues to attract discerning travellers seeking immersive and nature-led experiences.

The resort features 18 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including 17 Deluxe Rooms and one Honeymoon Suite. Each accommodation offers expansive views of the surrounding hills while prioritising privacy and comfort.

Furthermore, warm interiors, contemporary amenities, and nature-inspired design come together to create an experience that seamlessly balances luxury with relaxation.

Beyond accommodation, Soul by Araiya Paithalmala encourages guests to explore the destination and, in turn, experience Paithalmala beyond its scenic landscapes.

The resort offers curated experiences, including guided nature walks, sunrise and sunset trails, stargazing sessions, and mindfulness programmes. Moreover, these experiences allow travellers to immerse themselves in the rhythms of the surrounding landscape while also fostering a deeper connection with nature.

Furthermore, guests can explore nearby mountain treks, visit coffee estates, and discover the region’s rich biodiversity. These experiences offer travellers an opportunity to explore northern Kerala at a slower and more meaningful pace.

Amruda Nair, founder and director – Araiya Hotels and Resorts, said, “Soul by Araiya began with a simple observation: Indian travellers are done paying for the ceremony. Soul promise is quality without theatre good rooms, honest food, and places worth the journey. Most of India discovers Kerala from the backwaters up; we wanted to introduce it from the hills down. Paithalmala is one of the state’s most cherished highland escapes, with shola forests, rolling coffee estates, and mornings that arrive through mist, and it deserves hospitality at its own scale: eighteen rooms, a spa, and trails in every direction. We are pleased to partner with the Shubakaran family to bring Soul by Araiya to Kerala. The best properties come from owners with deep roots in their destination, and Vihaara’s commitment to Paithalmala matched with Araiya’s operating discipline is exactly that pairing. There was no better address for Soul’s debut, and no better way to bring Araiya to Kerala.”

Subhakaran KV, director, Vihaara Resort, said, “Paithalmala is one of the most extraordinary yet undiscovered corners of South India, and Soul by Araiya, Paithalmala, A Vihaara Resort was built to honour that — its landscapes, its culture, and the sense of calm that defines this hill retreat. Our vision has always been to create a retreat where guests can reconnect with nature without compromising on comfort, wellness, and thoughtful service. We are delighted to announce that this property will be managed exclusively by Araiya Hotels & Resorts, whose expertise and commitment to exceptional hospitality will bring this vision to life. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the unique charm of Paithalmala and the warm hospitality that defines Soul by Araiya, Paithalmala, A Vihaara Resort.”

With the opening of Soul by Araiya Paithalmala – A Vihaara Resort, Araiya Hotels & Resorts marks its entry into Kerala while expanding its boutique hospitality portfolio across emerging leisure destinations in India.

The new resort also reflects the growing demand for experiential travel, wellness-focused stays, and nature-led hospitality, particularly among travellers seeking destinations beyond conventional tourist circuits.

SUGAR Cosmetics raises ₹144.47-Cr at 75–80% lower valuation

By

BRL Editor

-

September 5, 2026

0

SUGAR Cosmetics raises ₹144.47-Cr at 75–80% lower valuation — Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee, co-founders, SUGAR Cosmetics

D2C beauty brand SUGAR Cosmetics has raised ₹144.47 crore in a fresh equity funding round from venture capital firm A91 Partners at a sharply lower valuation, according to the startup’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs filings accessed by media reports.

The Mumbai-based company allotted 1.12 lakh Series D7 compulsorily convertible preference shares to A91 Emerging Fund III at ₹12,871 per share. The shares will convert into equity upon listing or one day before 20 years from the issue date.

The company’s board approved the transaction on September 1.

The latest funding round values SUGAR Cosmetics at a post-money valuation of ₹550–600 crore. This represents a 75–80% decline from the ₹2,600–2,700 crore valuation that the startup commanded during its November 2024 fundraise.

Meanwhile, SUGAR’s pre-money valuation for the latest round stood at ₹433.6 crore. The company’s valuation had previously peaked at around ₹3,000 crore in 2022.

The fresh funding comes as the beauty startup faces mounting financial challenges. SUGAR’s net loss nearly doubled to ₹135 crore in FY25 from ₹68.4 crore in the previous financial year.

