Dollar Industries Limited (DOLLAR.NS) Q2 FY2026 Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

October 1, 2025

NSEI IN Consumer Discretionary Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods Earnings Calls 47 min

Earnings Call Speaker Segments

Operator

Operator
#1

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the conference call for company update of Dollar Industries Limited hosted by Arihant Capital Markets. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Deepali Kumari from Arihant Capital Markets. Thank you, and over to you.

Deepali Kumari

Analysts
#2

Thank you. Hello, and good morning to everyone. On behalf of Arihant Capital Markets Limited, I thank you all for joining into the company update conference call of Dollar Industries Limited. Today from the management we have Mr. Ankit Gupta, President, Marketing; and Mr. Ajay Patodia sir, CFO. So without any further delay, I would like to hand over the call to the management for their opening remarks. Over to you, sir.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#3

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It gives me immense pleasure to address you today at a truly transformational movement in the journey of Dollar Industries Limited. Over the last 5 decades, Dollar has grown from strength to strength and building a household brand trusted by millions of consumers across India and beyond. Today, I stand before you to share with pride and confidence the details of our proposed merger of the promoter group companies into Dollar Industries Limited, a move that we believe will be a game changer for the company and all its stakeholders. This merger has been carefully structured to create sustainable long-term value, enhance transparency and strengthen governance while also safeguarding the interest of every shareholder. Allow me to walk you through the transformational benefits this merger will bring. First, the Dollar brand will now be fully consolidated into Dollar Industries Limited with the brand coming entirely under the listed entities, the value of the brand will be more deeply reflected in the company's financials, thereby enhancing both shareholder wealth and the intrinsic value of the organization. This consolidation will help us leverage the power of a single unified brand to strengthen our market leadership and expand our growth trajectory. Second, the merger will significantly reduce the compliance burden by integrating multiple promoter group companies into a listed entity. We simplify our structure, save on cost and improve efficiency. A leaner and more transparent corporate structure will enable us to channel our focus and resources into growth and innovation. Third, we'll see a marked reduction in related party transaction with fewer intercompany dealing, governance will become stronger, accountability clearer and reporting more transparent. This will reinforce the confidence of regulators, investors and all stakeholders in the integrity of our operations. Fourth, business properties currently held by other promoter entities and utilized by Dollar Industries Limited will now come directly under the ownership of the company. This integration will lead -- will add significant strength to our balance sheet, ensuring that the assets of the business are fully aligned with the company's growth strategy. Fifth, it is important to highlight that promoter holding will increase by only 1.39%. That is from 72.21% to 73.6%. This minimal increase in that is a testament to the fairness and equitable nature of the proposed merger structure and designed to protect and enhance shareholder interest without causing any undue imbalance. Sixth and most importantly, we are creating a promoter trust that will hold 51% of the promoter stake in Dollar Industries Limited. This trust has been envisioned to ensure continuity, stability and alignment of promoter interest with the long-term growth of the company. It underlines our commitment to building a future-ready governance framework that secures Dollar's legacy while empowering its growth in the decades to come. Ladies and gentlemen, this merger is not merely a corporate restructuring, it is a strategic consolidation that paves the way for stronger governance, sharper focus, enhanced value creation and a clear growth road map for Dollar Industries Limited. As we move forward, we remain committed to our guiding principles of transparency, trust and excellence. We firmly believe that this merger will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our story. One that will deliver significant and sustainable value to all our stakeholders. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our investors, partners, employees and customers for their unwavering trust and support. Together, we are building not just a stronger company, but a stronger brand and a stronger future. We now look forward to answering your questions. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#4

[Operator Instructions] We'll take our first question from the line of Yashovardhan Banka from Tiger Assets.

Yashovardhan Banka

Analysts
#5

Can you speak a bit more on the industry and how is the demand currently?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#6

So industry-wide, the demand has been okay, I would say, but it's a seasonal thing since the monsoon season is a bit stretched this particular year. So as it is, second quarter is not very good for the innerwear sales. So overall, from the demand point of view, it's a cyclical thing. So it's good as compared to the last.

Yashovardhan Banka

Analysts
#7

Also, sir, are we planning to do fundings moving ahead? Will we need funds for that?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#8

Sorry, I didn't understand your question.

Yashovardhan Banka

Analysts
#9

Are we planning to do any further fundings moving ahead from here?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#10

No, no, no further funding is required.

