MAM
Times Internet acquires majority stake in CouponDunia
MUMBAI: Times Internet, the leading digital product company which is a part of The Times of India Group has acquired a majority stake in Mumbai-based CouponDunia Media, which owns and operates CouponDunia.
CouponDunia will retain its distinct brand identity and will continue to operate under the leadership of CEO Sameer Parwani, who will work closely with Times Internet and other Times of India Group companies. Times Internet’s existing deals site TimesDeal will merge with CouponDunia.
With this partnership, CouponDunia is poised to emerge as the leading destination for online and offline deals across India. The combined service’s websites, mobile applications, e-mail newsletters and alerts and social media presence will enable consumers to search for, discover, and source the best offers from leading retailers and brands.
Times Internet CEO Satyan Gajwani said, “This investment continues The Times Group’s strategy of strengthening its position in digital media. Sameer has built a great business from scratch. We are as passionate as he is about offering the best value choices to consumers. We are excited at the prospect of leveraging Times’ resources, including TimesDeal’s existing local deals presence, to build an even more compelling value proposition for consumers with CouponDunia.”
“In a short span of under four years, CouponDunia has emerged as the leading Indian destination for digital coupons. We receive over two million visits a month and are driving Rs 500 crore of purchases annually from over 1500 online retailers and brands. We’re thrilled to join Times. With their support, CouponDunia will be better placed to offer even greater value to the consumer,” concluded CouponDunia India founder and CEO, Sameer Parwani.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
