Brands
Monopoly levels up with India’s App Banking launch
MUMBAI: Looks like Monopoly just took a chance card for the future, and it paid off handsomely. As the iconic board game marks 90 years of global fame, Hasbro India has unveiled the Monopoly App Banking Edition, bringing a cashless, tech-savvy upgrade to a classic loved across generations.
The new edition blends nostalgia with digital ease to suit India’s fast-growing app-first players. Born in an era of paper notes and pocket bankers, Monopoly has evolved with each generation, and now steps confidently into the cashless age.
In this version, paper currency takes a bow as a free mobile app steps in as the Banker. Players tap their bank cards to buy properties, pay rent and track balances, turning every move into a seamless digital transaction. The gameplay remains familiar, only faster, smarter and better suited to how India plays and pays today.
Designed for two to six players aged eight and up, the set features scannable property cards, new tokens, bank cards and a foldable board. Digital animations, mini-games and snappier playtime keep the excitement high while preserving the charm of the original.
Hasbro India head of India and southeast Asia Nilay Verma said that Monopoly has long been a shared ritual in Indian homes and continues to inspire connection and creativity. He added that the 90-year milestone offered the perfect moment to reimagine the game for a new era, blending fond memories with modern play.
To extend the celebration beyond the board, Hasbro is hosting immersive experiences at Hamleys stores, where families can enjoy live play zones and interactive challenges. The brand is also joining hands with Sunday Bricks to bring Monopoly-inspired workshops to classrooms across India, highlighting how play can nurture skills such as negotiation, teamwork and resilience.
As Monopoly enters its tenth decade, the App Banking Edition invites India’s digital generation to roll the dice on a refreshed classic, proving once again that the joy of play never goes out of style.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
