Brands
Aashirvaad celebrates mothers with its Diwali campaign ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad’
MUMBAI: This Diwali, Aashirvaad, one of India’s most trusted household staple brands, is celebrating the women who bring every home to life. Its festive campaign, ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad,’ is a heartfelt tribute to mothers: the light that truly illuminates every household.
At the heart of the campaign is a beautifully composed music video that captures how a mother’s warmth, care and quiet strength turn every moment of Diwali into something magical. From kitchens filled with the aroma of gujiyas and besan laddoos to courtyards glowing with diyas and laughter, the film shows how her touch transforms rituals into lasting memories and everyday gestures into blessings.
Speaking about the campaign, ITC Ltd BU chief executive, staples, food division Anuj Rustagi said, “Diwali is a celebration of light, togetherness and gratitude, values that truly reflect the ethos of Aashirvaad. This year’s campaign honours mothers, who create moments of connection and make every celebration complete.”
To add an interactive twist, Aashirvaad has also launched a ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad’ rangoli contest, inviting participants to upload pictures of their Diwali rangolis for a chance to receive personalised digital greeting cards from TV’s beloved actress Rupali Ganguly. Each day, 100 winners will win Amazon vouchers worth Rs 500, adding an extra sparkle to their festivities.
Further sweetening the celebration, the brand has introduced limited edition Diwali packs of Aashirvaad shudh chakki atta, featuring a QR code that directs consumers to the contest microsite, turning every festive purchase into a chance to celebrate and win.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
