Brands
Zomato and PayTM feature in Interbrands’ ‘Breakthrough Brands’ report
MUMBAI: A unique business model that is driven by innovation and technology is the trademark key to success among the emerging businesses in the world. Under tough competition, it is no longer enough to have hard working product or service. Smart brand building is the need of the hour. Keeping that in mind, Interbrand in partnership with Facebook, Ready Set Rocket and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), has released its ‘Breakthrough Brands’ report that examines strong emerging brands.
Of the 200 brands nominated, 60 ended up being featured in the Interbrand Breakthrough Brands report, although the list does not rank the brands.
India- founded Zomato has been featured in the Food and Beverage category along with Deliveroo from UK, Blue Apron from US and do dem from Brazil. Zomato’s mission is to facilitate better dining experiences for food seekers all over the world. Founded in 2008, this brand’s food discovery platform is now a part of India’s biggest personal assistant app, HelpChat, which will be able to anticipate users’ food-related desires. Zomato also offers online ordering and table reservations, as well as tools that allow restaurants to manage demands, thus creating better food experiences for both its users and one million restaurants partners worldwide.
Also, PayTM has been featured in the prestigious ‘Growing global’ category. This category celebrates the brands that have created a unique, differentiated approach which is global from day one. Breaking ground fast and too big to ignore, these brands are poised, or already on the path, to creating a significant global footprint. PayTM’s growing mission to create a one-stop, mobile shop has caused it to flourish in the population-dense country of India, where online platforms serve a growing need to get things done, quicker and more conveniently. Launched in 2010, PayTM began as mobile charging and bill payment service and has since become a full mobile commerce platform, with 20 million registered users and growing. It’s poised to break through in other Asian markets, where the one-stop-shop proposition is becoming increasingly popular. The brand has featured in the category along with Xiaomi from China, WeChat from China and DJI Global from Hong Kong.
“In this ‘Age of You’ brands are being used by people to design better experiences in their day to day lives. That is what necessitates the conventional brands themselves to move at the Speed of Life. The Breakthrough Brands are born into the new cognitive era and are unencumbered. They can therefore create bespoke experiences per people’s needs and desire with a clear purpose to provide solutions through a sustainable business model. The task thus is not so much technology-out as much as it is solution focused. Then on, all the regular tools of running a good business need to be put in place – a scalable resource plan with internal clarity, responsiveness and governance models; external differentiation to ward –off imitability and consistency while the scale up. The stronger the solution and its focus, the better would be the earned media and buzz that are the decisive promotional vehicles for today’s breakthrough brands,” said Interbrand India MD Ashish Mishra in parting.
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.
