MAM
Bates CHI to Xploree Key creativity
MUMBAI: KeyPoint Technologies, a global leader in mobile language technology, has awarded the creative mandate for Xploree, its flagship product, to Bates CHI & Partners. Xploree is the tech major’s forerunner mobile keyboard product, which is available on the Android OS as of now. Bates was chosen as Xploree’s creative partner after a competitive multi-agency pitch.
This creative alliance is expected to augment the branding process of the smart keyboard amongst India’s mobile and app-hungry user base. The tie-up aims at introducing a whole new ethos into India’s ever-evolving online consumer story of connected lifestyles – through the revolutionary keyboard.
Bates CHI India CEO VS Srikanth said Xploree was a unique amalgamation of a keyboard and lifestyle. As Bates would be building the brand and the category demand from scratch, it would be challenging. Bates will be taking up the task to design a unique brand identity for Xploree.
Bates Bangalore sr. vice president & branch head Naveen Raman said they were excited to work with a young and driven bunch of professionals who were passionate. Digitalisation of vernacular languages would be next big thing, and Xploree would be the front-runner.
KeyPoint director (marketing) Deepti Mani Saxena said their stated intent was to make the smart mobile device an ultimate responsive solution through the Xploree keyboard. Bates CHI stood out amongst competition and demonstrated good insights and out-of-the-box ideas.
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.
