Amul’s D2C plans & Aretto’s success
In the ninth edition, discover Noise and BoAt’s plans to bring something new in the smart wearables category, Hardik Pandya’s investment in Aretto and uncover the secrets of the Indian Awards System
Hello and welcome to the world of D2C Insider, your weekly dose of insights, news, and trends from the direct-to-consumer space in India and beyond. In D2C Insider Digest’s ninth edition you'll see:
🩳The undergarment brand making waves
🤝 Titan invests in Caratlane?
🍩10% OFF on exquisite desserts for community members??
🛍️ The truth behind Business Awards
🎪 D2C Women’s Summit: Celebrating the Success
Amul’s D2C Platform Coming Soon
Amul, India’s largest dairy cooperative, is planning to launch its own direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform soon. The platform will offer exclusive products, personalized services, and faster delivery to customers. Amul’s MD Jayen Mehta said the D2C platform will complement its existing distribution channels and enhance customer loyalty.
The ‘internet’s favourite underwear’ goes mainstream
Parade, a venture-backed startup that makes underwear for young women, has agreed to be bought by Ariela & Associates International, a licensee of Fruit of the Loom. The deal will combine Parade’s online presence, trendy products, and loyal customers with Ariela’s manufacturing expertise, distribution network, and Fruit of the Loom brand.
ReFit Global’s new D2C ambitions
ReFit Global, a Delhi-based re-commerce marketplace, has launched its D2C platform for refurbished smartphones and other electronics. The company aims to achieve Rs 500 crore in revenue by FY-25 by offering quality products, promoting sustainability, and engaging with customers directly. The company has also witnessed a twofold increase in its revenue, reaching 200 crore in 2022.
Exposing the Paid Awards Scam in India
Arindam Paul, Founder of Atomberg Tech. reveals shocking insights into the rampant practice of paid awards in India this week. Having received at least 50 such mails in the last year, Paul exposes the dubious tactics and false claims of these award organizers who prey on the vanity and insecurity of entrepreneurs.
In a time of genuine achievements and recognition in the Indian startup ecosystem, Paul spotlights a dark side – the paid awards scam. Contrary to the spirit of meritocracy, he finds a surge of greed and deception within this domain.
With honest frustration, Paul reflects on how receiving an award used to be a meaningful and memorable milestone during his entrepreneurial journey. However, he notes the casual manner in which contemporary award organizers spam him with unsolicited offers, making him wonder about their unethical motives.
Paul’s investigation yields a disturbing hypothesis for the widespread prevalence of paid awards in India:
✅ Social Proof
Paid awards exploit the benefits of social proof by using names of well-known brands and media outlets to lend themselves credibility. However, these names are highly likely to be false or misleading, as Paul doubts that these reputable entities would associate themselves with random awards. If this is the case, then it is illegal and these entities should take legal action against these award organizers.
🏆 Recognition Craving
Paid awards appeal to the human desire for recognition and validation, especially among entrepreneurs who face constant challenges and uncertainties. However, this recognition is hollow and superficial, as it is based on paying a fee rather than earning merit.
🤑 Award Dilution
Paid awards diminish the value and significance of genuine awards and recognitions in the business ecosystem. Paul cites the example of ET Startup Awards, which he still thinks are authentic and prestigious. However, he observes that every time someone posts about getting an award, his first thought is that it must be a paid award.
He underscores the need for putting a stop to this scam, which harms the reputation and credibility of entrepreneurs and award recipients. He suggests that we should crowdsource a list of these award scams and put it on the internet, to discourage people from falling for them.
BoAt and Noise to Launch Smart Rings in India
India, the world’s largest smartwatch market, is about to witness a new trend in wearable technology: smart rings. Two of the leading domestic players in the smartwatch and TWS segments, BoAt and Noise, have announced their plans to launch smart rings in India, catering to the health and sleep-conscious consumers who prefer a more discreet and comfortable form factor.
BoAt and Noise have been dominating the Indian wearable market with their affordable and feature-rich smartwatches and wireless earbuds, competing with global giants like Apple, Samsung and Huawei. According to market research firm Counterpoint, India became the world’s largest smartwatch market in the third quarter of 2022, with 167% year-on-year growth. IDC reported that India also surpassed the U.S. and China in terms of wearable shipments in the second quarter of 2023.
