Brands
Meesho files confidential IPO
MUMBAI: Meesho, one of India’s fastest-growing e-commerce platforms, has filed a confidential draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)—marking its first major step toward a public listing. The move allows the company to fine-tune its offer documents privately with regulators before going public, a route increasingly popular among Indian tech firms preparing to list.
Founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, Meesho built its model around affordability, simplicity, and deep regional access—serving value-conscious shoppers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The platform, which offers zero-commission selling for merchants and operates in multiple regional languages, has attracted over 150 million annual transacting users. Its focus on low-ticket, everyday essentials has helped it compete with giants like Amazon and Flipkart, particularly in unbranded fashion and general merchandise.
Meesho has shown significant financial momentum ahead of the IPO. In FY24, it recorded revenues of Rs7,615 crore, a 33 per cent jump year-on-year. More notably, it reduced its net loss to Rs305 crore—down sharply from Rs1,675 crore in FY23—thanks to logistics optimisation and better ad-spend efficiency. In a key pre-IPO restructuring, the company also completed a reverse-flip, moving its parent entity from the US to India to simplify governance and improve eligibility for local listing.
The public offering is expected between September and October 2025, with lead managers including Citi, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and Axis Capital. Market participants suggest Meesho could seek a valuation between $6.5–7.5 billion, positioning it among the most anticipated Indian tech IPOs of the year.
Meesho’s filing comes amid a broader wave of confidential listings in India. So far in 2025, Indian firms have raised nearly $6 billion through IPOs, with more than 140 companies in the regulatory pipeline. Investor appetite for digital-first, scalable platforms remains strong—particularly those showing a clear path to profitability.
Key drivers for Meesho include its continued expansion into smaller towns, enabled by UPI penetration, affordable mobile data, and a rising appetite for value-led online shopping. The company’s private-label brands in fashion, home, and beauty now account for nearly 20 per cent of sales, and its Meesho Express logistics arm is targeting 24-hour delivery in the top 200 districts to boost stickiness and margins.
Despite these headwinds, the company’s ability to cut losses while scaling revenues has buoyed investor confidence. The confidential filing gives Meesho up to 18 months to finalise its listing—offering time to strengthen financials further, and potentially turn a profit before debuting.
Brands
Uniqlo India signs Jasprit Bumrah as brand endorser
Cricketing star fronts new LifeWear campaign highlighting comfort and simplicity.
MUMBAI: Jasprit Bumrah just bowled a perfect yorker into fashion because when the fastest bowler in the world picks Uniqlo, even off-field style gets a pace attack. Uniqlo India has roped in Indian cricket icon Jasprit Bumrah as its brand endorser, kicking off the partnership with a fresh campaign that brings the brand’s LifeWear philosophy to life, clothing engineered for simplicity, quality and effortless comfort in daily routines.
The 30-second film shows Bumrah in relaxed, everyday moments away from the crease highlighting how the AIRism Oversized T-shirt slips seamlessly into his off-field life. The narrative quietly mirrors his journey as a fast bowler, built on consistency, instinct and the kind of fit that feels right from the first wear and only gets better with time.
Jasprit Bumrah said, “In my day-to-day life, I prefer clothing that feels comfortable and effortless, especially when I’m spending time off the field. That’s why I’m happy to be partnering with Uniqlo, the brand’s approach to everyday clothing feels like a natural extension to my personal style.”
Uniqlo India marketing director Nidhi Rastogi added, “We are proud to partner with cricket world champion Jasprit Bumrah and welcome him to the Uniqlo family. His focus on excellence, authenticity and quiet confidence reflects the essence of Uniqlo’s LifeWear philosophy.”
The campaign is now live across digital channels, social media, in-store displays and outdoor platforms, with the film and imagery rolling out alongside the announcement.
In a world where pace often means rushing, Bumrah and Uniqlo are reminding everyone that the best things in life and on the body come from calm, consistent comfort that simply shows up every day and gets the job done.
