MAM
KKR ropes in 4 new sponsors for IPL 3.0
MUMBAI: Despite its poor on-field performance, the IndiaN Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders has signed up four more partners.
Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya says that Videocon has come on board as the jersey sponsor. This is a corporate sponsorship and Videocon will have a presence on the leading arm and helmet. The energy drink Triple X has also come on board and has taken the back.
For merchandise, the franchise has tied up with Lux Cozy. The company will roll out co-branded T-shirts and the colour will change to purple from black and Gold. The franchise was looking at doing this last year but with the event shifting to South Africa, it did not become feasible.
The franchise has also done a promotional tie up with Fosters. Fosters does Art of Chilling parties and these will now be done in association with Shah Rukh Khan‘s team. This activity will start rolling out a few weeks before the event kicks off.
KKR, which has inked all fresh deals for a one-year period, is looking out for two more sponsors. Existing deals with the likes of Nokia (principal sponsor), Sprite (beverage partner), Tag Huer, Next and Reebok (kit) continue.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
