MAM
MRUC finds IRS 2013 data valid, lifts abeyance
MUMBAI: Finally, taking the decision on the latest Indian Readership Survey (IRS) data, the Media Research Users Council (MRUC) said the voluntary abeyance placed on the IRS 2013 has been lifted with effect from 20 August 2014.
The IRS 2013 data published on 28 January 2014, evoked several questions from the about the validity of the results. Therefore the Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI) requested subscribers to hold the study in abeyance while it took a revalidation exercise.
A committee was then formed with two co-chairmen, one from the publishing industry and one from the advertising agency industry. They decided that the methodology was in order and a process audit needs to be done which was awarded to Praveen Tripathi (Magic 9 Media).
The findings of this report were discussed by heads of four industry bodies- MRUC chairman, RSCI chairman, Indian Newspaper Society president and ABC chairman and a decision was to be taken. The heads also discussed it with the RSCI technical committee chairman and the two co-chairmen of the revalidating committee.
The audit took place in two stages. The first stage involved direct back checking of respondent homes post which a broad and deep forensic statistical analysis exercise was carried out to identify and isolate both fieldwork compliance deficiencies and incidences of the occurrence of unusual publication incidence in respondent interview records. By sieving the aggregate data set for these issues, the audit was able able to judge unequivocally whether the statistical deviations systematically changed any of the crucial readership outputs. The outcome was conclusive and unequivocal that the study results had not been impacted.
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.
