MAM
Ferrero India, Discovery Channel launch Kinder Joy’s ‘Natoons’ collection
Mumbai: The confectionery brand of Ferrero, Kinder Joy (manufacturers of sweet-packaged products) has announced its portfolio expansion in India with the launch of Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ emphasising the purpose of ‘Learning about Animals’ for kids.
With an aim to strengthen its purpose, Kinder Joy has joined hands with Discovery Channel, a brand with a strong commitment to conservation and protection of wildlife. The collection will showcase life-like toy figures of animals such as moorish idol, whale, killer whale, tortoise, macaw yellow, macaw blue, toucan, turtle, porcupine, armadillo, seal, and basilisk.
Backed by an integrated marketing approach & bespoke content from Discovery’s vast library of content, the partnership will be promoted through multiple touchpoints across both partners’ platforms that immerse consumers in the world of animals. Discovery branded Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ will be available in India and supported by a consumer engagement program that will highlight the promotion’s key values. To ensure consumer participation, contests will also be hosted to deliver a compelling and an enriching experience to kids.
Additionally, ‘Natoons’ will also be a part of the phygital experience through the AR feature on the free-for-all ‘Applaydu’ app, developed by Kinder. Specifically, designed Natoons POS (point of sale) material will be visible at retail outlets to create awareness and drive penetration. The Applaydu app QR code on the POS material will additionally assist in driving digital integration, allowing shoppers to bring the toys to life in store and generate excitement at the point of purchase.
Speaking on the occasion, Ferrero regional marketing manager Indian subcontinent – Kinder Brands Amedeo Aragona said, “Playtime is vital to children’s growth and development, and we understand that children learn through play. The new ‘Natoons’ range is another step in nurturing their imagination & creativity and is designed to deliver learning opportunities through fun, engaging content. We truly believe that the ‘Applaydu’ app’s augmented reality feature will bring the Natoons collection to life and further enhance the learning experience.”
Sharing his thoughts on the association, Warner Bros. Discovery SVP – international consumer products Ian Woods said, “We are thrilled to partner with Kinder Joy to provide families across India with an exciting collaboration spanning across multiple touchpoints. Working closely with our local marketing & content production teams we are thrilled to be bringing new experiences to our audiences that not only enlighten but also leave them inspired to learn more. Our partnership with Ferrero really allows kids to learn more about their local wildlife and make them aware of the world around them.”
Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ has been introduced pan India and is priced at Rs 45. It will be available across all leading retail outlets, including modern trade and traditional stores pan India. Along with this, consumers will be able to buy the product on e-commerce platforms.
With Kinder Joy ‘Natoons,’ the company is taking a step forward towards strengthening its presence in the Indian market, which is driven by the trust and love of consumers for Kinder products. Kinder Joy ‘Natoons’ is manufactured at the State-of-the-Art factory situated at Baramati, Pune.
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.
