Brands
Kingfisher Smooth flows into Karnataka’s strong beer market
MUMBAI: Strong beer is getting a softer edge. United Breweries Limited has rolled out Kingfisher Smooth in Karnataka, signalling a calculated push to widen Kingfisher’s footprint in India’s mainstream strong beer segment.
The launch targets one of the country’s largest and most influential beer markets. Karnataka, led by Bengaluru’s urban consumption and well-entrenched beer culture, offers the scale and visibility needed for a brand looking to grow beyond a single-state success. The move follows encouraging early consumer response to Kingfisher Smooth in Rajasthan.
Positioned for younger legal-age drinkers, Kingfisher Smooth is designed to bridge a familiar gap in the category: strength without the harshness. Brewed with imported hops and no added sugar, the beer aims to deliver a cleaner, smoother profile while retaining the punch expected by strong beer consumers.
United Breweries sees the variant as a strategic addition rather than a replacement. Kingfisher Strong continues as the flagship full-bodied offering, while Smooth expands choice within the brand’s core portfolio, reflecting changing consumer preferences and drinking occasions.
In Karnataka, Kingfisher Smooth will be available across leading retail outlets. Pricing has been set at Rs 100 for a 330 ml can, Rs 120 for a 330 ml bottle, Rs 155 for a 500 ml can, and Rs 200 for a 650 ml bottle.
With this rollout, UBL is betting that in a market long dominated by bold flavours, a smoother strong beer can still make enough noise to be noticed.
Brands
Reebok partners with Jerai Fitness for gym equipment in India
Long-term deal to manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded fitness products from April 2026.
MUMBAI: Reebok is pumping up its presence in India and this time, it’s bringing serious muscle to the gym floor. Jerai Fitness Limited, an Indian manufacturer with over three decades of experience in fitness equipment, has announced a first-of-its-kind long-term partnership with Reebok. Under the agreement, Jerai Fitness will manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded gym equipment across India and neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The products will be available from 1 April 2026.
The collaboration combines Jerai Fitness’ fully automated, technology-driven manufacturing facility with Reebok’s global brand legacy to redefine the fitness equipment ecosystem in the region.
Jerai Fitness Limited chairman & managing director Rajesh Rai said the partnership leverages advanced manufacturing capabilities to deliver high-quality products tailored to market needs.
Authentic Brands Group EVP of Reebok Steve Robaire noted that India is a dynamic and fast-growing fitness market. “Jerai Fitness brings the manufacturing expertise and local insight needed to deliver high-quality, performance-driven equipment at scale,” he said.
The partnership will introduce a comprehensive commercial range covering cardio, free weights, and high-end home-use equipment under two distinct series. All products adhere to international standards, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ASTM certifications, and European safety standards EN ISO 20957-1:2013, EN 957-2:2003 and EN 957-4:2006.
Jerai Fitness’ manufacturing facility features fully automated production systems and dedicated storage infrastructure. As of 31 August 2025, it had an installed annual capacity of 21,000 units.
The Reebok-branded equipment will be available pan-India through Jerai Fitness showrooms and official websites jeraihomegym.com and jeraifitness.com.
In a market where fitness goals are rising faster than dumbbells, this partnership gives Reebok the local strength it needs while giving Jerai Fitness a powerful global brand to flex. For Indian fitness enthusiasts and gym owners, the workout just got a stylish upgrade.