The average selling price (ASP) of smartwatches in India declined by 44.9% to $25.6 from $46.6 in the second quarter, as local players like BoAt and Noise offered ultra-affordable devices that mimicked the look and feel of high-end products. BoAt and Noise were the top two wearable makers in India in the second quarter, with a market share of 26.6% and 13.5%, respectively.
However, smart rings have not yet gained much traction in India, unlike in the U.S., where startups like Oura and Motiv have made some waves. India has Ultrahuman and aabo as two of the early players in the smart ring market, but their products are relatively expensive and niche. The entry of BoAt and Noise may change that scenario, as they are known for their aggressive pricing and mass appeal.
Both companies have hinted that their smart rings will focus on health and sleep tracking, using advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to measure various parameters such as heart rate, blood oxygen level, stress level, sleep quality and more.
Aman Gupta, co-founder of BoAt, said that the company’s smart ring will be “a game-changer for the Indian wearable market” and that it will "offer a unique value proposition to our customers who are looking for a more convenient and discreet way to monitor their health and wellness."
Gaurav Khatri, co-founder of Noise, said that the company’s smart ring will be “a revolutionary product that will redefine the wearable category in India” and that it will "provide unparalleled insights into the user’s health and sleep patterns, enabling them to live a more balanced and productive life."
😁 We are excited to see what BoAt and Noise have in store for us with their smart rings!!
Special offers for you
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Available job opportunities
Titan, India’s leading jewellery and watch brand, has acquired an additional 27% stake in CaratLane, an online jewellery platform, for Rs 4,621 crore in cash. The deal values CaratLane at Rs 17,000 crore, or over $2 billion. Titan’s stake in the company will increase from 71.09% to 98.28% after the transaction. Titan plans to leverage CaratLane’s digital and omnichannel capabilities to enhance its customer reach and offerings.
Aretto, a kid's footwear startup, has raised $550k in a seed round from cricketer Hardik Pandya and other angel investors. Aretto makes shoes that adapt to the shape and size of kids’ feet as they grow. The startup will use the funds to expand its market presence and product portfolio.
Let’s take a closer look at the rise and fall of Threads, a social media app that has recently been in the news for its declining user count.
There has been a lot of buzz about the reasons for its downfall including its marketing strategies, user engagement, and competition from rival apps.
The best way to ship products internationally
If you are running an online business or selling products internationally, you know how important and challenging it is to find the best shipping option for your customers. You want to deliver your goods fast, safely, and affordably, but there are so many factors to consider, such as shipping rates, delivery times, customs duties, tracking services, and customer satisfaction.
So how do you choose the best international shipping option for your needs? And what are the pros and cons of different shipping services? Check out our community’s actual experiences with the best shipping services in the country.
Are you interested in learning how to sell your products globally and reach new markets? Do you want to hear from the experts and successful D2C brands on how to scale your business internationally?
If yes, then you don’t want to miss the D2C Insider Global Selling Summit on 22 September 2023!
📅The D2C Insider Global Selling Summit is a one-day event that will bring together the entire D2C ecosystem to share exclusive knowledge, insights, and strategies on how to build, operate, and grow profitable D2C businesses in the global market.
✍️ Learn from the best practices, case studies, and success stories of leading D2C brands and enablers who have cracked the code of global selling.
🛜 Network with other like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers who can help you take your business to the next level.
The D2C Women’s Summit was a blast! 🎉
Celebrating women's success and camaraderie, the D2C Insider Women’s Summit in Delhi on August 20 was a resounding triumph!
The day kicked off with dynamic workshops led by luminaries Charu Kishnani, Aarti Sheth Cooper, Neha Kulwal, and more, offering valuable insights for D2C businesses. The Pitchathon showcased impressive pitches by brands like Barbrew Beverages and CosIQ, with Uptownie and Barbrew Beverages emerging victorious.
Keynote speaker Shruti Agarwal highlighted the community's growth and mutual support. Shereen Bhan's Fireside Chat with Abhishek Shah was a highlight, followed by insightful panel discussions.
