Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance Retail, is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in Shunya, the premium fruit-based functional drink brand owned by Naturedge Beverages, a subsidiary of the Baidyanath Group. The news was first reported by The Economic Times, citing industry sources familiar with the matter.
While the financial specifics of the deal, including valuation and stake size, have not yet been finalized, the potential acquisition would mark RCPL’s fourth entry in the beverage segment, following its takeovers of Campa, Sosyo, and RasKik.
A Strategic Move into Health-Focused Beverages
Shunya is positioned in India’s rapidly growing zero-calorie and low-sugar functional beverage category. Its portfolio includes herb-infused fruit drinks in flavors such as Zesty Apple and Zesty Orange, targeting urban, health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to traditional sugary sodas.
With wellness-oriented consumption on the rise, especially in metro cities and among younger demographics, functional drinks like Shunya are becoming increasingly popular.
This acquisition aligns with RCPL’s larger strategy to build a full-spectrum beverage portfolio that can compete with global giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in India’s ₹70,000 crore+ soft drink market.
RCPL’s growing lineup already features legacy Indian brands (like Campa Cola) and new-age offerings like flavored fizzy drinks and juice-based beverages. Shunya's inclusion would allow Reliance to tap into the premium, health-forward segment, bolstering its presence across both mass and niche consumer segments.
Reliance Retail, India’s largest retailer, has been aggressively expanding its footprint across the consumer space. Over the last three years, the group has invested over $2.4 billion across various sectors including telecom, internet, digital services, education, media, chemicals, and FMCG.
By building a diverse beverage ecosystem—from nostalgic Indian soda brands to modern, zero-calorie functional drinks—RCPL is clearly setting the stage for a multi-category FMCG powerhouse.
If the Shunya deal goes through, it will further underscore Reliance’s intent to disrupt traditional beverage markets and dominate the evolving consumer preferences of India’s next billion customers.