The Berrylush Gamble, BharatPe Gets Relief, and Krutrim’s Lay Off

Snitch has made a sensible acquisition, but the ambition attached to it may be getting ahead of the facts.

Buying Berrylush is a more practical way to enter womenswear than creating another brand from scratch. Berrylush already has designs, sizing systems, suppliers, marketplace listings and years of customer feedback. Those assets are valuable in a category where mistakes can quickly become expensive. The undisclosed purchase price, however, remains an important missing detail.

Berrylush’s recent performance suggests that Snitch has bought an operating base rather than a fast-growing business. Its FY25 revenue fell to about ₹44.2 crore from nearly ₹49.5 crore in FY24, and the company remained loss-making. That weakness may have made the deal affordable, but it also means Snitch is not acquiring proven momentum. It is taking on a brand that had stopped scaling and will need significant work.

Womenswear also brings challenges that cannot be solved simply by adding more products. Compared with menswear, the category requires a wider assortment, faster trend cycles and much greater attention to fit. Returns can be particularly damaging because every reverse shipment adds logistics costs, delays resale and increases the risk that a trend-led product becomes outdated before it reaches another customer.

Snitch’s own financial position makes the experiment more demanding. Revenue rose 80% to ₹900 crore in FY26, but its unaudited EBITDA margin was only 2% to 3%. That represents roughly ₹18 crore to ₹27 crore in operating profit before interest, tax and other expenses. A poorly managed womenswear expansion could consume that cushion through higher marketing costs, returns and unsold inventory. Snitch spent ₹82.6 crore on marketing in FY25, almost twice Berrylush’s entire FY25 revenue.

The acquisition will work only if Snitch transfers the right capabilities without damaging what already exists. Its supplier network, rapid product launches, digital marketing skills and 115-store presence could improve Berrylush’s distribution and operating speed. But menswear merchandising practices cannot simply be imposed on a women-led brand. Retaining Anusha Chandrashekar and the existing team is therefore an important part of protecting the value Snitch has bought.

The proposed 100-day public rebuild may create attention, but integration, customer repositioning and fit improvements cannot be completed through a social-media schedule. Fashion groups often struggle after acquisitions when they centralise too quickly and remove the judgment that made the target brand valuable.

The deal should be assessed through lower return rates, faster inventory turnover and the ability to protect Snitch’s existing margins. Berrylush may be a sensible acquisition at the right price, but the ₹1,000 crore target remains an aspiration rather than evidence of a working growth plan.

Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Chain Ki Saans”: Delhi HC Grants BharatPe Interim Relief In Unity SFB Shareholding Dispute

BharatPe has scored temporary relief in its legal tussle with Unity Small Finance Bank. The Delhi High Court has paused moves to raise the bank's authorized share capital and amend its MoA for now.

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“Baad Mein Aana Haan”: Krutrim Cuts Nearly Half Of Remaining Workforce In Fresh Layoffs

Krutrim has carried out another round of layoffs, cutting 20 to 25 jobs and reducing its remaining workforce by nearly half.

The layoffs reportedly hit product and engineering teams the hardest, with some employees also alleging delays in salary payments and reimbursements.

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“Hum Saath Saath Hai”: upGrad Set To Close Unacademy Acquisition

India's edtech sector is set for one of its biggest consolidation moves as upGrad nears its ₹1,955 Cr acquisition of Unacademy.

It also includes a ₹45 Cr ESOP payout for Unacademy employees and will bring multiple education brands under a single Bengaluru-based structure.

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“Janmo Ke Saathi”: Snitch Acquires D2C Women’s Fashion Brand Berrylush To Expand Beyond Menswear

Snitch is stepping into women's fashion with the acquisition of D2C brand Berrylush, expanding beyond its menswear roots.

Berrylush will continue operating under its own identity while leveraging Snitch's tech, supply chain and marketing strengths.

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“Hum Tumhare Hai Sanam”: Anicut Capital Takes Control Of Bira 91 Founder Ankur Jain’s Stake

Bira 91's ownership story has taken another turn as Anicut Capital assumes control of founder Ankur Jain and his family's 17%+ stake in B9 Beverages.

The shift comes shortly after Jain stepped away from the board and gave up executive control.

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Taiyyari Jung Ki”: Table Space To File Draft Papers For $350 Mn IPO Next Month

Table Space is reportedly gearing up to file draft IPO papers next month for a public issue of up to $350 Mn.

The IPO is expected to include a ₹1,000 Cr fresh issue along with an offer for sale by existing shareholders.

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“Purana Saal Naya Maal”: Studio Blo launches AI advertising division

Studio Blo has launched a premium AI-native advertising division to create branded content powered by artificial intelligence.

The new venture brings together acclaimed filmmakers and creative talent to blend storytelling with AI-driven production.

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“Shopping Chat Mein Ho Gayi”: GoKwik And PayU Launch AI Shopping Experience On ChatGPT

GoKwik and PayU have launched an AI-powered shopping experience on ChatGPT that lets consumers discover, compare and buy products from Indian D2C brands inside one conversation. The platform is live with brands including Hyphen, Beardo and Kilrr.

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“Aaiye Aapka Intezaar Tha”: Nykaa Ropes In Ex-Instamart COO Ankit Jain To Helm Nykaa Now

Nykaa has appointed former Swiggy Instamart COO Ankit Jain to lead its quick commerce vertical, Nykaa Now.

His arrival comes as the beauty retailer gears up for a bigger push in the segment during FY27.

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“Swagat Nahi Karoge Humara”: Swiggy Instamart Onboards Former Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha As Chief

Swiggy Instamart has named former Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha as its new chief executive to steer the next phase of growth.

She succeeds Amitesh Jha, who previously led the quick commerce business.

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1. Inflexor Ventures has marked the first close of its ₹1,250 Cr Technology Discovery Fund, raising ₹400 Cr to back emerging tech startups.

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2. Student accommodation platform House of Student has raised $2 Mn in seed funding led by Saltwater Sutra and Nirmitsu Ventures. The fresh capital will help the startup strengthen its presence in the student housing market.

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3. Chennai-based alternative investment manager Hegdinvst has raised $1.3 Mn (₹11.5 Cr) in an oversubscribed Series A funding round.

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4. Deep-tech startup Yaanendriya has raised ₹15 Cr from Piper Serica to advance its indigenous navigation and inertial sensing technologies for robotics, drones and space applications.

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