The story is on Godrej & Boyce acquiring a 51% stake in India Circus Retail Pvt. Ltd, an online-led retail venture of designer Krsnaa Mehta, which offers contemporary and affordable home decor and personal accessories. 1. Godrej & Boyce acquires majority stake in India Circus - The Hindu , Mumbai

(From left) Navroze Godrej, head, strategy and innovation, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Krsnaa Mehta, executive director, India Circus Retail Pvt Ltd, and Anil Mathur, COO, Godrej Interio, while announcing the acquisition of majority stake in India Circus in Mumbai. Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd. has acquired 51 per cent stake in India Circus Retail Pvt. Ltd, an online-led retail venture of designer Krsnaa Mehta, which offers contemporary and affordable home decor and personal accessories, for an unspecified amount. India Circus is likely to close this financial year with a turnover of over Rs 15 crore. With this acquisition, Godrej &Boyce plans to strengthen India Circus’s market position as a lifestyle brand both in India and abroad. This acquisition will supplement the business of Godrej Interio, a Rs 2,000 crore-turnover firm sells home furniture and interior decoration. India Circus will continue to retain its identity and brand name and it will not be merged with Godrej Interio; Mr Mehta, executive director of India Circus Retail, will focus on design and Godrej & Boyce will be responsible for operations and marketing of this business. Employees retained All 35 India Circus employees have been retained. “We saw synergy in what India Circus does and what we do at Godrej Interio. Their philosophy is very similar to ours and we want to supply good designs to as many people as possible at affordable prices. India Circus is all about fun, energetic and affordable designs. This business will close this financial year with a turnover of Rs 15 to Rs 20 crore and we expect it to grow this five times in the next two years,” Navroze Godrej, head, strategy and innovation, Godrej & Boyce, told The Hindu. He said Godrej & Boyce will invest more in this company in terms of back end, in streamlining supply chains, and building its presence online. “We will be treating India Circus as our company now. India Circus is a very niche and exclusive lifestyle brand and this acquisition is one of the steps towards building a robust lifestyle vertical,” he said. Mr Mehta said, “With Godrej this brand can make it to the next level and will soon be available not only across India but all over the world.” Across 20 cities In addition to its online presence and the existing shop-inshop format, India Circus will now have presence in over 50 Godrej Interio retail outlets across 20 cities. The brand will expand offline presence at airports and Westside stores. Anil Mathur, COO, Godrej Interio, said, “We see a very strong overlap between Godrej Interio and India Circus consumers and distribution channels. There is an overall increase in the offline and online purchase of household furniture and home accessories, which makes this partnership very appropriate.” “It is not only interior but elements that make your life exciting. And this is why we feel India Circus will add to our lifestyle products,” said Mr Mathur. The product range of India Circus includes mugs, cushion covers, gift items, photo frames, wrist watches, stoles, wall art and mobile covers.

2. Godrej & Boyce’s next phase of growth to ride on tieups - Business Standard , Mumbai    

   Manufacturing major Godrej & Boyce will look at acquisitions and collaborations to increase revenues 10-fold in the next 10 years. The Rs 10,000-crore major has set the ball rolling, acquiring a majority stake in design startup India Circus on Tuesday, which is expected to strengthen its presence in the lifestyle andhome decor vertical. This segment is one of the numerous consumer-facing businesses, the group will focus on as it gets future-ready. “India Circus is an onlineled home decor start-up, which has been around for two or three years. There are synergies that the acquisition brings to the table. We see it as a complement to our existing lifestyle portfolio, which includes home furniture, decor, accessories and interiors,” Navroze Godrej, head (strategy & innovation), said. While the Jamshyd Godrejled group did not specify details of the transaction, it said the deal would help it drive growth of the lifestyle and home decor business online. The group has already taken some of its other consumer-facing businesses such as appliances and electronics online, tying up with etailers as well as setting up its own e-commerce platform. Currently, 60 per cent of its revenues come from the consumer segment, with the rest coming from its industrial business. The plan is to increase revenues from the consumer vertical in the coming years by tapping into emerging areas. Navroze, son of Jamshyd Godrej, who is driving this initiative, said the group will do this by investing in design and technology for which bolt-on acquisitions and collaborations will play a key role. “In the past, we have acquired small technology- led firms in the areas of renewable energy and consumer electronics. That focus will continue. Acquisitions for us will be to fill largely need gaps that exist in our portfolio,” Godrej said.