Operator

Operator
#11

[Operator Instructions] We'll take our next question from the line of Madhur Rathi from Counter Cyclical Investments.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#12

Sir, I wanted to understand regarding our ad spends and how we think before investing because if I see over the last 5 years, we have cumulatively invested close to INR 450 crores, and that has yielded us INR 650-odd crores of revenue. So that is just 1.5x for every rupee that we spend. So what has been the issue for the past few years? And what gives us the confidence of maintaining and increasing this ad spends and that should flow to our revenue or margins?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#13

So earlier, we used to pack our advertisement expenditures as a percentage of sales. But from past 3 to 4 years, we have been working on an absolute amount that is we have fixed our advertisement spend at INR 85 crores to INR 100 crores range. So this year also, we are planning to spend around INR 85 crores to INR 90 crores only in the advertisement spend.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#14

And sir, how do we think before like how much should the yield on the ROI kind of basis before doing these investments on any kind of ad spend, either digital or hiring any brand ambassador?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#15

So see, the -- only spending on advertisement does not guarantee you the sales where you can actually calculate the ROI basis the traditional methods of advertisement. Like whenever you advertise on television or you put up a hoarding in the market, you can't really tell that it is because of that advertisement, the sales are coming or the exact ROI, you can't calculate that, right? But when you spend on digitally, you have -- you exactly know that what is the return that we are getting on every money that we are spending on digital media. So we have been monitoring that. And since social media advertisement, we spend around 20% to 25% of our total budget on digital media. So it's -- initially, it was only focused on creating more and more awareness and hammering the consumers with the advertisement. But now very recently, we are planning to go ahead with the performance marketing and increasing the website sales as well.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#16

Got it. Sir, I wanted to understand regarding the thermal segment. It seems that this year, it's going to be a harsher winter than expected. So if we -- what percentage of our distributors have we currently been able to onboard on the thermal segment or all our distributors currently have our thermal products stock...

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#17

So all the distributors of ours sell the thermal products. And we are very hopeful that it will be a good winter for us as well.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#18

Got it. Sir, what would be the average selling price for the thermal segment? And where do we see thermal as a percentage of our revenue maybe over the next 1 or 2 years?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#19

So when we talk about thermal segment, overall the ASP is somewhere around INR 150 -- sorry, INR 250.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#20

Got it. And sir, as a percentage of revenue, where do we see this share increasing?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#21

So currently, it contributes around 6% to our total sales. But it's very tough to actually comment on where we will be in next 1 or 2 years because it's a seasonal product. And one cannot guarantee that every year, the winters would be good and the summers would sell better. Like 2 years back, the winter was not good, and our thermal sales declined by around 30%. But last year, we grew by 23%. And this year also, we are eyeing that we'll be having a good growth in the thermal sales as well.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#22

Got it. Sir, just a final question from my end. Sir, on the margin front, sir, are we still on track to do the 12%, 13% EBITDA margin for FY '26? Or can we see some improvement with improved demand trend on this number?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#23

We are very hopeful and we really aspire to be between 12% to 13% this particular fiscal. And currently -- yes.

Madhur Rathi

Analysts
#24

No, sir, sorry, you were saying something.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#25

So currently, we are already at 11%. So I think by year-end, we should be able to touch around 12%.

Operator

Operator
#26

We have a follow-up question from the line of Yashovardhan Banka from Tiger Assets.

Yashovardhan Banka

Analysts
#27

So would you like to mention any quantifiable synergies, overhead reductions or our working capital efficiency increasing post the merger in FY '26?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#28

Basically, after merger, there is no any this type of any working capital deficiency increase. But we have target for this year to reduce our working capital days for the current year. And the company is -- merger are basically real estate companies and the brand we take in our company and 2 companies which is related to our job work. So there is no any such material impact on the working capital with respect to this. But basically, it increased our efficiency and control and increased the intrinsic value of the shareholder like we take the brand value at book value only. So we thought it is very good for the -- all the stakeholders.

