MAM
Sanjay Dutt is Bagpiper Whiskey’s new brand ambassador
BANGALORE: Bagpiper Whisky, the flagship brand of the UB Group Spirits Division, has signed Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt as its brand ambassador. Dutt joins a select list of brand ambassadors from Bollywood for Bagpiper Whisky continuing the brand’s successful relationship with Bollywood heroes.
Making a dramatic entry in true Bollywood style, Sanjay Dutt began by saying the famous Bagpiper line, “Khoob Jamega rang, Jab mil baithenge teen yaar, aap, mai aur Bagpiper! ” He added, “I am very excited to be associated with Bagpiper, which is the market leader in India. It is also a pleasure to be associated with UB Spirits Division, which is the industry leader today. I look forward to building a strong relationship with the brand.”
UB Spirits Division president VK Rekhi said, “Bagpiper has always had a strong Bollywood connection in its 29-year history. Since the Bagpiper consumer enjoys a great bonding with Bollywood, this has been an excellent platform for brand communication. A pioneer in celebrity endorsements and movie sponsorships, the brand has had several film stars like Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan endorsing the brand. In continuation of this great tradition, we are proud to announce today, our association with Sanjay Dutt as the Brand Ambassador for Bagpiper.”
Commenting on the association with Sanjay Dutt, Herbertsons Ltd MD SD Lalla said, “Sanjay is an ideal fit for Bagpiper. An allround hero to the core, he personifies style, strength and machismo, which is exactly what Bagpiper stands for. Sanjay Dutt and Bagpiper have a lot in common; both are hugely popular, and have delighted consumers for several years!”
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.
