Brands
Now pay at Hindustan Petroleum pumps with your Paytm wallet
MUMBAI: Paytm has created further touch points for cashless transactions by associating with Hindustan Petroleum for its strong user base of 120 million. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum to allow payments through the Paytm wallet at furl stations. The move eliminates the hassles associated with using cash for paying fuel bills and also further cements Paytm’s stronghold in the digital wallets.
On this announcement, Paytm sr. vice president Kiran Vasireddy said, “We are on a mission to make payments extremely simple and we are adding as many use cases as possible for users to transact using Paytm. Our partnership with Hindustan Petroleum is crucial in making these petrol pumps become cashless in the next few years. Payments through wallet will not only enhance convenience to customers but will also bring in more operational efficiencies thereby reducing queues at these pumps.”
Enthused with the association, HPCL North Zone Head – Shri Subodh Batra commented, “We are excited about this partnership with Paytm which brings in technology to make payments digitally possible in HPCL Petrol Pumps. Through this seamless operation of payment mechanism, we can foresee faster fuelling at our filling stations. By embracing this technology driven partnership we are confident that it will create a great value addition for customers across demographic profiles.‘’
Hindustan Petroleum has presence in cities across India with over 13,250 filling stations. Currently transactions take place majorly through cash followed by Credit and Debit cards. Payments through Paytm mobile app have the potential to completely take over the traditional transaction options in the coming year.
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.
