All posts by Neel Achary

Mumbai, Feb 27: As fragrance gains momentum as one of the most dynamic segments in India’s beauty market, Nykaa, India’s leading specialty beauty and lifestyle company, has launched Nykaa Perfumery, a dedicated fragrance- only retail format designed to deepen consumer engagement with scents. With two stores now operational at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon and Infiniti Mall, Malad, Nykaa Perfumery marks a significant step in the company’s long-term vision to build the fragrance category in India.

 Fragrance in India is undergoing a structural shift. Once seen largely as an occasion-led or deodorant-driven category, it is steadily becoming a form of everyday self-expression. Greater exposure to global beauty trends, rising premiumisation, and a young, experimentation-led consumer base are driving higher adoption of fine fragrances across genders. Consumers are increasingly building scent wardrobes, exploring layering, and seeking a deeper understanding of notes and fragrance families.

Globally, fragrance is recognised as the third pillar of a strong specialty beauty ecosystem, and Nykaa has been steadily investing in the category with a long-term lens. In India, where fragrance is still evolving into an everyday habit, the opportunity extends beyond retail into shaping consumer awareness, education, and discovery. Nykaa has been actively building this ecosystem through a series of category-creating initiatives. Its intellectual properties such as the Fragrance Collective, which curates over 350 global and luxury scents, and Nykaa Fragtok, a luxury fragrance creator hunt, are designed to encourage exploration, storytelling, and experimentation. These platforms are helping Indian consumers engage with fragrance in more immersive and informed ways, gradually deepening both appreciation and adoption of the category.

Nykaa Perfumery serves as the retail expression of this larger vision. Designed as an immersive fragrance discovery destination, the format places perfumes at the centre of the experience and encourages customers to slow down, explore, and build a personal connection with scent. Each store spans approximately 800 sq. ft. and is thoughtfully designed with dedicated discovery tables and consultation-led layouts that support guided exploration.

At the core of the in-store journey is Nykaa’s Fragrance Finder, an assisted discovery tool that helps decode consumer preferences and translate them into personalised recommendations. This phygital integration combines technology with human expertise to make fragrance discovery intuitive and confidence-building. Specially trained fragrance advisors guide customers through fragrance families, notes, and scent profiles while introducing them to skin testing and layering rituals. Customers are encouraged to experience how scents evolve and to experiment with combinations that reflect their personality and mood.

Across the two stores, customers can explore a curated mix of over several leading global fragrance brands. The portfolio brings together luxury and cult-favourite houses including CHANEL, Jo Malone, Tom Ford, YSL, Armani, Prada, Valentino, and Maison Margiela, among others. The format also elevates fragrance gifting with bespoke services such as engraving, curated gift sets, and personalised packaging, positioning Nykaa Perfumery as a premium gifting destination.

Nykaa’s offline network continues to be a key lever for growth and premiumisation. In Q3 FY26, Nykaa expanded to 276 beauty stores across 94 cities, adding 11 new stores and entering four new cities. The network is delivering healthy double-digit same-store sales growth, supported by elevated in-store experiences and exclusive brand collaborations. Within this expanding ecosystem, Nykaa Perfumery is already demonstrating strong traction. The format delivers nearly three times the average order value of regular beauty stores as of Q3 FY26. Over 45 percent of GMV as of Q3 FY26 comes from men’s fragrances, much of it incremental, signalling a widening consumer base and growing male participation in the category.

By combining a curated global portfolio, expert-led consultations, and technology-enabled discovery, Nykaa Perfumery is shaping a new chapter for fragrance retail in India – one that is rooted in exploration, education, and sensorial engagement, and aligned with the evolving aspirations of the Indian beauty consumer.

Mumbai, Feb 27:  Wella Professionals, a global leader in professional haircare innovation, has launched ‘Glow From Within’, a campaign film celebrating the Illumina Color City Collection: Mumbai Edition.

 Inspired by Mumbai- a city of contrasts, ambition, creativity, and quiet strength, the ‘Glow from Within’ campaign captures the many moods of the modern woman. From cinematic glamour to soulful individuality and quiet power, each look reflects Mumbai’s spirit through luminous, natural-looking colour that truly glows from within.

Conceptualised in-house, with three signature looks created by the Wella India Ambassadors, the campaign film brings to life a glow-led colour narrative, positioning hair colour as a reflection of identity and individuality. Produced by Bombay Film Company, the film is shot across iconic Mumbai landmarks including the Gateway of India, Flora Fountain, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. It showcases three signature looks that interpret the city’s glamour, creativity, and ambition.

