Brands
A jewel in the making as Sara Tendulkar joins Litestyle by PNG
MUMBAI: All that glitters is getting a lighter, younger glow. Litestyle by PNG, the contemporary fine jewellery arm of PNG Jewellers, has named Sara Tendulkar as its brand ambassador, signalling a clear push to court India’s next generation of jewellery buyers. Positioned as a bridge between legacy and modernity, Litestyle has been built to speak to consumers who see jewellery as part of everyday self-expression, not just festive or family occasions. While PNG Jewellers has been a trusted household name for nearly 200 years, Litestyle operates as a distinct business vertical with its own design language, retail format and omnichannel strategy.
Sara Tendulkar’s understated style and digital-first connect make her a natural fit for the brand’s philosophy. With over 8.9 million Instagram followers, she represents a cohort that values minimalism, comfort and authenticity over excess. Her clean silhouettes and preference for wearable elegance mirror Litestyle’s focus on lightweight, contemporary jewellery designed for daily wear.
“This is not a short-term style play,” said PNG Jewellers chairman and managing director Saurabh Gadgil underscoring that Litestyle is being scaled as a serious growth engine under the PNG umbrella. The brand, he noted, is designed around everyday moments and modern shopping behaviours, supported by dedicated merchandising, marketing and digital platforms.
For Tendulkar, the association is rooted in relatability. She described Litestyle as jewellery that feels “light, thoughtful and designed for everyday life”, aligning with how younger consumers increasingly approach personal style.
The two-year partnership, which begins in December 2025, will see Tendulkar front brand and collection campaigns, feature in digital initiatives, attend store launches and act as a style muse for select collections. Jewellery lines featuring her are slated to roll out from March 2026.
Litestyle currently operates pilot stores in Pune and Goa and is now gearing up for structured expansion. The brand plans to scale to around 50 stores by FY 2028 through a mix of company-owned and franchise formats, backed by a robust online store and app. Maharashtra will anchor the first phase of growth, before a wider national rollout.
In a market where jewellery is being redefined beyond heirlooms and heavy occasions, Litestyle’s bet is clear, keep it light, keep it modern, and keep it relevant to the consumers of tomorrow.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
