Brands
Fashion house in the red as ABFRL posts Rs 233.7 crore quarterly loss
MUMBAI: Loss is the new black and ABFRL is wearing it this quarter. Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd (ABFRL) has stitched together a tough start to FY26, posting a consolidated net loss of Rs 233.73 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2025 deeper than the Rs 144.18 crore loss in the March quarter and the Rs 237.86 crore red ink from the same period last year.
Revenue from continuing operations inched up 9.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,831.46 crore, with the Pantaloons arm contributing Rs 1,094.13 crore and the Ethnic & Others segment adding Rs 754.57 crore. But rising costs from Rs 742.49 crore worth of stock-in-trade purchases last quarter to Rs 449.90 crore this time and finance charges of Rs 113.36 crore kept the bottom line under pressure.
The quarter also included discontinued operations from the recently demerged Madura Fashion & Lifestyle unit, which brought in Rs 1,877.50 crore in revenue and Rs 140.61 crore profit after tax. Even with this boost, the overall loss for continuing and discontinued operations stood at Rs 212.81 crore.
Operating margins from continuing business slipped into the negative at -0.26 per cent compared to 2.84 per cent in Q1 FY25, while net profit margin was -4.30 per cent. Total expenses surged to Rs 2,148.75 crore, with depreciation and amortisation costs rising to Rs 303.14 crore and rent expense hitting Rs 55.74 crore.
On the balance sheet, ABFRL’s total assets stood at Rs 16,696.52 crore, with segment liabilities at Rs 9,628.52 crore. Net worth came in at Rs 8,239.51 crore. The company’s debt service coverage ratio remained negative at -3.52 times, signalling ongoing financial strain.
Earnings per share from continuing operations came in at a loss of Rs 1.74, versus a Rs 0.49 loss a year ago. The Ethnic & Others segment, despite revenue growth, recorded a Rs 178.82 crore loss for the quarter, while Pantaloons barely broke even with Rs 3.67 crore in profit.
While ABFRL continues to face cost headwinds and margin pressure, it is banking on its mass-market and ethnic portfolios to ride out the turbulence. For now, though, this quarter’s fashion statement is all about survival chic.
Brands
RR Kabel expands FMEG portfolio with kitchen appliances and air coolers
Company forays into mixers, cooktops and hand blenders under RR Signature brand.
MUMBAI: RR Kabel has just cooked up something new and it’s not just another wire. The leading wires and cables manufacturer has announced a significant expansion of its Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) portfolio by entering the kitchen appliances segment and strengthening its air coolers range under the premium RR Signature brand. The company has introduced Mixer Grinders, Electric Cooktops (both Induction and Infra-Red variants), and Hand Blenders. These products mark RR Kabel’s strategic foray into everyday kitchen essentials, allowing it to reach deeper into Indian households beyond traditional electrical categories.
The Induction and Infra-Red Cooktops are seeing particularly strong demand amid global developments affecting LPG pricing and supply. Consumers are increasingly shifting to electric cooking for its energy efficiency, precise control, and safety features. RR Signature is reinforcing its ‘Aapke Kaam Ki Baat’ promise with best-in-class warranties across the range.
The company also plans to introduce additional kitchen appliance categories in FY26-27. In parallel, it has expanded its Air Cooler portfolio with new Industrial (Semi-Commercial) models featuring higher tank capacities and superior air throw, catering to both commercial users and households seeking powerful cooling during intensifying summers.
RR Kabel executive director Mahhesh Kabra said, “Our expansion into kitchen appliances allows us to connect with consumers at more touchpoints in their daily lives, while our expanded air cooler range addresses the rising need for effective cooling solutions. These launches reflect our continued focus on quality, innovation, and market relevance.”
By stepping into kitchen appliances and enhancing its cooling solutions, RR Kabel is wiring itself more deeply into Indian homes proving that even a cables company knows how to heat things up in the kitchen and keep things cool elsewhere. The move positions the brand for broader growth as it evolves from wires to a more complete home solutions player.
