Brands
Zodiac Clothing posts Rs 862.8 crore loss in June quarter
MUMBAI: Zodiac’s stars aren’t exactly aligned this season. Zodiac Clothing Company Limited stitched up higher revenues in Q1 FY26 but couldn’t keep the red off its books, posting a consolidated net loss of Rs 862.77 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2025. That’s deeper than the Rs 764.20 crore loss in the March quarter, though slightly better than the Rs 942.34 crore loss a year earlier.
Revenue from operations edged up to Rs 3,902.78 crore from Rs 3,769.68 crore in Q1 FY25, boosted by steady sales momentum. Other income, however, more than halved year-on-year to Rs 224.75 crore from Rs 598.27 crore. Total income came in at Rs 4,127.53 crore, down from Rs 4,367.95 crore last year.
Expenses remained the fashion faux pas surging to Rs 4,971.89 crore. Raw material costs alone stood at Rs 1,408.38 crore, with employee benefits at Rs 1,170.24 crore, depreciation at Rs 534.91 crore, and finance costs climbing to Rs 237.89 crore. Other expenses, including marketing and overheads, were a hefty Rs 1,633.45 crore.
Margins told their own style story. Inventory changes shaved off Rs 61.57 crore from costs this quarter compared to a Rs 368.02 crore inventory drawdown last year. Still, the operating runway was too tight to avoid losses.
The company’s tax expense swung to Rs 18.41 crore from a credit of Rs 30.79 crore in March, leaving a bottom line firmly in negative territory. Basic and diluted earnings per share came in at a loss of Rs 3.32, against a Rs 3.63 loss per share last year.
On the balance sheet, equity capital held steady at Rs 2,599.37 crore, with other equity at Rs 15,366.02 crore. Comprehensive losses for the quarter stood at Rs 947.87 crore, factoring in an Rs 85.10 crore hit from other comprehensive income items, including swings in investment valuations and currency movements.
For now, Zodiac may have pulled in sales, but with costs outpacing the catwalk, the label’s financials are still very much in last season’s colours.
Brands
JK Maxx Paints ropes in Akshay Kumar to boost brand visibility push
Actor’s trust-led appeal set to strengthen connect in décor market
MUMBAI: JK Maxx Paints has signed Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador, as the company looks to scale up visibility and deepen its connect with consumers in India’s competitive decorative paints market.
The move is part of a broader strategy to position the brand around trust and performance, qualities closely associated with Kumar’s public persona. With a strong connect among Indian households, the actor is expected to help the company strike a more relatable chord with home owners.
Welcoming the partnership, JK Maxx Paints business head white cement and paints Nitish Chopra said, “This partnership marks an important milestone in our journey to scale JK Maxx Paints as a strong, future-ready brand. As we expand our presence across markets, our focus remains on building deeper consumer trust and delivering high-performance solutions. Akshay Kumar’s credibility and widespread appeal make him a powerful partner in amplifying our brand story and strengthening our connect with consumers across India.”
Echoing the sentiment, Akshay Kumar highlighted the brand’s legacy and familiarity among Indian consumers. “Some associations just feel right from the heart. This is one of them. JK Maxx Paints carries a legacy that people already believe in. When a name like JK WallMaxx Wall Putty is so deeply woven into homes, it’s not just familiarity, it’s a sense of comfort and trust,” he said.
Launched in 2023 and backed by the legacy of JK WallMaxx Wall Putty from JK White Cement, the paints business has been steadily expanding its footprint. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Rajasthan and an R and D centre in Navi Mumbai, offering a wide portfolio across interior and exterior paints, textures and waterproofing solutions.
The new partnership will roll out through a multi-platform campaign spanning television, digital, print, outdoor and retail channels.
With a trusted face now fronting its colours, JK Maxx Paints is clearly aiming to paint a bigger picture in India’s home décor market.
