Tanish Hingorani

India’s beverage market is growing; that part is obvious. But if you look closely at the numbers, the type of growth is what’s really changing. Big players like VARUN BEVERAGES LIMITED and United Breweries Ltd. Spirits are still leading, but it’s not just because they are big. They are sitting right where the demand is moving — higher-margin, premium products. At the same time, companies like Radico Khaitan Limited and Piccadilly Company Agro Industries are growing faster, which tells you something important. People are more open to trying new brands than they were before. One thing stands out clearly. Volume and value are moving in different directions. Beer still dominates in terms of volume, but the real money is shifting towards spirits, especially premium segments. And then there’s the layer we can’t ignore in India, such as pricing and policy, State taxes, cost structures, and regulations, which still play a huge role in deciding what works and what doesn’t. If you zoom out, the takeaway is quite simple. India is not becoming a market where people just drink more. It’s becoming a market where people are thinking more about what they drink. That shift matters because it changes how brands build portfolios, how pricing works, and how long-term growth will play out. #IndianBeverageIndustry #AlcobevIndia #FMCGIndia #ConsumerTrends #Premiumisation #IndianMarkets #beverages

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🐶 Case Study: Drools – Challenging the Alpha Pup in India’s Pet Food Market As India’s pet ownership booms, so does its pet food market—and Drools is taking the fight straight to multinational giants like Pedigree and Royal Canin. From sharper pricing and better protein content to local manufacturing and tailored marketing, Drools has positioned itself as the homegrown challenger brand with global ambitions. This case study explores Drools’ strategic playbook: ✅ Disrupting price-value perceptions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities ✅ Leveraging vet networks and retail partnerships for credibility ✅ Expanding from dogs to cats, treats, and supplements ✅ Building brand love through social campaigns and desi pet storytelling At SkilledMBA, we decode real-world brand battles and market strategies to help future leaders learn through business in motion. 🔗 To connect or collaborate with us: 📍 Modi Nagar (National Capital Region), Uttar Pradesh – India-201204 📞 Mobile: (+91) - 87553-00795 📧 Mail: support@skilledmba.com 🌐 Website: https://skilledmba.com/ 🎓 Subscribe to SkilledMBA for challenger brand case studies, go-to-market insights, and Indian business strategy breakdowns. 📌 #CaseStudy #DroolsIndia #SkilledMBA #ChallengerBrand #PetFoodMarketIndia #BrandStrategy #MarketDisruption #DesiBrand #PetCareGrowth #IndianBusinessStrategy

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1 Minute Startup Update: Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has posted a robust revenue of ₹325 crore for FY25, marking a 50% year-on-year growth. The specialty coffee giant is brewing a success story by significantly scaling its operations while simultaneously cutting its losses by 21%, showcasing a strong path toward profitability in India's competitive coffee market. Startup: Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Founders: Matt Chitharanjan, Namrata Asthana, and Shivam Shahi Key Highlights: 1. Revenue Surge: Operating revenue jumped to ₹325 crore in FY25, up from ₹216 crore in FY24, driven by its expanding retail footprint. 2. Loss Reduction: The company successfully narrowed its losses to ₹50 crore, down from ₹63 crore in the previous fiscal year. 3. Retail Expansion: Blue Tokai now operates over 100 stores across India, solidifying its position as a leader in the specialty coffee segment. 4. Investor Confidence: Secured $25 million in a bridge round during the year, bringing its total funding to over $110 million to date. With tighter cost controls and a deepening coffee culture in India, Blue Tokai is proving that specialty brands can scale effectively while improving unit economics. Follow The Rupee Story for more updates on venture capital and startup funding. Now we are on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gyV4AGfC #BlueTokai #StartupUpdate #CoffeeCulture #FY25 #VentureCapital #StartupIndia #ConsumerBrands #D2C #SpecialtyCoffee #TheRupeeStory #FundingNews

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The world of non-dairy creamers is evolving fast. Are you as curious as we are about the biggest shifts in the space? 🤔💡 Let’s explore the top three trends brewing in the non-dairy creamers segment that you won’t want to miss. ✨ Sarit Haria | Upendra Mhatre | Rupesh Salamwade | Sachin Patil | Durgesh tiwari | SANDESH L. | Abhijit Surve | Ruchita Vitekar #NonDairy #Creamers #IndustryTrends #Drytech

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Behind every great cup of coffee is a strong, collaborative network of people who grow it.   Through our Farmer Support Partnership, TATA Starbucks is working with coffee-growing communities across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, combining local expertise with global agronomy knowledge to strengthen India’s coffee ecosystem.   Our efforts by 2030 include: – Supporting over 10,000 farmers – Establishing three model farms – Donating 1 million high-yield, disease-resistant saplings – Encouraging more sustainable practices to help reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints   This is our long-term commitment to building a thriving coffee future, one rooted in collaboration, care, and shared growth.

