MAM
GJEPC appoints Hanmer & Partners as its global PR agency
MUMBAI: One of India’s leading contributor to exports, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) today announced the appointment of Hanmer & Partners, one of India’s leading public relations consultancies to partner the council in its global communication objectives.
The GJEPC realises that to achieve its 2007 target of $16 billion, it needs to change the industry’s perception on a global level. Hence the council has hired Hanmer & Partners to work closely on creating a global image campaign for the entire gems and jewellery industry.
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotional Council chairman Sanjay Kothari said, “The industry needs to make a concerted effort to be perceived as the undisputed leader in both gems and jewellery on an international platform and we are confident that Hanmer & Partners with its strong reach will help us achieve it. We need to use communications effectively to build that image and we are glad to have retained the best and we look forward to working with them to achieve GJEPC’s vision and business objectives.”
Hanmer & Partners Communications Pvt Ltd managing director Sunil Gautam adds, “We are extremely privileged to be associated with the council in achieving the gem and jewellery industry’s objectives. We are in the process of setting up a global team to manage the objectives of the council in each target market. Our global affiliation with Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) will accelerate our campaign in the countries that the council needs public relations advise and support. We hope to contribute in our own way in promoting this dynamic industry.
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.
