Haldiram's has strengthened its presence in Punjab with the launch of a new retail and dining outlet in Gurdaspur, further expanding its growing network across North India. Located at West Ville, Pathankot Bypass, Amritsar Highway, Dinanagar, the new store offers customers a comprehensive food and retail experience under one roof.

The newly opened outlet combines dine-in facilities with Haldiram's extensive portfolio of sweets, snacks, bakery products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and packaged food offerings. Designed as a convenient destination for both local residents and travellers, the store reflects the brand's continued focus on enhancing accessibility across key regional markets.

Guests can enjoy a diverse dining menu featuring North Indian and South Indian cuisine, chaats, traditional Indian sweets, bakery products, and popular street food favourites. The restaurant has been developed to provide a contemporary yet comfortable dining experience while maintaining the authentic flavours associated with the Haldiram's brand.

Beyond the dine-in experience, the outlet also houses Haldiram's complete retail range, including its signature namkeens, frozen foods, ready-to-eat products, beverages, and curated gifting options, enabling customers to enjoy the brand's products both at home and on the go.

The opening of the Gurdaspur outlet reinforces Haldiram's strategy of expanding into emerging regional markets while making its diverse culinary offerings more accessible to consumers across the country. The company continues to strengthen its national retail footprint by combining restaurant experiences with comprehensive food retail under a single destination.

AUM Premium, India's affirmation-led natural Himalayan spring water brand, is set to introduce paper-based bottles by the end of this year as part of its growing focus on sustainable packaging. The new concept is aimed at reducing the use of plastic while maintaining the premium quality and safety of the water.

The proposed packaging will use responsibly sourced paper combined with a food-grade barrier to minimise the use of conventional plastic without affecting the product's integrity. Its lightweight design is also expected to improve transportation efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact associated with packaging and distribution.

Through this initiative, AUM Premium is looking to develop packaging solutions that balance functionality, convenience and environmental responsibility while continuing to offer consumers a premium hydration experience.

As part of its wider sustainability efforts, the brand has also partnered with Scrapbuddy, a Delhi-based waste management and recycling startup. The collaboration will provide customers with an easy recycling programme for used bottles, encouraging responsible disposal of packaging waste and supporting the development of a more circular packaging ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jagriti Motwani, Founder & CEO, AUM Premium, said:

"Water is a product people consume every day, but the conversation around it has largely remained limited to purity and price. Packaging deserves equal attention. Our objective is to reduce unnecessary plastic wherever possible without compromising product quality. The paper-based bottle is one step in that direction, and we will continue exploring better alternatives as the technology evolves."

While conventional plastic remains the industry standard for bottled water, AUM Premium has chosen to explore more sustainable alternatives. Built around its philosophy of Affirm, Uplift and Manifest, the brand believes that delivering a premium product extends beyond the quality of the water to every aspect of the consumer experience.

Looking ahead, AUM Premium plans to continue reimagining its packaging approach as it enters its next phase of growth. With the planned introduction of 100% plastic-free bottles, the brand aims to take another meaningful step towards responsible packaging while preserving the premium experience it is known for.

Garden Cafe, Newtown has expanded its culinary offerings with the launch of an international-standard bakery, bringing handcrafted cakes, desserts, brownies, and premium baked creations inspired by global techniques to Kolkata.

The new bakery experience focuses on artisanal baking, premium ingredients, and contemporary flavours, offering guests a curated selection of desserts designed to combine international standards with comforting familiar tastes.

Leading the bakery is Chef Bipasha Majumdar, whose experience with renowned luxury hospitality brands across global destinations has shaped the bakery’s creative direction. Having worked with acclaimed properties including St. Regis Garden in Dubai and Atlantis The Palm, as well as luxury hospitality brands in Turks and Caicos, Chef Bipasha brings expertise in artisanal baking, precision, and modern dessert presentation.

Her approach combines international baking traditions with balanced flavours, creating desserts that reflect both sophistication and warmth.

The bakery menu features signature creations such as the Milk Fudge Cake (Parsi Mawa Cake), crafted with slow-cooked milk fudge and aromatic flavours; the Filter Coffee Cake, combining South Indian filter coffee notes with chocolate sponge; the Chocolate Mousse Box, Caramel Biscoff Cup, and the Toasted Milk & Dulce Brownie.

Guests can also explore Chef Bipasha’s signature desserts, including The Coffee Bean, featuring dark roast coffee mousse, hazelnut filling, and coffee-soaked sponge wrapped in dark chocolate; the Black Velvet Tart with raspberry compote and cream cheese; and the New York-style Blueberry Cheesecake topped with blueberry compote.

Adding an interactive element to the experience, Garden Cafe Newtown will also offer freshly prepared Belgian Waffles made live for guests in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Red Velvet flavours.

Commenting on the launch, Sandip Nowlakha, Founder, Garden Cafe, said, "Introducing our new bakery range at Garden Café, Newtown, crafted with the finest ingredients, international standards, and a passion for excellence. This launch reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional quality, warm hospitality and memorable experiences for our guests."

The bakery launch marks another step in Garden Cafe’s journey of blending traditional culinary roots with contemporary dining experiences.

About Garden Cafe:

Established in 1968, Garden Cafe is one of Kolkata’s oldest South Indian vegetarian cafés, known for combining tradition with creativity. The brand was reimagined by Sandip Nowlakha in 1981 and today operates five outlets across Kolkata, with Newtown being its latest addition.

The café was among the first establishments in Kolkata to introduce pizza using a cherished family recipe. Since 1982, Garden Cafe has also been recognised for offering 108 varieties of dosa, each featuring unique flavours and preparations.

The Newtown outlet features a serene ambience with an open kitchen concept and a green outdoor seating area, creating a relaxed dining experience that blends heritage with modern hospitality.