Brands
Hive Dashcam with GPS and Adas launched by boAt
MUMBAI: boAt is steering into new territory. The country’s top audio and wearables brand has rolled out the Hive dashcam series, marking its first foray into in-car cameras. Built with Indian driving conditions in mind, the new range aims to turn everyday commutes into journeys with a reliable digital witness on board.
The Hive lineup includes three models, the flagship F1, the mid-range M1 and the entry-level E1, designed to suit everyone from first-time users to safety-focused motorists. Across the range, boAt promises clear footage, simple controls and practical features that step in when things on the road take an unexpected turn.
At the top sits the Hive Dashcam F1, offering dual-channel recording with 4K video at the front and Full HD at the rear. Powered by Sony Stravis sensors, it is built to capture sharper details in low light and bright glare alike. The F1 also packs an Advanced Driver Assistance System with voice alerts, built-in GPS logging, voice control and Wi-Fi app connectivity.
The Hive Dashcam M1 focuses on high-resolution recording in a compact form. It shoots in 2K QHD with a wide 140-degree field of view and includes GPS tracking, a G-sensor for automatic incident detection and support for up to 512GB of storage.
For everyday driving, the Hive Dashcam E1 offers 1296p recording, loop capture and automatic emergency triggers. Its compact build is designed for smaller cars, taxis and daily commuters, while built-in Wi-Fi allows quick access to footage through a smartphone app.
The entire Hive series uses Sony Stravis sensors to improve clarity in difficult lighting conditions. Features such as motion detection, parking surveillance, GPS route logging and G-sensor triggers aim to provide visual proof when it matters most, whether during an accident, a dispute or an insurance claim.
With this launch, boAt is moving beyond headphones and smartwatches into the world of automotive tech, betting that a clear view of the road is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity for Indian drivers.
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.
