Latest news with #PumaIndia
News18
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kareena Kapoor Khan And PV Sindhu Redefine Power Dressing In Athleisure's Bold New Era
Last Updated: Kareena Kapoor Khan and PV Sindhu come together, athleisure transforms into a statement of strength, confidence, and modern femininity. When fashion icon Kareena Kapoor Khan and Olympic medalist PV Sindhu join forces, the result is a masterclass in strength, style, and synergy. The latest Puma India campaign captures these two trailblazers redefining athleisure with a bold new energy rooted in confidence, discipline, and unapologetic individuality. The campaign, shot in a clean, high-impact studio setup, blends Puma's signature performance-wear with the personalities of its stars. Kareena brings her innate glamour, posing in sculpted burgundy co-ords and sleek monochromes, while Sindhu channels athletic intensity in functional, form-fitting separates designed for movement and power. From high-waisted leggings and sports bras to training-ready sneakers and statement outerwear, the collection bridges comfort with a contemporary edge making the gym-to-street crossover look seamless. More than just a fashion spread, this visual narrative celebrates the intersection of strength and femininity. PV Sindhu, one of India's most decorated athletes, lends authenticity to the performance gear embodying purpose, movement, and ambition. Kareena, on the other hand, brings her timeless charisma and body-positivity ethos, proving that you can look fierce and feel comfortable no matter the workout (or lack thereof). Their camaraderie in the frames also subtly hints at what modern womanhood looks like: supportive, stylish, and strong in every arena. The mirror-themed backdrop reinforces the core message, 'They Know." It's a nod to inner validation, encouraging women to look inward for strength rather than outside approval. Both Kareena and Sindhu, despite belonging to vastly different worlds, echo the same sentiment: self-worth is the real flex. In an age where activewear is more than just utility, this campaign positions Puma as a label that listens to women, athletes, mothers, celebrities, professionals and designs for their many avatars. Whether you're hitting the court, the treadmill, or just grabbing a coffee post-yoga, the line blends performance with polish effortlessly. This isn't just about sportswear. It's a celebration of two icons owning their journeys, one outfit at a time. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Ex-Puma India chief to build multi-brand sports empire with ₹600 crore
Abhishek Ganguly, who built Puma India from ₹20 crore to ₹3,900 crore during his 18-year tenure, is now planning to scale up multiple sports apparel brands to multi-million-dollar levels through his venture Agilitas Sports. The former Puma India head, who helped the German brand overtake Adidas for market leadership, is applying his growth strategies to build a portfolio of international and homegrown athletic brands in India's expanding sports market. In the near future, Agilitas aims to bring and build three international brands and one domestic brand in the sportswear category. 'We are building India's largest sports company. We will be very focused on sportswear—that's the only business I and the team understand,' Abhishek Ganguly, co-founder and CEO at Agilitas Sports, said. 'All four brands will be built with a very long-term view and at depth. The first two brands we feel have a minimum ₹2,000 crore opportunity in the next seven years.' One of the international brands Ganguly revealed he is scaling up in India is Italian sportswear label Lotto. It recently made a strategic foray into the country, spearheaded by Agilitas, with an ambitious five-year plan to achieve ₹1,000 crore in revenue. Agilitas holds exclusive rights for the Lotto brand in India, South Africa, and Australia. Founded in Italy over five decades ago, Lotto enters India with Leggenda, its premium sneaker line featuring designs from the '70s-'90s, now manufactured at Agilitas-acquired Mochiko Shoes. Over the next year, Lotto will expand into sportswear, apparel, and accessories, reinforcing its ambition to lead the next chapter of sportswear culture. But how does he avoid brand confusion while building multiple sports brands simultaneously through Agilitas and ensure each has distinct market positioning? Ganguly's strategy relies on product differentiation and distinct brand narratives rather than category separation, since all four brands operate in the same sportswear space. 