MAM
Lifestyle celebrates Dil Se Diwali
NEW DELHI: Lifestyle has launched its festive campaign #DilSeDiwali, which encourages people to celebrate the festival of lights in their own way. Conceptualised by Wunderman Thompson South Asia, the campaign is particularly relevant in today’s context where everyone is looking forward to dressing up and feeling good, to beat the pandemic blues.
The campaign consists of a two-part film series showcasing two kinds of different Diwali celebrations, with a memorable song as the background score. The films deliver the message of ‘celebrating the way your heart wishes’ with a fresh take.
Lifestyle senior VP marketing Srinivas Rao said, “The Dil Se Diwali films are a celebration of all the unique instances that come together in this festival. Whether you’re staying at home with your family or stepping out with your loved ones, the video will remind everybody of their favourite Diwali moments. Our all-new festive collection has also been designed and curated keeping in mind the occasions that Diwali brings forth and will ensure that no matter what the consumer mindset is, they will be dressed to stand out.”
Wunderman Thompson India NCD Priya Shivakumar said, “This year, the moods are many, sentiments are strong and everyone is looking for light and celebration to get rid of the gloom, but in a way that makes them comfortable. So Dil se Diwali comes back with a fresh new feel that is both relevant and offers the choice of celebration to the viewer with each of the two films calling out two contrasting ways to celebrate the festival of lights.”
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.
