MAM
Awaaz consumer awards 2005 to be held on 7 July
MUMBAI: Awaaz, the consumer channel will hold the Awaaz Consumer Awards 2005 ceremony in New Delhi on 7 July. The awards ceremony will felicitate top brands, which Indian consumers have voted for as their most preferred brands.
According to a media release, Awaaz Consumer Awards is a result of a comprehensive survey with 7000 consumers across 21 cities, spanning 21 product and service categories across the country. The brand preferences of the Indian consumers and the criteria for brand loyalty were analysed through the Awaaz Consumer Vote.
The study for India’s most preferred brands was conducted by AC Nielsen ORG-MARG.
Awaaz, channel has continuously strived to reinforce its commitment with a plethora of far-reaching initiatives, the latest of which is the Awaaz Consumer Awards ’05, informs the media release.
The brands considered for the Awards are broadly classified into service and product categories. banks, telecom, investment advisories, home loans, mutual funds, telecom were some of the service categories, while FMCG, consumer durables, automobiles were some of the product categories that were covered in the poll.
The Awaaz Consumer Awards 2005 will felicitate the brands that made an impact on the minds of the Indian consumers. The awards function in New Delhi will be presided over by minister of civil aviation Praful Patel and noted film actress and social activist Shabana Azmi will also speak on the occasion.
ICICI Bank is the presenting sponsor of this initiative.
The evening will be hosted by well-known film and television personality, Jaaved Jaffrey, while renowned Indian rock band Euphoria will give a special performance, informs the media release.
Brands
Estée Lauder to fully acquire Indian luxury Ayurveda brand Forest Essentials
Move builds on 18-year partnership; Estée Lauder raised stake to 49 per cent in 2020
NEW YORK: The Estée Lauder Companies is moving to take full ownership of the Indian luxury skincare brand Forest Essentials, strengthening its bet on one of the world’s fastest-growing prestige beauty markets.
The US beauty giant said it has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining stake in Forest Essentials, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
The move builds on an 18-year partnership between the two companies. Estée Lauder first invested in Forest Essentials in 2008, increasing its stake to 49 per cent in 2020.
Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Mira Kulkarni, Forest Essentials has emerged as one of India’s leading prestige skincare brands, blending traditional Ayurvedic formulations with luxury retail experiences. The brand operates nearly 200 standalone stores and has built a reputation around what it calls “luxurious Ayurveda”.
Under the deal, Forest Essentials will remain headquartered in New Delhi, with Kulkarni continuing to lead the brand alongside her son Samrath Bedi, executive director.
The company will retain its vertically integrated operations in India, including Ayurveda-based research and development, local botanical sourcing and in-house manufacturing.
The Estée Lauder Companies president and chief executive officer Stéphane de La Faverie, said the deal marks a new phase in a long-standing partnership.
He said the company aims to strengthen Forest Essentials’ leadership in India while expanding the brand internationally through Estée Lauder’s global distribution and brand-building capabilities.
For Estée Lauder, the acquisition reflects a broader push into India’s fast-expanding prestige beauty segment. The group already sells 14 brands across skincare, makeup, fragrance and haircare in the country.
With the addition of Forest Essentials to its portfolio, the company expects India to become its largest emerging market.
Kulkarni said the partnership would help take the principles of Ayurveda to a global audience while preserving the brand’s heritage and identity.
The deal also aligns with Estée Lauder’s strategy of backing founder-led brands rooted in culture and heritage, while providing global scale.
The company has invested more than $14 million in social programmes in India, supporting initiatives in health, education and leadership through partnerships with local organisations.