'The offering will be very different from each of the brands. When we launch Lotto football, we will not do that in any other of our three brands,' said Ganguly. 'When we launch the Lotto tennis shoe, we will not do that in any of our three brands. The consumer stories and brand positioning will be very distinctly different.' Sportswear Market India's sportswear market is currently sized at over $10 billion and projected to reach $16.6 billion by 2033, with robust double-digit growth expected. Ganguly is competing with players like Nike, Adidas, and Puma, especially given their massive marketing budgets and brand recognition. Ganguly believes India's large, under-penetrated sportswear market offers room for multiple players to succeed, contrasting with his earlier Puma experience when the market was smaller and resources were limited. "The situation in India is totally different. The size of the market is very large and there are very few players. It's a 15-18 per cent growth business in the next 8-10 years,' he noted. But simultaneously scaling up multiple brands requires significant capital—a challenge Ganguly anticipated. He had the strategic foresight in securing substantial funding upfront rather than pursuing piecemeal fundraising rounds. The firm raised ₹600 crore of capital in the first year of setting it up. 'We have capitalized ourselves very well,' he noted. "We don't need to raise ₹1,000 crore every year. We're not creating brands at a price point where we are selling at low gross margins. We are very well thought through. We are focusing on improving efficiency." Pricing and Manufacturing "We as a country need to get pride back in our own manufacturing. We are better and definitely equal to some of the other Far Eastern Asian peers. This is very proudly made in India and I can dare say it is better than lots made in China and Vietnam." He is positioning Indian manufacturing as equal to global standards while using value pricing to build long-term customer loyalty rather than competing on premium positioning. What is also playing a key role for Agilitas in its ambitions is the acquisition of Mochiko Shoes, one of India's largest sports footwear manufacturers, for an undisclosed amount in 2023. Mochiko, which was established in 2008, had reported revenue of ₹642 crore in FY2023 and was estimated to grow 30 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y). 'It is a cash-generative asset,' he said.
Entrepreneur
01-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Virat Kohli Invests INR 40 Cr in Agilitas Sports to Fuel Sporting Goods Expansion
The company recently strengthened its manufacturing base by acquiring Mochiko Shoes, a key supplier for brands like Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has acquired a 1.94% stake in Bengaluru-based Agilitas Sports, investing INR 40 crore (~USD 4.7 million) in a strategic move that strengthens his expanding business portfolio. The funds were raised through the allotment of 3,61,611 Class 2 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares at INR 1,106 each, as per regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The investment is part of a larger funding round for Agilitas Sports, which also includes INR 3 crore from cricketer Abhishek Sharma and SMLINE Ventures. The fresh infusion values the company at approximately INR 2,058 crore (~USD 242 million) post-money and takes its total fundraising to over INR 600 crore. Founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India, Agilitas Sports is building a full-stack ecosystem in the sporting goods sector—covering manufacturing, licensing, and retail. Kohli's association marks a pivotal shift, especially after his high-profile exit from an INR 110 crore Puma India endorsement earlier this year to align with Agilitas. Agilitas' offerings span in-house brands like One8—Kohli's lifestyle label—and licensing rights for global sportswear brand Lotto in India and Australia. The company recently strengthened its manufacturing base by acquiring Mochiko Shoes, a key supplier for brands like Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers. Post-investment, Mauritius-based Infinity Direct Holdings remains the largest stakeholder at 37.73%, followed by Ganguly at 18.26%, Nexus Venture Partners at 9.16%, and Kohli and Yuvraj Singh at 1.94% and 0.51%, respectively. With Kohli's brand value, strategic input, and investment, Agilitas aims to boost its "Make in India" manufacturing ethos and aggressively scale operations both domestically and internationally, positioning itself as a formidable player in the global sporting goods arena.