Operator

Operator
#29

We'll take our next question from the line of Garvita Jain from Seven Islands PMS.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#30

So in continuation of the last question asked, I just want to have an estimate of how much impact can we expect on the margin, positive impact because of the merger? And how much cost saving are we expecting because this was a real estate merger also. So we will have some saving on the rent paid, et cetera. So how much impact are we expecting on EBITDA margin due to mergers?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#31

Basically, Garvitaji, is EBITDA neutral only. Actually, our total number of share increased only 5% of the total share, around INR 30 lakhs only, INR 29,80,000. And the saving in expenses around also INR 4.5 crores to INR 5 crores only. Basically, royalty and rent is around INR 2.5 crores, plus the related party transaction of INR 27 crores, INR 28 crores also removed from the -- after this exercise. So overall impact on the PAT is INR 4.5 crores to INR 5 crores. So basically, EPS is very neutral, same EPS, last year is INR 16.05. After this merger, it is negligible INR 16.01, only INR 0.4 impact, no more than that.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#32

Okay. So you're saying that in total, INR 4 crores to INR 5 crores PAT impact will be there, right?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#33

Yes, yes. But in long term, we get the more benefit due to this. We get the saving at our compliance front, we have our Dollar bank in our company. And if after we launch new products, our royalty did not increase because brand is the company. And our RPT is reduced to the 90% and basically a controlled part of promoter family because all the assets related to business assets of the Dollar industry in one place. So long term...

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#34

The compliance benefit is the only focus.

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#35

Long-term view is very...

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#36

Got it. Got it. One more question I want to ask because like is there any domestic price pressure we are expecting in the coming Diwali season or coming quarter due to more of like domestic sales?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#37

Sorry, I didn't get your question. Sorry, can you repeat that, please?

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#38

Yes. So my question is, since we do not have any major export exposure, right, we are all domestic. So is there any pricing pressure we are expecting in the coming quarter because of the other competitors who are going to supply more domestic because of the tariff issues. That's what I want to understand.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#39

No. So see, our exports is only 4.5% to our total sales, around 4.5%, 5% only. So in domestic also, we don't see any change in the pricing. It's very stagnant. Even the raw material prices are very stagnant. So we don't see any change in prices in the upcoming quarters.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#40

Okay. Okay. And sir, any change in the debt structure due to the merger?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#41

No, negligible.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#42

Okay. And if you could please tell me at what valuation the merger is done?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#43

Basically, all the merger exercise is supervised and completed by the KPMG itself and most of the assets are like brand value. Brand is our -- taken at book value only. It is only INR 5 crores. You can expect how much multiples we can get the Dollar brand only. And basically, all the assets as per approach, 3 approach is to be considered by the KPMG that is equity share exchange ratio and asset approach and market price method. And after approaching all the ratio and values, income approach, basically, the -- which is beneficial to the minority stake and the company is taken as -- in the merger valuation.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#44

Okay. And sir, are we expecting any saving on the labor cost due to this merger?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#45

Any saving in the...

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#46

Labor cost?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#47

Yes, labor cost, ultimately, if companies merged, then you must save some part of the employee cost also because then there is a -- basically compliance has removed and many where you have to concise your employee cost also. So ultimately, the effect is -- we've seen in the long run that our employee cost is also reduced.

Garvita Jain

Analysts
#48

Any percentage if you could give me, sir?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#49

Currently, we are not steady that with regard to the employee cost, but it is ultimately...

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#50

So there will be some savings in the employee cost in terms of that overlapping operations, which are happening in 2 different entities, so that will get optimized, but it would be a negligible impact. Like overall, the financial impact is not that much as compared to the intangible benefit that we'll be getting out of this merger.

Operator

Operator
#51

Before we take the next question, kindly note, we are in a post Q2 situation and [ don't want ] to about any quarterly numbers or guidance. Merger should be on the focus. We'll take our next question from the line of [ B.V. Gosar ] from Geojit PMS.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#52

So I wanted to understand, so we have bought in physical assets as well. So what would be the approximate market value of those physical assets?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#53

Physical assets is more than INR 100 crores actually. The business property, which is related to Dollar -- is only dedicated to Dollar is more than INR 100 crores.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#54

The physical assets, [Foreign Language] the property, right?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#55

Property, property.

