Brands
Hero Cycles gets actor Arjun Kapoor as brand ambassador
NEW DELHI: Actor Arjun Kapoor is the new brand ambassador of Hero Cycles which claims to be the largest bicycle manufacturer in the country.
At a press meet, Kapoor also launched the company’s first limited edition ‘Celebrity’ sports cycle named after the actor, labeled ‘AK edition’.
Hero Cycles co-chairman and MD Pankaj Munjal said, “It has been a monumental year for Hero Cycles for both brand and business initiatives. We are ecstatic that youth icon Arjun Kapoor is now associated with us and will represent our brand and its ethos in the public and media. His resilience to stay fit despite all odds makes him an extremely popular among young generation and the transformation of him as a health and fitness conscious person has made him a great role model. We will soon be coming out with our first TV commercial with Arjun Kapoor which will be one of our major initiatives in recent times.”
Kapoor said, “I am extremely proud of this association with the world’s largest cycle brand. Hero Cycles has shown the world that Indian made products can compete with the best in the world. I am happy to be face of the brand because cycling resonates within me like millions of Indians. Hero Cycles has been part of my life since my childhood just like so many other children in India. I feel cycles are not just a means of transport, but can be one of the best ways to keep fit. I strongly feel cycling should also be taken up by all of us as environment conscious citizens. I am sure that even more and more people will take up cycling in days to come.”
Only 3000 units of ‘AK edition’ Hero Sprit RX-1 sports cycles would be available for fans across the country. These cycles will be adorned with Kapoor’s signature and will have exclusive new range of colours to choose from. These cycles would be available through online and select Hero Cycles retail stores across India.
Munjal and Kapoor also unveiled Hero Cycle’s entry into e-commerce space. The company has tied up Sports365.in, one of India’s leading fitness, recreation and sports-related e-commerce portals, sell its entire range of cycles online. This will further expand Hero Cycles’ geographical reach, thereby making it more convenient for buyers.
Munjal said, “We have been closely watching the evolution of our consumers’ behavioral pattern. We decided to make our entire range of cycles available online to make it easier and more convenient for our buyers to pick, compare and choose from our wide range offerings. These cycles will be home delivered to our customers through our existing channels of distribution.”
Through this tie-up Hero Cycles will now be available on leading e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Amazon, Paytm, HealthKart, etc.
“We see online with a potential to become one of our major sales channels, not only giving us access to the urban consumers but also allowing deeper penetration in the rural markets,” Munjal added.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
