MAM
Kasturi Paladhi & her new Coca-Cola communicatios journey
MUMBAI: It’s been three months since Kasturi Paladhi joined Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages as head of external communications and social media, bringing fizz to the firm’s public affairs, communications and sustainability team.
“Consider this my official ‘better late than never’ announcement!” Paladhi wrote on social media, describing her first three months as “nothing short of a roller coaster ride” while “living the coke side of life.”
The communications veteran appears particularly happy about joining the integrated PACS team (public affairs, communications and sustainability) focused on building corporate reputation. She thanked her boss Himanshu Priyadarshi for the “jump start into the world of FMCG”.
Paladhi brings a bottle full of experience to the role, having previously served as assistant vice president at Protean eGov Technologies and head of public relations at CoinSwitch. Her longest stint was at Xiaomi India, where she spent over three years leading PR and communications.
The communications pundit’s career has fizzed with variety. She previously spent brief periods at Black Shark, MSLGroup and two charitable organisations—Charities Aid Foundation India and Genesis Foundation. Her early career included a three-year stretch at Genesis Burson-Marsteller and a two-year gig as campus radio jock for Fever 104 FM.
With her postgraduate diploma in public relations from Xavier Institute of Communications and background in English literature from Miranda House, Paladhi appears well-equipped to keep Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages’ messaging as refreshing as its beverages.
Brands
Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
