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Urbanic, a British casual wear brand, has decided to delist from Walmart-backed Flipkart Group to pursue its own direct-to-consumer model. The decision is part of the company’s strategy to move away from marketplaces across all regions they operate in.

Urbanic is a digital-only fast fashion brand that targets consumers in Asian and Latin American markets. The brand launched in 2019 with India as its first overseas market of expansion. Initially, the brand entered the market through its app. But in 2021, Urbanic partnered with Flipkart Group and began selling clothes through Myntra and Flipkart.

Now, as part of its plan to focus completely on its own platforms, Urbanic is launching its own website in India. The brand already has a mobile app that attracts a significant amount of traffic.

Rahul Dayama, head of marketing for Urbanic India, said that they have been instructed to focus entirely on their platform and developing their own community. “In the future, we might take a few decisions, but again, the speed at which we want to grow right now, I think our platform is more than enough for us,” Dayama said.

India accounts for half of Urbanic’s revenues. After launching in India, Urbanic expanded to Latin American markets to tap into younger shoppers there. Urbanic sells casual western wear clothing such as t-shirts, jeans, dresses, and accessories at price points that appeal to younger consumers.

While e-commerce marketplaces give brands like Urbanic a broad reach and depth in the market, Dayama said that a majority of their shoppers largely reside in tier-1 cities. Therefore, the brand now wants to control its interface with consumers, including service and communication.

Urbanic has not listed on any other marketplaces since its launch on Myntra in September 2021. Within the first 12 hours of listing on Myntra, the brand sold 23,000 pieces, largely tops, dresses, and jeans. Myntra has been a top contender for large foreign brands to enter India on an exclusive basis.

Amazon India has launched the third season of the Amazon Global Selling Propel Startup Accelerator (Propel S3) initiative aimed at offering support to emerging Indian brands and startups in reaching customers globally. Propel S3 will aid up to 50 D2C startups in launching their products in international markets and creating global brands from India. The program offers rewards worth over $1.5 million, including AWS, Activate credits, ads credits, logistics, and account management support for one year. The top 3 winners will receive a combined $100K in the equity-free grants. Amazon will also help participating startups connect with Revenue-based-financing firms including Klub and Velocity to expand their business at scale.

Applications for the program open today and will close on April 30, 2023. The program will end in a demo day where participants will pitch their business propositions to leading VC firms and get a shot at funding to expand their operations.

As part of the Propel S3, Amazon has created a mentorship board consisting of Amazon leaders from India and across the world, VC partners, and senior industry leaders who will engage with emerging brands and provide them with tailored resources, 1:1 mentorship, and workshops on global demand patterns and insights on building successful exports business through e-commerce. Amazon will also host sessions focused on peer learning by inviting veteran entrepreneurs and Propel Alumni to help participating startups network and learn from their existing ecosystem.

Bhupen Wakankar, Director of Global Trade at Amazon India, said, “We had started the Global Selling Propel Accelerator to provide emerging companies an opportunity to bring their business propositions to life and create globally popular brands from India. In the first two seasons, we saw great interest, ideas, and entrepreneurial spirit with more than 1500 startups applying for the program. Season 3 is bigger and better with an expanded range of benefits and support to help 50 startups from India launch in global markets this year. This program is a key part of our commitment to enable $20 billion in e-commerce exports from India by 2025.”

Udit Sood, Co-Founder EcoRight, and one of the winners of Propel Accelerator Season 2 said, “The program helped us interact with Amazon leaders and other experts who were critical in planning our international expansion. It is perhaps the most effective program for brands aiming to go global. After winning season 2, we have set up operations in more than 10 countries with Amazon and are managing it seamlessly sitting in India. We are excited by the response we are getting from global customers and are looking forward to further building on our presence in other markets.

More about the Propel Startup Accelerator Season 3
The entries for the Propel Startup Accelerator Season 3 open today until 23rd April 2023. Interested startups can log on to http://www.amazon.in/propel and complete their application. Startups in the consumer products space with a vision to expand their business to global markets can apply to be a part of the accelerator program. The entries will be evaluated by an Amazon-led cross-disciplinary panel on the basis of the business idea, scalability, and strength of the business plan/model, business metrics in launched markets, and founding team credentials amongst others. The top 150 applicants will be inducted into a 1-month boot camp where they will receive handhold support, marketplace insights as well as compliance and logistics support to launch in at least one global market. 50 applicants will be shortlisted as finalists and inducted into the Propel startup accelerator Season 3.

