Pune-based impulse lifestyle retail brand Uni Seoul has secured Rs 35 crore (approximately $3.7 million) in a Series A funding round led by Riverwalk Holdings and Sauce. The round also attracted participation from Panthera Peak Ventures and several existing angel investors.
The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the company’s growth plans, including expanding its offline store network, strengthening supply chain operations, growing its private-label offerings, and entering quick commerce platforms.
Founded by Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana, Uni Seoul operates in the impulse lifestyle retail segment, offering a wide range of products across categories such as plush toys, stationery, home and living products, bags, travel accessories, beauty and personal care items, and gifting solutions.
The company currently operates 15 stores across major cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Nashik. Its product portfolio consists of more than 1,000 SKUs priced between Rs 99 and Rs 2,999, catering to consumers seeking affordable and trend-driven lifestyle products.
With the latest funding, Uni Seoul aims to significantly expand its physical presence. The company plans to increase its store count from 15 to over 50 outlets in the near future and is targeting 500 retail touchpoints over the next five years.
The startup also sees strong growth opportunities in India’s gifting and impulse-buying segments. According to the company, the Indian gifting market was valued at around $75 billion in 2024. At the same time, the rapid rise of quick commerce platforms is creating new avenues for brands offering impulse-driven lifestyle and gifting products.
Commenting on the fundraising, co-founder Mohit Khurana said that the company intends to strengthen its retail presence across the country while also expanding into quick commerce. He added that Uni Seoul’s long-term vision is to build a category-defining impulse lifestyle retail brand in India.
As consumer preferences continue to shift towards convenience, affordable indulgence, and experience-led shopping, Uni Seoul is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing demand for lifestyle and gifting products across both offline and digital channels.
-By Shivani Solanki