The showcases three signature looks from the collection. Glam Glow draws inspiration from Bollywood glamour, featuring neutral and cool brown tones for a sophisticated, camera-ready look. Dreamer Glow reflects Mumbai’s softer, creative side, with delicate blends of cool blondes and natural browns for an ethereal, artistic feel. Power Glow channels the energy of confident working women, using cool browns and soft blondes for understated luxury and professional elegance.

Powered by Illumina Color’s violet base, Microtones Technology and Microlight Technology, the collection is designed specifically for Indian hair. It neutralises unwanted warmth, enhances clarity, and delivers multi-dimensional luminosity.

Commenting on the launch of the brand film, Pravesh Saha, General Manager, South Asia, Wella Company, said,

“With Glow From Within, we wanted to celebrate the spirit, individuality and ambition of women in Mumbai. This campaign is more than a product launch, it is a cultural expression of how hair colour can reflect personality, confidence, and self-expression. We look forward to expanding the City Collection and connecting with women through more city-specific narratives.”

The Mumbai Edition marks the first chapter of Wella Professionals’ city-inspired collection, with more city editions planned to celebrate individuality and the unique identities of women across regions.

India, Feb 27: The Body Shop, a British-born international ethical beauty brand, has announced the return of its globally loved Dewberry collection. First launched in the 90s, it became known as the scent that defined a decade. Now, Dewberry returns with all the nostalgic boldness and charm you remember, reimagined for a new generation. 

Sparked by overwhelming demand from fans across the world, Dewberry is back with a fresh perspective. The new and exciting collection, with its unmistakable juicy notes, has been thoughtfully curated with modern textures and updated formulas. The perfect way to reawaken cherished memories of a thrilling era, while creating bold new ones today.  Infused with sustainably sourced Community Fair Trade ingredients such as Shea Butter and Sesame Seed Oil, the collection brings together The Body Shop’s legacy of ethical beauty with a vibrant, modern sensorial experience. 

DEWBERRY: A SCENTED JOURNEY

The fragrance is vibrant, uplifting, playful yet sophisticated, and ever so nostalgic. Top Notes: The journey begins with an instant burst of juicy dewberry, delicately intertwined with crisp green leaves and a cool touch of eucalyptus, evoking a sense of carefree energy. Heart Notes: A timeless floral symphony of jasmine, freesia, and white lily unfolds, adding a layer of soft, fresh sophistication that bridges the past and present. Base Notes: The scent settles into a comforting, grounding base of warm cedarwood and soft musk, leaving a feeling of quiet confidence; a gentle reminder that some scents stay with us, not just for their beauty but for the memories they carry.

Rahul Shanker, Group CEO, Quest Retail and House of Beauty said,

“The relaunch of the Dewberry collection through a modern lens celebrates joy, self-expression, and a love for nostalgic classics. The range invites our beloved customers to rediscover a familiar favourite that feels vintage, nostalgic, and fresh, all at the same time, and is a true embodiment of our heritage reimagined.”

The Dewberry range is available across The Body Shop stores and online

Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb 27: Verdant IMAP is pleased to announce that it has advised on the acquisition of a portfolio of South African data centre assets from NTT DATA, by Open Access Data Centres a subsidiary of WIOCC Group.

NTT operate global technology and digital infrastructure platforms, and the assets form part of their South African data centre operations.

The transaction comprises seven data centre facilities, strategically located in key centres across South Africa, forming an important platform within South Africa’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. The assets support enterprise, wholesale, and cloud connectivity requirements and represent critical infrastructure underpinning the country’s growing digital economy.

The acquisition strengthens WIOCC Group’s position as a multi-regional digital infrastructure provider, expanding its footprint in South Africa while complementing its broader pan-African and international network and connectivity assets. The transaction enhances the group’s ability to serve its diverse client group, which includes hyperscalers, CDNs, network operators, ISPs, and enterprise clients with scalable, resilient, and carrier-neutral data centre capacity across multiple markets.

The transaction reflects continued investment momentum in African digital infrastructure, underpinned by sustained growth in data consumption, cloud adoption, and increasing demand for neutral, carrier-dense data centre facilities in strategically located markets.

The transaction has received approval from the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Verdant IMAP acted as financial adviser to OADC (A WIOCC Group Company). The transaction involved navigating a highly complex and negotiated process, including the resolution of complex commercial, legal, and structural considerations. The transaction required extensive coordination across financial, commercial, legal, and operational workstreams over a prolonged negotiation period, reflecting the complexity typically associated with large-scale digital infrastructure transactions.

