☕ Dilmah Targets India with $1M+ Luxury Lounge Expansion

iconic Sri Lankan tea brand Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company plans to invest over US$ 1 Mn initially to establish a premium tea lounge network in India, targeting growing non-alcoholic beverage demand among younger consumers. • Investment & Expansion Plans • Initial Investment: US$ 1 Mn+ to launch up to 10 outlets by 2030 under the Urban Estate concept. • Target Cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi under consideration for flagship rollout (1,200–2,000 sq ft formats), followed by franchise expansion in malls, airports, and office parks. • Current Reach: India currently generates <1% of global revenue; Dilmah operates ~16 tea lounges globally across Europe, East Asia, West Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. • Strategic Focus & Value Addition • Product Concept: Focuses on speciality teas, tea-infused mocktails, and food pairings, shifting away from bulk commodity sales to position tea as a high-end experience. • Sourcing Strategy: Introducing the Thambapanni Naksha collection, collaborating with ~26 Indian producers to blend Assam and Darjeeling teas with Sri Lankan ingredients like cinnamon. • Economic Context • Aligns with broader movement within Sri Lanka's tea export sector to shift from bulk exports to high-value branded retail, direct consumer engagement, and regional market diversification.