3. Godrej & Boyce Acquires 51% in India Circus - The Economic Times , Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata

Godrej & Boyce has acquired a 51% stake in home and accessories brand India Circus, as part of its strategy to expand its lifestyle products business. Under Godrej, the brand created by designer Krsnaa Mehta expects to grow revenue fivefold in the next two years by expanding its portfolio into more lifestyle segments. The companies didn’t disclose any financial terms. With this partnership, the company is looking to strengthen its lifestyle footprint and complement its existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio, Navroze Godrej, head of strategy and innovation at Godrej & Boyce, said in news release. “The acquisition of India Circus is one of the steps towards building a robust lifestyle vertical.” In addition to its online and existing shop-in-shop format presence, India Circus will be available in more than 50 Godrej Interio retail outlets. “We also want to make India Circus one of the celebrated make in India brands out of India with a great design, great quality and a great price offering,” said Mehta, executive director of India Circus. 4 . Godrej & Boyce Acquires 51% in India Circus - Mint , All

Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd, the holding company of the Godrej Group with interests in furniture, consumer durables and packaged consumer goods, on Tuesday said that it has acquired a 51% stake in India Circus Retail Pvt. Ltd, which runs an online home decor and accessories portal indiacircus.com. “India Circus is complementary to our businesses of furnishings and consumer appliances. With this acquisition we strengthen our online presence and India Circus also gets an offline channel of sales,” said Navroze Godrej, head of strategy and innovation at Godrej & Boyce, who over the coming months is looking at filling the gaps in the portfolio by acquisitions and collaborations in the areas of security, energy and renewables in India and abroad.

The company will also continue to expand its portfolio in the lifestyle segment by investing in existing lifestyle brands and also creating their own.India Circus will close fiscal 2016 with revenue of Rs.20 crore, said Godrej who did not share the profit of the privately held company or the price paid for the acquisition. “With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500% over the next two years,” the company said while sharing that India Circus’s products will now be available at the 50 company owned stores and 200 franchise stores of Godrej.The Godrej Group plans to retain the India Circus brand and is also in the process of launching its own web presence that will showcase the entire range of products available across the different group companies shortly, said Godrej without giving a specific time frame to the upcoming launch. 5 . Godrej buys 51% in India Circus - The Times Of India , Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kochi, Ahmedabad The closely held Godrej & Boyce has picked up a majority stake of 51% in India Circus, a venture by Krsna Mehta that offers lifestyle products in home decor and personal accessories which competes with the likes of Goodearth and Chumbak. Godrej has got into this space by acquiring original co-founder Devaki Khimji’s stake in India Circus, which has a turnover in the Rs 15-20 crore range. The valuation, however, was not disclosed. India Circus’ range is expected to compliment Godrej Interio’s home furniture and interior solutions range. 6. Godrej & Boyce buys 51% in India Circus. The Financial Express , All GODREJ & Boyce on Tuesday said that it had acquired a 51% stake in India Circus for an undisclosed amount, reports fe Bureau in Mumbai. A venture by Krsna Mehta, India Circus is a lifestyle brand thatfocuses on affordable home decor and personal accessories. From its current online presence and existing shop, I ndia Circus will now have a presence in over50 Godrej Interio outlets across 20 cities. 7. Godrej acquires 51% stake in India Circus Daily News & Analysis , Mumbai, Ahmedabad

Godrej on Tuesday said it has acquired 51% stake in home decor and personal accessories brand India Circus, which will increase its footprint in the lifestyle space. With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500% over the next two years. “I’m excited to announce that we’ve acquired India Circus. With this, we look forward to strengthen our lifestyle footprint and also complement our existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio,” said Navroze Godrej, head of strategy

8. Godrej & Boyce picks up 51% stake in India Circus The Economic Times (Gujarati) , Mumbai, Ahmedabad

9. Godrej acquires 51% stake in India Circus Deccan Herald , All

Godrej Group has increased its footprint in the lifestyle vertical by acquiring a 51 per cent stake in India Circus, a venture by Krsnaa Mehta, for an undisclosed sum.India Circus Retail offers contemporary and affordable home decor and personal accessories. With this merger, the Godrej group aims to strengthen India Circus’ market position as a lifestyle brand. India Circus will continue to retain its identity and brand name under Godrej. Krsnaa Mehta will be responsible for design, and Godrej will be responsible for efficiencies in operations and marketing of the business. Furthermore, India Circus employees have been retained, as the group believes that talent is an important asset of this lifestyle brand, Godrej Group said.

