Brands
HUL Posts Rs 2,768 Crore Profit in Q1, Boosted by Minimalist Buy
MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has kicked off FY26 with a frothy performance in Q1, brewing Rs 2,768 crore in net profit up 6 per cent from the same quarter last year despite flat volume growth and a mild lather of margin pressure. Total revenue stood at Rs 16,323 crore, a 5 per cent rise from the previous year’s Rs 15,547 crore, driven by modest gains across key verticals including Home Care (Rs 5,815 crore), Beauty & Wellbeing (Rs 3,265 crore), Foods (Rs 3,896 crore), and Personal Care (Rs 2,126 crore). The company’s EBITDA for the quarter clocked in at Rs 3,718 crore with a margin of 22.8 per cent, a dip of 130 basis points versus the previous year.
But what added extra glow to the balance sheet this quarter was the inclusion of Uprising Science Private Limited makers of the cult-favourite skincare and haircare brand *Minimalist*. HUL completed a 90.5 per cent stake acquisition in April 2025 for Rs 2,706 crore, and the brand’s contribution from April to June has already been factored into the consolidated earnings.
While profit before tax stood at Rs 3,362 crore, a Rs 138 crore exceptional item mostly restructuring expenses and adjustments to legacy tax provisions shaved off some sheen. However, a re-estimation of tax expenses added a 12 per cent boost to PAT growth, softening the blow.
Interestingly, despite a slight dip in operating margins, HUL managed to grow its bottom line due to disciplined cost controls and a diversified category strategy. Foods and Beverages continues to be the tastiest pie, contributing Rs 3,896 crore in revenue, while Home Care kept the household engine running with Rs 5,815 crore.
On the segment results side, Home Care led the pack with Rs 1,093 crore in profits, followed closely by Beauty & Wellbeing (Rs 1,046 crore) and Foods (Rs 627 crore). Personal Care, however, saw a relative slide, reporting Rs 398 crore for the quarter.
With this quarterly update, HUL’s CEO Rohit Jawa seems to have set a confident tone for the year. The acquisition of *Minimalist* hints at a sharper pivot towards premium and digitally native brands, while its core continues to be driven by daily-use essentials.
Even as rural demand remains patchy, and discretionary consumption cautious, HUL is leaning into a “more for less” strategy revamping portfolios while keeping margins lean and marketing sharp.
A minimalist acquisition, a maximalist balance sheet HUL might just be setting the tone for the FMCG playbook in FY26.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