Operator

Operator
#56

Next question is from the line of Keshav Garg from Counter Cyclical PMS.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#57

Sir, I wanted to understand that I am looking at the related party transactions of last year. So the purchase from promoter group was INR 38 crores, purchase of services from promoter group was INR 14 crores and sales to promoter group was INR 6.7 crores. So now can we expect all of these transactions to vanish when 31st March 2026 balance sheet comes out?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#58

Basically, 90% of the related party transaction is vanished. Only there is -- if you check the RPT personnel, there is 1 or 2 individual and 1 or 2 firm also. So that is remained intact only. Because in merger, we cannot add the firms. Only corporate can merge in the merger and amalgamation procedure.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#59

Right. So -- and how much is the net worth of these companies that are merging with us?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#60

Total net worth of the company is more than INR 60 crores, INR 70 crores.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#61

Okay. Okay. The book value?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#62

Book value.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#63

Right. And do these companies have any debt?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#64

No, no debt, no debt. No liability, no any liabilities.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#65

Great. So -- and also, I mean, since we were hardly giving any royalty to begin with and now -- so there will be no saving per se on account of royalty because anywhere royalty was miniscule, irrelevant. But now there is a 5% equity dilution. So now how do you -- I mean, since this merger will be EPS reductive in a short term. So I mean, how should shareholders look at it from a short-term point of view?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#66

Even in short term, it is not reductive, it is EPS neutral. In earlier question also, I will specify that the -- actually premerger, our EPS is INR 16.05 per share. And after merger, it is INR 16.01. That is only INR 0.4, only INR 0.4. So -- and long term, it is beneficial to the company because intrinsic value of the company increased manyfold.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#67

Right. And last year, I could -- I can see that our receivables past due date doubled from INR 181 crores in FY '24 to INR 298 crores in FY '25 and receivables past 6 months due also doubled from INR 24 crores in FY '24 to INR 49 crores in FY '25. So now that half of the first half -- half of FY '26 is also over. I hope this receivable situation has improved somewhat.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#68

It is very much improved. Even current year, we have targeted to reduce our receivable days. Currently, it is around 112 days to reduce to around 100 to 103.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#69

Okay. That's great. And lastly, our exports also declined by roughly 10% year-on-year. So this year, what is the outlook on exports?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#70

We have explored in many areas like in Myanmar, in Nigeria, in South Africa also. So we expect we get increase in our export this year in total revenue.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#71

Okay. And our exports are branded exports under our own brand? Or are they like white labeling and contract manufacturing in some other brand?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#72

90%, 95% is our own brand. Only 5% to 10% is their white label, if anyone required.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#73

Right. And last question from my side. I can see that last year, our sales discount went up drastically from -- by it increased 40% year-on-year, even though our sales were by and large, there was not much -- it was like a 10% kind of growth in sales. But our sales discount went up by 40% to INR 172 crores, which is almost like over 10% of the top line. So why are we giving so much sales discount? And is -- what is the -- for current year? Is the discounting still high, has increased or has decreased?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#74

So in the current year, it has not increased. Last year and the ongoing intensified competition in the market led to this extra discount, which was given. But when you compare it with the other peer groups in the same segment, you'll find that we are much, much better off in terms of extra discounting that we had to offer in the market.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#75

Right. And are we on track to become a zero debt company by FY '28?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#76

Yes.

Keshav Garg

Analysts
#77

Okay. Great. And also now with all the Zudio and all coming up with their highly discounted innerwear segment, so basically, how are we -- basically, have we launched some news SKUs in the more price competitive segment? Or have we vacated that segment and moved on to the premium segment? Like how are we dealing with the new competition from Zudios and so on, the discounting that is happening over there?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#78

See, currently -- see, we are into innerwear segment. Mostly our sales are into innerwear and some part of the sales comes from the athleisure segment, which are basic products, right? And currently, we don't see any threat coming in from Zudio or likes of Zudio because they are more focused in the outerwear segment instead of the innerwear segment. Secondly, we have a history of 50 years, right? And we have started this company with economy range of products. So we can't do away with the economy range of products because it's the product segment which gives us volume, which gives us economies of scale, and it's for a price-sensitive market. So we keep innovating new products. We keep launching new products in the premium segment, mid-premium segment. In fact, in the economy segment also as per the market feedback and the consumer demand and everything. So currently, we don't see any threat coming in from that. But yes, we are keeping a very sharp eye on the same thing as well so that we are future ready if any impact comes from there.

Operator

Operator
#79

Next question is from the line of [ Moksh Ranka from Aurum Capital ].

