YOGA BAR
Cigarettes to get costlier: ITC hikes Gold Flake Premium prices for the second time this year; here's how much a pack will now cost
ITC Ltd has raised the price of its Gold Flake Premium cigarettes by Rs 10 per pack, taking the MRP of a 10-cigarette pack to Rs 135 from Rs 125. This is the second price increase for the brand in 2026, following a hike in June. The revision comes as cigarette makers face higher taxes and pressure on legal market volumes, while ITC looks to expand its FMCG and other non-cigarette businesses.
Dhanteras 2026 Gold Buying Muhurat: November 6 Timings, Pushya Nakshatra Dates and Shopping Guide
Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday, November 6, making it one of the most auspicious occasions for buying gold and silver before Diwali. The New Delhi gold-buying muhurat begins at 10:30 AM on November 6 and continues until 6:37 AM on November 7. November 1 marked Ravi Pushya Yoga, while October 31 also featured a Pushya-related shopping window. Check the complete auspicious shopping calendar, Dhanteras gold and silver buying timings, traditional significance and essential jewellery-buying tips.
Digital brands, premium FMCG to drive ITC's growth ambitions
Amid challenges in its cigarettes business, ITC is focusing on expanding its non-cigarette offerings. The FMCG segment has shown significant growth, leading to an improved product mix and margins. Digital-first brands such as Yoga Bar and Prasuma have also reported strong revenue increases. The paperboard and agri businesses are benefiting from rising demand and exports of value-added products.
OpenAI’s India user base doubles; Rapido GOV quadruples
Happy Tuesday! India has become ChatGPT’s largest market globally, with its user base doubling. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
ITC flags illicit trade pressure on cigarettes; digital-first businesses grow over 70%
ITC Ltd has reported a significant increase in its digital-first and organic FMCG portfolio, achieving over 70% year-on-year growth. However, the company is facing considerable pressures due to rising illicit cigarette trade and increased taxation impacting legal volumes. The fresh food segment has also expanded significantly, reflecting ITC's focus on organized markets. Additionally, challenges in West Asia have disrupted agricultural exports, although value-added products showed better performance.
Fireside Ventures cofounder and partner Vinay Singh to exit firm
“Cobuilding Fireside gave me the opportunity to shape the firm from its early days and work alongside exceptional founders and teams,” Singh said. “As AI reshapes commerce faster than most of us expected, I want to spend more time exploring the frontiers of agentic commerce and its implications for the future of consumption.”
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Yoga Bar maker Sproutlife Foods to merge with ITC; board approves scheme
ITC Ltd has received board approval for a scheme to merge Sproutlife Foods into its operations. This move is designed to streamline business processes and enhance value creation for ITC. Sproutlife, focusing on health-centric food products, achieved a turnover of Rs 451.71 crore in FY26. ITC clarified that no new shares will be issued in this merger, set to be effective from April 1, 2026.
ITC Q2 Results: Profit falls 18% to Rs 4,229 crore, revenue rises 5%
ITC Q2 Results: ITC Ltd reported an 18.5% decline in consolidated net profit for the September quarter on Monday as a sharp fall in earnings from its cigarette business weighed on overall profitability despite strong growth in its FMCG, agriculture and paper businesses.
Gen Z brands are breaching the last citadel of legacy consumer firms
India's Gen Z and D2C brands are challenging FMCG giants like Hindustan Unilever, ITC and Marico by expanding into kirana stores. New-age brands captured 21.7% of India's kirana market in H1 FY27, up from 14.8% a year earlier. As digital-first brands breach traditional distribution networks, legacy FMCG companies face growing competition for retail shelf space and consumer loyalty nationwide.
Kirana stores make room for new generation FMCG brands as they muscle past legacy giants
India's kirana market has seen new-age consumer brands expand their market share to nearly 22%. This increase has impacted the dominance of established fast-moving consumer goods companies. The shift is largely driven by changing consumer preferences and greater access to online channels. New brands face challenges in sustaining their physical distribution network against legacy players. Established brands are adjusting their strategies in response to growing demand for premium products.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore drops asking price of waterfront North Carolina mansion to $5 million
DJ Moore has dropped the price of his waterfront North Carolina mansion to $5 million. The NFL wide receiver paid the exact same amount for the property in 2022. The mansion has been on the market for over two years. The asking price of the North Carolina home has been reduced from the listing price of $5.225 million. The property is located along Lake Wylie, Charlotte, North Carolina.
India-New Zealand FTA kicks in October 20, gives all Indian goods zero-duty access
India's free trade agreement with New Zealand will begin on October 20 and provide duty-free access for Indian goods. This agreement aims to boost bilateral trade significantly by 2030, increasing it from $2.4 billion to nearly ₹35,000 crore. New Zealand will grant 100% market access, while India will provide tariff concessions on 70% of its tariff lines. Customs clearance timelines will be expedited, enhancing trade efficiency and reducing costs.
KBS bought Portland’s 16-story Meier & Frank department store for $54 million in 2016; it then transformed the landmark into Class A mixed-use space
In November 2016, real estate firm KBS bought the 16-story building for $54 million in a joint venture with private developer Sterling Bay. Their goal was to turn the retail property into a Class A mixed-use building while preserving its historical architecture. The $16.6 million project took a year to complete. It covered 200,000 square feet of core renovations and 23,000 square feet of interior updates. Figures cited in the 2021 project account put Portland's technology workforce at 60,550 people, making it the 26th-largest tech talent pool in the country.
