Brands
Billboard hits the right note with India debut
MUMBAI: The world’s most recognised music media brand is striking a new chord with the launch of Billboard India, in partnership with Other Side Ventures Pvt. Ltd., backed by media advisor Priyanka Khimani. The move marks Billboard’s entry into one of the world’s most vibrant and fast-evolving music markets.
Set to go live in early 2026, Billboard India will bring the brand’s signature offerings to the subcontinent, from its iconic charts, lists and music awards to exclusive editorial features, interviews, merchandise and events. The platform aims to celebrate India’s sonic diversity, spotlighting both the glitz of Hindi cinema soundtracks and the pulse of the indie scene making waves across streaming platforms worldwide.
Priyanka Khimani, the driving force behind the partnership, said the venture will provide “one unifying voice to measure and highlight the incredible growth and success of India’s music industry,” adding that Billboard India aims to be “a world-class experience powered by data, celebrating talent with pride and prestige.”
Echoing her enthusiasm, Billboard CEO Mike Van said, “India’s music scene is one of the most dynamic and culturally rich in the world. With Billboard India, we’re thrilled to recognise its extraordinary diversity while connecting the country’s thriving music community to our global stage.”
Based in Mumbai, Billboard India’s editorial team will be announced soon, setting the stage for a high-decibel debut that promises to amplify India’s music to the world.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
