Mumbai, May 12 : CocoCart, India’s premium omnichannel destination for chocolates and gourmet gifting, has announced the India launch of Venchi, the iconic Italian chocolate and gelato brand founded in Turin in 1878. The launch marks a significant milestone in CocoCart’s journey from a premium chocolate curator to a larger global F&B franchise platform for India.
Venchi, known globally for its Italian chocolate-making heritage, artisanal gelato and premium retail experience, has been crafting chocolate since 1878. The brand traces its origins to Silviano Venchi, who began experimenting with chocolate in Turin, eventually building one of Italy’s most recognised chocolate and gelato houses.
Through this launch, CocoCart aims to introduce Indian consumers to an elevated chocolate and gelato experience that blends Italian craftsmanship, premium ingredients and immersive retail. The launch also signals the company’s broader strategy of bringing globally respected gourmet brands to India through a structured franchise-led model.
CocoCart’s boutiques vertical is being built around four global F&B brands, including Venchi, Neuhaus, Café Bateel and Le Pain Quotidien, covering premium chocolate, luxury gifting, cafés and artisanal food experiences. According to the brand’s briefing note, the vertical is backed by a planned capex commitment of ₹56.8 crore, with a target of 32 stores across four cities by Year 3 and an FY30 revenue target of ₹143.1 crore.
Speaking on the launch, Karan Ahuja, Co-Founder, CocoCart, said,
“Bringing Venchi to India is a moment we have been building towards for a long time. For nearly 150 years, Venchi has stood for the kind of craftsmanship and quiet luxury the new Indian consumer instinctively gravitates towards. We are choosing to open first within the Mumbai airport ecosystem because today’s premium Indian traveller is global, discerning, and our most natural first audience. From there, we will move into downtown Mumbai, and in time, build a meaningful national footprint. This is the beginning of CocoCart’s larger vision for premium gourmet in India.”
Venchi’s arrival in India comes at a time when premium chocolate, luxury gifting and artisanal food formats are gaining strong traction among urban Indian consumers. CocoCart sees a clear opportunity to build the category beyond transactional retail, creating destinations that appeal to consumers looking for discovery, indulgence, gifting and experience-led consumption.
The Venchi offering in India will focus on the brand’s signature chocolate and gelato experience, bringing together its long-standing Italian heritage and contemporary retail format. Globally, Venchi highlights over 60 chocolate varieties and regularly introduces new chocolate and gelato creations, with a focus on selected ingredients and clean-label chocolate free from gluten, palm oil, artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.
Karan added:
“For CocoCart, this is not just about launching another international brand. It is about creating a long-term platform for premium F&B brands in India. We believe India is at an inflection point where consumers are ready for global gourmet experiences that are accessible, aspirational and rooted in quality.”
CocoCart’s larger expansion strategy includes building a multi-brand premium F&B portfolio across Indian metros, with Mumbai and Delhi as initial focus markets, followed by further expansion into cities such as Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. The company’s boutiques vertical is expected to create 575 jobs by FY28, as per the company’s briefing note.
With Venchi’s India launch, CocoCart is looking to define a new chapter in India’s premium chocolate and gelato market, bringing together global heritage and local market understanding under one Indian retail house.