Online gaming in India is among the world’s most vibrant, says MoS I&B Dr L Murugan at Storyboard18 DES 2025

Opinion Trading platform is betting and gambling: MC Sarangan of TNOGA  at Storyboard18 DES 2025

Digital adex now accounts for over 55% of India’s M&E spend: MIB's Sanjay Jaju at Storyboard18 DES 2025

Game on! Gaming creators bets gaming being India’s next creative economy

Digital Entertainment Summit 2025 to debut in Delhi as India stakes its claim on the future of global media

Nobody’s Perfect Retro Porsche Ad

In Conversation With Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard

Shahid Kapoor And Varun Ganjoo Speaks On PokerBaazi's Campaign

In conversation with IHCL’s Puneet Chhatwal & GroupM’s Kate Scott-Dawkins

Why are brands including e-sports in their sports marketing itinerary?

Storyboard18 x The English Nut: How to pronounce these 10 brand names

Experts' Take On Reinvention Of Ad Campaigns Through Technology

Experts Speak On Key Emerging Trends In Cannes Lions Entries

Leaders of the future have to be outstanding human beings: Nestle MD

In conversation with VMLY&R’s Hari Ramanathan

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has ramped up its digital media investment to drive "social-first" demand generation. The maker of Dove, Horlicks, and Lifebuoy brands increased its influencer spending by 40% (approx.) in fiscal year 2025.

In a video message, Rohit Jawa, Managing director and CEO of HUL said, "We have significantly ramped up our digital media investments to drive social-first demand generation and amplified our influencer spends by circa 40% to increase impact generated by engagement and digital awareness of our brands".

HUL has over 12,000 influencers with whom the company collaborates with its 50-plus brands across 15 categories. Last year, the company had a roster of 700 influencers--1,614% rise year-on-year. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/hul-boosts-digital-media-spending-to-40-of-total-ad-budget-68081.htm">HUL boosts digital media spending to 40% of total ad budget</a>

"We have a roster of 12,000+ influencers with whom we engage on influencer campaigns," the company said. 

According to the company, the in-house tool uses category-specific data to customize media spending across platforms for different brands and consumer cohorts.

"To connect with this group of digital native consumers, we are adopting a social-first approach in our marketing and creating engaging content," HUL mentioned in its annual report.

The company cut its advertising and promotional expenses by 5.5% in FY25 year-on-year. The FMCG major adex stood at Rs 6,028 crore in FY25 compared to Rs 6,380 crore in FY24. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-chief-rohit-jawas-pay-rises-3-75-to-rs23-23-crore-amid-workforce-decline-67966.htm">HUL chief Rohit Jawa’s pay rises 3.75% to Rs23.23 crore amid workforce decline</a>

HUL has also stepped up its investment in the 'Channel of the future' as consumer prefers shopping from quick commerce platforms. According to Jawa, HUL doubled its assortment to meet the diverse needs on these platforms.

Additionally, HUL is also accelerating the future-proofing of its portfolio as fiscal 2025 witnessed subdued demand trends. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/hul-steps-up-digital-advertising-media-spends-to-drive-growth-for-key-brands-63999.htm">HUL steps up digital advertising, media spends to drive growth for key brands</a>

The FMCG brand launched its ASPIRE strategy last year that pushes for building for the future amid the opportunities. 

"We look forward to unlocking access to brands that are the sweet spots of the premiumisation," according to HUL.

HUL's annual turnover surged to Rs 60,680 crore in FY25, with profit after tax surging to Rs 10,644 crore--up 5% year-on-year.

HUL hikes influencer spends by 40%, ropes in 12,000 creators in FY25

FMCG giant ITC has slashed its advertising and promotional spending by 3.89% in the fiscal year 2025 to Rs 1,331.69 crore. The hotel-to-cigarette conglomerate spent Rs 1,385.64 crore in the previous fiscal. According to the ITC's annual report, the company's advertising complaints have also reduced by 50% in the past one year. ITC's advertising complaints reduced to 6 in FY25 compared to 15 in FY24.

The maker of brands like Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, and Bingo is leveraging trade marketing for brand visibility. According to the company, "Trade marketing & Distribution vertical continues to strengthen its multi-channel go-to-market capabilities towards ensuring effective market servicing and product availability".

