MAM
PepsiCo India makes a sweeping win at The ABBY Awards 2024
Mumbai: PepsiCo India, a company with a successful history of churning out award-winning campaigns across its food and beverage categories, has yet again made a mark in the marketing space by winning over 20 awards at the ABBY Awards held this year.
Gatorade won a total of 11 awards with four golds, five silvers and two bronzes across categories such as digital, technology, PR, etc. for its innovative Turf Finder Initiative, making it the brand with the highest number of awards.
Launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to foster a passion for sports amid the hustle and bustle of India’s metropolitan areas. The recognition at the ABBY Awards further highlights Gatorade’s commitment to encouraging active lifestyles and nurturing a love for sports in densely populated cities.
Meanwhile Lay’s bagged eight metals with three golds, two silvers and three bronzes in categories such as Green Award, Brand Activation and Promotion, Digital and so forth, for Smart Farm and the Biochar Project.
Commenting on the occasion, PepsiCo India spokesperson said, “We are immensely proud of the recognition that Gatorade and Lay’s have received at the ABBY Awards 2024. These accolades are a testament to our unwavering commitment to support the community through innovative initiatives. Gatorade Turf Finder, Lay’s Smart Farm and the Biochar Project exemplify our dedication to leveraging technology and creativity to make a positive impact in our communities. We look forward to continuing this journey of innovation and excellence, making meaningful contributions.”
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.
