DS Group has announced an exclusive partnership with British dessert brand Ben’s Cookies, marking the brand’s official entry into the Indian market.

As part of the long-term master franchise agreement, DS Group plans to open up to 10 Ben’s Cookies outlets during the current financial year across Delhi and Mumbai, with the first six to seven stores expected to launch in June and July.

Founded in 1983 at Oxford’s Covered Market, Ben’s Cookies is globally known for its signature chunky and gooey cookies and freshly baked artisanal approach. Through this partnership, the brand aims to introduce its bakery-first retail concept to Indian consumers, focusing on in-store freshness and premium ingredients.

According to the company, the India expansion aligns with the growing demand for premium dessert formats, café-style experiences, and freshly prepared bakery products among urban consumers.

Sanskriti Gupta said the partnership represents an important step in DS Group’s expansion within the premium food retail segment. She added that the company plans to establish eight to ten physical stores across India during the current fiscal year as part of its broader growth strategy.

In addition to standalone retail outlets, Ben’s Cookies products will also be made available through leading food delivery and e-commerce platforms to expand accessibility across key markets.

Speaking about the collaboration, Luke Menezes shared that every Ben’s Cookies boutique in India will feature live-oven baking throughout the day to maintain the brand’s traditional freshness standards.

Alongside its signature cookies, the brand also plans to introduce cookie shakes, coffee offerings, and cookie ice cream sandwiches to the Indian market.

The partnership further reflects the growing appetite for premium dessert and café concepts in India, particularly among younger consumers seeking experiential dining and indulgent bakery offerings.

With its India debut, Ben’s Cookies is expected to strengthen the premium dessert retail landscape while expanding its international footprint through one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

Air India has announced that it has been awarded the Skytrax 4-Star Airline Rating for both Business Class and Economy Class, marking another significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing transformation under the Vihaan.AI programme.

The airline’s upgrade from a 3-Star to a 4-Star rating comes after a large-scale transformation focused on fleet modernisation, product upgrades, digital innovation, on-ground improvements, and enhanced service standards across the customer journey.

Air India stated that the improvements have also reflected strongly in customer feedback and passenger sentiment. The airline’s Net Promoter Score (NPS), a key indicator of customer satisfaction and advocacy, has improved by more than 70 points, moving from -35 in late 2022 to nearly +40 currently. On its flagship Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, the airline’s NPS remains consistently in the high 60s.

Skytrax is recognised globally as one of the leading airline rating organisations, with its star ratings considered a major benchmark for airline quality and passenger experience. The 4-Star certification recognises airlines delivering strong and consistent service quality across products and operations.

Commenting on the achievement, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This 4-Star rating from Skytrax is an important recognition of the progress we have made in transforming Air India into a more modern, customer-focused airline. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of over 24,000 Air India employees who have embraced this transformation with commitment and pride. While this milestone reflects how far we have come, it also strengthens our resolve to continue raising the bar, with a clear ambition to achieve a 5-Star rating in due course as we build a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.”

The Skytrax audit evaluates the entire passenger journey, including airport experience, lounge facilities, onboard products, food and beverage, and service consistency.

At the centre of Air India’s transformation is its fleet modernisation programme. The airline has inducted India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft along with new Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring newly designed Air India interiors. It has also completed the retrofit of 27 A320neo aircraft with upgraded cabins, while retrofit work on legacy Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777 aircraft continues. Air India said that more than 120 aircraft, representing 66 per cent of its full-service fleet, have now been upgraded.

The airline has also upgraded its airport and lounge experiences with redesigned lounges in Delhi, Bengaluru, and San Francisco, with additional upgrades planned globally. Other improvements include streamlined boarding, self-service check-ins, and enhanced digital tools aimed at making the passenger journey smoother.

Air India has further refreshed its onboard experience through extensive cabin crew retraining and the addition of more than 5,000 newly recruited crew members. The airline has also upgraded inflight meals, beverages, bedding, and amenities while expanding its inflight entertainment offerings. Widebody aircraft now feature over 3,000 hours of entertainment content, while narrowbody aircraft offer more than 1,250 hours through the Vista Stream wireless entertainment platform. Inflight internet connectivity is also being gradually introduced across services.

On the digital front, Air India has overhauled its IT infrastructure and customer support systems with a redesigned website, upgraded mobile application, and a generative AI chatbot that has handled over 14 million interactions. The airline also said that call wait times at its customer contact centre have reduced to around 10 seconds, alongside improvements in refunds and issue resolution processes.

As Air India continues its Vihaan.AI transformation journey, the airline said it remains focused on strengthening its products, service standards, and global presence while aiming to set new benchmarks for Indian aviation internationally.

THE Park New Delhi has introduced Tyde, a new all-day dining destination that blends contemporary design, culinary creativity, and cultural inspiration into a single immersive experience. Positioned in the heart of Connaught Place, the restaurant is designed to evolve seamlessly through the day, offering distinct moods and dining experiences from morning to late night.

From vibrant breakfasts and business lunches to relaxed afternoon conversations, cocktail-led evenings, intimate dinners, and after-dark gatherings, Tyde has been conceptualised as a fluid space that adapts to the rhythm of its guests. The menu reflects this versatility, featuring artisanal coffee, wood-fired pizzas, Asian-inspired dishes, small plates, and a refined à la carte selection suited for both casual dining and special occasions.

The interiors draw inspiration from the geometric precision of Jantar Mantar and India’s deep cultural connection with water as a symbol of movement and transformation. Sculptural design elements, layered textures, deep indigo tones, and warm brass finishes come together to create an atmosphere that is both expressive and sophisticated.

A key highlight of the space is the installation titled “Dar Badar,” a sculptural brass artwork that introduces movement and visual rhythm into the restaurant’s design language. Complementing this are textile artworks inspired by oceanic textures, incorporating embroidery, zari, beads, mirrors, and metallic detailing to reinforce the theme of fluidity and depth.

Speaking on the launch, Priya Paul, Chairperson, highlighted that the restaurant reflects the group’s philosophy of creating spaces where art, design, music, culture, and cuisine converge to deliver distinctive hospitality experiences. She emphasised that Tyde continues the brand’s vision of offering experiences that go beyond traditional dining.

Parag Sahwney, General Manager of THE Park New Delhi, added that "Tyde is designed as a dynamic gathering space for both discerning diners and global travellers, with a strong focus on curated menus and thoughtful execution across every detail of the experience."

With Tyde, THE Park New Delhi strengthens its position as a pioneer in boutique hospitality, bringing together design-led storytelling and modern culinary expression in a vibrant urban setting.