Brands
Foot Locker to make its India debut
Mumbai: Foot Locker, a prominent name in sneaker culture, will inaugurate its omnichannel launch in India on 19 October, with Metro Brands operating physical stores and Nykaa Fashion managing the e-commerce business.
The first store, located at Select City Walk, will feature Foot Locker’s Reimagined concept, offering an innovative retail experience for consumers and sneaker enthusiasts.
Alongside the physical store launch, Nykaa Fashion will provide an online shopping experience that mirrors the excitement of the in-store journey through its Foot Locker website and Shop-in-Shop on the Nykaa Fashion and Nykaa Man platforms. This digital platform aims to deliver a superior online shopping experience with a focus on convenience and personalisation.
Foot Locker India will connect youth, culture, and passion-driven communities. The brand ambassadors, known as Stripers, will be category experts who enhance the shopping experience and lead community programs.
Customer-centric initiatives, such as India’s FLX(TRA) Rewards Program, will be part of the brand experience. Metro Brands and Nykaa Fashion will provide access to top sneaker and apparel brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, PUMA, New Balance, FILA, Asics, New Era, and more. Customers can also personalise their sneakers at the Sneaker Hub and protect their footwear with sneaker care brands like Crep.
Commenting on the launch of India’s first Foot Locker store, Foot Locker, Inc Sr VP, strategic planning & growth Peter Scaturro said, “Bringing Foot Locker to India, via licensing arrangements with Metro Brands and Nykaa Fashion, is a pivotal milestone in our global expansion. India’s vibrant sneaker culture offers a unique opportunity for Foot Locker to become a leading brand in the market. With our Foot Locker Reimagined concept, we aim to elevate the sneaker experience by blending innovation and technology in an immersive environment. Together with Metro Brands and Nykaa Fashion, we’re thrilled to inspire and empower Indian sneakerheads to express their individuality and connect with the Heart of Sneakers.”
Metro Brands CEO Nissan Joseph said, “With India’s athleisure market expanding rapidly, the strategic relationship between Metro Brands Ltd, Foot Locker Inc, and Nykaa is a huge step in leveraging this tremendous opportunity. The commitment to customers and community is deeply rooted in Foot Locker’s ethos, and with Metro’s deep understanding of Indian consumers, we are excited to shape the next generation of sneaker culture, making the shopping experience more conversational and enriching for sneaker enthusiasts.”
Commenting on the partnership, Nykaa co-founder and Nykaa Fashion CEO Adwaita Nayar said, “As the exclusive e-commerce platform for Foot Locker’s launch in India, we are thrilled to collaborate with such an iconic retailer that is revolutionizing the sneaker market. With sneaker culture gaining significant momentum in India, Nykaa Fashion is set to deliver a next-gen retail experience through our sophisticated digital platforms. Together, we are excited to create a seamless shopping journey that caters to the diverse and passionate sneaker community in India, bringing them closer to the global sneaker movement.”
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
