MAM
Taboola strengthens its presence in India, onboards Kanika Mittal as country manager
Mumbai: Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like, today announced continued growth for Taboola India. Taboola is a market leader in India with partnerships across major publishers in the country, including India Today group, NDTV, Zee Group, The Indian Express, ABP, and Network18. In September, Taboola India celebrates its monumental milestone of 10 years in the market, with a gala event in honor of key publishers and advertisers and strengthening of its leadership team.
To spearhead and further accelerate Taboola India’s recent momentum, Taboola has appointed Kanika Mittal as the new country manager for Taboola India. With over 19 years of visionary leadership and a demonstrated history spanning digital, tech, e-commerce, retail, and consumer goods, Mittal brings a wealth of experience to her new position, marked by a proven track record to drive growth, and implement strategic initiatives in the digital landscape.
Assuming her new role as country head for Taboola India, Mittal will shoulder the responsibility for our Indian operations, with a primary objective of propelling revenue growth and solidifying our cherished partnerships. Furthermore, Mittal will take a central role in nurturing and expanding Taboola’s publishing partnerships in India, actively contributing to their trajectory. Her multifaceted responsibilities extend to elevating brand, reputation and culture with a focus on growth to contribute to the organization’s overall success.
As the former country head at Twitter, she drove revenue growth, cultivated a high-performance culture, and fostered cross-functional collaboration. Her notable achievement includes spearheading the ‘India 5X by 2025’ initiative, propelling India towards exponential revenue and audience growth. Previously, as country marketing director at Reebok (adidas group), she successfully repositioned the brand into a premium fitness label, championed an omni-channel, digital first approach, and pioneered a groundbreaking women’s-first movement with #FitToFight.
Mittal advocates for purpose-driven brands, founded D.E.A.R. Indiya, curated The Enchanted Festival of Stories, and authored ‘The Adventures of Sugi & the Banshee’. which is now an Amazon Bestseller. She’s received accolades for digital, business and brand leadership, and she was actively involved in mentorship through organizations like the Marketing Society in India and the Vedica Scholars Program for Women.
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.
