$1.2M for Alpino, HUL’s Luxury Brand & Quick Commerce Trends
In our Sixty-sixth D2C Insider edition, explore HUL’s entry into luxury cosmetics with Hourglass, Alpino onboards Shilpa Shetty as brand ambassador and more!
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In today’s newsletter, you’ll discover:
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) is making its move into India's luxury cosmetics market with the launch of the Hourglass brand. This step aligns with the growing demand for premium beauty products among Indian consumers.
Key Points:
Market Growth: The Indian luxury beauty market is expanding as consumers shift towards premium, high-end brands with increasing disposable income.
Ethical Beauty Focus: Hourglass emphasizes cruelty-free and vegan products, which appeal to ethically conscious consumers.
HUL’s Strategic Move: Entering the luxury segment allows HUL to diversify its product portfolio, strengthen its beauty market leadership, and adapt to changing trends.
Global Influence: Hourglass brings global luxury beauty trends to India, increasing its appeal among aspirational buyer
Indian health food startup Alpino has raised $1.2 million in a funding round and signed Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty as its brand ambassador. The company aims to expand its footprint in the healthy snacking market.
Key Points:
Brand Association: Shilpa Shetty, known for her focus on health and wellness, aligns well with Alpino's brand values.
Market Expansion: The company will use the funding to increase market penetration, focusing on reaching health-conscious consumers.
Product Innovation: Alpino plans to introduce more innovative, protein-based products to cater to India’s growing fitness community.
Celebrity Endorsement: Shilpa Shetty’s presence is expected to boost Alpino’s visibility and credibility in the competitive health food space.
Quick commerce is playing a pivotal role in addressing one of fashion eCommerce's biggest challenges: returns. By offering faster and more efficient logistics, it’s transforming how brands handle returns.
Key Points:
Better Logistics: Quick commerce is streamlining the returns process, making it faster and more efficient for customers (in just hours).
Customer Satisfaction: Improving return times helps eCommerce platforms boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Fashion Focus: Quick commerce solutions are particularly valuable in fashion, where returns are frequent due to sizing and fit issues.
Industry Impact: The rise of quick commerce is reshaping expectations in the fashion industry, making faster returns a standard offering
Millie Bobby Brown’s Florence by Mills Expands into Nordstrom
Millie Bobby Brown’s beauty brand Florence by Mills is expanding its presence by partnering with Nordstrom for wholesale distribution. This partnership aims to increase the brand’s visibility and reach a broader customer base.
Key Points:
Expansion Strategy: By entering Nordstrom, Florence by Mills taps into a premium retail channel and increases accessibility.
Target Audience: The brand focuses on Gen Z consumers, who value clean beauty and celebrity-driven brands.
Wholesale Growth: Partnering with Nordstrom allows the brand to expand beyond its D2C model, increasing its retail footprint.
Celebrity Endorsement Impact: Leveraging Millie Bobby Brown's fame boosts brand awareness and trust among younger consumers
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Chumbak is redefining the souvenir and home decor market with its vibrant, uniquely Indian aesthetic. Launched in 2010 by Vivek and Shubhra over a shared bottle of wine, the brand started with a vision to offer a fresh perspective on Indian souvenirs and has since evolved into a beloved destination for homeware and accessories.
Chumbak celebrates the little moments of life with designs that are both spirited and sophisticated, transforming everyday objects into memorable experiences.
In our community, quick resolutions are just a message away on WhatsApp. Whenever a need arises, whether it's a question or an urgent issue, there's always someone ready to respond.
The group fosters a sense of togetherness, with members actively offering support and guidance.
It's reassuring to know that no matter the time, everyone is there when you need them, making collaboration and problem-solving effortless.
Customer Experience Is a Priority
Shubham Gupta, Founder of Bonkers Corner, recently shared his thoughts on the game-changing role of customer experience in fashion retail. He believes it’s not just about offering great products but about creating lasting impressions that keep customers coming back.
Why DTC founders cannot afford to ignore checkout, customer support and the post order customer experience.
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