In the coming years, Godrej will continue to expand its portfolio in the lifestyle segment by investing in existing lifestyle brands and by creating its own. On the other hand, with this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500 per cent over the next two years.“With this partnership, we are looking forward to strengthen our lifestyle footprint and also compliment our existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio. The acquisition of India Circus is one of the steps towards building a robust lifestyle vertical,” Godrej and Boyce head, strategy and innovation, Navroze Godrej said. “I am confident that with Godrej, this brand can make it to the next level and soon be available not only in India but all over the world,” he added. In addition to its online presence and the existing shop format, India Circus will now have its presence in over 50 Godrej Interio retail outlets across 20 cities. 10. Godrej acquires 51pc stake in India Circus The Political & Business Daily , New Delhi

Business conglomerate Godrej today said it has acquired 51 per cent stake in home decor and personal accessories brand India Circus, which will increase its footprint in the lifestyle space. India Circus, owned by Krsna Mehta, is positioned as a lifestyle brand that offers home decor and accessories at an affordable price. Along with Godrej Interio, the furniture and home solutions business, India Circus will further strengthen the company's lifestyle business, Godrej said in a statement. With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500 per cent over the next two years. "I'm excited to announce that we've acquired India Circus, a very niche and exclusive lifestyle brand. With this partnership, we look forward to strengthen our lifestyle footprint and also compliment our existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio. "The acquisition of India Circus is one of the steps towards building a robust lifestyle vertical," said Navroze Godrej, Head, Strategy and Innovation, Godrej & Boyce. India Circus will continue to retain its identity and brand name under Godrej, the statement said. India Circus Executive Director Krsna Mehta will be responsible for design and Godrej will be responsible for efficiencies in operations and marketing of the business. Furthermore, India Circus employees have been retained. In the coming years, Godrej will continue to expand its portfolio in the lifestyle segment by investing in existing lifestyle brands and by creating their own, he said. "I also want to make India Circus one of the celebrated Make in India brands with a great design, great quality and a great price offering. Being a design house first, it's critical to our success as a brand. "I am confident that with Godrej this brand can make it to the next level and soon be available not only in India but all over the world," Mehta said. In addition to its online presence and the existing

shop-in-shop format, India Circus will now have presence in over 50 Godrej Interio retail outlets across 20 cities. 11. India Circus now part of Godrej Interio - Financial Chronicle , All

A maverick product line from a maverick creator now gets mainstream status. In a marriage of craft and commerce, business conglomerate Godrej has acquired 51 per cent stake in India Circus, the home decor and personal accessories brand owned by flamboyant Mumbai-based designer Krsna Mehta. Mehta’s ode to India that celebrates the country’s colour and chaos through everyday art has everything from rugs, cushions, bags and jholas, and now, even clothes and silver jewellery. So far, the brand has had a niche presence through an online portal as well as a previous, rather limited tie-up with Tata’s Westside. Now, all of India Circus products will be available at Godrej Interio, the furniture and home solutions business of the Godrej group. With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500 per cent over the next two years. “I’m excited to announce that we’ve acquired this very exclusive and niche brand. With this partnership, we look forward to strengthening our lifestyle footprint and also complement our existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio. The acquisition is one step towards building a robust lifestyle vertical,” said Navroze Godrej, head, strategy and innovation, Godrej & Boyce. India Circus will continue to retain its identity and brand name under Godrej, the statement said. As the brand’s executive director, Mehta will continue to be responsible for design and Godrej will take charge of operations and marketing.

