Brands
Zoom makes Interbrand’s 2020 Best Global Brands list
MUMBAI: With people confined to their homes during the Covid2019 pandemic, social media and communication brands have fared well, according to Interbrand’s 2020 Best Global Brands report.
Instagram came in at #19, while YouTube (#30) and Zoom (#100) entered the rankings for the first time. On the flip side, Facebook’s value fell by 12 per cent to $35.2bn – although it moved up a place to #13 in the ranking.
Amazon, Microsoft and Spotify have added the most to their brand value in the past year. The e-commerce giant ranked at #2 and increased its brand value by 60 per cent, with a valuation of nearly $201 billion.
Music streaming service Spotify (#70) saw brand value increase by 52 per cent to $8 billion, jumping 22 places in the ranking, while Netflix rose to #41 with a 41 per cent increase to $12 billion. Business models have played a role in this success, with 62 per cent of double-digit risers relying on significant subscription model businesses.
Tesla re-entered the rankings at #40 with a brand value of $12.7 billion, having last appeared in the Best Global Brands table in 2017.
Read more news on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands
Apple retained its top spot, growing its value 38 per cent to $323 billion and becoming the first brand to surpass the $300 billion-mark. Microsoft overtook Google (#4) to reach the number three spot. This is the first time the search engine has dropped from the top three.
Meanwhile, Samsung (#5) broke into the top five for the first time ever. The remainder of the Top 10 comprises: Coca-Cola #6 ($56 billion), Toyota #7 ($51 billion), Mercedes-Benz #8 ($49 billion), McDonald’s #9 ($42 billion) and Disney #10 ($40 billion).The top ten brands accounts for 50 per cent of the total table value this year.
The 2020 Best Global Brands ranking also saw the ‘Covid effect’, with global shop closures causing the brand values of Zara (#35) and H&M (#37) to fall 13 per cent and 14 per cent respectively, with both dropping at least six places in this years’ ranking. After two years as the top growing sector, luxury brands took a hit in 2020, with all but one brand value (Hermes #28) falling between 1-9 per cent.
Other brands and industries have benefited from the ‘Covid effect’, notably logistics which saw an average of 5 per cent growth – UPS (#24), FedEx (#75) and DHL (#81) all saw positive brand valuation growth, as the logistics sector became more central to our lives in lockdown. PayPal (#60), Visa (#45) and Mastercard (#57) have also risen in the rankings – 12, 10 and 5 places respectively. The pandemic led to a sudden shift to electronic as the primary payment method and the swift roll out of programs to support local business during lockdown benefitted these brands, who provide access to capital in times of economic uncertainty.
“Reports like Interbrand’s Best Global Brands are important for companies to better understand how we’re being perceived in consumers’ hearts and minds,” said Mastercard Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Raja Rajamannar. “Especially during these unprecedented times, when consumer behaviours have shifted and trust is more important than ever, these rankings are a way for us to better understand how we can best serve our communities.”
Brands
Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