Additionally, ITC is boosting its FMCG portfolio by fortifying core brands. The company is also leveraging the premiumization of products for brand building. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/itc-witnesses-295-jump-in-profit-to-rs-19807-crore-in-q4fy25-66910.htm">ITC witnesses 295% jump in profit to Rs 19,807 crore in Q4FY25</a>

ITC's FMCG business recorded a revenue of Rs 21,981.57 crore in FY25 compared to Rs 20,966.83 crore in FY24. 

The branded packaged food industry witnessed headwinds during the year due to subdued consumer demand and unprecedented inflationary pressure across several key inputs.

Overall, consumer spending stood at Rs 34,000 crore--a 4.6% rise year-on-year. The firm has expanded its play with 100 new products and segments.

In FY24, ITC reported a 12% growth in consumer spending on FMCG's products at Rs 32,500 crore.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/itc-invests-rs-131-crore-in-ample-foods-boosts-stake-to-43-75-61490.htm">ITC invests Rs 131 crore in Ample Foods, boosts stake to 43.75%</a>

Its FMCG portfolio consists of over 25 Indian brands, which are largely built through an organic growth strategy leveraging institutional synergies in a relatively short period of time.

ITC is expanding the export footprint of its FMCG businesses, with a reach now spanning over 70 countries.

ITC measures annual consumer spending as the sum total of what consumer spends on buying goods from the company. It is the net sales turnover of the brands, along with channel margins and taxes.

FMCG major ITC cuts ad spend to Rs 1,331 crore in FY25

E-commerce giant Amazon has won the long-standing court battle against FMCG major Future Group at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. 

The final judgment ruled in favour of Amazon saying that business tycoon Kishore Biyani-led Future Group breached its pre-existing contract while merging business with Reliance Retail.

According to the official order of the court, 835 of the 1,534 retail stores Future Retail Limited were transferred to Reliance during Amazon's acquisition of 49% in FCPL for Rs 1,400 crore. FCPL held a 10% stake in FRL. 

However, Amazon has been awarded only Rs 23.7 crore by the Singapore tribunal in damages as against Rs 1,436 crore demanded by the e-commerce behemoth.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/amazons-anti-counterfeit-crackdown-yields-over-180-million-in-penalties-and-criminal-prosecutions-72066.htm">Amazon’s anti-counterfeit crackdown yields over $180 Million in penalties and criminal prosecutions</a>

Amazon argued that it should be compensated for the full value of its 2019 investment in FCPL, including Rs 1,430 crore paid under the Share Subscription Agreement and Rs 5 crore associated cost.

However, the tribunal said that even if all the contractual agreements had been fully performed, Amazon would not have recovered its investment due to the weak financial condition of FRL.

Further, the SIAC ruled that awarding full damages would unfairly shield Amazon from a commercial loss it was likely to incur regardless.

"Such an award would essentially allow Amazon to escape bad bargain," the final judgment noted.

According to a report by Bar & Bench, the SIAC has directed 11 promoters and parties, including Biyani, to jointly pay the amount, along with the interest at 10.3% annually from March 9, 2022, until full payment.

Future Group has to pay Amazon's arbitration and litigation costs as well, the tribunal order stated.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/ai-now-writes-25-of-code-at-amazon-microsoft-tech-jobs-massively-affected-71527.htm">AI now writes 25% of code at Amazon, Microsoft, tech jobs massively affected</a>

Overall, the tribunal awarded Amazon total legal and related costs of Rs 77.3 crore and SGD 68,550.


The legal battle between Amazon and Future Group began in 2020 when industrialist Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries announced the acquisition of Biyani's retail and fashion conglomerate for Rs 24,713 crore. Future Group, which was on the verge of bankruptcy with Rs 22,000 crore in debt, decided to sell its retail business and assets to Reliance.

Amazon objected to the deal, calling it a breach of contract. Thereafter, the US-based e-commerce giant initiated arbitration proceedings against Future Group in the same year.

Notably, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had withdrawn approval for the Amazon-FRL deal and also imposed a Rs 200 crore penalty on the e-retailer in 2021. CCI had said that Amazon concealed significant details to get approval on the deal in 2019.

Thereafter, Amazon approached SIAC over the deal violation. Simultaneously, FRL filed a case before the Delhi High Court against Amazon in October 2020.

After two months, both CCI and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approved the FRL-Reliance acquisition in 2020.

In the subsequent year, multiple appeals were made to the Supreme Court by both parties.

In March 2022, the Supreme Court lifted the stay by the Delhi High Court on the SIAC. Last week, SIAC made the ruling in favour of Amazon.

