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.
Brands
Lenexis Foodworks appoints Arvind R P as CEO to lead next growth phase
Former McDonald’s India leader to scale QSR brands and expand footprint
MUMBAI: Lenexis Foodworks has appointed Arvind R P as chief executive officer, bringing in a seasoned consumer business leader to steer its next phase of expansion.
Arvind joins the company with over 25 years of experience across quick service restaurants, FMCG, beauty, fashion and automotive sectors. Most recently, he served as chief business officer (south) at McDonald’s India, where he played a key role in driving growth and strengthening brand strategy.
At Lenexis Foodworks, Arvind will focus on scaling the company’s portfolio, which includes Chinese Wok, Big Bowl and The Momo Co.. The company currently operates over 260 outlets and is targeting an ambitious expansion to 500 stores by 2028.
The appointment comes at a time when Lenexis is doubling down on operational excellence and digital-led growth, while strengthening its position in key categories such as desi Chinese cuisine, bowl-format dining and the fast-growing momo segment.
Lenexis Foodworks founder and director Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal said, “We are delighted to welcome Arvind at a pivotal stage in our journey. His experience in building consumer businesses and driving P&L growth will be invaluable as we scale our brands and sharpen execution.”
Sharing his outlook, Arvind R P said, “Lenexis Foodworks has built a strong foundation with a portfolio of distinctive brands. I am excited to join at this stage and help accelerate growth while building a future-ready QSR platform.”
Known for leading large-scale transformations and building high-performance teams, Arvind is expected to play a central role in strengthening the company’s operating backbone and expanding its national footprint.
As competition intensifies in India’s fast-evolving QSR market, Lenexis Foodworks is betting on experienced leadership and sharper execution to turn its growth ambitions into scale.
