Ugaoo, the urban gardening startup, is planning a major retail expansion as it rides India’s growing love for greenery. The company aims to open 80 new stores by 2030, with break-even expected within 15–18 months per outlet.
The urban gardening market in India is booming, with balconies turning into mini-forests and desks into leafy retreats. Ugaoo has capitalised on this trend, reaching ₹100 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR) last year and projecting ₹140 crore this year. Over one million orders have been shipped in just three years, selling 2.5 lakh plants every month to more than three million customers.
“Our Bandra Linking Road store broke even within 12 months — it’s now at an EBIT of 20%,” said Siddhant Bhalinge, Founder and CEO of Ugaoo, highlighting the profitability of its retail model.
Founded in 2015, Ugaoo combines three generations of agricultural heritage with modern horticultural science. “There is a big difference between Ugaoo and its competitors – we are the only ones who actually grow our own plants,” Bhalinge said. The company’s 25-acre nursery near Pune allows it to manage inventory efficiently and supply more than 20 cities, with a wastage rate of less than 1%. Smaller unsold plants are transferred to bigger pots, increasing their value over time.
Ugaoo’s omnichannel presence includes its app, partnerships with platforms like Blinkit, and 10 offline experience stores. Patented packaging and educational content help maintain a monthly repeat purchase rate of 36%, enhancing customer engagement. The company produces nearly 3 lakh plants each month, with regional hubs in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Plants are acclimatised for around 30 days before sale to ensure they last at least six months for consumers.
However, the $500 million Indian gardening market is becoming increasingly competitive. Quick commerce players and local nurseries selling online are intensifying competition, while rising logistics costs and the challenges of managing live, perishable inventory put pressure on margins.
Ugaoo’s strategy rests on the belief that urban India’s love for greenery will become a lasting lifestyle choice. Its growth will depend on disciplined execution, efficient operations, and careful margin management, as it works to turn its 80-store expansion plan into reality.
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