Welcome to Arthnova India’s August 2025 edition, where Indian brands didn’t just grow, they elevated. This month belongs to evolution, from automotive engineering and retail innovation to jewellery, hospitality, and electric mobility, each story captures India’s defining shift from expansion to sophistication.
This month’s issue explores how India has become the architect of indigenous innovation, where brands don’t just scale, they redefine categories. “Glow, Grace, Refine,” our August theme, celebrates the fusion of ambition with authenticity, proving that India’s enterprises now build the future rather than reacting to trends.
Our cover celebrates Shraddha Kapoor, who embodies the modern elegance of India’s new luxury landscape through her co-founded venture, Palmonas. Adorned in contemporary styling with artisan jewellery, she represents how Indian icons are building scalable, design-led businesses rooted in authenticity and modern aspiration, bridging the gap between celebrity influence and entrepreneurial vision.
Inside This Issue: August’s India Moments
Mahindra Unveils ‘Nu’ Vehicle Platform on Independence Day 2025
On August 15, 2025, Mahindra & Mahindra teased its all-new “Nu” vehicle platform, a next-generation monocoque architecture designed to power the brand’s upcoming range of SUVs and electric vehicles. The reveal, timed with India’s Independence Day, symbolizes Mahindra’s renewed commitment to innovation and self-reliant engineering.
Reliance Retail Ventures to Invest ₹40,000 Crore in Integrated Food Parks
Reliance Retail Ventures announced plans to invest ₹40,000 crore over the next three years to establish a network of AI- and robotics-enabled integrated food parks across India. The initiative aims to create Asia’s largest farm-to-fork ecosystem, uniting farmers, food processors, and retailers under a single supply-chain framework.
Titan Repositions for Global Growth with Premium Watch Strategy
The Titan Company announced a major strategic shift aimed at transforming itself into a global premium and luxury player. The company revealed plans to expand its international footprint across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and select European markets while revamping its domestic portfolio to focus on high-value segments.
Shraddha Kapoor-Backed Palmonas Raises ₹55 Crore to Fuel Expansion
Shraddha Kapoor’s demi-fine jewellery brand Palmonas raised ₹55 crore in its Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. The capital infusion will power the brand’s expansion into new product lines and support its ambitious plan to open 100 new stores across India by 2026.
Libas Executes 11 Store Launches Across India in a Single Day
Indian apparel brand Libas achieved a remarkable retail milestone by inaugurating 11 new stores across India within a single day. The coordinated rollout reflects Libas’ confidence in India’s evolving fashion landscape, where regional demand and omni-channel engagement drive long-term growth.
Ginger Charts Ambitious Expansion Plan Toward 1,000 Hotels Across India
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) announced an aggressive expansion strategy for its mid-scale brand, Ginger, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing hospitality chains in India. CEO Puneet Chhatwal revealed plans to scale the brand toward 1,000 hotels nationwide, citing strong demand in the business travel and affordable-luxury segments.
Lay’s Collaborates with ARKS for Limited-Edition ‘Colour-Lays’ Sneaker Drop
Lay’s India announced a creative collaboration with lifestyle and sneaker brand ARKS to launch “Colour-Lays”, a limited-edition sneaker collection inspired by the vibrant palette of Lay’s iconic chip flavours. The collaboration marks a new phase in Lay’s brand storytelling, positioning the snack giant as a lifestyle statement rather than just a product.
Ather Energy Unveils EL Electric-Scooter Platform and AtherStack 7.0
Ather Energy introduced its new “EL” electric-scooter platform at the brand’s annual community event, signaling the next phase of its innovation roadmap. Alongside the hardware reveal, Ather also launched AtherStack 7.0, its upgraded software ecosystem offering better connectivity, predictive maintenance, and advanced navigation features.
Ananta Capital Takes Majority Stake in Rubans to Fuel Accessory-Scale Growth
Private-equity firm Ananta Capital completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Rubans, a rapidly-growing Indian fashion-jewellery brand founded in 2017. With Ananta’s backing, the brand plans to invest significantly in design innovation and expand its omnichannel footprint to become India’s destination for women’s fashion accessories.
Rashmika Mandanna Becomes Swarovski’s New Indian Brand Ambassador
Global luxury jewellery brand Swarovski announced actress Rashmika Mandanna as its new Indian brand ambassador, marking a strategic move to strengthen its connection with younger, style-conscious consumers. Rashmika’s appointment symbolizes the brand’s commitment to aligning with India’s rising generation of cultural icons who embody confidence, elegance, and individuality.
Beyond the Headlines: Strategic Shifts
Our “Beyond the Headlines” section captures additional August movements:
- Voltas Limited (Tata Group) expanded its direct retail network on August 22, 2025, with new Company Owned outlets across India
- UNIQLO announced its first Western India store in Pune, set to open on September 26
- Marico launched Parachute Botanics, a premium natural hair-care range, extending its legacy into clean beauty
- ITC entered the healthy-snack segment with NutriNosh, featuring baked chips and protein bars for India’s growing wellness market
Why August 2025 Matters for India
This issue documents how India is redefining its role in the global economy:
- Indigenous Innovation: Mahindra’s Nu platform proves Indian engineering is building world-class automotive architecture from the ground up
- Upstream Integration: Reliance’s ₹40,000 crore food park investment shows how retail giants are owning the entire supply chain for efficiency and control
- Global Luxury Ambitions: Titan’s international expansion demonstrates that Indian brands are evolving into cultural ambassadors of refined, homegrown luxury
- Celebrity Entrepreneurship: Palmonas’ ₹55 crore raise validates that celebrity-founded brands are maturing into scalable, design-led businesses
- Physical Retail Resilience: Libas’ 11-store launch proves that omnichannel presence remains essential for brand experience and community building
- Ecosystem Thinking: Ather’s combined hardware-software approach shows Indian EV brands are building loyalty through integrated digital experiences
August reaffirmed that India is no longer confined to startups for innovation, it’s embedded across legacy, luxury, and lifestyle. From Mahindra and Reliance redefining industry blueprints to Palmonas, Libas, and Rubans shaping consumer culture, this month proved that Indian brands are merging scale with sophistication.
The future of Indian business lies in elevation: global standards met with indigenous ingenuity, and homegrown brands rising to set the pace.
Get exclusive insights into India’s brand evolution, design thinking, and the stories shaping the world’s most dynamic consumer economy.
