MAM
AdEx zoomed 37% in 2021 despite Covid second wave: Pitch Madison Report 2022
Mumbai: The total advertising expenditure (AdEx) in 2021 grew at an unprecedented 37 per cent to Rs 74,231 crore, despite the treacherous second Covid-19 wave, which crippled the economy and AdEx for almost three months of May, June and July for the second year running. This is according to the latest flash figures of AdEx estimates released by Pitch Madison Advertising Report.
In a departure from the convention, the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2022 released flash figures of AdEx estimates only for 2021. Contrary to its own forecast of 26 per cent growth in February 2021, which meant AdEx in 2021 would not even reach 2019 levels, AdEx has comfortably surpassed 2019 figures by 10 per cent, the flash report estimates. An exhaustive report giving medium-wise figures, forecast for 2022 and commentary will be released three weeks later, the agency said.
AdEx has not registered a 37 per cent increase in the last two decades for which figures are available. The closest it has registered was a growth rate of 22.9 per cent in 2007. For context, in 2020 AdEx had de-grown 20 per cent over 2019.
“The two Covid years of 2020 and 2021 have altered the structure of AdEx, but Indian AdEx has shown that it is resilient and contrary to expectation surpassed 2019 AdEx level,” says Madison World chairman Sam Balsara. “Whilst Covid Wave I had a disastrous impact on AdEx, India Inc has taken the more deadly Covid Wave II in its stride and despite a setback of four months has not only recovered during the year itself but also comfortably surpassed 2019 levels.”
Detailed medium analysis of AdEx in 2021 with a commentary along with forecast for 2022 will be released on 16 February in Mumbai at the hands of the newly appointed Godrej Consumer Products Ltd CEO Sudhir Sitapati, who will also deliver a talk on the “The New Marketing Playbook,” said the agency in a statement.
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.
