RETAIL AND START-UP
Name: VIRGIO
Spokesperson Name: Amar Nagaram
Designation: Co-founder
“The Budget makes it clear that India’s next phase of growth will be driven by the convergence of design, technology, and sustainability. The strong emphasis on sustainable textiles, MSME scale-up, AI-led innovation, and design education reflects a long-term vision to move Indian manufacturing up the global value chain. For consumer and fashion brands, this creates a more enabling ecosystem, one that supports responsible production, data-driven decision-making, and global competitiveness. By balancing manufacturing depth with investments in skills, services, and digital infrastructure, the Budget accelerates India’s shift from volume-led growth to value- and innovation-led growth, positioning the country as a credible global hub for future-ready fashion and lifestyle businesses.”
Name: Brand Concepts Ltd.
Spokesperson Name: ABhinav Kumar
Designation: Co-Founder
“The Union Budget 2026‑27 lays out a forward-looking path for India’s retail and fashion ecosystem, reinforcing domestic manufacturing, innovation and brand competitiveness. Initiatives like the integrated textile programme, mega textile parks, MSME support and improved logistics create a stronger, more resilient supply chain for domestic and global brands in our portfolio.
By fostering expansion into Tier‑II and Tier‑III cities, enabling digital and financial infrastructure and supporting high-quality production, the Budget provides the roadmap for Brand Concepts to scale efficiently, innovate responsibly and strengthen India’s position as a hub for future-ready fashion and lifestyle businesses”
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Name: Nksha
Spokesperson Name: Pranav Rungta
Designation: Co-founder and Director of Nksha and Vice President NRAI,Mumbai
“Budget 2026 is a positive step for India’s hospitality sector. Announcements like the first-ever National Institute of Hospitality and structured skill development for tourist guides will strengthen service standards and prepare our workforce to meet growing domestic and international demand.
At the same time, restaurants continue to face structural challenges such as GST on commercial leases, access to export incentives like SEIS and easier SME support. Addressing these challenges alongside rising tourism and dining demand is key to building a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive hospitality sector”
Name: Dharana at Shillim
Spokesperson Name: Poonam Singh
Designation: General Manager
“The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a considered recognition of tourism and hospitality as important enablers of experience-led travel. The emphasis on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support, alongside a continued focus on India’s traditional wellness systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga, signals an intent to strengthen destinations grounded in authenticity, wellbeing, and a mindful engagement with cultural and natural heritage.
For the wellness and hospitality sector, these measures create opportunities to advance sustainable tourism, enable meaningful regional employment, and elevate service standards, reinforcing India’s position as a globally credible destination for holistic wellbeing and conscious travel.”
Name: Otoki Restaurant
Spokesperson Name: Anurag Katriar
Designation: C0-Founder of Otoki Restaurant and Founder- Indigo Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
“While the Union Budget 2026–27 takes meaningful steps towards strengthening the broader services and tourism ecosystem through skilling, infrastructure development, and ease of doing business, the hospitality sector itself appears to have received limited direct policy support. Given that restaurants and hospitality businesses are among the largest generators of urban employment, more targeted incentives whether through rationalisation of taxes, input cost relief, or sector-specific financing would have helped address the rising operational pressures the industry continues to face.
That said, the Budget’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, MSME growth, and capacity building does provide a long term framework within which hospitality businesses can evolve more. A sharper focus on hospitality in future policy interventions would further unlock the sector’s potential as a driver of jobs, tourism led growth, and India’s service sector competitiveness.”