Brands
P.V. Sindhu Panasonic Batteries’ face for 3 yrs
MUMBAI: PV Sindhu, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, currently ranked World No.6, dawns a new role starting today as the brand ambassador of Panasonic Energy India Co. Ltd – one of India’s largest manufacturer & supplier of dry cell batteries and lighting products.
The 21 year old, ace-badminton player has been signed on for Panasonic’s Battery division for the next three years as a part of strategic decision to enrich the brand image and challenge the ‘numero uno’ position.
“Panasonic batteries have always been known for its performance and reliability. I am looking forward to carry forth this communication and be a part of the growth journey,” stated Sindhu at the event.
“PV Sindhu exudes power and performance through her sport. These are precisely the traits that Panasonic Batteries are known for,” stated Panasonic India and South-Asia president and CEO Manish Sharma.
Panasonic Energy CMD M. Morikawa added, “PV Sindhu seemed a natural extension to Panasonic Batteries. Both are best known for their consistency and are aggressively growing to clinch the numero uno position.”
Born in Hyderabad, Ms. Sindhu is the youngest recipient of India’s fourth highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri. She is the youngest and the very first Indian shuttler to have reached the finals of a women’s singles event in an Olympics badminton event. She’s also a recipient of other prestigious awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in Sports among others.
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.
