MAM
Pallavi Gupta gears up as head of marketing to steer Hero Cycles’ marketing wheels into high-speed growth
MUMBAI: Cycling to success is no leisurely ride—it demands grit, gears, and a bit of daring. Pallavi Gupta, known for pedalling brands to new heights, now clips into the saddle as the new head of marketing at Hero Cycles Ltd. The homegrown giant, synonymous with trust and two-wheeled dreams across generations, has called on Gupta to steer its leap from a national favourite to a global mobility and lifestyle powerhouse.
“Excited to announce my new role as the head of marketing at Hero Cycles Ltd! Hero Cycles, India’s renowned cycling brand, stands for innovation, trust, and progress across generations. It’s an honor to contribute to its transformation into a global mobility and lifestyle leader. Grateful to mentors, teams, and colleagues for their inspiration and challenges along my journey. Looking forward to driving #Innovation, #Sustainability, and #BrandExcellence in this new chapter,” Gupta posted on Linkedin.
Hero Cycles, which has held pride of place in India’s cycling landscape, now aims to go full throttle on innovation and sustainability as core pillars of its next chapter. Gupta’s appointment signals a fresh burst of energy into the brand’s marketing journey, pairing legacy with bold new ambition.
With experience in brand strategy, growth management, and consumer insights, Gupta’s leadership promises to keep Hero Cycles firmly on the competitive trail.
Hero Cycles continues to dominate not just India’s imagination but its roads as well, with plans to pedal even harder into markets worldwide. As the cycling world shifts towards green mobility and lifestyle integration, Hero Cycles looks ready to claim more miles and minds, with Gupta leading the charge.
Brands
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds to open 25 stores in Q1 FY26 expansion
Push into Tier 2 cities and metros to take total footprint past 85 stores
MUMBAI: Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds has kicked off the new financial year with an ambitious retail push, announcing plans to launch 25 new stores in the first quarter of FY26 across metros and high-growth Tier 2 markets.
With this expansion, the brand’s total retail footprint is set to cross 85 stores nationwide, reinforcing its early-mover advantage in India’s fast-growing lab grown diamond segment. The move reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, where aspirational buying is increasingly aligned with sustainability and value.
The company said the expansion is aimed at deepening its presence beyond major cities and tapping into emerging demand centres, as lab grown diamonds gain wider acceptance among Indian consumers.
Commenting on the development, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds founder and managing director Pooja Madhavan said, “Launching 25 stores at the very start of the financial year is a strong signal of how the category is evolving. As pioneers, we are not just expanding retail, we are shaping consumer mindsets towards smarter, more sustainable luxury.” She added that the brand’s long-term goal is to scale to 200 stores while making the category accessible to modern Indian buyers.
From an execution standpoint, the company is focusing on building depth in high-potential markets rather than just expanding its footprint. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds director retail expansion Karamjyot Singh Chawla said, “Every new store is a step towards creating a truly national footprint with consistent, premium experiences,” highlighting the role of supply chain and operational discipline in supporting growth.
On the product side, the brand is strengthening its merchandising capabilities to keep pace with rising demand. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director of inventory and merchandise Nirav Bhatt said the focus is on building an agile supply system that keeps designs relevant and responsive to consumer trends.
Meanwhile, scaling operations sustainably remains a priority. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director production and finance Kalpan Dalal said the company is investing in efficient production and financial discipline to support long-term expansion.
The retail rollout is backed by an omni-channel strategy, franchise partnerships and continued investment in design innovation and consumer education. Each store is designed to deliver a consistent, premium experience aligned with the brand’s positioning around transparency and modern luxury.
With a roadmap to reach 200 stores by 2027, Limelight is betting big on both scale and sentiment, aiming to carve out a larger share of India’s evolving fine jewellery market.
