Brands
Dove and Reebok step into strength with new collab
MUMBAI: Beauty meets grit as Dove and Reebok lace up for a limited-edition collaboration that puts resilience at the heart of style. Their new campaign, Reborn in My Kicks, celebrates women who have rebuilt, rediscovered and returned stronger than ever, blending care with culture in a striking new sneaker collection.
Inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, the sneakers feature metallic seams, textured lines and symbolic cracks that honour transformation. Each pair carries the message that every scar tells a story worth wearing.
Hindustan Unilever Limited vice president, hair care Sairam Subramanian said, “Reborn Stronger is more than a campaign; it’s a movement that celebrates the beauty of rebuilding, in hair, in life, and in spirit. Sports is filled with stories of resilience, where individuals overcome adversity and are reborn stronger. Through our collaboration with Reebok, we are taking this philosophy beyond care into culture, championing women who turn every setback into strength. This partnership perfectly mirrors Dove’s own rebirth as a brand rooted in science, care, and empowerment.”
Reebok India brand head Arjun Ramamoorthy added, “At Reebok, we’ve always believed that strength isn’t defined by how hard you can push but by how many times you rise after being knocked down. Reborn in My Kicks is our celebration of that spirit of women who rebuild themselves with courage and grace. Partnering with Dove allows us to take this belief beyond sport and into culture, reminding everyone that resilience is beautiful, and every mark of struggle is also a mark of strength.”
The collection is available online and in select Reebok stores in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. In-store buyers can also take part in an immersive Kintsugi workshop that explores the art form and its deeper message of repair and renewal.
With Reborn in My Kicks, Dove and Reebok underline that sport is not just performance but a metaphor for life, celebrating women who rise, rebuild and redefine what it means to be reborn stronger.
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.
