Deepak's Musings #142: GO DESi?

Will Thrifted Fashion go big?

Deepak Shahdadpuri
March 25, 2024

All things consumer & insurgent brands. What I am currently reading, thinking about, and reflecting upon. You can follow me on Twitter at @dishahdadpuri or follow DSG Consumer Partners at @dsgcp.

p.s. You can click any summary link to read the full article from its source.

🍭 GO DESi? Yes!

We at DSG Consumer Partners are privileged to have partnered with Vinay Kothari and Raksha Kothari, who are on a mission to create and market modern yet ethnic Indian sweets under the GO DESi brand. Here is Vinay telling PM Modi about his vision at the Startup Mahakumbh at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

🍦 Why is Unilever spinning off its ice cream business

Unilever's decision to fire 7,500 more employees coupled with its divestiture from its ice cream division constitutes its latest bid to cut costs, saving the company a projected $870 million over the next three years. Despite its impressive market share, Unilever's ice cream division experienced the firm's highest input-cost inflation last year, making it more of a liability than an asset.

Unilever to split off its ice cream unit including Ben & Jerry’s

Consumer goods giant Unilever said Tuesday that it is separating its ice cream unit as part of a restructuring plan that will affect 7,500 jobs.

🍫 Mondelēz transitions its accelerator into a new corporate VC

Interesting. Mondelēz has wound down its five-year-old accelerator and innovation hub SnackFutures and has now launched a corporate VC, SnackFuture Ventures.

I have argued for years that the best innovation is happening outside the largest CPG companies.

SnackFutures: Mondelēz's New VC Arm Targets Future Brands

Mondelēz's innovation hub has evolved into SnackFutures Ventures, a corporate VC investing in snack businesses worldwide.

Mondelēz Launches Corporate VC With An Eye On Future Acquisitions

The new entity was created as part of Mondelēz’s efforts of doubling down on investments in growth-stage companies positioned to be the “disruptors of the future,” according to Richie Gray, VP and Global Head of SnackFutures. The goal is to help scale up businesses aligned with Mondelēz’s existing categories and markets before rolling them up into its portfolio.

🇮🇳 Growing hotel demand

India is getting wealthier. And people want to travel.

Oberoi to open 50 new hotels by 2030

Oberoi also said that hotel rates need to increase in India. “I sometimes feel our rates in India should be much higher. I urge all our colleagues to drive rates up. Because we have amazing hotels. Whether its Taj, Leela, or Oberoi. Our hotels are world class in India,” he said.

👗 Will Thrifted Fashion go big?

Gowri Kishore, writing for The Hard Copy, looks at the rising trend in Thrifted Fashion in India.

Why are Affluent Indians Thrifting?

Is the stigma attached to thrifting and pre-used clothes finally changing and will this open up market opportunities? (Also, did you know you can buy Deepika Padukone's pre-used clothes?)

🌱 Does Zomato’s pure veg fleet make any sense?

Wow! I am surprised to see this in today’s India and that too from Zomato.

This episode reminds me of Pret’s strategy first announced in 2016 to open Veggie Only Pret outlets. Again, this was done at a different time and geography for different reasons. However, it does ask me to ask the same question: Why? Do consumers care? Even if they do, does it make commercial sense? I am sceptical, but we will have to watch and see how this plays out. I hope it does not end up where the Veggie Only Prets did.

Zomato’s ‘pure veg’ fleet: Is India a predominantly vegetarian nation?

The move has put the spotlight on the ‘veg vs non-veg’ divide in the country

Pret closes veggie-only outlets

Sandwich Chain Pret A Manger is discontinuing all vegetarian-only outlets, citing widespread popularity of veggie options across all branches.

🥓 Case study: Chomps

From a start-up idea in 2012 to a $250Mn revenue healthy snacking business in 2023. So many lessons for all entrepreneurs.

Two friends turned their side hustle into a full-time snack business—it could bring in $500 million in 2024

Since its launch in 2012, Chomps has become a nationwide brand attracting younger, more health-conscious consumers to the $17 billion meat snacks market.

Select funding & deal news

Funding and deal news that caught my attention this week

Serenity Kids Closes $52M in Series B Funding

Serenity Kids, an Austin, TX-based shelf-stable pouched baby food brand, closed a $52M in minority investment from Stride Consumer Partners

How An Organic Baby-Food Company Raised $20 Million, Despite The Venture Capital Downturn

Amara has invested heavily in a proprietary method of creating shelf-stable food, making it a favourite among TikTok momfluencers. Investors took note.

Supplement Brand Goli Nutrition Sells To Avoid Bankruptcy

Known for its Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, Goli Nutrition's transaction follows its financial situation turning sour as it faces lawsuits.

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