?2,955 Crore Deal: HUL & Minimalist
In our Eighty-fourth D2C Insider edition, we will explore how Boddess Beauty is redefining beauty retail, Join the ONDC Movement with Protean and more!
Welcome back to another edition of D2C Insider Digest!
Boddess Beauty is showing us how tech and a customer-first approach can change the game in beauty retail. With a focus on personalisation, inclusivity, and sustainability, they’re making self-care more modern and accessible.
Boddess Beauty proves that innovation and authenticity can create a beauty shopping experience that’s both empowering and sustainable.
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ONDC can be the next growth engine for your D2C business: Let’s explore how is Protean assisting D2C Brands to grow
D2C brands have traditionally relied on marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart to rapidly scale their businesses, capitalizing on their massive user bases. However, this reliance comes at a cost: high commissions and limited control.
Driving direct traffic to a brand's own website takes time and significant marketing investments. As a result, D2C brands are increasingly focused on improving their unit economics while maintaining growth. While marketplaces offer reach, they also present unique challenges.
Limited Control: D2C brands have limited control over their brand presentation, customer data, and overall customer experience on these platforms.
Platform Dependence: Relying heavily on a single platform can create vulnerabilities and limit a brand's ability to reach its full potential.
High Commission Fees: Platforms like Amazon and Flipkart often charge hefty commissions on each sale, significantly impacting profit margins for D2C brands.
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is democratising e-commerce in India. Since its trial launch 3 years back, it has now crossed 150 mn transactions that are not marketplace-based. Over 7.75L+ sellers on ONDC are selling from grocery, fashion, food, electronics, wellness and much much more. Available in 600+ cities across the country, ONDC has unbundled the buyer and seller function from a single platform to multiple participant roles thus taking away the ability of a marketplace to influence brand discovery, and dictate pricing and discounts while keeping end consumer experience standard. With ONDC you are in control of how you want to run your business while getting access to multiple other platforms that are already linked to the ONDC network.
Protean Open Commerce, our full stack ONDC solution has different ecommerce components that have been custom built for ONDC. Protean is not only the co-founder of ONDC but is also managing the core technology infrastructure of the platform; The gateway and the registry.
The fastest and most affordable way to onboard your business onto ONDC with a dedicated team to help you setup your shop on ONDC !
Click on the button below to contact us and schedule a free demo!
1. Hindustan Unilever Acquires 90.5% Stake in Minimalist
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) just bought 90.5% of Minimalist, a popular skincare brand known for its science-backed products, in a deal valued at ?2,955 crore. This includes ?2,670 crore for buyouts and ?45 crore as new funding. HUL will own the remaining 9.5% within two years.
Key Takeaways:
Industry Shift:
HUL’s move highlights the trend of big companies investing in agile D2C brands that cater to millennials and Gen Z, especially in the premium beauty space.
Why It Matters:
This acquisition gives HUL a chance to grow in the booming skincare market, benefiting from Minimalist’s innovation and loyal customers.
2. AstroTalk Launches D2C Store, Targets ?100 Crore ARR by FY25
AstroTalk, a leading astrology platform, has launched its direct-to-consumer (D2C) store, offering a curated range of gemstones and healing stones infused with positive mantras by expert astrologers.
Key Insights:
Conclusion:
AstroTalk’s entry into the D2C market highlights its innovative approach and determination to expand its presence in the astrology and wellness industry.
1. Rituals to Expand UK Presence After Record Sales Year
Rituals, the popular Dutch wellness brand, is expanding its footprint in the UK after raking in €2.1 billion in global sales in 2024, marking a 39% sales boost in the UK and Ireland.
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What’s Next:
Rituals’ expansion shows that they’re not just growing their business but also making a positive social impact.
The Tech Blackmail We Didn’t See Coming
Geetanjali Gupta, founder of Headspur, recently highlighted how tech is shifting from a helpful tool to a subtle form of exploitation—think of the way auto drivers hike fares on rainy nights.
Geetanjali asks: Will food delivery apps start raising prices because they know you’re too tired to cook? Or will Google Maps charge for your wrong turns?
Her post is a wake-up call. What was once convenient is now being used against us. Where will it go next?
A) Where D2C Visionaries Converge
Join us at the D2C Insider CXO Meet & Elevate Cohort 3 Demo Day for a day packed with innovation and opportunities.
Date: 22nd February 2025
Time: 2 PM - 9 PM
Location: Collative, White House, Sector 5, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi
Featured Speakers:
Why Attend?
It’s not just a meet-up. It’s your chance to get insider tips, network with the right people, and get ideas to fuel your business growth.
B) D2C Insider Elevate Pulse Series (Season 1: Episode 6)
Discover the secrets to delivering a pitch that wins over investors! Join Apurva Dixit (Investment Team - Blume Ventures) for a power-packed session on nailing your startup pitch!
Topic: The Anatomy of a Perfect Pitch
Friday, 31st January 2025 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Live on Zoom Don’t miss out—register now to master the art of pitching!
D2C snack brands are on the rise globally, offering healthier, unique snacks that cater to wellness-conscious consumers.
Why it’s a big deal:
These snack brands are shaking up the market worldwide.
Our platform is connecting the right people—whether you're looking for clients, suppliers, or co-founders, our community is growing every day.
Join us today and be part of India’s largest D2C community.
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Event Director
4 周The evolution of tech in beauty retail and its potential for exploitation is fascinating. How do you see this impacting consumer trust and brand loyalty?