MAM
Leo Burnett, Delhi, wins Aerens Gold Souk account
NEW DELHI: Leo Burnett Delhi has announced that it has bagged the Aerens Gold Souk account.
An official release informs that the agency won the account in a competitive multi-agency pitch. The other agencies in the fray were O&M, Lowe, Contract, Capital, Percept and Mudra. This is Leo Burnett Delhi’s fifth new business win in the last four months, following the acquisition of Atlas Cycles, National Geographic Channel, Zee News and a project on energy sharing across South Asia.
Aerens Gold Souk president GS Pillai said, “We chose Leo Burnett Delhi over the other agencies for several reasons. Our decision was based on Leo Burnett’s understanding and grasp of the concept of the souk, the way they developed the strategic direction, and finally the sincerity, commitment and interest shown by each member of the Leo Burnett team.”
Leo Burnett Delhi’s vice president Ali Imran added, “We are very excited about being given the opportunity to work with Aerens Gold Souk. The gold souk is a revolutionary concept and will definitely be a landmark in Indian retail. It is both a privilege and a challenge to be a part of the brand-building process, and we are looking forward to working with the client and making it a success.”
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.