“I want to make India Circus one of the celebrated Make in India brands with a great design, great quality and a great price offering. Being a design house first, it’s critical to our success as a brand. I am confident that with Godrej, this brand can make it to the next level and soon be available not only in India but all over the world,” Mehta said. In addition to its online presence and the existing shop-in-shop format, India Circus will now have presence in over 50 Godrej Interio retail outlets across 20 cities. So, if you’re looking for desi chic that’s an artistic confluence of classic, vintage patterns set to the bold vibrance of today— and affordable too — you now know exactly where to go. 12. Godrej & Boyce buys 51% stake in India Circus - The Hindu Business Line , All Godrej & Boyce has picked up 51 per cent stake in designer Krsnaa Mehta’s company India Circus for an undisclosed amount. India Circus is a two-yearold start-up with sales turnover of Rs 20 crore, retailing lifestyle accessories and home decor objects mainly through the e-commerce route. The acquisition is expected to complement the portfolio of Godrej & Boyce’s largest divisions such as Interio (furniture) and appliances. Navroze Godrej, Head, Strategy & Innovation, Godrej & Boyce, said: “This is the first time that we have acquired a start-up in the lifestyle space. “India Circus would be treated as a separate brand in our portfolio and would be managed by the team at Godrej Interio.’’ Anil Mathur, COO, Godrej Interio, said: “India Circus has significant presence in ecommerce and has been present in multi-brand outlets for the past two years. “The brand would be riding on our 250 stores as we will set up counters for the brand within our stores.’’ Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd, the holding company of the Godrej Group with interests in furniture, consumer durables and packaged consumer goods, on Tuesday said that it has acquired a 51% stake in India Circus Retail Pvt. Ltd, which runs an online home decor and accessories portal indiacircus.com. “India Circus is complementary to our businesses of furnishings and consumer appliances. With this acquisition we strengthen our online presence and India Circus also gets an offline channel of sales,” said Navroze Godrej, head of strategy and innovation at Godrej & Boyce, who over the coming months is looking at filling the gaps in the portfolio by acquisitions and collaborations in the areas of security, energy and renewables in India and abroad. The company will also continue to expand its portfolio in the lifestyle segment by investing in existing lifestyle brands and also creating their own.India Circus will close fiscal 2016 with revenue of Rs.20 crore, said Godrej who did not share the profit of the privately held company or the price paid for the acquisition. “With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500% over the next two years,” the company said while sharing that India Circus’s products will now be available at the 50 company owned stores and 200 franchise stores of Godrej.The Godrej Group plans to retain the India Circus brand and is also in the process of launching its own web presence that will showcase the entire range of products available across the different group companies shortly, said Godrej without giving a specific time frame to the upcoming launch.

13. Godrej acquires 51% stake in India Circus - Dainik Yashobhoomi , Mumbai

14. Godrej acquisition The Tribune , Chandigarh, New Delhi Godrej on Tuesday said it has acquired 51% stake in home decor and personal accessories brand India Circus, which will increase its footprint in the lifestyle space. Along with Godrej Interio, India Circus will further strengthen the company’s lifestyle business, it said. 15. Godrej buys 51% stake in India Circus The Pioneer , All Business conglomerate Godrej on Wednesday said it has acquired 51 per cent stake in home decor and personal accessories brand India Circus, which will increase its footprint in the lifestyle space. India Circus, owned by Krsna Mehta, is positioned as a lifestyle brand that offers home decor and accessories at an affordable price. Along with Godrej Interio, the furniture and home solutions business, India Circus will further strengthen the company's lifestyle business, Godrej said in a statement. With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500 per cent over the next two years. “I’m excited to announce that we've acquired India Circus, a very niche and exclusive lifestyle brand. With this partnership, we look forward to strengthen our lifestyle footprint and also compliment our existing lifestyle brands like Godrej Interio. 16. Godrej acquires 51% stake in India Circus The Hitavada , All Business conglomerate Godrej on Tuesday said it had acquired 51 per cent stake in home decor and personal accessories brand India Circus, which would increase its footprint in the lifestyle space. India Circus, owned by Krsna Mehta, is positioned as a lifestyle brand that offers home decor and accessories at an affordable price. Along with Godrej Interio, the furniture and home solutions business, India Circus would further strengthen the company’s lifestyle business, Godrej said in a statement. With this merger, India Circus expects its market revenue to grow by 500 per cent over the next two years.

17. Godrej acquires 51% stake in India Circus Apla Mahanagar , Mumbai