Brands
Sterling Holiday Resorts sales promo spends down 24 per cent in Q4-2014
BENGALURU: Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited (Sterling Holidays) sales promotion spend (Sales Promo) Q4-2014 at Rs 2.194 crore (5.91 per cent of net sales) was (-23.99) per cent less than the Rs 2.8866 crore (8.40 per cent of net sales) in the immediate trailing quarter Q3-2014 and (-17.04) per cent less than the Rs 2.6448 crore (9.39 per cent of net sales) of the year ago quarter Q4-2013.
Note: Rs 100 lakh = Rs100,00,000 = Rs 1 crore = Rs 10 million
Over nine quarters starting from Q4-2012 until Q4-2014, Sterling Holiday’s sales promo spend shows a slight downward trend in terms on absolute rupee value, but the drop is much steeper in terms of sales promo as percentage of net sales.
Overall, the company’s net sales show an upward trend and in Q4-2014 at Rs 37.11 crore was 7.98 per cent more than the Rs 34.37 crore in Q3-2014 and was 31.70 per cent more than the Rs 28.18 crore in Q4-2013. Please refer to Fig 1 below.
Over three years starting FY-2012 until FY-2014, Sterling Holidays sales promo spend at Rs 16.48 crore and 12.50 per cent of net sales was 32.90 per cent more than the Rs 12.40 crore (11.40 per cent of net sales) in FY-2013. The company’s net sales in FY-2014 at Rs 131.89 crore was 21.28 per cent more than the Rs 108.75 crore in FY-2013. Please refer to Fig 1A below
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The company has in general been a loss making company. Please refer to Fig 2 below. With a new tie up with Thomas Cook International Limited expected to be completed by the end of this year, the company expects to turn the corner.
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Sterling Holidays says that the significant improvement in the company’s performance in the year is an indicator of the strong resurgence of brand Sterling, a result of the strategic turnaround initiatives over the last couple of years.
It says further that the substantial investments the company made in enhancing the overall customer holiday experience through refurbishment of its resorts and an expanded menu of recreational and culinary experiences have resulted in a healthy rise in the number of Vacation Ownership members and non-members holidaying at the company’s resorts, leading to an increase in resort occupancy to 49 per cent from 41 per cent in the previous year.
Sterling Holidays managing director Ramesh Ramanathan said, “The company’s performance has been improving consistently over the last couple of years. The synergies with Thomas Cook with their wide reach and distribution in the travel space will help us strengthen our market position, increase our occupancy levels and allow expansion to new destinations and markets.”
completed by the end of this year, the company expects to turn the corner.
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
