MAM
Kingfisher kicks off with Messi’s men in India
Mumbai: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water has signed on as the regional sponsor of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in India, marking a major score for the United Breweries-owned brand as it looks to deepen ties with India’s most football-mad regions.
The partnership, officially unveiled at Buenos Aires’ iconic River Plate Stadium, saw Mohit Raina, category head at Kingfisher, join Leandro Petersen, AFA’s chief commercial and marketing officer, to seal the deal.
With the tie-up, Kingfisher aims to dribble deeper into India’s football heartlands — from West Bengal and Kerala to Goa and the Northeast — with campaigns that blend sport, celebration and its signature message of togetherness.
The collaboration includes grassroots football initiatives, immersive fan experiences, and a digital blitz to rally support across platforms. But the real kicker? The Argentine national team — reigning world champions — is expected to play a high-voltage international friendly in Kerala come October 2025. With Messi and co likely to light up the pitch, the event is already generating massive buzz.
For Kingfisher, it’s not just about hydration — it’s about being where the passion flows.
AFA chief commercial & marketing officer Leandro Petersen, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration “We are excited to welcome Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water as a Regional Sponsor in India. This partnership not only enhances our presence in one of the world’s most vibrant football markets but also aligns perfectly with our vision to connect with fans globally through meaningful and engaging collaborations.”
United Breweries Ltd CMO Vikram Bahl shared his perspective on the partnership, “Partnering with the Argentine Football Association marks a proud milestone for Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water. Football has a remarkable ability to unite communities and inspire fans. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring that energy to life through meaningful experiences and memorable campaigns that celebrate the game and reflect the vibrant spirit of our brand.”
For Kingfisher, it’s not just about hydration — it’s about being where the passion flows.
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.