Verdant IMAP operates as part of the global IMAP platform, a long-established international investment banking network with a strong presence across major markets worldwide. IMAP forms an integral part of Verdant IMAP’s business, providing access to global sector expertise, international best practice, and cross-border perspective that underpins the firm’s advisory capabilities across complex transactions in digital infrastructure, telecoms, fintech, and technology-enabled sectors.

The transaction builds on Verdant IMAP’s growing digital infrastructure advisory franchise, reflecting the firm’s continued focus on data centres, fibre networks, telecoms, and technology-enabled infrastructure assets across Africa. Verdant IMAP continues to advise on some of the region’s most complex digital infrastructure transactions, supporting both strategic and financial clients across the investment lifecycle. The transaction is Verdant IMAP’s fourth completed transaction for WIOCC Group. 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 27 — African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.

Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.

The Symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.

Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.

Regional representatives, including Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.

Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.

Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.

In a symbolic gesture, attendees signed a “passport wall,” signalling support for accelerated reforms to make movement across African borders easier for citizens.

The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission said they will continue working with member states and regional bodies to advance coordinated approaches to mobility – seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

Khao Galli brings the vibrant spirit of Indian street food to an elegant dining setting at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru. The experience begins with refreshing welcome beverages and a selection of salads including Indian-spiced charred sweet corn salad and Murgh Chatpata. Comforting soups such as Chukandar aur Gosht ka Pudina Shorba and Gajar aur Adrak ka Soup set the tone, followed by interactive live stations serving Meen Varuval, Pudina aur Hari Mirch ka Murgh, momos, Kati rolls, and assorted pakoras.

 The main course features favourites like Awadhi Gosht Biryani, Malabar Fish Curry, and Kundapur Ghee Roast, complemented by vegetarian classics such as Methi Malai Paneer and Lahsuni Bhindi, along with select European offerings including oven-roasted potatoes with caramelised asparagus. A lively yet comforting spread that captures the flavours and energy of India’s streets.

Venue: The Trinity Square, Taj MG Road, Bengaluru

When: Every Wednesday

Timings: Lunch: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Dinner: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

India, Feb 27 : Noise, India’s leading connected lifestyle brand, today announced that pre-bookings for Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose technology, the next generation of its flagship Master Series are now live. Master Buds 2 marks the next phase of Noise’s premium audio journey, combining immersive sound, refined design, and intelligent features crafted for how people listen today.

Building on the success of the original Master Buds, Master Buds 2 reimagines what premium audio can deliver, across acoustics, comfort, and intelligent interaction, reinforcing Noise’s vision of making world-class audio innovation accessible to millions. It’s not a generational upgrade – but truly a category killer.

Sound by Bose Technology 

Building on the benchmark set by the first-generation Master Buds, Master Buds 2 introduces a more powerful and responsive audio experience designed around how people listen today.

The Master Buds 2 integrates Sound by Bose technology helping to deliver richer acoustics, deeper bass, clear mids, and crisp highs for a balanced and lifelike listening experience.

Category-Leading Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Master Buds 2 introduces Noise’s most advanced Active Noise Cancellation system to date – at its core is the all new cavity design, thoughtfully reengineered for unparalleled performance. This architecture delivers high-fidelity sound alongside best-in-class Active Noise Cancellation performance, enhancing noise isolation while maintaining audio clarity for deeper immersion across environments. 

Speaking on the launch, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder of Noise, said,

“Unveiling Master Buds 2 at a global flagship platform like CES 2026 was an intentional decision, it reflects our ambition to showcase Indian innovation on the world stage while building products that resonate globally. With the Master Series, our focus has always been on delivering premium audio experiences through our collaboration with Bose Corporation, while ensuring they remain accessible to millions. Master Buds 2 represents a reimagination of our flagship audio experience, not just an iteration, but a reinvention of how sound, immersion, and intelligent design come together for modern listeners. This is India designing for the world, raising the bar for what consumers can expect from flagship audio.”

Clear Voice Pickup with Sound+ Algorithm

Master Buds 2 enhances voice pickup through a precision-tuned Clear Call experience powered by the Sound+ algorithm. Supported by a 6-mic ENC system, the earbuds intelligently isolate speech while minimizing surrounding noise, ensuring your voice comes through sharp, focused, and clear across meetings, calls, and busy environments.

Designed for real-world conversations, surrounding noise fades into the background so users can communicate with consistent clarity wherever they are.

Immersive 360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking

Powered by advanced audio processing, Master Buds 2 introduces 360° Spatial Audio with intelligent head tracking, creating a theater-like listening experience that adapts dynamically as users move. The feature enhances depth, positioning, and realism across music, movies, and gaming, making immersion feel natural and responsive.

