Brands
Hyatt Finds its star in Karisma Kapoor
MUMBAI: Looks like luxury just got a little more Karisma! Hyatt has launched its latest World of Hyatt campaign in India, starring Hindi cinema icon Karisma Kapoor, inviting travellers to discover a world where loyalty isn’t just rewarded, it’s recognised and felt.
Rooted in Hyatt’s purpose of caring for people so they can be their best, the campaign celebrates the World of Hyatt as more than just a loyalty programme. It’s a global community that turns every stay into a personal story, offering guests everything from free nights and upgrades to experiences that feel uniquely their own.
“In a world where travel can feel impersonal, World of Hyatt stands apart for the way it makes people feel,” said Hyatt India & SWA regional vice president – commercial Kadambini Mittal. “Welcoming Karisma Kapoor allows us to express our purpose of care in a way that’s warm, relatable, and inspiring. This isn’t just a campaign, it’s an invitation to belong.”
Radiating her signature charm, Karisma Kapoor shared, “I’m thrilled to be part of a campaign where personalised care meets unforgettable experiences. It’s more than a stay, it’s about creating moments that feel like home, wherever you are.”
The campaign, now live across digital, social, and offline platforms, captures the heart of modern travel, luxury that listens, recognises, and remembers. With Kapoor as its muse, Hyatt isn’t just promising a room; it’s promising a feeling.
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.
