Once in a Blue Moon!🌙
Spoyl, Zepto's a Unicorn, Genz 😍 CDs
Hi There! 👋
D2C Pulse is a newsletter written by the team at GlobalBees, curating happenings in the direct-to-consumer ecosystem of India.
Hold onto your seats because we've just witnessed history in the making! Chandrayaan 3 has aced the game with a super smooth landing on the southern end of our beloved Chanda Mama. Talk about determination paying off – this touchdown is like a boss move that screams, "Yes, we can do anything!" The golden achievement was unlocked at a cost of $75 million, which is just a drop in the bucket of what other countries spend on their space programs.🚀🌕
Back in the ecommerce world, things are picking up pace with funding, pre IP raises and new launches.
🗞️Marketplace Updates
Spoyle-D: Flipkart has unveiled "Spoyl," a new feature within its app aimed at GenZ users, representing a quarter of its shoppers. Operating as an "app-in-app," Spoyl offers 40,000+ products including trendy clothing, accessories, and footwear. Sandeep Karwa, VP of Flipkart Fashion, explained that the challenge was preparing a swift supply chain due to the rapid fashion turnover. Over 95% of Spoyl's products will be locally made. This move follows Myntra introducing a GenZ-focused app-in-app shopping vertical, FWD. The race to attract GenZ customers has also seen competitors like Amazon India launching engaging features like MiniTV.
Nykaa Founder and CEO, Falguni Nayar, has announced plans to launch the brand's inaugural beauty store in Dubai during the fiscal year 2024. This move marks Nykaa's first brick-and-mortar venture outside of India, signalling its expansion into international markets. Nayar emphasized the importance of a physical presence to enhance customer experience and provide a touch-and-feel aspect to beauty shopping. The decision to set up shop in Dubai underlines Nykaa's strategic approach to tap into the Middle East's thriving beauty and wellness industry, showcasing its commitment to global growth and brand diversification.
Pocket ‘Change’: Zomato is making strategic moves by expanding its platform fee to a wider user base, with some cities experiencing a hike to INR 3. This decision reflects Zomato's efforts to optimize its revenue model while catering to evolving market dynamics. The nominal fee increase is anticipated to enable the platform to continue offering seamless services and innovative features.
As Zomato takes steps to bolster its financial sustainability, users are likely to observe the platform's commitment to enhancing their overall dining experience.
🍕D2C Bites
🦄 Drought Ends: Zepto, Mumbai's quick-commerce delivery marvel, has galloped into 2023 as the year's first unicorn, securing $200M in Series E funding. The funding comes at a time when the vast majority of instant delivery startups globally — Gopuff, Jokr, Getir, Gorillas, Instacart and others that collectively raised more than $10 billion — have significantly curtailed their operations, have seen their private valuations plummet or have shut down entirely.
Quick History - Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra co-founded Zepto when they were 19. The duo — who had previously worked on a number of projects, including a ride-hailing commute app for school kids, and dropped out of Stanford two years ago — took Zepto out of stealth mode in late November 2021.. 🛵
The Meteoric Rise: Urban Company reported a revenue of Rs 637 crore in the fiscal year 2023. The company's financial performance showcased not only a robust top-line figure but also a 40% reduction in losses compared to the previous year. This accomplishment underscores Urban Company's steady climb towards profitability and its ability to navigate challenges effectively.
The Shipping Revolution: Delhivery, a leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider, has unveiled 'Delhivery ONE,' a digital shipping platform designed to cater to the needs of SMEs and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. This platform aims to simplify shipping processes, enhance operational efficiency, and provide end-to-end visibility for businesses of all sizes. Delhivery ONE's comprehensive features include real-time tracking, automated order fulfillment, and customizable solutions.
Ignition, On!: Mamaearth is reportedly in advanced discussions to secure a substantial $150 million in a pre-IPO funding round. Prominent investors like SoftBank and QIA are said to be leading this investment effort. The funding will not only fuel Mamaearth's expansion plans but also highlight growing investor interest in sustainable consumer goods.
Reads and Recommendations 📚
How to use ChatGPT to make your decisions better. Read more!
By the year 2033, the travel industry is projected to constitute a robust economy valued at $15.5 trillion. Read more!
Set for a comeback? The GenZ collectors’ love for CDs. Read more!
That’s all for this week! Bye!
Stay tuned for more.
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