Sanjeev Agrawal

Bengaluru-based Asaya, a research-driven skincare brand, has raised ₹28 crore in pre-Series A funding led by RPSG Capital, with participation from Dot & Key Skincare founders Suyash Saraf and Anisha Agarwal Saraf, along with existing investors OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures. Founded by Neeraj Biyani, along with two FMCG and consumer industry veterans with over 23 years of experience each, Asaya focuses on solving hyperpigmentation through its patented molecule MelaMe™, clinically proven to deliver results in 14 days. The brand has achieved 400% YoY growth and 5x revenue growth in the last year. The funds will support a new innovation center and the launch of six skincare products over the next 12 months, strengthening Asaya’s position in India’s science-backed beauty market. Read Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gNmMhUdA #RPSGCapital #OTPVentures #HuddleVentures #Skincare #Funding #Innovation #asaya

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Shibin Chulliparambil Appointed Head of IT at Malabar Group. Shibin Chulliparambil has taken charge as the Head of Information Technology at Malabar Group, one of India’s largest and most respected retail conglomerates. Known for innovation, scale, and customer-first strategies, Malabar continues to redefine excellence across sectors. 1. 20+ years of IT and digital transformation leadership across global and Indian enterprises. 2. Former Head of IT at Blue Star Limited and CIO at Mafatlal Industries Limited, with parallel CEO roles at Vrata Tech Solutions (India & UAE). 3. Held diverse tech leadership positions at Cipla, from Software Engineering to IT Strategy & Solution Architecture. 4. Recognized with honors like Most Inspiring CIO of India, Security Icon, and Innovative CIO Award. 5. Strong academic mix: MBA in Cybersecurity, BCA, and executive programs from ISB and IIT Bombay. At Malabar Group, Shibin will lead secure digital transformation, tech-enabled growth, and IT innovation aligned with global expansion goals. As retail and tech converge, what role will cybersecurity and cloud innovation play in shaping customer trust and scalability? #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #RetailTech #Cybersecurity #ITLeadership #Innovation #MalabarGroup #CareerMoves #CIO #TechStrategy #EnterpriseIT #TechnologyLeadership #DigitalRetail #CloudComputing #DataSecurity #Omnichannel #SmartRetail #ITStrategy #AwardWinningCIO #ScalableTech #ExecutiveLeadership

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Asaya, a science-driven skincare brand revolutionising hyperpigmentation solutions, today said it has raised Rs 28 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by RPSG Capital, a consumer-focused VC. Strategic investors include Suyash Saraf and Anisha Agarwal Saraf, Co-founders of Dot & Key, as well as existing backers OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures. Read the full story here:👇 https://lnkd.in/dWXF_M4i #skincare #brand #funding #investors #investment #startup #indianstartupnews

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Panel: Managing Margins While Scaling — What Retailers Should Focus On 💬 “Growth is exciting, but survival depends on discipline.” Moderator: Avnish Kumar, Chairman, RAI Telangana Chapter & Managing Director, Neerus India Panelists: Arshad Dhamani, Director, Kumar Shirts Avinash Chukkapalli, Managing Partner, Popular Shoe Mart Milind Agarwal, Managing Director, Balaji Hosiery XLU Rakesh Tiruveedhula, Chief Project and Information Officer, RSB Retail India Ltd. Vikash Hisariya, Director, Vishal Peripherals Govardhan Reddy YS, Co-Founder & CEO, BEAUTE&NUTRIE Top takeaways: 🔹 Price Parity & Brand Collaboration – For multi-brand retailers, matching online offers through brand partnerships and pushing private labels helps protect margins without losing customer trust. 🔹 Value Beyond Price – Regional tech retailers stressed that after-sales service, education, and customer engagement can outweigh discounts in driving loyalty. 🔹 Category-Specific Differentiation – In niche categories like lingerie, experience, comfort, and staff training are margin builders; not all competition is about price. 🔹 Tech & Data Discipline – Chain retailers are using analytics, AI, and hyperlocal assortments to cut waste, optimise stock, and run profitable promotions without eroding brand value. 🔹 Customer Education – Wellness and beauty players are investing in expert-led in-store consultations and visual merchandising to build trust in premium SKUs. 🔹 Practical Growth Advice – Panelists agreed on the need for: • Patience and long-term vision • Unit economics before expansion • Scalable, adaptable technology • Hyperlocal marketing and influencer strategy • Viewing failure as learning fuel 💬 “Margins aren’t saved in the discount line — they’re built in everyday discipline, smart buying, and knowing exactly who you serve.” National Mart - India Ka HyperMart | Ratnadeep #RAI #HyderabadRetailSummit #RetailGrowth #ScalingSmart #RetailLeadership #Margins

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What DMart - Avenue Supermarts Ltd announced yesterday is unprecedented, given their history of slow expansion. India's biggest value retailer, known for its calibrated, cluster-based expansion strategy, is now set to accelerate its growth by opening more stores than its usual pace. They plan to double down on expansion now. In their annual call, Neville Noronha confirmed that over the next 6 to 8 months, he would personally be focusing his time on expansion in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, which is a new cluster market for them with huge potential. He also admitted that if there’s one thing he could have done better during his tenure, it would have been increasing the store count to around 600–650 by now, compared to 426 today. This will now be the key focus area for the incoming CEO, Anshul Asawa, who emphasized that the business needs to scale across more geographies. From an investor’s perspective, this shift brings fresh energy and could accelerate the path to greater value creation for shareholders. At Finding Outperformers, we recently turned positive on the stock from a medium- to long-term perspective. Market may have overestimated the impact of Q-commerce on its business model, while value retail continues to be a large, untapped opportunity. Read our full thesis in the blog posts shared in the comments below⬇️ (do own research before investing)

