MAM
Ayodhya Kirana community readies for Ram Temple festivities: 70 per cent stock puja items
Mumbai: With the grand Ram Temple set to be inaugurated on 22 January 2024, the entire country is echoing the spirit of enthusiasm and looking forward to the celebrations just like Diwali. A recent survey conducted among retailers in Ayodhya by India’s largest Kirana Community, Kirana Club, also showcases a similar sentiment with local kiranas looking at the event with utmost fervour.
Lakhs of devotees are expected to participate in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and Kirana owners see this as a great opportunity to enhance their sales. Accordingly, over 70 per cent of kirana stores are stocking up Puja Samagri including cotton wicks, ghee and oil, diya, camphor, rice and wheat, and honey among other things before January 22. Kirana owners are also stocking up Packed Mithai and chocolates, with 15 per cent retailers anticipating increased sales during the auspicious occasion.
The third-most stocked products at Kirana stores in Ayodhya are Chips and Namkeen. Over 9 per cent of retailers expect a heavy demand for these products as they prepare to welcome lakhs of devotees from across the country. Cold drinks and water as well as personal care products such as hair oil and soaps are some of the other categories being stocked up by kiranawallahs in the holy city.
Kirana Club founder Anshul Gupta said, “Our survey among kirana owners in Ayodhya showcases optimism and festive spirit ahead of the historic inauguration of the Ram Temple. Local kirana owners are seeing this as a significant business opportunity to increase footfall in their stores and anticipating increased sales of Puja Samagri, Packed Mithai and Chocolates. The foresightedness of these retailers reflects their understanding of the current market and consumer pulse as well as their commitment to cater to the needs of devotees who would want to pay reverence to Lord Ram in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.”
Survey results:
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.
