MAM
Johnson Tiles maiden campaign to feature Katrina Kaif
Mumbai: For the first time since its incorporation in 1958, H&R Johnson (India) has roped in a celebrity brand ambassador for their maiden television ad campaign for Johnson Tiles.
The campaign is conceptualised by Soho Square and highlights the much overlooked element of a house – tiles.
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H&R Johnson (India) Chief Operating Officer Sushil Matey said, “Tiles often do not get their due importance while planning the home interiors. As category innovators, Johnson understands the need to scale up the premium quotient of tiles. The attempt in this new TV ad for Johnson Tiles therefore is to catapult tiles into an aspirational space in the consumers mind & in the process also play our role in expanding the category of tiles. This ad film showcases how tiles, an essential part of your home and lifestyle can be so intimate. It reflects who you are”.
He added, “The Johnson brand continues to be the most trusted name in the Home & Lifestyle category and represents values of trust-worthiness, innovation and contemporariness. Associating with Katrina Kaif for our brand reinforces our values which she also stands for, namely, her global image, freshness and contemporariness.”
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The TVC starts with Katrina Kaif opening a door and gently walking into the elegant house of Johnson. Soon she takes off her heels to feel the smooth tiles beneath her feet, and is left awe-stuck The ad reinforces that it is no longer just about brick and mortar, but about textures, colors, designs, visual appeal and aesthetics and most importantly a reflection and an extension of one’s personality.
Soho Square Mumbai head Satish Desa and ECD Anuraag Khandelwal said, “Katrina Kaif is the perfect brand ambassador for H&R Johnson. Both are international, yet rooted in India. There‘s also glamour, and a certain playful innocence. We wanted to capture all this in a unique TV commercial.”
They add, “The film is an ode to floors. It essays the emotions that a Johnson Floor elicits. It is a romance. A glimpse into Katrina‘s private space. Where Katrina and her floors are akin to lovers, sometimes friends, and sometimes the tiles play her confidante. Threading these intimate moments into visual poetry.”
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.
