MAM
Cut The Crap launches design unit
MUMBAI: Cut The Crap, a Mumbai based creative agency, has launched its design unit – Design Sell, which will focus on brand identity, packaging, digital and 3D designs and BTL amongst others.
While the unit will work as a part of the agency, it will function independently with a separate team. The new entity Design Sell will be headed by Renuka Desilva.
Cut The Crap founder and creative head Jagdish Acharya said, “I am excited to announce the launch of Design Sell. Cut The Crap has made its mark as a creative boutique for brand building. Design Sell derives its DNA from Cut The Crap. Design is never without a marketing purpose, the objective of design in the world of brands is to sell and to therefore it is imperative that design be strategic and a part of the brand building ecosystem. Therefore, the name Design Sell. The need was felt to launch the division on its own so it can be nurtured and grown to its true potential.”
Speaking on the potential, Acharya added, “The demand for strategic design has been growing and not just from one-off clients looking for logos, brand identity and such. We work a lot with start-ups. Some of them need only design inputs first and a full service creative interface later. Then there are those who use only BTL as a medium of brand building and they need it to be managed through strategic inputs similar to ATL.”
Design Sell creative director and head Renuka Desilva said, “I am looking forward to building Design Sell on the terra firma of strategy and creative foundations of design. It is the understanding of brand and marketing needs that will differentiate us from other design houses. Our aim over the next two – three years will be to build a strong portfolio that showcases our point of difference. Business will only follow.”
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
