MAM
Jump in ad inventory as lockdown relaxes in some parts: BARC-Nielsen
NEW DELHI: The week 5 data of BARC-Nielsen, covering media behaviour during the COVID-19 lockdown, recorded a jump of seven per cent in the overall ad FCT as compared to the past week, giving positive indications towards the crawling back of inventory as some essential services begin in some of the states.
Follow Tellychakkar for the consumer facing news & entertainment
The data also showed the mammoth growth that Ramayan and Mahabharat, which are aired on the DD network, have witnessed in terms of advertisers. The shows started with three and two advertisers, respectively, now have 42 and 24 brands taking their ad spots, respectively.
The overall advertiser count on TV also climbed up from 1017 to 1021 in week 15, but still stands drastically lower than 1378 of pre-covid period (11 January — 31 January).
The top 10 advertisers — HUL, R&B, Govt. of India, Colgate, GSK, GCMMF, Wipro, govt of MP, ITC, and P&G, increased their inventories by 18 per cent in week 15 over the past week. The next 40 top advertisers grew their inventory by 10 per cent.
Of those continuing to advertise on television, 14 per cent are using COVID-19 as a theme of communication. Brands like Cement Manufacturing Co Ltd, Thyrocare Technologies Ltd, and Paragon Polymer Products Pvt Ltd have 100 per cent of their ads based around the theme of the pandemic.
The contribution of essentials grew from 42 per cent in week 14 to 46 per cent in week 15. Social witnessed a slight drop in share, from 34 per cent to 32 per cent.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