Amazon wins case against Future Group, Singapore tribunal awards paltry amount in damages

As the global economy reels under waves of cost-cutting and uncertainty, Cannes Lions 2025 paints a jarringly different picture - one of champagne-soaked panels, luxury yachts, branded beaches, and VIP soirées.

But this year, the glitz of the French Riviera comes with a bitter aftertaste: the industry's lavish spending spree coincides with brutal layoffs across tech firms and advertising conglomerates.

According to Layoffs.fyi, 2024 saw over 150,000 job cuts across 549 tech companies, and 2025 is off to no better a start - 22,000+ jobs have already been slashed, including 16,084 layoffs in February alone, according to a TechCrunch report. Yet many of the same companies responsible for these cuts are spending millions to maintain a high-profile presence at Cannes Lions.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/cannes-lions-2025-india-wins-7-silver-ogilvy-talented-fcb-among-winners-70524.htm">Cannes Lions 2025: India wins 2 Gold, 7 Silver & Bronze Lions; Ogilvy, Havas, Talented, FCB among winners</a>

The layoff ledger: A grim reality

Let's take stock of the firms tightening their belts - for some, only where it's most visible to employees:

- Meta is cutting 5% of its workforce, targeting "low performers" to prepare for what it calls an "intense year." More than 100 employees from its Reality Labs Division have also been let go.

- Google recently laid off hundreds in its Android, Chrome, and Pixel teams. It is also trimming its People Operations and Cloud orgs through a voluntary exit programme.

- Amazon eliminated around 100 roles in its Devices & Services division and laid off several employees in its communications wing. The company has cut 27,000 jobs since 2022.

- Microsoft is axing 6,500 jobs, or 3% of its workforce - its biggest layoff since 2023.

- Canva, despite its soaring valuation of $26 billion, let go of 10-12 technical writers.

These announcements came just weeks - in some cases, days before executives from these same firms set sail for Cannes.

The Cannes contrast: Beachfronts, billboards, and billionaire branding

Cannes Lions has long been the industry's flagship event for celebrating creativity. But in 2025, the festival has morphed into a high-stakes business bazaar - complete with corporate beaches, AI showcases, and million-dollar meeting spots.

Some of the most extravagant spends include:

- Renting a digital billboard at the Palais des Festivals: $267,000

- Hosting clients at Le Voilier, a prime restaurant venue: $750,000

- Booking a yacht for the week on Yacht Row: $109,000 - $163,500, excluding taxes and docking fees.

- Festival delegate tickets: Up to $7,000 per person

- Agency award entries: Thousands per entry, with some networks entering hundreds of campaigns.

Major agency holding companies like WPP, Omnicom, Publicis, Havas, Dentsu, and Stagwell have built entire branded beachfronts for the week. The WPP Beach is hosting sessions with Microsoft, Verizon, Reddit, while Stagwell's Sport Beach is leaning into gamification.

Add to that the enormous cost of award entries.

Submitting a single piece of work can cost $1,200 to $2,000 or above, and many agencies submit dozens of entries across categories. Despite the recent market squeeze, agencies continue to chase the prestige of a Cannes Lions.

Notably, VaynerMedia has abandoned its yacht this year in favour of a land-based café setup at Chez Vayner, citing a need to be "scrappy and frugal," as per industry reports.

But "scrappy" remains relative. The industry's obsession with visibility and client entertainment hasn't waned - it's just shifted form. Informal "chemistry meetings" and quiet agency reviews are happening in luxury suites and seafront cafés, with brands like PayPal, American Express, and LinkedIn on the hunt for new creative partners. 

All of this comes against the backdrop of a global advertising slowdown. Marketing budgets are being slashed. Client decisions are slower. AI disruption is creating job uncertainty. And yet, for one week in June, the industry seems suspended in an alternate reality - one where economic pressure exists only in PowerPoint decks.

As rosé glasses clink and beach chairs filled up in Cannes, the juxtaposition of mass layoffs and luxury activations is impossible to ignore. 

A workforce on edge. Agencies cutting corners. And corporations justifying mass layoffs. All while millions are poured into beachfront branding and "manifestival" vibes.

