Brands
Ace Blend launches 10:1 Shroom Droppers targeting energy, focus and calm
New ultrasonic extracts aim to boost potency and absorption in mushroom supplements
MUMBAI: Ace Blend has entered the fast-growing functional wellness space with the launch of its new Shroom Concentrates range, betting on potency and delivery format as key differentiators in an increasingly crowded market.
The Mumbai-based brand has introduced a trio of liquid “droppers” designed to support focus, energy and relaxation. Unlike conventional mushroom supplements, which often rely on powders or capsules, the company is positioning its water-based concentrates as faster-absorbing and more effective.
At the core of the launch is a 10:1 concentration ratio, which the company says delivers higher bioactive potency compared to standard formulations. The products are developed using a patented ultrasonic water extraction method that uses sound waves instead of heat or chemicals to preserve delicate compounds within the mushrooms.
The range includes Lion’s Mane for cognitive support, Cordyceps for sustained energy, and Reishi for relaxation and recovery. The formulations are also glycerin-free, a move aimed at avoiding dilution and maintaining purity.
“We introduced India to functional mushrooms with our Shroom Coffees. With Shroom Concentrates, we’re cementing our expertise in the space,” said Ace Blend founder Shivam Hingorani. “We focused on solving that gap by improving how these compounds are extracted, delivered, and absorbed.”
The launch comes as functional mushrooms gain traction globally, with consumers increasingly seeking natural solutions for productivity, stress management and overall wellbeing. In India, the category is still emerging, but growing awareness and demand for performance-oriented health products are creating new opportunities.
By combining high-potency extracts with a convenient dropper format, Ace Blend is aiming to make functional mushrooms more accessible to everyday users rather than niche wellness enthusiasts.
As competition intensifies in the plant-based supplement market, brands that can deliver both efficacy and ease of use may find themselves a step ahead. For Ace Blend, this latest launch signals an attempt to turn curiosity into consistent consumption.
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.
