MAM
Jack&Jones unveils Spring Summer ’26 collection with 3 themes
Music, Rush and Travel chapters anchor expansive youth-focused drop.
MUMBAI: If fashion had a playlist, this one would come with a bass drop, a road trip, and a wardrobe change in between. Jack&Jones has rolled out its Spring Summer ’26 collection, pitching it as its most expansive seasonal showcase yet less a drop, more a three-act cultural statement. At the centre of the campaign is Volume 1: Music, a chapter that taps into India’s independent music scene and wears its attitude on its sleeve quite literally. Featuring artists like Loka, Wazir Patar and Aksomaniac, the line blends bold graphics with relaxed silhouettes and versatile denim designed to move effortlessly from stage lights to street style.
Denim, unsurprisingly, remains the headline act. From lived-in washes to rip-and-repair textures and wide-leg fits, the collection leans into familiarity while nudging expression forward aiming to feel both personal and performative at once.
The brand didn’t stop at aesthetics. Extending its music-first narrative into the real world, Jack&Jones partnered with the UN40 Music Festival held on March 14 and 15 in Bengaluru. The collaboration featured an experiential pop-up, complete with denim customisation zones, interactive installations and exclusive viewing experiences turning fashion into something you could not just wear, but play with.
Volume 2: Rush shifts gears into a faster lane, embracing high-energy aesthetics tailored for movement, momentum and a lifestyle that rarely stands still. Think sharper silhouettes, dynamic styling and a sense of urgency stitched into every look.
In contrast, Volume 3: Travel slows things down. This chapter leans into sun-washed palettes, lightweight layers and easy silhouettes built for spontaneity designed for consumers who prefer their fashion with a side of wanderlust.
Across all three volumes, the thread that ties it together is clear: denim as a constant, supported by breathable cottons and summer-ready fabrics that balance comfort with structure. The result is a collection that doesn’t just follow trends but attempts to mirror the rhythm of youth culture itself.
With Spring Summer ’26, Jack&Jones isn’t just selling clothes, it’s curating moods. And in a season where identity is as fluid as style, that might just be its strongest fit yet.
Brands
Lotus Chocolate FY26 profit drops sharply, Q4 slips into loss
Revenue steady at Rs 579.55 crore, Q4 loss at Rs 4.47 crore
MUMBAI: Sweet on the top line, slightly bitter on the bottom Lotus Chocolate’s FY26 numbers tell a story that’s more dark cocoa than milk. The company managed to hold its revenue steady for the year, but profitability took a visible hit, capped by a loss-making fourth quarter. Lotus Chocolate Company Limited reported revenue from operations of Rs 579.55 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, marginally up from Rs 573.75 crore in FY25. Total income rose to Rs 615.61 crore, compared with Rs 574.56 crore in the previous year, supported by a sharp jump in other income to Rs 36.06 crore from just Rs 0.81 crore.
However, the gains at the top did little to cushion profitability. Net profit for FY26 fell dramatically to Rs 0.10 crore, down from Rs 17.23 crore in FY25, reflecting significant cost pressures across the business.
The March quarter proved particularly challenging. The company reported a net loss of Rs 4.47 crore in Q4 FY26, compared with a profit of Rs 0.14 crore in the previous quarter and Rs 1.42 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 138.01 crore, down from Rs 150.21 crore in Q3 FY26 and Rs 157.52 crore in Q4 FY25.
Expenses remained elevated throughout the year. Total expenses rose to Rs 614.44 crore in FY26 from Rs 551.50 crore in FY25, eating into margins. A key swing factor was the cost of materials consumed, which stood at Rs 304.44 crore, while changes in inventories also reflected volatility, with a negative impact of Rs 62.44 crore in the previous year reversing to a positive Rs 52.93 crore this year.
Employee benefit expenses nearly doubled to Rs 34.00 crore from Rs 17.98 crore, while finance costs surged to Rs 16.31 crore from Rs 7.11 crore, indicating higher borrowing and funding costs. Depreciation and amortisation expenses also increased to Rs 3.92 crore from Rs 1.81 crore, reflecting ongoing investments.
On the balance sheet front, total assets stood at Rs 275.96 crore as of March 31, 2026, slightly higher than Rs 270.34 crore a year earlier. Borrowings remained significant, with current borrowings at Rs 89.00 crore, highlighting continued reliance on external funding.
Cash flow dynamics showed improvement in operations, with net cash generated from operating activities at Rs 93.23 crore, compared with a negative Rs 129.60 crore in FY25. However, financing outflows remained high at Rs 74.90 crore, driven largely by repayment of borrowings and interest costs.
Despite stable revenue, the sharp drop in profitability underscores the pressure of rising input costs, higher finance expenses and operational adjustments. The contrast between steady sales and squeezed margins leaves Lotus Chocolate at a crossroads proving that in business, as in confectionery, the real test isn’t just in the sweetness of sales, but in the richness of returns.