The Propel Startup Accelerator Season 3 will feature eight-week-long workshops and a mentorship connects calendar for the shortlisted participants where they will get to interact with industry leaders and get firsthand knowledge on building and scaling up export businesses through e-commerce. Amazon will provide support for these startups to launch their products worldwide through its Exports program – Amazon Global Selling. The Propel Startup Accelerator Season 3 will provide startups a chance to showcase their business proposition to partner VC firms – Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund, Sequoia Capital India, Fireside Ventures, Accel, DSG Consumer Partners, and V3 Ventures at a Demo Day later in 2023. For more information, please visit http://www.amazon.in/propel

DesignCafe has recently launched Qarpentri, a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brand that offers affordable home interior solutions with the fastest delivery timelines anywhere in India. The brand’s made-to-measure solutions, design ethos, and quality guarantee make it a revolutionary offering for the Indian modular furniture industry.

Qarpentri addresses the growing need for budget-friendly, superior-quality, and speedy home interior solutions by leveraging DesignCafe’s expertise in design and production while removing intermediaries. This allows the brand to offer home interior products at prices that are 25 percent lower than those of traditional contractors.

The new brand offers a 5-year warranty, with a 15-day delivery promise across all its modular units, at unbeatable prices starting from just Rs 49,999. Homeowners can now enjoy significant cost savings without compromising on the aesthetic appeal or quality of their home interiors.

In 2021, Qarpentri raised $25 million for its first-of-its-kind F2C (Factory to Customer), made-to-measure offering. It was launched in more than 10 locations across Bengaluru, showcasing the brand proposition and popular modular units for customers who want a touch-and-feel experience. Qarpentri currently operates 10 stores in Bengaluru and one in Hyderabad and Pune, respectively, and will soon expand to Chennai and Mumbai. The brand will also be available at all of DesignCafe’s 15 experience centers, including those in Mysore and Coimbatore.

Qarpentri’s pilot phase has already delivered over 200 homes to happy homeowners. The team has been closely involved in each project, listening to customer feedback to better understand and refine the Qarpentri product offering.

According to Shezaan Bhojani, CEO and Co-Founder of Qarpentri and DesignCafe, Qarpentri is a revolutionary offering for the Indian modular furniture industry. The brand provides affordable home interior solutions with the fastest delivery timelines in India. By leveraging DesignCafe’s expertise in design and production and eliminating intermediaries, Qarpentri can offer made-to-measure home interior products at prices that are 25 percent lower than those of traditional contractors. The brand promises to deliver high-quality products at unbeatable prices, sourced directly from manufacturers and processed at state-of-the-art facilities in Bangalore. Qarpentri aims to empower entry-level customers to get beautiful kitchens and wardrobes without paying exorbitant prices and additional design costs typically charged by retailers. With a 5-year warranty and a 15-day delivery promise, Qarpentri offers world-class quality at factory prices from a trusted national brand.

Women’s performance wear brand ENGN is looking to expand its offline presence in the market and expects to contribute around 30% of its sales through offline stores shortly. The company currently has over 100 stores in India and plans to expand to 200 by the end of the year.

ENGN is a performance-wear brand that focuses on creating high-quality apparel with advanced technologies and features like breathability and sweat-wicking. Its products include compression wear, sportswear, and activewear for women. The brand aims to empower women to reach their highest potential through activewear choices.

The brand has seen steady growth in its online sales and is now looking to expand into the offline market. It has tied up with retail stores and multi-brand outlets in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore and plans to open more stores in the near future. ENGN also plans to expand its presence in tier 2 and 3 cities.

The company believes that expanding its offline presence will help it reach a wider audience and increase its sales. ENGN is also looking to expand its product range with new products and technologies. The brand is also developing a special product line for athletes and professionals.

Overall, ENGN is looking to increase its presence in the offline market and expects to contribute to sales in the near future significantly.

Kerala-based apparel brand, Giacca & Abito Sartoriale, has recently launched its e-commerce platform, Tea and Tailoring, making it the first brand from the state to go D2C. 

The e-commerce platform offers customers a wide range of casual and formal clothing for men and women. The products include shirts, blazers, trousers, and more. The products are designed and tailored in-house, offering customers a unique experience and choices.