The industry's leaders may be raising a toast to innovation and connection, but back home, thousands of ex-employees are staring down at a tough job market - wondering where all that budget really went.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/watch-cannes-lions-2025-winners-from-day-1-publishing-audio-outdoor-and-more-70579.htm">WATCH: Cannes Lions 2025 winners from Day 1; Publishing, Audio, Outdoor and more</a>

Rosé and redundancies: Big tech, big ad spend, and the cost of Cannes amid mass layoffs

In a seismic political upset that has captured national attention - and warmed South Asian hearts across the globe - Zohran Mamdani, son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, has emerged as the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City.

Mamdani's campaign, widely praised for its creativity and cultural resonance, leaned heavily into Bollywood nostalgia and working-class messaging to claim a decisive 43.5% of the votes, defeating party heavyweight Andrew Cuomo, who secured 36.3%.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/bombay-to-goa-to-yeh-jawaani-hai-deewani-why-bollywood-classics-are-back-on-big-screens-52342.htm">'Bombay to Goa' to 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani': Why Bollywood classics are back on big screens</a>

The 33-year-old Mamdani, a former state assemblyman and community organizer, is now one step away from leading one of the world's most diverse cities.

His unexpected rise has been powered not just by policy promises but by a refreshingly vibrant campaign that redefined political storytelling through the lens of South Asian pop culture.

Mamdani's viral campaign video became the centerpiece of his appeal, blending cinematic flair with political messaging. 

In a standout moment, he created the iconic scene from Deewar (1975), where Amitabh Bachchan's character lists his material riches. Mirroring Shah Rukh Khan's open-armed pose, Mamdani delivers a heartwarming punchline: "Aap (I have you)."

Another segment transformed Kishore Kumar's classic line from Karz - "Kya tumne kabhi kisi ko pyaar kiya?" - into an inventive civic prompt: "Have you ever voted for someone? Have you ever ranked anyone?" The message was designed to demystify New York's ranked-choice voting system, especially for multilingual, immigrant voters unfamiliar with the process.

According to X's AI assistant Grok, Mamdani's video prominently used Urdu, a nod to New York's sizable South Asian population. While 2015 census data estimated around 114,000 Urdu-speaking residents in NYC, observers suggest the number has only grown - a demographic Mamdani successfully energized.

Beyond the cinematic packaging, Mamdani's campaign struck a chord with young and working-class voters through a bold populist vision. Positioning himself as the anti-establishment candidate, he declared, "Billionaires ke paas already sab kuch hai. Ab, aapka time aayega (Billionaires already have everything. Now, your time has come).”

His platform championed essentials—Roti, kapda aur makaan (food, clothing, shelter)—and included promises such as universal childcare, rent freezes, free public buses, and subsidized groceries.

In his victory speech on Tuesday night, Mamdani quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honoured to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.”

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/anna-wintour-steps-down-as-us-vogue-editor-after-nearly-four-decades-at-the-helm-72017.htm">Anna Wintour steps down as US Vogue editor after nearly four decades at the helm</a>

Zohran Mamdani's Bollywood-powered campaign wins NYC Mayoral primary

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially approved the launch of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) - the country's first-ever franchise-based golf league, set to debut in January 2026.

The green signal came after a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, where IGU Director Major General (Retd) Bibhuti Bhushan, IGPL Board members, and Champika Sayal, Secretary General of the Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI), met with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/the-rise-of-womens-sports-a-new-era-of-access-aspiration-and-achievement-71831.htm">The rise of women’s sports: A new era of access, aspiration and achievement</a>

"I can say with utmost pleasure that the Sports Ministry has given us the nod to the organise the first-ever Indian Golf Premier League, which aims at popularising the sport in Bharat," said Bhushan in an official statement. "Through IGPL, we will scout and nurture world-class golf talent who will proudly represent Bharat on the global stage."

The IGPL will be organized in partnership with Bharat Golf Private Limited and will follow a city-based franchise format, welcoming both professional and amateur golfers in team-based competitions.

Significantly, the league has a broader developmental vision beyond tournaments. According to the organisers, the IGPL plans to provide international-standard training and coaching to over 10 lakh school and college students over the next three years - a major push towards grassroots sports development.

Minister Mandaviya, who has been vocal about encouraging a "league culture" in Indian sports, reiterated the ministry's commitment to supporting such initiatives that boost India's global sporting presence.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/sports-adex-up-7-in-2024-to-reach-rs-7989-cr-groupm-61034.htm">Sports AdEx up 7% in 2024 to reach Rs 7,989 cr: GroupM</a>

Sports Ministry approves inaugural edition of Indian Golf Premier League

Colgate-Palmolive India has decided to step up its media and marketing spending while ramping up automation to save costs amid the volatile macroeconomic environment. Prabha Narasimhan, the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Colgate Palmolive India said, the company has increased advertising spend by 7% in fiscal year 2025 to support innovation and drive brand health and household penetration.

