The Indian economy has grown dramatically in the last few years. Even after a global pandemic hit, the country’s e-commerce sector has shown tremendous resilience and adaptability. With the introduction of the Make in India initiative by the Government of India in 2014, a slew of tailwinds has made it easier to launch brands with distinctive appeal.
Even in our daily life, products around us have changed from a western origin to more indigenous and homegrown roots. The emergence of local brands has been driven by entrepreneurs focused on building authentic brands that are rooted in India. A robust ecosystem of marketplaces, payment gateways, logistics and financing has helped accelerate the growth of these brands. This is well complemented by the modern Indian consumer who is willing to pay for brands whose value resonates with them.
As we enter this year’s festive season and with Independence Day just around the corner, I want to share 5 Made in India local and loved brands that consumers should pick this festive season sale:
Music, as an art form, connects with everyone in their own personalised manner. From some people resonating with old classicals to others enjoying the beats of rock music, there is something for all. Deciwood, the only Indian brand to make Bluetooth speakers, accounts to be one of the best picks this season for all music lovers. Over and beyond good audio quality, Deciwood also provides personalised speakers with name engravings and comes in different shapes and sizes that further enhances the music experience for their customers with their own style embossed on it.
Founder: Ananya Meena
Equity Funding: Seed funding, December 2021
Revenue Based Financing: March 2021
Chocolates are the simplest yet the tastiest way to make your special occasions even more wonderful and remarkable. SMOOR Chocolates, India’s leading gourmet chocolate brand, aims at reaching out to their audience in the most enriching way by indulging in mixing the Indian taste palette with their regular European niche and bringing out flavours such as Pistachio Passion and Caramel Coconut in the form of desserts. They partner with old school traditional mithai brands such as Anand Sweets during the festive season that further helps in increasing their customer delight and makes them a loved brand during this time of the year.
Founder: Vimal Sharma
Equity Funding: Majority stake acquired by Rebel Foods, April 2022
Revenue Based Financing: March 2022
Beauty never goes out of style and especially not when it comes to a homegrown brand that has captured the hearts of customers by delivering to 1600+ cities and is available in over 100 trade stores pan-India. Kay Beauty accounts to be the most perfect gift this festive season, more so as occasions such as Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, and Diwali are just round the corner.
Founder: Katrina Kaif
Equity Funding: Bootstrapped
Revenue Based Financing: None
There is not an iota of doubt that the clothing sector is one of the most shopped sectors during the festive season. Last year, 63% of the Indian shoppers stated that clothes are on the top of their festive shopping list, and that number is expected to go bigger this year. Berrylush is one such apparel brand that fits perfectly. An authentic Indian brand, that also aims at employing the local community with a favoured female workforce, provides quality, affordable and inspiring clothing for the young woman. The strong belief in the authenticity of the Indian culture helped the company build an INR 15Cr revenue business in 3 years and further aims to increase its sales in India, as well as venture into markets in countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, etc.
Founder(s): Anusha Chandrashekar and Alok Paul
Equity Funding: Seed funding, June 2021
Revenue Based Financing: July 2022
It is not just e-commerce that sees a boom during the festive season but also the travel industry. As reported in 2021, a 40-50% increase is seen every year for hotels and flights. To aid this rising demand from the consumers, Nappa Dori, a luxury luggage label that aims to the Indian flag across the world, is a brand that cuts the perfect festive season product-that-one-must-buy. Founded in 2010, the Delhi-based label, Nappa Dori, inspired by the Indian heritage and local craftspeople, was created to bring to life a contemporary range of luggage, bags and leather accessories, evocative of glamorous travel from a bygone era.
Founder: Gautam Sinha
Equity Funding: Seed funding
Revenue Based Financing: None