MAM
Marico’s Jalashay creates over 400 crore litres of water potential nationwide
MUMBAI: Water is life, and Marico Limited is making sure every drop counts. On World Water Day, the leading FMCG giant reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by announcing that its Jalashay programme has created over 400 crores plus litres of water potential across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat by the end of FY25. With over 1,200 water harvesting structures and micro-irrigation systems across 230 plus acres, Marico is not just conserving water it’s reshaping communities.
From drought-prone villages to government-designated aspirational districts, Marico’s Jalashay programme is making waves in water conservation. In Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, rainwater harvesting and infrastructure development have replenished water supplies, bringing much-needed relief to drought-hit areas. In Pondicherry, the initiative promotes rooftop rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment, ensuring sustainable water use in households and schools. Meanwhile, in Gujarat’s Dahod, Marico has constructed new water harvesting structures and carried out de-siltation of existing check dams, strengthening the region’s resilience against water scarcity and securing a sustainable water future for local communities.
To maximise efficiency, Marico has teamed up with ACWADAM, a leader in groundwater assessment, to develop a data-driven, scientific water management strategy. The company is also encouraging crop diversification to reduce reliance on water-intensive farming while promoting drip irrigation, green energy use, and water-resilient cropping techniques.
Commenting about the programme on World Water Day Marico Limited chief legal officer group general counsel, and secretary of the CSR committee Amit Bhasin said, “We are committed to embedding water stewardship into our business strategy, recognizing the critical role it plays in ensuring a sustainable future. Our Jalashay programme is designed to address the complex water challenges faced by our communities and we are proud of the progress we have made so far. Taking this a step forward, we will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to drive meaningful impact and create a water availability for all.”
Under the Jalashay Jal Samrudhi project, Marico’s community-driven interventions have significantly improved water resource management, leading to enhanced agricultural productivity with assured irrigation that boosts crop yields. The initiative has also reduced dependency on erratic monsoons, providing farmers with greater income stability and securing their livelihoods. Additionally, by preventing soil erosion and preserving fertility, the project has contributed to better soil health, ensuring long-term sustainability for farming communities.
By aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Clean Water & Sanitation (SDG 6) and Responsible Consumption & Production (SDG 12), Marico is proving that corporate responsibility can create lasting environmental and social change.
Brands
Estée Lauder to shed 10,000 jobs as new boss bets on digital shift
The cosmetics giant raises its profit outlook but stays silent on a possible merger with Spain’s Puig, as job cuts deepen and a three-year sales slump weighs on the turnaround
NEW YORK: Stéphane de La Faverie is not done cutting. Estée Lauder announced on Friday that it plans to eliminate as many as 3,000 additional jobs, taking its total redundancy programme to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a previous target of 7,000 announced a year ago. The company, which owns La Mer, The Ordinary, Tom Ford, and Aveda, employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide. The mathematics of what is now being contemplated is stark.
The fresh round of cuts is expected to generate a further $200 million in savings, bringing the total annual savings from the programme to as much as $1.2 billion before taxes. That money, De La Faverie has made clear, will be ploughed back into the turnaround.
A CEO in a hurry
De La Faverie, who took the helm in January 2025, inherited a company that had endured three consecutive years of annual sales declines. His response has been to move fast and cut deep. A significant portion of the latest redundancies reflects his push to reduce headcount at US department stores, long a cornerstone of Estée Lauder’s distribution model but now a channel in structural decline. In their place, he is accelerating the shift toward faster-growing online platforms, including Amazon.com and TikTok Shop, a pivot that is reshaping not just where Estée Lauder sells but how it thinks about its customers.
The numbers are moving in the right direction
Despite the pain, there are signs the medicine is working. Estée Lauder raised its profit outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, guiding for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, above analyst estimates and a notable step up from the $2.05 to $2.25 range it had guided for in February. Organic net sales growth is expected to come in at 3 per cent, the company said, at the high end of the range it set out in February.
The share price tells a mixed story. After De La Faverie took charge, the stock surged nearly 60 per cent, buoyed by investor optimism that a longtime company insider could finally arrest the decline. But 2026 has been rougher: the shares have fallen 27 per cent this year, weighed down by disappointing February results and the overhang of unresolved merger talks with Spanish beauty giant Puig Brands SA. The company gave no additional details about those discussions on Friday, leaving the market to guess.
Silence on Puig
The proposed tie-up with Puig remains the most consequential unknown hanging over Estée Lauder. A deal with the Barcelona-based group, which owns brands including Carolina Herrera and Rabanne, would reshape the global luxury beauty landscape. But with nothing new to say and a turnaround still very much in progress, De La Faverie is asking investors to trust the process.
Three years of sales declines, 10,000 job cuts, and a merger that may or may not happen. At Estée Lauder, the overhaul has barely started.