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Thinking of starting a food business in India? Before you focus on branding or sales, there’s one thing you can’t skip —Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) compliance. Every food business in India, whether it’s a home kitchen, café, or large manufacturer, needs an FSSAI license or registration to operate legally under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. No license = No legal operations. There are 3 categories of license based on the scale of operation of the company- 1. Basic Registration → For small/petty food businesses with turnover < ₹12 lakh/year 2. State License → For medium businesses (₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore) operating within one state 3. Central License → For large enterprises, importers, exporters, or multi-state operators Why does this matter? 1. Running a food business without FSSAI approval can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment. 2. Compliance builds trust with regulators, consumers, retailers, and investors. At ReguSure, we help food businesses navigate this journey from registration to ongoing compliance. We make sure that you can launch with confidence and scale without roadblocks. If you’re planning a food startup or expansion, have you checked your FSSAI requirements yet? #FSSAI #FoodSafety #FoodBusiness #Compliance #FoodRegulation #ReguSure Srishti Khurana SUVOLINA GHOSH

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“Ice cream is an impulse-led product — you see it, you want it.” At the D2C Retreat 2025, Ankit Chona, Founder of Hocco , broke down what makes ice cream one of the most exciting (and competitive) consumer categories in India. “It all starts with distribution — if you’re there, half your problem is solved. But what truly sets a brand apart is innovation — products that create demand, build loyalty, and stand out.” From reinventing flavours to creating brand love that lasts beyond a summer craving, Hocco’s playbook is a masterclass in turning indulgence into identity. Because in the end, visibility brings sales, but innovation builds legacy. #TheD2CRetreat2025 #Hocco #AnkitChona #D2C #India #Consumer #Brands #Innovation

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We as a seasoning and flavour house get lots of request to replicate Dish Based Flavours into snack seasoning. Part 2 by Ashok Khatri Dish-Based Flavours Are Expensive to Replicate To create “restaurant-level authenticity,” R&D usually needs: High-impact top notes Reaction flavours Meat boosters Spray-dried pastes Natural extracts Oil phase + powder phase split Encapsulated acids Encapsulated onion/garlic This increases the cost/kg vs simple flavours (cheese, BBQ, tomato). Why Many Snack Versions Taste Different From the Real Dish Because it’s not a 1:1 copy — it’s an interpretation. We at Sai Flavours LLC capture: key herbs key spices signature dairy notes sourness/sweetness balance top note profile But texture, fat behaviour, and fresh aromatics can never be 100% converted. When Does It Succeed? (Our Secrets) We use : 1. Two-Phase Seasoning System Powder base (salt, sugar, spices, dairy) Liquid top note (spray or encapsulated) 2. Layered Umami HVP Yeast extract Nucleotides Broth powder 3. Acid Balance To simulate curries, biryanis, and tandoori dishes. 4. Authentic Spice Roasting Profiles Using oil-roasted or steam-sterilized spices. 5. Micro-dosed impactful aroma chemicals For “chef-style” authenticity. Having said that Dish Based flavours like Shawarma, Falafel, Pizza, Kebab, Fajithas are still getting very popular in middle eastern markets. Zaatar is very interesting for the Nuts industry, So yes Dish Based flavours are difficult to replicate on snacks but not impossible. Feel free to contact Sai Flavours LLC for your next requirements of new product development based on popular dish in your market