Intelligent Audio, Powered by AI

Expanding the intelligent capabilities of the Master Series, Master Buds 2 introduces an AI Voice Chat Assistant, accessible through the Noise Audio companion app. Once activated via the app, users can interact naturally through voice to ask questions, receive real-time assistance, and manage everyday tasks seamlessly through their earbuds

Designed to function as an intelligent everyday companion, the feature enhances how users engage with audio, making interactions more intuitive, responsive, and integrated into daily routines.

Elevated Design, Built with Precision

Designed to deliver a truly premium experience, Master Buds 2 features a refined silhouette with clean, angular contours that enhance both aesthetics and ergonomics.

The earbuds showcase a metallic finish paired with a brushed metal disc and precision-cut detailing, creating a sophisticated visual identity while maintaining lightweight comfort for extended wear. Every element has been crafted to balance durability, tactile quality, and everyday usability.

Hands-Free Interaction with Head-Gesture Controls

Powered by an advanced 6-axis IMU sensor, Master Buds 2 introduces intuitive head-gesture controls, enabling users to manage music playback and calls through simple head movements. This hands-free interaction enhances convenience, making everyday listening more seamless and responsive.

Price and Availability

The Noise Master Buds 2 will be available in three signature colorways — Carbon, Aurum, and Mercury with pre-sales going live from 27th February across gonoise.com, Amazon, Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales, at an inaugural launch price of INR 7,999.

Pre-booking is now LIVE — exclusively on  gonoise.com,

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in AfricaThe agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships

ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb 27– The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Ray – Ethnic, the contemporary Indian ethnic wear label known for itsversatile approach to celebration dressing, launches Tarang, a collection inspired by the quiet poetry of ripples and the evolving nature of tradition.  

Drawing from the rhythm of flowing water, Tarang translates motion into clothing that feels soft, luminous, and effortless. The collection blends time‑honoured craftsmanship with a modern design language, expressed through fluid silhouettes, gentle textures, and detailing that reveals itself gradually. 

“At Ray – Ethnic, we see heritage not as something fixed in the past, but as stories carried forward,” said Trisha Roy, Brand Manager at Ray – Ethnic. “With Tarang, we wanted to create occasion wear that feels timeless yet adaptable pieces that move seamlessly across moments of celebration, light yet refined, rooted yet contemporary.”

The palette flows through serene, luminous tones, while the choice of fabrics brings a sense of ease, allowing each piece to transition seamlessly across different settings and seasons. Subtle layering, nuanced surface work and graceful movement define the collection’s visual language, staying true to the brand’s focus on repeat-worthy celebration wear.

More than a festive drop, Tarang reflects a larger shift in wardrobes towards longevity, emotion, and versatility. It is a reminder that craft is never static, it evolves, adapts, and finds new meaning with every generation that wears it

With a presence across 15 outlets in India, Ray – Ethnic continues to make contemporary ethnic wear accessible to customers nationwide. The Tarang collection is now available across Ray – Ethnic stores and online, with prices starting at Rs. 2,000.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Chandak Group has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Excellence in Delivery’ award at the ETNOW.in Realty Conclave & Awards – West Edition 2026, held recently in Mumbai. The award was presented by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra.

 The recognition underscores Chandak Group’s sustained focus on timely project completion, construction quality, and customer-centric development across Mumbai’s competitive real estate landscape. It reflects the developer’s commitment to operational excellence and its consistent track record of delivering thoughtfully designed residential communities aligned with evolving urban aspirations and lifestyle expectations.

Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson for Chandak Group said,

“Receiving the ‘Excellence in Delivery’ award is a proud moment for all of us at Chandak Group. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to timely execution, quality construction, and customer first approach. As Mumbai’s real estate landscape evolves towards integrated and lifestyle-driven developments, we remain focused on creating spaces that combine thoughtful design, sustainability, and long-term value for our homebuyers. This recognition motivates us to continue setting higher benchmarks in delivery and customer experience.”

Western India’s real estate sector continues to witness strong momentum, supported by rising demand for luxury housing, commercial expansion, and sustainability-led development. In FY25, luxury housing sales recorded a notable surge, with Mumbai leading the premium segment and setting new benchmarks in design, lifestyle integration, and wellness-oriented living. At the same time, integrated townships, green-certified developments, and smart infrastructure initiatives are reshaping urban growth corridors and reinforcing investor confidence across the region.

The ETNOW.in Realty Conclave & Awards – West Edition serves as a prominent industry platform bringing together leading architects, developers, interior designers, urban planners, and infrastructure experts. The event fosters dialogue on emerging trends, encourages collaboration, and celebrates organizations driving innovation and transformation across Western India’s built environment.