Brands
ITC Savlon launces Braille enabled pack of antiseptic liquid
MUMBAI: ITC Savlon celebrated World Braille Day with the launch of a Braille enabled pack of Savlon Antiseptic liquid in India. As per the brand, the Braille packs have been designed not just to enable access but also, in its simple way, help the visually impaired to identify and access the product easily. This proactive initiative exemplifies the brand’s commitment to an empowering consumer experience.
Savlon said in a press statement, “With the support of India's largest association for the Blind and visually impaired, National Association for the Blind (NAB), ITC Savlon began engaging with this thought on World Sight Day and today has made Savlon Braille packs available across the country. The initiative is not only to raise awareness on Braille but also enable a design language that enables inclusivity. The Braille packs have been distributed to NAB centres in India and the initiative marks a beginning to a series of educative and interactive workshops in select blind schools in India in the first phase. In addition, Braille magazines, newspapers and radio form the core communication outreach for the initiative.”
NAB executive director Pallavi Kadam said, “It is an incredible step forward and I would like to thank ITC Savlon for this initiative. Many of us have the gift of vision and not often do we realise the everyday struggles of the visually impaired especially when everything around is designed for people with vision. A braille pack is not only enabling but also makes it easily accessible for all. Definitely, an inclusive beginning!”
ITC Limited chief executive—personal care products business Sameer Satpathy said, “In line with ITC’s commitment to serve a larger societal purpose and to create enduring value for all stakeholders, Savlon celebrates World Braille Day by making this unique first of its kind braille enabled packaging in the FMCG space accessible across touchpoints. The initiative is a determined step forward to create a more equal and inclusive society by enabling access.
As part of the communication outreach, visually impaired individuals shared screen time as protagonists of two television commercials to encourage inclusiveness and bring alive how a simple change empowers their everyday life.
Ogilvy chief creative officer worldwide and executive chairman India Piyush Pandey said, “It is not commonplace to find clients like ITC Savlon who are not only rooted in the realities of their consumer but also have a heart that believes in inclusive and positive change. The concept of making the antiseptic bottle easily accessible through Braille, to the visually impaired, is extremely empowering. I hope this marks a beginning in a category like FMCG which has a portfolio of everyday products!”
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.
