Sanjay Ghodawat Group's Star Localmart Acquires DusMinute, Strengthens South India Retail Network with 170 Stores

The Sanjay Ghodawat Group's retail division, Star Localmart, announced the acquisition of Bengaluru-based hyperlocal convenience chain DusMinute on September 1, 2025, marking a significant expansion in India's regional retail sector. The undisclosed acquisition adds 40 strategically located stores within gated communities to Star Localmart's network, bringing their total footprint to 170 stores across South India.

Strategic Acquisition Details

Industry experts note that this acquisition positions Star Localmart as Karnataka's largest regional retail player, significantly strengthening the company's presence in the competitive hyperlocal retail market. The deal demonstrates how traditional retailers are embracing tech-enabled, last-mile grocery solutions to meet evolving consumer demands.

DusMinute's Gated Community Focus

DusMinute has carved out a unique niche by specializing in gated community retail services, operating stores within residential complexes to offer maximum convenience to residents. The chain focuses on providing daily essentials including:

• Fresh groceries and packaged foods
• Dairy products and beverages
• Fruits and vegetables
• Household items and personal care products

This hyperlocal model enables doorstep service delivery within residential communities, addressing the growing demand for convenient shopping solutions among urban consumers. The acquisition allows Star Localmart to tap into this specialized demographic while expanding its service capabilities beyond traditional retail formats.

Leadership Vision and Market Strategy

Shrenik Ghodawat, Managing Director of Sanjay Ghodawat Group, emphasized the strategic importance of combining DusMinute's hyperlocal platform with Star Localmart's expanding network. He stated that this integration would better position the company to meet evolving consumer needs while strengthening their leadership position in India's retail sector.

The acquisition aligns with broader trends in India's retail market expansion, where companies are increasingly focusing on hyperlocal delivery and convenience-driven retail formats. This strategic move complements the ongoing mall expansion across major Indian cities.

Ambitious Growth Trajectory

Star Localmart's aggressive expansion strategy targets growing their network to 3,000 stores by 2030, with revenue projections of ₹5,000 crore over the next five years. This ambitious growth plan reflects the company's confidence in India's evolving retail landscape and increasing consumer preference for convenient shopping solutions.

The acquisition comes at a time when India's retail sector is witnessing significant transformation, driven by changing consumer behavior, urbanization, and the adoption of technology-enabled retail solutions. Similar strategic moves in the retail space have been observed, including major retail real estate acquisitions and investments in commercial real estate developments.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

The DusMinute acquisition underscores growing investor and operator interest in tech-enabled, hyperlocal grocery retail across India's major metropolitan areas. With operations spanning Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, Star Localmart is strategically positioned to capitalize on the region's economic growth and urbanization trends.

This expansion strategy positions the company to compete effectively in India's rapidly evolving retail market, where convenience and accessibility have become key differentiators for success.