India.com
28-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Not just brand ambassador, Virat Kohli invests Rs 400000000 to become co-owner of THIS company
Virat Kohli, once the face of Puma, is now the brand ambassador of Agilitas. He has also invested Rs 40 crore in the company, becoming an active stakeholder. Cricketer Virat Kohli has invested Rs 40 crore rupees in manufacture of sports goods company Agilitas. Besides becoming one of the major investors, Kohli is to be the brand ambassador of the company. It was established by Abhishek Ganguly, a former Managing Director of Puma India, and has drawn investment by former cricketer Yuvraj Singh as well. Kohli has emerged as an active partner at Agilitas and he is likely to continue investing in future. His affiliation would drive sales, brand value, and market worth of the company, and could potentially enhance the price of his share as well. However, Kohli and Agilitas have not made any official statement over the investment yet. Under the investment arrangement, Kohli has been given about 3.6 lakh Class 2 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) that will turn over time into equity shares. Reports add that this is merely the initial installment of Kohli contribution, and capital will still be contributed in the following phase. Agilitas intends to establish an integrated full-scale sports chain involving manufacturing to selling. Acquisitions are another strategy the company follows, eyeing the possibilities to acquire a business capable of offering services which are not offered by Agilitas. This vision makes the company one of the leaders of the future in sportswear and sporting goods market. In 2017, Kohli signed a highly profitable 110-crores eight-years endorsement contract with Puma. The deal was arranged by Abhishek Ganguly alone. But Kohli decided not to renew the contract before it expires in 2025 and has signed up with Ganguly Agilitas, a new business. Agilitas bought Mochiko Shoes, a corporate shoemaker of global brands, such as Adidas, Puma, Skechers, and Reebok, in 2023. It has obtained licensing rights of Lotto brand in India and at some international markets as well. The firm will introduce three new brands and one of the brands will be a personal brand of Virat Kohli, One8. This is as Kohli keeps expanding his portfolio investing in more than 10 startups such as Digit Insurance, MPL, and Wrogn.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Top 5 Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma moments that melted the internet
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) From the cricket pitch to pickleball courts and heartfelt online tributes, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma—lovingly dubbed "Virushka"—have once again proven why they're the ultimate power celeb couple. Whether it's cheering each other on during career highs or sharing playful moments off-field, their chemistry continues to charm fans across the globe. Here's a look at the top 5 Virushka moments that went viral in 2025 and stole everyone's hearts. Emotional hug after RCB's first IPL title The most recent viral moment happened when RCB finally broke their IPL title drought in 2025. The emotional victory gave fans the most touching Virushka moment of the year. A teary-eyed Virat found solace in Anushka's arms, as she tightly embraced him amidst the on-field celebrations. Videos of the heartfelt hug spread like wildfire, highlighting years of dedication and shared dreams. Flying kiss after a century vs Australia In an unforgettable moment during a challenging match in 2024, Virat Kohli blew a flying kiss toward Anushka Sharma after scoring a sensational century against Australia. Cameras caught the romantic gesture, and fans instantly flooded social media with admiration, making it one of the most talked-about Virushka moments in recent memory. (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Pickleball partners in rainy Bengaluru When rain interrupted RCB practice in May 2025, Virat and Anushka turned the downtime into a fun-filled pickleball session. A high-five exchanged mid-game, their shared laughter, and sporty spirit made headlines and warmed hearts. The RCB team posted pictures capturing the adorable moment — fans couldn't get enough! Anushka mimics her loving hubby At a Puma India event in Bangalore, Anushka Sharma had the crowd in splits as she mimicked Virat Kohli's passionate on-field antics. Her exaggerated jumping and intense expressions were spot-on and earned playful embarrassment from Virat. Virat responded by saying, 'Dekho ye sab cheezein hoti hai moment mein, yeh baar baar chala ke aise mat kara karo yaar. Mereko badi sharam aati hai baad mein.' 'I love this man' - Anushka Sharma's heartfelt post After India's historic T20 World Cup win over South Africa, Anushka Sharma posted a beautiful tribute to Virat on Instagram. Featuring him draped in the tricolour and holding the trophy, she wrote, 'I love this man… So grateful to call you my home.' She further wrote playfully, 'Now go have a glass of sparkling water for me to celebrate this !' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