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🥐✨ Britannia Croissant – The Buttery Delight Winning Snack Lovers Britannia continues to expand its bakery portfolio with its soft and flaky croissant range, targeting India’s growing ready-to-eat and premium snacking market. Known for its: ✅ Buttery texture ✅ Layered flaky structure ✅ Soft bakery-style bite ✅ Convenient on-the-go packaging Britannia Croissants are becoming increasingly popular among: 👨‍🎓 Students 🏢 Office professionals 🚆 Travelers ☕ Tea-time snack lovers 📌 Why Croissants Are Growing in India The demand for western-style bakery snacks is increasing due to: • Busy lifestyles • Urban snacking culture • Rising café-style food preferences • Convenience food demand 🥐 Popular Croissant Variants Include: • Vanilla filling • Chocolate filling • Mixed cream flavors ⚙️ How Croissants Are Made Croissants are produced using a laminated dough process where: Butter layers are folded repeatedly into dough The dough is proofed Then baked to create the signature flaky texture This process requires: ✅ Temperature control ✅ Dough fermentation management ✅ Precise baking conditions 📈 Market Trend India’s packaged bakery segment is witnessing strong growth driven by: • Premium snacking demand • Modern retail expansion • Food delivery platforms • Young consumers seeking international-style snacks 🔍 Food Safety & Quality Focus Manufacturers maintain strict control over: Moisture levels Shelf life Packaging integrity Fat oxidation Texture consistency Britannia’s expansion into premium bakery-style snacks reflects the changing consumer preference toward convenient yet indulgent food products. #Britannia #Croissant #BakeryIndustry #FoodIndustry #Snacking #ReadyToEat #FoodTechnology #BakeryProducts #ConvenienceFood #FoodBusiness #FoodProcessing #PackagedFood #BakerySnacks #FoodScience #IndianFoodMarket

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Walko Food Company expands its frozen dessert empire with the acquisition of Meemee’s Ice Creams! Pune-based D2C powerhouse Walko Food Company—known for brands like NIC Ice Creams, Grameen Kulfi, and Mimo—has made a strategic move into the artisanal dessert segment by acquiring Mumbai-based Meemee’s Ice Creams. Founded by Meha Agarwal, Meemee’s operates across 14 retail outlets in Mumbai and brings unique product innovation to the table. With this acquisition, Walko will add new categories such as toasties, ice cream cakes, roleys, and tubsters under its house of brands. This move follows Walko’s impressive turnaround in FY24, reporting ₹2.4 Cr in revenue and ₹4.04 Cr in net profit, backed by support from Jungle Ventures. It also highlights the fast-heating competition in India’s growing ice cream market—expected to touch $12.6 Bn by 2033—with D2C players like Go Zero, Hocco, NOTO, and Brooklyn Creamery scaling aggressively. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/giWcdWi4 #walko #meemees #d2c #frozendesserts #startupindia #foodtech #jungleventures #FMCG #StartupStory

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📊 This is where range decisions get interesting. On Good Chef Bad Chef (Channel 10), Tim Bone uses Haldiram’s Spinach Pakora to create Pakora in Kadhi — turning a frozen appetiser into a full dish. 🌿 That shift matters in-store: •One product, multiple use occasions •Higher basket value potential •Stronger repeat purchase It’s not just about stocking SKUs — it’s about stocking versatility.

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How Food Brands Use Kashmiri Chili 🏭 Applications: tandoori & tikka marinades, Rogan Josh bases, curry sauces, snack seasonings, and ready meals. . . 🧪 Why it’s popular: huge color-to-heat ratio, adds deep red color without overwhelming spice. Ideal for clean-label flavor tiers. 🎯 Choosing your form: • Powder (fine/extra fine): for dry blends and RTE sauces. • Coarse grind: adds visible red specks to toppings or coatings. • Low-dust/oil-treated: safer and cleaner for high-speed production lines. 📦 Spec levers: ASTA color, SHU, moisture, mesh, and seed/skin %. Always request a COA with micro + residues/metals. #IngredientStrategy #SeasoningDesign #SnackRND #CleanLabel #MajesticSpice

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Britannia recently chopped their own billboards. Shocking, right? In a world where brands fight for visibility, Britannia Industries Limited chose to give it up—for trees. Their campaign, #NatureShapesBritannia, flipped the script on outdoor advertising. Instead of cutting down trees that blocked hoardings, they redesigned the billboards around the trees. Yes, you read that right. In Pune, a Peepal tree stood tall. The billboard bent around it. In Hyderabad, they shaped fonts around a Neem tree. In Kolkata and Meerut, Mango and Nag Kesar trees became part of the creative. Why? Because the brand wanted to send a clear message: Use only what you need. Let the nature lead. They didn’t just talk sustainability-they lived it. Every ad was printed on 100% biodegradable cotton. Each billboard spotlighted real ESG goals—plastic neutrality, circular economy, water stewardship, energy management. And here’s what makes it truly special: They’ve made their entire “tree-first” process open source. Designs, methods, learnings—all shared freely so others can follow. No buzzwords. Just action. This isn’t just a sustainability campaign. It’s a wake-up call to an industry that often trades impact for attention. Want to stand out? Maybe it’s time to stand with something. #SustainableMarketing #ESG #GreenMarketing #SustainableBusiness #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #BrandPurpose #Innovation #SustainableAdvertising #CorporateResponsibility #organicbps

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