Brands
PepsiCo India launches Gatorade in Jammu & Kashmir
Mumbai: PepsiCo India is expanding its beverage offerings in Jammu & Kashmir with the launch of its iconic hydration brand, Gatorade for the first time in the market. Gatorade is known for its commitment to inspire young individuals to lead active lifestyles and reinstates the important role hydration plays in helping them unlock their full potential. Gatorade will be available in Jammu & Kashmir in all three of its flavors: blue bolt, orange, and lemon.
With the rollout of Gatorade across Jammu & Kashmir, PepsiCo India will further the brand’s ongoing ‘Sweat Makes You Shine’ messaging and campaign in the state. Beyond refueling audiences physically to combat dehydration, Gatorade will inspire all consumers with the confidence and self-belief they need to achieve peak performance.
The launch of Gatorade was celebrated by a marquee event in Jammu in the presence of renowned personalities including Vivrant Sharma, Ajay Sharma, head coach, seniors of JKCA, Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) member Brig. Anil Gupta, and current captain – Jammu & Kashmir cricket team and former India U19 player Shubham Khajuria. The event also welcomed PepsiCo India leadership and Jai Beverages Pvt. Ltd owner Anurag Jaipuria. These designated guests engaged in a conversation that highlighted Gatorade’s role in hydration and maintaining an active lifestyle, positioning it as the preferred choice for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
PepsiCo India associate director, energy & hydration Ankit Agarwal said, “Backed by GSSI (Gatorade Sports Science Institute), Gatorade has consistently been at the forefront of hydration, delivering athletes and people with active lifestyles the essential means to enhance their performance through consistent replenishment. We are thrilled to bring Gatorade to Jammu & Kashmir and are hopeful that we inspire professional athletes or anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle across the region to keep pushing the limits and stay hydrated in their fitness journey with Gatorade.”
PepsiCo director- north, east and central Saurabh Sharma said, “As we introduce Gatorade in Jammu & Kashmir, I’m absolutely thrilled. Our goal is to inspire everyone in the region, be they athletes or those who follow active lifestyle, to stay hydrated and pursue their goals with the support of Gatorade every step of the way.”
Jai Beverages Pvt Ltd VP sales and marketing Sami Butt said, “Gatorade believes in the importance of staying active and healthy. We’re happy to bring Gatorade to Jammu & Kashmir, hoping to motivate athletes and active individuals to stay hydrated and reach their goals.”
Gatorade is available in three variants – blue bolt, orange, and lemon in 250 ml packs across all traditional and modern retail outlets as well as leading e-commerce platforms.
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.
