Brands
Doctor’s Choice launches Protein Muesli, signs Arshdeep Singh
New product offers 25g protein per 100g as brand targets clean nutrition
MUMBAI: Breakfast just got a bouncer and it’s aimed straight at the protein gap. Doctor’s Choice is stepping into the fast-growing nutrition arena with the launch of its Protein Muesli, alongside roping in Arshdeep Singh as its exclusive brand ambassador. The move signals a clear play for the high-protein, clean-label segment, where convenience is king and ingredients are under scrutiny. At the centre of the launch is a campaign film featuring Singh, built around a simple proposition: performance begins long before the pitch, it starts at the breakfast table.
Designed for digital-first audiences, the campaign leans into a snackable format tailored for Gen Z and fitness-focused consumers. It blends aspiration with everyday relatability, positioning the product not as a supplement, but as a routine.
The product itself is pitched as a functional upgrade to a familiar category. Doctor’s Choice Protein Muesli delivers 25g of protein per 100g, with no refined sugar or artificial flavours. It combines crunchy protein balls with a natural chocolate flavour, targeting consumers looking for quick, on-the-go nutrition without sacrificing taste.
Singh’s association goes beyond a typical celebrity plug. As one of India’s most consistent young cricketers, his image aligns neatly with the brand’s messaging around discipline, routine and performance qualities increasingly being mirrored in consumer food choices.
The broader strategy reflects a shift in the FMCG playbook. As consumers become more label-conscious and time-poor, brands are racing to position everyday foods as functional, not just filling. Doctor’s Choice is betting that protein-led, clean-label products can move from niche shelves to daily staples.
With this launch, the brand isn’t just selling muesli, it’s pitching a lifestyle upgrade, one spoonful at a time.
Brands
Nestlé India posts Rs 45,641 crore profit before tax in FY26
Strong cash flow of Rs 50,475 crore offsets higher costs, payouts.
MUMBAI: If there’s one thing brewing stronger than coffee this year, it’s Nestlé India’s balance sheet. The FMCG major closed FY26 with a solid financial performance, serving up steady growth even as costs and cash outflows kept the pressure simmering. For the year ended March 31, 2026, the company reported a profit before tax of Rs 45,641 crore, up from Rs 43,161 crore in the previous year. The numbers reflect resilience in core operations, supported by a strong consumption backbone across domestic and export markets.
Cash, meanwhile, was anything but idle. Nestlé India generated Rs 50,475 crore in net cash from operating activities, a sharp jump from Rs 29,345 crore last year highlighting robust underlying demand and improved working capital efficiency. Inventory reductions alone contributed Rs 2,809 crore, while trade payables rose by Rs 5,878 crore, adding further liquidity support.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. On the investing side, the company deployed Rs 8,297 crore towards property, plant and equipment, even as overall investing cash outflow stood at Rs 6,236 crore. Financing activities saw a significant drain, with Rs 31,794 crore flowing out driven largely by dividend payouts of Rs 23,139 crore and repayment of short-term borrowings.
The balance sheet tells a story of expansion with caution. Total assets rose to Rs 1,31,824 crore from Rs 1,21,933 crore, while equity climbed to Rs 51,569 crore, reflecting improved reserves and retained earnings. Cash and cash equivalents surged to Rs 13,205 crore, a sharp rise from Rs 761 crore a year ago, underscoring stronger liquidity despite heavy outflows.
Operationally, depreciation and amortisation expenses increased to Rs 6,992 crore, while finance costs and provisions continued to shape the cost structure. At the same time, working capital movements especially in inventories and receivables played a key role in boosting cash generation.
The broader takeaway? Nestlé India’s FY26 performance is less about headline growth and more about financial muscle. With strong cash flows cushioning rising investments and payouts, the company appears to be balancing expansion with discipline keeping its books as carefully measured as its recipes.
