Brands
Hero marks 25 years of global market dominance with stellar sales growth
NEW DELHI: The Delhi-based titan dispatched 557,871 units in January, a 26 per cent leap over the previous year, proving there is plenty of life in the old dog. While the bread-and-butter motorcycle portfolio, led by the Xtreme and Glamour X, remains the firm’s backbone, it was the scooter segment that provided the real nitro boost. Demand for the Xoom and Destini models helped the category grow by a staggering 45.5 per cent year-on-year.
The company’s electric venture, Vida, is also finding its feet. Retail volumes for the brand rose 21 per cent month-on-month, with 13,000 registrations in January. This growth was bolstered by the Vida VX2 and a trophy cabinet that now includes a CES 2026 innovation award for the Dirt.e K3’s adaptive design. Beyond the subcontinent, global business grew by 24 per cent, as international buyers warmed to Hero’s more premium offerings, totaling 37,663 export units for the month.
Hero’s month was not merely about the balance sheet. The Hero MotoSports Team Rally secured a double top-ten finish at the 48th Dakar Rally, a historic milestone for the firm. Meanwhile, the company burnished its corporate credentials, being named an ESG leader by NSE Sustainability Ratings & Analytics Limited.
With domestic sales hitting 520,208 units and year-to-date volumes crossing the 5.3 million mark, Hero appears to be navigating the shift from petrol-head pioneer to sustainable heavyweight with practiced ease.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