At the same time, the company’s operating revenue declined by 20% to ₹404.4 crore in FY25 from ₹505.1 crore a year earlier.

Furthermore, SUGAR’s EBITDA losses more than doubled to ₹116 crore from ₹48.5 crore during the same period. The company has yet to report its FY26 financial results.

“The company has demonstrated a sustained and worsening pattern of financial deterioration over the past two financial years,” wrote registered valuer Sayali Deshkar in a June 30, 2026, valuation report attached to the filings.

Media reports have attributed the financial pressure to SUGAR’s aggressive offline expansion strategy. A report stated that the company shut down 30–40% of its newly opened physical stores after the outlets reported per-store losses.

Founded in 2015 by Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee, SUGAR Cosmetics sells beauty and personal care products through its website, physical stores, and e-commerce platforms.

The company has raised approximately $90 million to date from investors, including Elevation Capital, A91 Partners, Anicut Capital, and IndiaQuotient.

SUGAR currently operates four brands—SUGAR, POP, ENN, and Quench Botanics—and competes with companies such as Nykaa, Mamaearth, and Renee Cosmetics.

The latest funding round comes as India’s D2C sector enters what industry observers describe as a “3.0” phase. Beauty and personal care have emerged as key growth categories, attracting more than $1.1 billion across 201 deals between 2015 and Q1 FY26.

Summit Hotels & Resorts launches three new collections to drive growth

By

BRL Editor

-

September 3, 2026

0

Summit Hotels & Resorts is reshaping its growth strategy around three distinct travel segments: spiritual tourism, lesser-known leisure destinations, and premium experiential hospitality.

The hospitality company has launched three new portfolio verticals—Mandir Collection, Offbeat Collection, and Signature Collection—which will increasingly guide how Summit positions its existing hotels and identifies destinations for future expansion.

The move marks a strategic evolution for the 18-year-old hospitality company. After building a strong presence across the Eastern Himalayas and leisure destinations, Summit now aims to create differentiated hospitality formats based on why people travel rather than simply where it can establish another hotel.

The Mandir Collection marks Summit’s entry into the spiritual hospitality segment. The company will launch the collection with the upcoming Summit Salasar, The Mandir Collection, in Salasar, Rajasthan.

The new format will combine accommodation with Satvik dining, wellness offerings and dedicated spaces for spiritual and community experiences. Furthermore, Summit plans to expand the Mandir Collection into other prominent pilgrimage destinations.

Meanwhile, the Offbeat Collection formalises a strategy that Summit has already pursued across the Himalayas. Through this portfolio, the company focuses on identifying destinations beyond established tourism circuits and entering these markets at an early stage.

The collection currently includes Summit Enigma Resort & Spa in Lamahatta, Summit Sherpa Mountain Hotel & Spa in Deolo, Kalimpong, Summit Bougainvillea Tea Resort in Kurseong, and Summit Tashi Ghang Heritage Resort in Pelling.

Additionally, Samthar, which remains relatively unfamiliar to mainstream travellers, represents the next phase of Summit’s offbeat destination strategy.

At the premium end, the Signature Collection brings together hotels that build luxury experiences around the unique character of their destinations.

The portfolio includes Summit Norbu Ghang, The Signature Collection, in Gangtok, and Rungkhung Village Resort – The Signature Collection, in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, “India’s next hospitality opportunities will not necessarily emerge only from destinations that are already established. We see considerable potential at the intersection of changing travel motivations and destinations that are still evolving. These three collections give us a sharper framework for that growth. Mandir addresses journeys driven by faith, Offbeat allows us to identify places before they enter the mainstream, and Signature gives us a distinct premium proposition. The strategy is ultimately about being early in markets where we believe travel demand will deepen over time.”

Through the Signature Collection, Summit aims to deepen its premium hospitality presence across the Northeast while offering destination-led luxury experiences.

With these three distinct portfolio verticals, Summit Hotels & Resorts is positioning itself to capture evolving travel preferences across spiritual tourism, emerging leisure destinations, and premium experiential stays.

CONNECT WITH US