Expansions, layoffs, funding, leadership moves, and policy shifts — with our take on what it means for hiring in India, today and over the next five years.
India's Competition Commission has given the green light to a merger bringing together several hospitality entities under a joint venture between the Bhatia Group — parent of IndiGo airline — and French hospitality major Accor. The deal consolidates multiple hotel management and development companies into a unified alliance. This regulatory approval marks a significant step toward creating a larger, more integrated hospitality player in India.
Reliance Retail has acquired Bengaluru-based fashion discovery startup Furrl in a fully cash-funded transaction, with the deal value kept undisclosed. The move brings Furrl's technology and team under India's largest retail conglomerate. This acquisition signals Reliance's continued push to strengthen its fashion and lifestyle tech capabilities.
Electronic Arts has been taken private in a $55 billion acquisition led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund along with a consortium of investors, ending the company's nearly four-decade run on public markets. The deal shifts EA's ownership structure significantly, freeing it from short-term shareholder pressures. This kind of large-scale ownership change typically triggers strategic reviews that ripple across global operations, including India.
Mumbai-based fintech startup Mintoak has acquired ICC Loyalty, a Dubai-headquartered company specialising in loyalty and rewards technology, to broaden its offerings beyond merchant payments. The deal marks a strategic push by Mintoak to build a more comprehensive fintech platform for banks. This cross-border acquisition signals growing ambitions within India's merchant banking fintech space.
Nykaa's board has greenlit a deal to acquire a 51% controlling stake in Aminu, a direct-to-consumer skincare brand. The move signals Nykaa's continued push to deepen its presence in the premium skincare segment by bringing promising D2C labels under its umbrella. This acquisition gives Nykaa greater control over Aminu's product development, distribution, and growth strategy.
Times Network has acquired OpiGo, a fintech startup, to strengthen ET NOW's capabilities as an investment and financial information platform. The deal value was not disclosed publicly. This move signals Times Network's intent to deepen its presence in the personal finance and retail investing space.
Beauty and lifestyle platform Nykaa has announced the acquisition of a 51% controlling stake in Aminu, a premium dermocosmetic skincare label, in an all-cash deal worth ₹32 crore. The move is part of Nykaa's broader strategy to deepen its owned-brand portfolio in the fast-growing skincare segment. This comes on the back of strong quarterly results, with net profit more than tripling and revenues climbing 29% year-on-year.
Global private equity firm Bain Capital is in advanced discussions to purchase a controlling interest in Cello World from its founding family, in a transaction reportedly worth more than ₹3,000 crore. The deal signals growing PE appetite for India's branded consumer goods and housewares space. If completed, it would mark one of the more significant PE-led buyouts in the Indian consumerware segment in recent years.
WeWork's global parent is in discussions to offload its entire 27% holding in WeWork India, potentially handing full ownership to Bengaluru-based Embassy Group. Embassy Group, which already controls the majority 73% stake, may itself dilute some of its shareholding as part of the deal to raise additional capital. The transaction would effectively sever the Indian co-working business from its troubled global parent.
Procter & Gamble has completed its acquisition of Thorne, a well-known supplements and wellness brand, in a deal priced in line with industry norms. The move comes as P&G looks to deepen its footprint in the fast-growing consumer health and wellness segment. UK-based Haleon was also reportedly in the running for the acquisition before P&G closed the deal.
JSW Group is structuring a dedicated joint venture entity to formalise its partnership with Volkswagen Group in India, with manufacturing assets and operations set to move into the new company. The alliance is focused on producing mass-market Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles locally, with JSW seeking majority economic interest and operational control. Both sides are working toward signing a formal agreement within weeks.