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Tryo, a new fashion shopping marketplace targeting the evolving online apparel segment, has successfully raised Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Zeropearl VC. The capital injection is earmarked for launching operations in Bangalore, advancing product development and technology, and expanding collaborations with key Indian fashion brands. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFcm_mPr Meet Saparia, Co-Founder of Tryo Bipin Shah, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeropearl VC #D2C #business #news #market #update #fashionbrand #funding #expansion Shiva Singh| Arjav Patni| Manthan Jha| Alben D Souza| Ankur Soni| Ayush Tekriwal

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90% won’t believe it, but D2C brands are going to play a huge role in India’s 6.5% GDP growth next year. When we talk about India’s growth story, most people think of IT or manufacturing. But the way D2C brands are creating jobs, serving new markets, and solving India-specific problems is much bigger than just brand success. It’s part of the 6.5% GDP story. And data backs this too; D2C brands currently account for 10-15% of India's e-commerce market, valued at $87.5 billion and projected to reach $267 billion by 2030. Here’s how D2C brands are contributing towards India's 6.5% GDP growth: 1. Expanding Consumer Demand: D2C brands reach customers in tier 2 and 3 cities who were ignored by traditional retail. At STRCH, 40% of our sales come from cities that major brands don't even stock. This unlocks purchasing power that was sitting untapped. 2. Creating Jobs Across Value Chains: From fabric sourcing in Tamil Nadu to last-mile delivery in Punjab, D2C brands create jobs across the country. Digital marketers, QA teams, customer support, roles that didn’t even exist in old-school retail are now booming.. 3. Tapping Tier 2 & 3 Markets: While metros get saturated, smaller cities drive real growth. D2C brands can serve these markets profitably through direct channels, bringing quality products and economic activity to previously underserved areas. Building STRCH showed me this impact firsthand.  Our supply chain connects dozens of businesses across states, our customer base spans 200+ cities, and each order creates a ripple effect through the entire economy. The 6.5% growth will come from multiple engines working together, and D2C brands represent one of the most dynamic and scalable contributors to this target. How is your business contributing to India's economic growth? #D2C #India #Growth

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#FundingAlert 💸 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐒 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐬 50 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐞 FS Life, the parent company of fashion brands FableStreet and Pink Fort, has raised Rs 50 crore in its latest funding round led by Colossa Ventures and Rahul Garg, Founder and Managing Partner of Ignite Growth LLP, with participation from existing investors Fireside Ventures and Mirabilis Investment Trust. Click here to read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRuppDV5 Ayushi Gudwani | FS Life (FableStreet | Pink Fort) | Adarsh Sharma | India Fashion Forum #FSLife #FableStreet #PinkFort #FashionRetail #FashionFunding #StartupFunding #RetailExpansion #D2C #ModernIndianWear #FashionGrowth #InvestorUpdate #FashionRetailNews #FashionRetailUpdates #FashionUpdates #FashionNews

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India’s #ecommerce ecosystem is rapidly emerging as a driver of jobs, inclusion, & economic growth. From women entrepreneurs to rural artisans to kiranas, millions are leveraging digital platforms to access new markets, income streams, & opportunities. In my recent article for Hindustan Times, I explore how e-commerce, and Flipkart’s journey within it, is helping shape this transformation ; not just delivering products, but building livelihoods, empowering communities, and creating sustainable growth. This is a story of how #digitalcommerce is unlocking India’s potential at scale. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gmWNzeM4

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Old Stitch vs New Stitch : The Fashion Retail Face-Off.... on a lighter note ! Once upon a time in the bustling malls of Mumbai or the high streets of Cannaught Place, stood a fashion retailer who knew his customer like he knew his morning coffee ...strong, loyal, and predictable. Enter the Gen Z retailer.... hoodie on, TikTok open, and ready to disrupt “the system” before brunch bro. Let’s be honest: the battle isn’t about style it’s about survival. The experienced fashion retailer has weathered recessions, denim explosions, and even the rise and fall of cargo pants (twice). They believe in product margins, supply chain hygiene, and customers who walk into stores. They trust in footfall the way Gen Z trusts in "engagement." They still think a CRM is something that helps build loyalty not just a popup on a website. On the other hand, the Gen Z retailer doesn’t even own a cash register. Their store? A swipe-up story. Their model? Drop culture meets influencer hype. They sell out before legacy retailers finish aligning their assortment plan. But ask them about return rates, last-mile costs, or inventory holding and you might at times get a blank stare followed by “Let me check with my growth hacker bro.” The experienced retailer wins on scale, process, and predictability. The Gen Z-er wins on agility, noise, and memes. One builds brands. The other builds communities. But both are now in the same playground trying to win the same fashion-forward, budget-aware, short-attention-span consumer. In the end, the smartest player may not be the oldest or the trendiest but the one who learns fastest, fails cheapest, and adapts quickest. That’s fashion Darwinism, darling. So, who wins? The jury’s out.... But the runway is open. #RetailWars #FashionFaceOff #OldSchoolVsNewGen #RetailHumour #FashionBusiness

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