Brands
Discovery goes #Indiamyway in Maruti Suzuki
MUMBAI: Discovery Channel in association with Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) organised an event in New Delhi to celebrate the culmination of its journey across 29 states. Cruising around in a Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, covering over 28,000 kilometers, the epic-journey entitled #Indiamyway was captured by Discovery cameras and was televised on the network.
A showreel presenting the best-off moments of the journey was screened at the event. On this occasion, Discovery also released a DVD pack of the television series unveiled MSIL executive director – marketing and sales R S Kalsi, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific VP advertising sales (south Asia) Karamjit Dua, and Meraj Shah, actor and presenter of the series.
The 13-part series which aired on Discovery, travelled across India in search of young Indians, their passion and their continual quest for the unusual, glamourous and adventurous side of life. The series was hosted by Paloma Monappa, an actor and avid traveler, and Shah, a travel writer, who went on a road trip for an exploration of a ‘New India’. They introduced viewers to a range of fun, eclectic characters ranging from celebrities, tribal fashionistas, women wrestlers, young scientists, tattoo artists, path breaking entrepreneurs and many others.
Kalsi said, “It has been a matter of immense pride for the two pioneering brands – Maruti Suzuki and Discovery to collaborate and explore the new-age India.” Dua said, “Discovery offers captivating and incomparable blend of programmes that stimulate viewers’ mind. #Indiamyway has been our endeavor to showcase the immense talent, passion and changing aspirations of the millennials in the country.” Shah said, “I have been travelling for years, however, this road trip was unique and invigorating.”
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.
