MAM
WPP partners with Ukrainian govt to support economic recovery
Mumbai: Creative transformation company WPP and the Ukrainian government established a cooperation to entice investment and support Ukraine’s economic recovery.
Ukraine minister of culture and information policy Oleksandr Tkachenko discussed the forthcoming campaign in a session with WPP CEO Mark Read at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
WPP agencies from Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic will work with the minister and his government colleagues on ‘Advantage Ukraine’ to demonstrate that Ukraine is open for business. The initiative will target business leaders within the region and across the world to encourage inward investment to support the economic recovery of the country.
The wider programme will showcase the variety of talent and expertise in Ukraine across sectors including agriculture, technology, education and the creative industries and its huge potential for commercial investment.
Tkachenko said, “I’m pleased to announce our partnership with WPP on our new ‘Advantage Ukraine’ initiative that will create the right conditions for inward investment and create attractive opportunities for visionary business leaders and investors. We want the world to know that Ukraine is still open for business and has the potential to be a key cultural and digital technology European hub.”
Read said, “We are very proud to be able to support Ukraine directly through this campaign. Creativity has the power not only to solve commercial problems but to address some of the biggest issues we face. WPP’s partnership with the Ukrainian government will aim to do both – underlining the enormous commercial potential of the country while supporting the economic recovery essential to rebuilding Ukrainian social and cultural life and ensuring a positive future for its citizens.”
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.
