Trending Now
- 830 voters names go missing in Kavundampalayam constituency
- If BJP comes to power we shall consider bringing back electoral bonds: Nirmala Sitaraman
- Monitoring at check posts between Kerala and TN intensified as bird flu gets virulent in Kerala
Businesswire
Asia's Shaving Giant Dorco Makes Its First Ever Indian Investment in LetsShave, Acquires 10 Percent Stake
October 25, 2018
Business Wire India
Leading Asian razor manufacturer, Dorco Ltd announced its first ever investment in the Indian startup LetsShave acquiring 10% stake. This is a significant investment for the ecosystem because this is the first time a Korean razor manufacturing giant has chosen to invest in an Indian startup that’s into men’s and women’s grooming product range.
On investing in LetsShave, Dorco Director Ken Kwak said, “We are on a mission to be an innovator in India leveraging our customer-oriented innovation, global experience and 60 years of heritage. We want to partner with innovators here who are bold enough to bring something new to the table for Indian customers. Acknowledging their enthusiasm and vision for the grooming business, and their differentiated capabilities, we considered LetsShave as the best partner for our long-term vision for the Indian market.” LetsShave was the first company to bring Dorco’s razors to India back in 2015.
LetsShave has grown at 45% YOY
LetsShave was founded in 2015 by Sidharth Oberoi with a vision to introduce subscription-based shaving product range. The startup now has more than 4,50,000 customers base and has been growing at 45% YOY ever since. Beginning with around four products, LetsShave is now selling 22 products and plans to expand to 40 products in the near future and delivers almost everywhere in India. LetsShave claims to have a high repeat rate of customers. Dorco, on the other hand, is one of the leading manufacturers of razor blades in the world with more than 60 years into the industry. Headquartered in Seoul, this Korean market leader exports its wide range of products to more than 130 countries around the world.
“For the supply of razors, we had partnered with Dorco from the day one due to our commitment towards quality. We are excited to know that Dorco chose us for investing in India because since the start we wanted to serve quality razors in both One-Off & logical subscription-based model of delivery of shaving products to Indian customers. We are happy that our Technology manufacturer brand partner became our investor and recognized our focus. This I believe is also an effective business strategy for any startup in general. Our team morale is high because this investment validates our business model and growth,” shared LetsShave Founder and CEO Sidharth S Oberoi.
Future plans of expansion
“We have planned on using the funds towards our online business and expanding the product portfolio so that we can cater to men’s and women’s grooming needs more efficiently. We want to become a one-stop solution for grooming while keeping shaving as our core category. This investment has given both the companies a great opportunity to share unique resources and capabilities to create a competitive advantage in the market. We believe that this alliance will ensure life-long product supply for the Indian market and help us introduce advanced products. We are seeking out further strategic partnerships with like-minded FMCG’s for entering into retail channel to grow our business, ” he added.
Euromonitor reports that shaving holds the largest market share in the grooming category with more than 42% while men’s grooming market will account for $2.2 Billion by 2020. In addition, BCG and Google India have reported that 40% of FMCG business would be driven by online by 2020.
“Considering the potential of this market, this was a very important stage for us to stay focused and leverage the opportunity in the market. We have always kept our core values consistent. Whatever we do, we ensure that our product and service make our customers feel good and stay sharp. Our next set of plan is about reaching maximum number of Indian customers through our products and services in a cost they can afford,” Oberoi said adding that LetsShave aims at leveraging on Value, Technology and Trust.
Source: Businesswire
Leading Asian razor manufacturer, Dorco Ltd announced its first ever investment in the Indian startup LetsShave acquiring 10% stake. This is a significant investment for the ecosystem because this is the first time a Korean razor manufacturing giant has chosen to invest in an Indian startup that’s into men’s and women’s grooming product range.
On investing in LetsShave, Dorco Director Ken Kwak said, “We are on a mission to be an innovator in India leveraging our customer-oriented innovation, global experience and 60 years of heritage. We want to partner with innovators here who are bold enough to bring something new to the table for Indian customers. Acknowledging their enthusiasm and vision for the grooming business, and their differentiated capabilities, we considered LetsShave as the best partner for our long-term vision for the Indian market.” LetsShave was the first company to bring Dorco’s razors to India back in 2015.
LetsShave has grown at 45% YOY
LetsShave was founded in 2015 by Sidharth Oberoi with a vision to introduce subscription-based shaving product range. The startup now has more than 4,50,000 customers base and has been growing at 45% YOY ever since. Beginning with around four products, LetsShave is now selling 22 products and plans to expand to 40 products in the near future and delivers almost everywhere in India. LetsShave claims to have a high repeat rate of customers. Dorco, on the other hand, is one of the leading manufacturers of razor blades in the world with more than 60 years into the industry. Headquartered in Seoul, this Korean market leader exports its wide range of products to more than 130 countries around the world.
“For the supply of razors, we had partnered with Dorco from the day one due to our commitment towards quality. We are excited to know that Dorco chose us for investing in India because since the start we wanted to serve quality razors in both One-Off & logical subscription-based model of delivery of shaving products to Indian customers. We are happy that our Technology manufacturer brand partner became our investor and recognized our focus. This I believe is also an effective business strategy for any startup in general. Our team morale is high because this investment validates our business model and growth,” shared LetsShave Founder and CEO Sidharth S Oberoi.
Future plans of expansion
“We have planned on using the funds towards our online business and expanding the product portfolio so that we can cater to men’s and women’s grooming needs more efficiently. We want to become a one-stop solution for grooming while keeping shaving as our core category. This investment has given both the companies a great opportunity to share unique resources and capabilities to create a competitive advantage in the market. We believe that this alliance will ensure life-long product supply for the Indian market and help us introduce advanced products. We are seeking out further strategic partnerships with like-minded FMCG’s for entering into retail channel to grow our business, ” he added.
Euromonitor reports that shaving holds the largest market share in the grooming category with more than 42% while men’s grooming market will account for $2.2 Billion by 2020. In addition, BCG and Google India have reported that 40% of FMCG business would be driven by online by 2020.
“Considering the potential of this market, this was a very important stage for us to stay focused and leverage the opportunity in the market. We have always kept our core values consistent. Whatever we do, we ensure that our product and service make our customers feel good and stay sharp. Our next set of plan is about reaching maximum number of Indian customers through our products and services in a cost they can afford,” Oberoi said adding that LetsShave aims at leveraging on Value, Technology and Trust.
Source: Businesswire
