Brands
ITW Playworx gets communications mandate from furniture firm Furlenco
MUMBAI: Furniture rental and lifestyle brand Furlenco has signed ITW Playworx, the brand solutions arm of ITW Universe, as its strategic communications partner. The partnership will focus on driving Furlenco’s communication strategies to enhance its brand narrative and build stronger connections with its target audience.
As part of this mandate, ITW Playworx, which says it is India’s only full-stack agency offering a complete range of services through a single window, will craft and execute a comprehensive PR strategy for Furlenco, leveraging innovative approaches to elevate the brand’s visibility. Additionally, ITW Universe will work closely with its marketing team to amplify the brand’s presence through outdoor advertising (OOH) and sports marketing platforms, ensuring an integrated and impactful outreach.
Said Fluorenco CEO & fonder Ajith Karimpana: “Furlenco has always strived to create exceptional experiences for the customers by offering premium, flexible home solutions. Partnering with ITW Playworx aligns with our goal of engaging meaningfully with our audience. We are confident this collaboration will help us achieve greater visibility and strengthen our brand’s positioning in the market.”
ITW Playworx CEO Sidharth Ghosh said, “Furlenco is redefining modern living, and we are proud to partner with a brand that resonates with urban India’s aspirations. At ITW Playworx, we craft purpose-driven strategies that elevate brands and build deeper emotional connections. This partnership is a valuable opportunity to showcase our expertise in impactful storytelling.”
ITW Universe co-founder Bhairav Shanth opined, “We are excited to be working with a truly new economy brand like Furlenco on boosting its brand presence and salience. An interconnected consumer market requires strategies that are truly integrated across multiple channels and building on the work that ITW Playworx will be doing we will also be helping the brand with a holistic 360 plan spanning across multiple touchpoints such as digital/OTT, sports marketing, OOH and more.”
ITW Playworx aims to position Furlenco as not just a furniture rental platform but a lifestyle brand that resonates with the modern Indian consumer.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