The Indian arm of a US-based personal care company spent Rs 822.4 crore on advertising and promotional activities in FY25. In the previous fiscal, Colgate expended Rs 760.4 crore.

"Colgate is optimizing media spending and promotion planning, and saving costs through automation," Narasimhan mentioned in the company's annual report.

In the past decade, Colgate has scaled up its net profit after tax by 147% from Rs 581.7 crore in FY16 to Rs 1,436.81 crore in FY25. The company's market capitalisation currently stands at Rs 64,626.51 crore on the Bombay Stock Exchange. In FY25, Colgate's revenue of operations stood at Rs 6,040 crore, and PAT surged by 8.5% year-on-year.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/colgate-palmolive-eyes-india-as-global-growth-engine-plans-brand-influx-and-digital-first-push-71531.htm">Colgate-Palmolive eyes India as global growth engine, plans brand influx and digital-first push</a>

"India is many markets, not just one. Our ability to win lies in our tiered approach, sharpening focus by segment, geography, and price point," Narasimhan said.

The CEO emphasized the importance of investing in brand building to drive premiumization and expand the product portfolio in fiscal 2026.

"Accelerate premiumization through science-led innovation, and will continue leveraging technology, data, and AI to stay agile and precise," said CEO Narasimhan.

While the broader FMCG players witnessed headwinds in the second-half of FY25, the oral care market showcased substantial headroom for growth. The toothpaste category is valued at approximately Rs 18,000 crore currently in the country. Colgate's rival Hindustan Unilever, which owns brands like Close up and Pepsodent, saw 3% drop in turnover in personal care segment in FY25.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/colgate-ceo-bullish-on-indian-market-says-middle-class-is-everything-69137.htm">Colgate CEO bullish on Indian market, says 'Middle class is everything'</a>

According to the FY25 annual report, Colgate India said it made significant strides in digital commerce, with e-commerce contributing over 19% share of business. For FY2026, Narasimhan outlined Colgate's key priorities as large scale investments, driving thoughtful innovation, and ensuring disciplined execution.

"Committed to building and nurturing both the Colgate and Palmolive brands, ensuring deeper emotional connect and stronger recall. This includes sustained high investment in advertising and omnichannel media," Narasimhan stated.

Colgate India ramps up brand building, automation; Ad spends hit Rs 822 crore in FY25

FMCG player Dharampal Satyapal (DS) Group is setting its sights on turning its iconic Pulse candy into a Rs 1,000 crore brand within the next two years, driven by a bold push into new formats, regional flavours and adjacent product categories.

After clocking Rs 750 crore in FY25, selling 750 crore units of its signature tangy hard-boiled candy at Rs 1 each, Pulse has firmly cemented its place as India’s largest hard-boiled candy brand. Now, DS Group is looking to evolve it from a single-format success into a versatile, multi-occasion powerhouse. “We're the largest player in the hard-boiled candy segment with a 19% market share, growing at 15% CAGR, above the category average of 9%,” said Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman of DS Group. 

The Indian hard-boiled candy market is currently estimated at Rs 4,000 crore.

Since its sensational launch in 2015, Pulse has redefined India’s ethnic confectionery space, riding on the unique tangy-spicy 'kacha aam' flavor. The brand now aims to build on that base by experimenting with new textures, flavor formats and consumption occasions while tapping into India’s rich culinary diversity. “Pulse is no longer just a candy, it’s a flavor experience that resonates across demographics. Our focus now is to grow it into a multi-format, multi-occasion offering,” Kumar added.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/hm-posts-3-rise-in-sales-to-5-99-billion-in-march-may-q2-2025-71973.htm">H&M posts 3% rise in sales to $5.99 billion in March-May Q2 2025</a>

As part of this brand evolution strategy, DS Group plans to aggressively expand both domestically and internationally. With a distribution network that spans over 3.5 million retail outlets in India, the group is also targeting deeper market penetration and stronger consumer engagement.

