Brands
Faber-Castell sees 300% hike in downloads of painting patterns and drawing tutorials during the lockdown
NEW DELHI: The Coronavirus pandemic with all of its challenges has changed societal structures around the world. Fears and concerns about personal and familial health, as well as the long-term economic outlook, are a massive mental burden on millions of people. Since the beginning of this “new reality,” many have increasingly turned to means of creative expression – as a self-prescribed and astonishingly effective therapy for stress, anxieties and loneliness. During lockdown periods, Faber-Castell registered an increase of 300% per colouring patterns and tutorial videos, with plans for an expanded range.
Cancelled pre-school education, enervating homeschooling, work from home, absence of friends and grandparents, growing fears about the future. And drawing and painting on paper can help in easing mental strains. Seeking contemplation to retreat from a seemingly hostile outside world is a human reflex that tends to intensify in times of uncertainty or even crisis. Creative expression has long been used as a therapeutic tool to alleviate stress and focus the mind. While never an adequate replacement for treating serious mental issues, drawing and painting are proving an effective therapy for calming, the stimulation of brain activity and relaxation.
The Swiss psychiatrist and Freud disciple Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) described the positive psychological effects of colouring figural Mandala images, for example. He described them as “holy geometric patterns,” a direct invitation to listen to the inner self and find harmony. These patterns, said Jung, would strengthen the spirit to foster personal growth has been frequently proven that interaction with artistic tools can help in better coping with traumas or difficult stages in life. According to the US magazine “Psychology Today”, the involvement with art can considerably relieve stress, improve symptoms of depression and anxiety and evoke more positive memories. Such artistic self-realization truly has healing powers.
Feelings and ideas can be expressed through pencil and brush, in shapes and colours, with each interpretation a completely singular one: Blue shades can mean open sky to some, the vast ocean to others, orange, red and yellow may represent the sun, a hearth or campfire. Others may prefer all hues of green, associating forests, summer meadows or a secluded garden. Such exercises are a means for reflection and mindfulness, no matter the individual artistic talent. They offer an opportunity for meditative relaxation and convey positive associations such as success and contentment.
Faber-Castell head of digital marketing -Oliver Hempel has monitored concrete download figures to outline the growing demand for creative activity: “During the lockdown phase of recent months, our drawing patterns and tutorials have been downloaded about three times as often as in the comparable period last year,” explains the manager. “Our online sales also went up significantly.”
Faber-Castell, India marketing director -Sonali Shah notices a hike in the engagement rate by almost 30-40% on the tutorials uploaded by the brand during lockdown than pre-COVID times. At the same time, she also says we have seen substantial growth in Art and colouring products like paints, colour pencils and accessories like canvas and brushes.
In Brazil, they offered free online drawing lessons during quarantine times and successfully so: These courses were downloaded three million times, with the number of subscribers rising by 4,500%.
In response to the fast-growing demand worldwide and the emphatically positive feedback, the stationery giant plans offer new designs and instructions on a continuous basis.
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Brands
Varun Beverages Q1 profit up 20 per cent, revenue climbs 18 per cent
Strong volumes and South Africa push drive growth as expansion gathers pace
MUMBAI: Varun Beverages Limited has kicked off calendar year 2026 on a strong note, posting double-digit growth across key metrics for the first quarter ended 31 March, driven by robust volumes and international expansion.
Revenue from operations rose 18.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs. 6,574.19 crore, up from Rs. 5,566.94 crore in the same period last year. The growth was powered by a 16.3 per cent increase in consolidated sales volumes, which reached 363.4 million cases. While India recorded a healthy 14.4 per cent growth, international markets surged ahead with a 21.4 per cent rise, underlining the company’s expanding global footprint.
Profitability also held firm despite inflationary pressures on raw materials. Gross margins improved by 62 basis points to 55.2 per cent, supported by strategic early stocking. EBITDA grew 21.0 per cent to Rs. 1,528.93 crore, with margins expanding to 23.3 per cent. Net profit climbed 20.1 per cent to Rs. 878.71 crore, reflecting strong operational performance.
In terms of pricing trends, net realisation per case in India dipped 1.5 per cent as the company pushed volume-led strategies through larger pack sizes and entry-level price points. However, international realisations rose 1.6 per cent, aided by favourable currency movements. The company’s product mix is also evolving, with low- or no-sugar beverages now accounting for 63 per cent of total volumes, even as carbonated soft drinks continue to dominate at 73.6 per cent.
A key highlight of the quarter was the strengthening of its African presence. The company completed the acquisition of Twizza Pty Limited in South Africa through its subsidiary BevCo at an enterprise value of ZAR 2,053 million, making it a step-down subsidiary in March. It has also entered into an agreement to acquire Crickley Dairy for approximately ZAR 238 million, further deepening its play in the region.
Reflecting its performance, the board approved an interim dividend of Rs. 0.50 per share, amounting to a total payout of Rs. 169.1 crore. Depreciation rose 30.9 per cent following the commissioning of new plants across Buxar, Prayagraj, Damtal and Meghalaya, while finance costs increased 18.0 per cent due to funding requirements for the Twizza acquisition.
Commenting on the outlook, Varun Beverages Limited chairman Ravi Jaipuria highlighted favourable demographics and rising urbanisation as key drivers of long-term demand across India and Africa.
With strong volume momentum and a growing international footprint, Varun Beverages appears well positioned to sustain its growth trajectory through the year.
