Brands
Mad Over Donuts & KITKAT partner to launch the ultimate donuts
Mumbai: Mad Over Donuts (MOD) has announced an exciting new collaboration with KITKAT, bringing together two beloved brands to create a unique and delicious experience for donut and KITKAT enthusiasts alike.
Mad Over Donuts executive director and CEO Tarak Bhattacharya shared his excitement about the partnership: “We are always looking for innovative ways to make our donuts more delicious and irresistible, and collaborating with KITKAT allows us to bring a new dimension of flavor and fun to our offerings. We believe this collaboration will create a unique and memorable experience for our customers.”
The new range includes several mouth-watering options, such as the Swirl it Up, DND Donuts, and Break time bliss. In addition to these scrumptious donuts, MOD is also introducing The Break Shake, blending the iconic chocolate flavor into a creamy, refreshing treat with KITKAT crunch. These donuts and the shake are perfect for sharing with friends and family or taking a break into happiness.
Talking about the association, Nestlé Professional director Saurabh Makhija said, “It has always been our endeavor to ensure that our consumers can enjoy Nestlé’s brands, both in home and out-of-home. This partnership with Mad Over Donuts is a step towards building more relevant consumption occasions for KITKAT. Through this partnership, consumers would be able to enjoy three different variants of donuts and one variant of shake, made with KITKAT. We are confident that the consumers would find it to be a novel and delightful proposition.”
To celebrate this exciting partnership, MOD hosted a special launch event at their flagship store at Viviana Mall. The event was attended by media personnel and influencers. Guests had the exclusive opportunity to meet and interact with Mad Over Donuts executive director and CEO Tarak Bhattacharya and Nestlé Professional director Saurabh Makhija. The event was filled with photo opportunities, capturing memorable moments during the launch of the three new donuts and a shake made by KITKAT.
Brands
PUMA Q1 profit jumps 19.6 per cent to €51.9m despite 6.3 per cent sales decline
Inventory clean-up and cost controls lift earnings as brand navigates transition year
HERZOGENAURACH: PUMA has kicked off 2026 on a steady note, reporting improved profitability in the first quarter even as sales slipped, signalling early progress in what it calls a transition year.
The German sportswear major posted sales of €1,863.8 million in Q1 2026, down 6.3 per cent on a reported basis. On a currency-adjusted basis, the decline was milder at 1.0 per cent, helped by ongoing inventory clearance efforts.
Profitability, however, told a more upbeat story. Gross profit margin rose 60 basis points to 47.7 per cent, driven by the reversal of inventory reserves, lower freight costs and a favourable channel mix. EBIT climbed 19.6 per cent to €51.9 million, despite €-12.6 million in one-time costs linked to a cost efficiency programme. Adjusted EBIT stood at €64.4 million, up from €61.3 million a year earlier.
Net profit from continuing operations surged to €26.5 million, a sharp jump from €1.1 million in Q1 2025, with earnings per share improving to €0.18. The financial result also improved significantly to €-15.6 million from €-38.5 million, aided by currency tailwinds.
Speaking on the performance, PUMA chief executive officer Arthur Hoeld said, “In the first quarter our athletes won 21 medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships and set national records at the Berlin Half Marathon. Operationally, we were off to a solid start to our transition year in 2026. We have managed to reduce our inventory levels faster than planned, streamlined our product portfolio and addressed operational inefficiencies.”
Inventory reduction remained a central theme. Inventories fell 8.6 per cent to €1,898.0 million, while working capital dropped 9.7 per cent to €1,879.2 million. Trade receivables declined 20.3 per cent and trade payables were down 26.2 per cent, reflecting lower sales and purchasing volumes.
Regionally, performance was mixed. EMEA sales fell 10.4 per cent on a currency-adjusted basis to €774.5 million, impacted by weak demand and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Americas grew 6.1 per cent (currency-adjusted) to €655.6 million, led by a strong 10.5 per cent rise in Latin America, though reported growth was hit by currency fluctuations. Asia Pacific emerged as a bright spot, growing 7.9 per cent to €433.8 million, supported by strong demand in Greater China and Southeast Asia.
By channel, wholesale revenue declined 2.8 per cent (currency-adjusted), while direct-to-consumer sales rose 3.8 per cent to €528.1 million. The DTC share increased to 28.3 per cent from 27.5 per cent last year, reflecting a sharper focus on owned retail and digital channels.
Product-wise, footwear sales dipped 2.3 per cent (currency-adjusted) to €1,089.6 million, though running and training categories showed strong growth. Apparel inched up 0.9 per cent to €546.3 million, aided by football and golf, while accessories remained broadly stable at €227.9 million.
Free cash flow, though still negative at €-201.4 million due to seasonality, improved significantly from €-737.6 million a year ago. Net debt rose to €1,357.6 million, but the company maintained financial flexibility with €1,104.7 million in cash and available credit lines.
Looking ahead, PUMA reaffirmed its full-year outlook. It expects currency-adjusted sales to decline in the low to mid single-digit range, with EBIT projected between €-50 million and €-150 million. Capital expenditure for 2026 is pegged at around €200 million, focused on digital infrastructure and DTC expansion.
PUMA chief executive officer Arthur Hoeld added, “For the remainder of the year, we will continue to focus on improving the quality of our distribution, cost base and cash management. In doing so, we are laying the foundations for future growth.”
With inventory clean-up ahead of schedule and operational efficiencies beginning to show, PUMA appears to be tightening its laces for a stronger run, even as macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties continue to test the track ahead.
