Brands
Casio sharpens India focus with locally made women’s watches
Tokyo: Casio is stepping up its India play, expanding its women’s watch portfolio with a new range of locally manufactured models aimed at a fast-evolving consumer market.
The Japanese watchmaker’s Indian arm has unveiled a curated lineup of 28 watches, led by 23 women’s models and supported by five men’s designs, underlining a clear strategic tilt toward women as a key growth engine. The move builds on Casio’s push to localise manufacturing while tailoring products more closely to Indian tastes.
Designed for modern, multi-role lifestyles, the new women’s collection spans metal bracelets, leather straps and dual-tone finishes such as gold-silver and rose gold-silver. For the first time, the range also introduces embellished designs, adding a touch of refinement without sacrificing everyday wearability. The watches are positioned for use across festive occasions, professional settings and daily wear.
Takuto Kimura, managing director of Casio India, said the country remained a critical market for the brand’s long-term growth. “By expanding our locally manufactured women’s portfolio, we are offering greater choice and stronger emotional connect, while staying true to Casio’s core strengths of quality, precision and reliability,” he said.
Manufacturing the new models in India is expected to improve availability and speed-to-market, while maintaining Casio’s global quality benchmarks. The company plans focused marketing and retail initiatives around the upcoming festive season to support the rollout.
The Made-in-India collection is available across Casio exclusive stores and authorised retail partners nationwide.
As competition intensifies and women emerge as decisive buyers, Casio is betting that local manufacturing, sharper design and lifestyle relevance will keep its watches ticking in India’s crowded timepiece market.
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
