Brands
Geometry Encompass, HUL address sanitation at Kumbh Mela 2019
MUMBAI: To address the issue of sanitation, Geometry Encompass conceptualised and created four campaigns for Hindustan Unilever’s home and personal care brands, namely Active Wheel, Lifebuoy, and Vim at the ongoing Kumbh Mela.
For Active Wheel, it surrounded its campaign around Kalpavas – a 30-day period of living in austerity and following a fixed schedule to transform the inner consciousness. Geometry Encompass recognised that it was a big challenge for the Kalpvasis to wear fresh clothes every day and thus conceptualised a unique ‘Wheel Wash-o-Cycle’ – a drum attached to a bicycle, which rotated on pedalling the cycle, recreating the function of a washing machine. Devotees simply had to fill the drum with water, add their clothes, sprinkle Active Wheel detergent powder, and pedal for 10-12 minutes, to enjoy fresh, clean clothes, free of cost.
Two such Wheel Wash Stations were set up at the Kalpavasi tent city, each with more than 20 installations of ‘Wheel Wash-o-Cycle’, which use no electricity, save water, and can be easily used by anyone. Active Wheel also ensured an adequate supply of clean water and drainage systems in place. Through this, over 30,000 devotees were able to enjoy the comfort of fresh clothes during the Kumbh Mela. The brand has decided to donate the Wheel Wash-o-Cycles to nearby villages, post Kumbh, thereby continuing to make a difference in people’s lives. Active Wheel will also train the villagers to make the machine themselves, thus reducing the effort needed for manually washing clothes and empowering women to realise their ‘Fresh Soch’. By these efforts, Wheel hopes to help women realise their own dreams and entrepreneurial aspirations, and even earn revenue that they can help their families with.
Geometry Encompass took the agenda of ensuring sanitation at the Kumbh Mela a step further when it worked with Lifebuoy and conceptualised two innovative campaigns to remind devotees to wash their hands after using the restroom as well as before eating their meals.
In the first campaign, they developed an innovative ink after 3 months of rigorous research and testing. The ink was developed into a stamp which becomes an active reminder to wash hands. A visual red stamp was marked by over 150 Lifebuoy representatives who stamped 10,000 hands per day. As the devotees put their hands under a tap, the stamp lathered into soap and helped provide superior germ protection, ensuring a hygienic stay at the Kumbh. As a result, there were several attendees who approached promoters to have their hands re-stamped for later, and used a total of 3 lakh stamps to wash 6 lakh hands over the 30 days activity.
Taking it one notch higher, Geometry Encompass and Lifebuoy distributed thalis, which were engraved with a message – ‘Kripaya pehle sabun se haath dhoyein’ (please wash your hands with soap first). The Lifebuoy branding was a part of the thalis which were distributed at meal centres, to be washed and reused, effectively delivering the message to millions of visitors. Lifebuoy also addressed the issue of washing one’s hands after visiting the washroom by stamping the hands of those using public restrooms with an ink that had a layer of soap on it. The ink dissolved on contact with water, ensuring their hands were washed thoroughly.
Appreciating Lifebuoy’s efforts, ACMO Dr VK Mishra, nodal officer sanitation Kumbh Mela Prayagraj said, “We appreciate the role played by Lifebuoy as ‘Swasthya Sehbhagi’ (Hygiene Partner) in this grand event to spread the message of hygiene and sanitation. We are hopeful that these initiatives will help drive a behavioral change among the masses.”
Geometry Encompass also highlighted the efficacy of Vim dishwashing soap by replacing mirrors in public restrooms with thalis washed with the brand. The plates were so clean and shiny that the reflective surfaces acted like mirrors.
Speaking on the successful conceptualisation and execution of these campaigns, Geometry Encompass CEO Sukrit Singh said, “These campaigns are testament to a fulfilling two decade long partnership with HUL. I am proud that this partnership beyond the realm of advertising, is focusing on behavioural change instead. We, at Geometry-Encompass, strive to create pivotal consumer experiences in all the work we do. The year has just begun and we have already rolled out two of the most talked about campaigns at the Kumbh, I can’t wait for everyone to see what else we have in store!”
Geometry Encompass managing partner Shankar Shinde said, “Geometry Encompass collaborated with HUL to play a pivotal role in creating impactful, purpose driven campaigns during Kumbh 2019. Be it the Lifebuoy Hygiene Stamp – that washes away germs and preconceived notions about personal hygiene and handwashing, or the Wheel Wash-o-Cycle, that inculcates the philosophy of “Pehno Fresh and Socho Fresh”. Fresh thinking is optimising the mundane task of washing clothes, encouraging women to fulfil their dreams in the time saved. These campaigns, embedded with a strong purpose of helping consumers at large, have helped create a lasting impact for HUL at the Kumbh.”
Geometry Encompass executive creative director Arpan Jain added, “Being committed to inspiring action through behaviour and experience-led ideas, we’re constantly trying to move away from the idea of ‘sheep dipping’ people in a brand, and instead, focusing on creating behavioural change. While we recognise that habits do not change by just spreading the word; we also need to provide the right reasoning and tools at the right moment! With our Wheel Wash-o-Cycle and Lifebuoy Stamp of Hygiene campaigns, we are doing just that, providing consumers the right reasons and tools to enable behavioural change.”
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.