The brand’s next phase will be powered by innovation, regional customization and enhanced storytelling—turning Pulse from a cult favorite to a category-transcending FMCG success.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/nestle-usa-to-remove-synthetic-food-colors-by-mid-2026-joining-industry-wide-health-push-71991.htm">Nestlé USA to remove synthetic food colors by mid-2026, joining industry-wide health push</a>

DS Group eyes Rs 1,000 crore milestone for Pulse candy with multi-format expansion plan

Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz, popularly known as 'H&M', reported a 3% rise in sales at $5.99 billion in the second quarter (1 March 2025 – 31 May 2025). The gross profit of the marquee apparel brand surged to $3.32 billion in the same period. In contrast, the operating profit declined to $7.098 billion. 

Notably, H&M has reported slightly a stronger second quarter compared to rival Spanish brand Zara. Inditex, owner of Zara, reported a 12% decline in revenue growth to 6% in Q2 (April-June 2025).

H&M has eyed a 3% rise in sales in June 2025 compared with the same month the previous year. The sales increase of 3 percent is impacted by a negative calendar effect of around one percentage point, the fashion retailer said.

<a href="https://stgwww.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hm-india-appoints-helena-kuylenstierna-as-director-for-hm-india-45510.htm">H&M India appoints Helena Kuylenstierna as Director for H&M India</a>

“Our plan, with its focus on the product offering, the shopping experience, and the brand, is again confirmed by the progress we see. The positive development in important areas such as online, H&M womenswear, and H&M Move, as well as continued focus on good cost control, will contribute to a profitable sales development,” says Daniel Ervér, CEO.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/france-plans-to-ban-ads-for-chinese-fast-fashion-giants-shein-temu-70212.htm">France plans to ban ads for Chinese fast fashion giants Shein, Temu</a>

Amid the global macroeconomic uncertainty and cautious consumer sentiments, Ervér said that the clothing brand is focusing on offerings in both online and offline verticals. While, the brand has reduced its physical stores, it is vigorously expanding in Latin America. H&M is opening its first stores and online in Brazil in the second half of 2025. H&M is also opening its first store in El Salvador and in Venezuela in 2025. Paraguay will become a new H&M market, with the first store opening in 2026. 

In 2025, H&M oplans to open around 80 new stores, primarily in growth markets. However, 200 stores are scheduled for closure this year in the established market.

"With a clear plan, a strong financial position, good cost control, and committed employees, we see good opportunities for long-term, sustainable and profitable growth," H&M CEO added.

H&M posts 3% rise in sales to $5.99 billion in March-May Q2 2025

Candy giant Mars' proposed $35 billion acquisition of Pringles-maker Kellanova has passed scrutiny in the United States but hit regulatory turbulence in Europe, according to media reports. EU antitrust authorities have launched a full-scale investigation citing potential consumer harm.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced early termination of its review, signalling that the merger does not violate antitrust laws. "Once we've concluded there is not a [a violation], our job is to get out of the way," Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition said in a media report. The FTC said the deal does not meet the threshold for an anticompetitive merger.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/eu-antitrust-ruling-on-mars-36-billion-kellanova-takeover-due-by-june-25-66367.htm">EU antitrust ruling on Mars' $36 billion Kellanova takeover due by June 25</a>

Mars welcomed the decision and confirmed that all regulatory clearances except from the European Union had been secured. The company expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2025. Kellanova, formerly part of Kellogg Company, did not comment on the U.S. approval, reports added.

However, the European Commission said it had "serious concerns" that the Mars-Kellanova merger could reduce competition and lead to price hikes in grocery stores. 

The Commission warned that the merger could give Mars significant leverage in price negotiations with retailers, especially as both firms control household-name brands - ranging from Snickers, M&MS, and Whiskas to Pringles, Pop-Tarts, and Kellogg cereals, the report added.

Combined, the new entity would hold approximately 12% of the U.S. snacking and candy market, per NielsenIQ, while still facing competition from industry giants like PepsiCo, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, Hershey, and General Mills, according to reports.

Retailers across Europe have voiced have voiced concerns that Mars' strengthened bargaining power could leave them with no choice but to accept higher prices in order to retain must-have brands on their shelves.

The European Commission has set a deadline of October 31 for its final decision, and may require Mars to divest assets to address competition concerns - or risk the deal being blocked, reports added.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/snickers-maker-mars-to-acquire-pringles-and-cheez-it-for-nearly-30-billion-39596.htm">Snickers maker Mars to acquire Pringles and Cheez-it for nearly $30 billion</a>

BRAND MARKETING