MAM
Shaadi.com expands new Pune office marks multi-city growth
Mumbai: Shaadi.com, India’s no-one matchmaking platform announces the opening of its new office in Pune, from August 2023. This significant step heralds a fresh chapter for the company, setting the stage for a broader nationwide presence. With Maharashtra being one of the important markets for Shaadi.com, this move will fortify its presence in the state. The new office is located at Meridian Plaza on the well-connected Senapati Bapat road, which is a cultural epicentre due to its proximity to the Chaturshringi Temple. The new office spans approximately 5,000 sq. ft. and is poised to accommodate a dedicated sales team of over 70 professionals. As a special gesture, this facility also welcomes individuals to visit the premises and personally meet the company’s highest-rated advisors to discuss their prospective marriage needs.
People Group founder & CEO Anupam Mittal, expressed, “With the opening of our Pune office we aim to further strengthen our foothold in the Western region. It’s a growing market with an incredibly young talent pool. Our office is designed keeping in mind an inclusive work atmosphere which will not only enhance efficiency but also help us match our vision of creating a positive experience for our newly inducted team.”
This strategic move by Shaadi.com underscores its commitment to expanding its reach across various cities in India. With a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction and aligned with its progressive business objectives, Shaadi.com aims to cater to its thriving customer base in the country. This expansion initiative will effectively address the dynamic requirements of its clients while further enhancing its extensive business activities. With recently opened offices in Mumbai (Andheri), Chennai, Kolkata and now Pune, the company has plans to further expand in the South market as well. With offices in Hyderabad and Coimbatore in the pipeline, the move would also see Shaadi.com bolster its workforce by 30 per cent by the end of the financial year.
We hold the firm belief that this fresh establishment will empower us to extend meticulous and efficient service to our valued customers, further amplifying our regional presence.
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.