DFM Foods sale: EQT, Emami, Balaji Wafers join ITC, TPG for Crax maker buy-out
EQT Partners, Emami and Balaji Wafers have joined ITC, TPG and ChrysCapital in the race to acquire Crax maker DFM Foods, as Advent International seeks to sell its 96.63% stake. Non-binding bids are expected by October-end, with the deal potentially valuing the Noida-based snack maker at ₹5,000-5,500 crore.
ETSA 2026: Consumer brands poised for bigger exits as strategic acquisitions pick up: Sauce’s Manu Chandra
Chandra has been selected for the Midas Touch honour for best investor at The ET Startup Awards 2026, with the jury recognising his track record of backing companies early and delivering significant exits.
Inside Kangana Ranaut’s Manali mansion: 7 bedrooms, a glass conservatory for mountain views, vintage temple and Himachali-inspired luxury
Kangana Ranaut’s Manali mansion blends Himachali tradition with vintage and contemporary luxury. Spread across 7,600 sq ft, the home features seven bedrooms, a temple, yoga room, library and a striking glass conservatory overlooking the Himalayas. From Victorian-inspired interiors to locally sourced decor, the property reflects Ranaut’s connection to her roots while embracing elegant, personalised design.
As Thailand cracks down on foreigners, a tourist paradise reconsiders its welcome
Thailand is facing a growing backlash against foreign influence in its tourist hotspots, particularly southern islands such as Koh Phangan, Phuket and Koh Samui. Locals fear foreign investors and businesses are reshaping communities, driving up property prices and pushing residents out.
New Zealand route won’t help third-country goods claim India FTA benefits: Here’s what changes
Under the India-New Zealand trade pact, goods from third countries will not be eligible for tariff concessions, with preferential treatment limited to products originating in India and New Zealand. India has protected sensitive sectors such as dairy and gems and jewellery from duty reductions. The agreement also introduces a temporary employment visa pathway for skilled Indian workers, along with provisions aimed at promoting student mobility and post-study work opportunities in New Zealand.
Protein boom sparks deals, partnerships across F&B space
Consumer demand for protein in everyday staples is driving new product launches and supply deals. Food and beverage makers and cafe chains are actively forming collaborations to meet this growing need. Companies are investing in new products and manufacturing capacity to address the rising demand. The protein market is projected to reach ₹21,000 crore by 2031. Acquisitions and deals are also increasing as established players seek to expand their offerings.
Luxury hotel in Montenegro was once a WWII concentration camp with gasoline barrels as toilets. Now turned into a 32-room resort with swimming pools, spa, and gym
An expensive hotel in Montenegro that is meant to attract high-value guests and patrons and has established itself as a stronghold of luxury and fashion was once a place marked by human suffering and death – it was a concentration camp. A place that had once seen prisoners facing brutal deaths in World War II is now the ultimate seaside getaway.
Consumer awareness, social media put healthy snack brands on growth path
However, scaling these businesses beyond the niche markets while staying profitable presents a major hurdle. While their operating revenue might be booming, these brands, which sell products such as chocolate and protein bars, millets and dry fruits-based snacks, granola bars, oats, and breakfast cereal, also widened their losses during the year.
Local firms plan to take millets-based foods overseas
Indian companies are taking millets-based products to international markets to gain a first-mover advantage. This comes after the spotlight on millets at the G20 Summit and the UN recognizing 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Companies such as ITC-backed Yoga Bar and Amul are working on exporting millet-based products to the US, UAE, and approximately 40 other countries.
Yoga Bar expands portfolio with new brand Yoga Baby; forays in baby care segment
Health foods maker Yoga Bar is entering the baby care category with the launch of its new brand, Yoga Baby. The brand will offer millet-based foods such as porridge mixes to meet the nutritional needs of young children. The products will be available online, in retail outlets, and on e-commerce platforms. The move comes after Yoga Bar was acquired by ITC earlier this year, as the health foods market in India is projected to reach $30 billion by 2026. The baby care market in India is also expected to grow to $2.91 billion by 2028.
ITC to acquire Yoga Bar to expand presence in fast growing healthy foods space
The move will allow ITC to expand presence in the Rs 45,000 crore fast growing, nutrition-led healthy foods space. ITC said this deal is in line with its ‘ITC Next’ strategy articulated by chairman Sanjiv Puri that focuses on building a future-ready portfolio of products that serve evolving consumer needs
ITC to acquire Yoga Bar to strengthen presence in nutrition health foods space
ITC will buyout the company in tranches over a period of 3-4 years
ITC joins fray to buy into Yoga Bar with Rs 150 cr cheque
Delhi-based Dabur, VC fund A91 Capital were among those who also looked at the opportunity but passed. Yoga Bar's parent Sproutlife has been in the market to raise ₹150 crore from strategic and financial investors.
Yoga Bar maker triples sales during FY22; to expand into newer categories beyond breakfast
Founded in 2014 by sister entrepreneurs — Suhasini Sampath and Anindita Sampath Kumar, Yogabar makes a host of snacks from ayurvedic Juices and Quinoa to oatmeal and trail mixes. The company recently expanded its manufacturing capabilities by opening a new facility at India Foodpark, Tumkur, in Karnataka. Analysts feel direct-to-consumer brands are focused on healthy foods with the possibility of hyper customization, threatening mainstream companies in such niche and premium segments.
It pays to play games: The value of keeping colleagues engaged by injecting fun into a work week
Top bosses have found fun ways to keep their employees enthusiastic.
YogaBar co-founder has read over 1,000 books, says periodic digital detox is very important
Anindita Sampath Kumar shares how reading has helped her mental health.
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