The brand strongly focuses on sustainability and uses only organic materials for its products. They also use eco-friendly packaging for their products. The brand has also taken the initiative to support local artisans and craftsmen by sourcing their best-quality fabrics.

This new platform is a major step forward for the brand and will help them reach a wider customer base. It will also offer customers the freedom to choose their own designs and customise their orders according to their needs.

The brand has also announced various discounts and offers on its e-commerce platform, making it a great deal for customers. This is a great way for the brand to promote its products and reach customers.

D2C meat start-up FreshToHome raises $104 million in Series D funding led by Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund

Global D2C ethnic wear brand, Shobitam, has acquired the fashion brand House of Blouse in a move that marks the former’s foray into the ready-to-wear segment. House of Blouse is a premium fashion brand that offers a range of ready-to-wear designer blouses and anarkalis.

Shobitam is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) ethnic wear brand that offers a range of traditional and modern designs in ethnic wear for women. The brand caters to the needs of the modern Indian woman and offers a range of products such as sarees, lehengas, kurtis and gowns.  

The acquisition of House of Blouse will enable Shobitam to expand its product portfolio to include ready-to-wear ethnic wear. House of Blouse offers a wide selection of designer blouses and anarkalis, all crafted from high-quality fabrics, and is known for its attention to detail.  

The acquisition will also help Shobitam increase its reach in the Indian ethnic wear market, especially among the younger generations. With the addition of House of Blouse to its portfolio, Shobitam will be able to offer its customers a broader range of products, while also tapping into the fast-growing segment of the ready-to-wear ethnic wear market.  

The acquisition is part of Shobitam’s overall strategy to expand its operations and become a leading player in the online ethnic wear market. By taking this step, the brand will be able to expand its reach and provide its customers with more abundant ethnic wear alternatives. This move is expected to strengthen the brand’s foothold and help it become a major player in the ethnic wear industry.

Wavemaker India, an award-winning media agency, recently announced the launch of its new specialised D2C offering. This offering is designed to help Indian brands build and grow their direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses.

This new offering from Wavemaker India is a comprehensive suite of services that covers all aspects of D2C, including strategy and planning, creative, media, and analytics. It is designed to help brands maximise their reach and engagement on digital platforms while creating a seamless customer experience. The offering also has tools and insights to help brands optimise campaigns and drive higher ROI.

Wavemaker India’s D2C offering results from the agency’s commitment to delivering innovative and effective solutions to its clients. The offering is designed to help brands unlock the potential of the digital ecosystem and drive growth in their D2C businesses. By leveraging its expertise in digital and content, Wavemaker India is well-positioned to help brands maximise their reach and engagement on digital platforms.

With the launch of its D2C offering, Wavemaker India is looking to become a leading player in the D2C space in India. The agency is well-positioned to help brands navigate the rapidly-evolving digital landscape and unlock the full potential of their D2C businesses.

Fipola, a meat-based Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startup, has shut down its operations and is liquidating to clear its dues by April 2023. The company had been running operations since March 2018 and has been providing fresh, quality meat to its customers.

The company reportedly faced several operational and financial issues and had to shut down its operations due to insufficient funds. They planned to have 100 stores open in the South by March 2022 and 250 stores throughout India by 2023-24. Thought what a wild ride this was going to be? The firm had raised funds from a few venture capitalists and angel investors but could not raise additional funds.

Fipola’s closure is a major blow to the meat-based D2C industry in India, as it has been a key player in this sector. The company was one of the pioneers in the segment and had gained immense popularity among its customers.

It is yet to be seen how this closure affects the industry and other players in the market. The company has said it will clear its dues within the given time frame, and there is no cause for worry. However, it remains to be seen how things will pan out for other players in the market.

Gujarat has made it to the list of the top ten performing states in the country for Modicare Ltd, a direct-selling company. In Gujarat, the brand saw a 35% increase in sales over the previous year.

With a consultant base of 6 lakhs and a diverse product portfolio, the brand has made rapid strides in the state, with over 800 distribution centres. Gujarat has paved a strong growth trajectory and remains a significant growth hub for the company, according to a press release from the brand.

Modicare Ltd., founded in 1996, has a portfolio of over 365 products and over 750 SKUs in 14 categories that include nutrition, health, wellness, personal care, food and beverages, agriculture, technology, home care, and others.