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#80

Sir, I wanted to understand your gross margin difference between the modern trade and the general trade, which includes the quick commerce and e-commerce. So could you just help me understand where there are better margins and what's your competitive scenario between the 2?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#81

So at a margin level, it's almost similar, whether we deal in with general trade or e-commerce or quick commerce. So it's the -- overall, the margin -- at a margin level, at a company realization level, it's almost similar.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#82

Okay. Because I was looking at e-commerce website, and I see that many new age brands are getting very competitive when it comes to discounting. And so I think as a company, we might also have to increase our discounting, especially in this festive period. So your gross margins accounting for that discount would be similar in the general and modern trade?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#83

Yes, yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#84

Okay. And what about the competitive scenario? So in your general trade, you have been established for the last 15 years -- 50 years. So your relationships with distributors would have been much better than new age brands. So is your like footfall stronger in general trade as compared to modern trade and that is -- your general trade should be your growth driver as far as volumes are concerned?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#85

No, it would be a blend of 2 because in the e-commerce segment also, when we talk about e-commerce marketplaces and the quick commerce as well. So last year, we did around 80% of growth. And earlier, it used to contribute around 3% of sales. But last year, we crossed that -- crossed to 8%, 8.5% coming in from just e-commerce. And yes, this year also, we are seeing a very good growth coming in from e-commerce only.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#86

And this growth we have achieved without compromising on our gross margins in e-commerce?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#87

Yes, definitely.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#88

Okay. And where do you see your growth -- so most of your growth -- incremental growth do you see coming from quick commerce and e-commerce? And also, could you give me a breakup of your website sales like your direct to consumer website sales?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#89

So currently, our website sales are almost negligible because we are focusing more on the marketplaces where the traffic is already there. The consumer footfall is already there. And we are currently planning to move ahead with performance marketing and create traffic -- drive traffic towards our website also, but we have not started it yet.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#90

Okay. Okay. And my last question is I wanted to understand more about your ad spend. So you mentioned like 20% of your ad spend is basically digital spend. So rest 80%, like where are we spending our ad spend exactly?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#91

So mostly it's television. Secondly, it's retail branding and point-of-sales branding. Then we have this hoardings, newspaper ads. So all of these taken together constitute the other 80% -- 75% to 80%.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#92

Okay. So in future, are we focusing more on digital spends and that as a percentage of our spends would increase and our television, hoarding, et cetera, as a percentage will reduce. Is my understanding correct?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#93

So every year, we do increase our percentage spend on digital media. So this year, I think we will be spending around 25% of our total ad spend.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#94

Okay. And just one last question from my side. So do we have a marketing agency tie-up or are we doing it in-house this ad spend?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#95

So we have -- we are closely working with Lowe Lintas Worldwide, which is a creative agency. For the digital platform, we have Digital Abhiyan, who is a well-known digital media company based out of Calcutta only, but he works pan-India with one of the big MNCs. So he's very well versed with the digital world and optimize our overall ad spends also digitally.

Operator

Operator
#96

We'll take our next question from the line of Resha Mehta from GreenEdge Wealth.

Resha Mehta

Analysts
#97

So most of my questions have been answered. Just 2. One is on the merger. So any onetime cost -- material costs that we are looking at maybe to KPMG or anything basically for this entire scheme of arrangement, which could probably impact our margins in the immediate short term?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#98

No, there is no any such major cost involved. As there is only -- we have to pay only 2% of the total merger fees to the court and the rest of expenses is related to professional capacity only. So there is no such major cost.

Resha Mehta

Analysts
#99

Understood. And lastly, a business question, if I may. So the competitive pressures have been very high. So have we seen any easing out of the same as we've gone along in Q2?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#100

So we won't be able to comment about Q2 as of now, but things have been pretty much same.

Operator

Operator
#101

[Operator Instructions] We'll take our next question from the line of [ Saket Kapoor from Kapoor ]...

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#102

Sir, if you could just give us some understanding, what has actually triggered this merger at this point of time? And how long we have been working with the same and looking for this event? How have we prepared for it? Just to understand what triggered the merger today and how long we have been working for this?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#103

So it had been in our thought process, but because of some technicality and some issues earlier, we were unable to move ahead with it. And from past 6, 7 months, we have activated this particular project. And now we are here purposing it and applying it.

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#104

If you're looking for our call records, in November '23 call, our MDC Vinod Guptaji also answered the question with regard to merger and with regard to taking a brand in the company. So at that time, we already try to complete the process within 2 years as somehow there is some technical constraint is there so that now it is possible that all the company are in same length and we are -- we complete the same within a stipulated period of time. So it is our process from the last 2, 3 years. And very much there is some disturbance in the industry, every investor, every minority shareholder required to any succession plan in the company. So with this merger, we also have -- we are also restructuring our succession plan and our total majority shareholding from promoter is transferred to the trust. And then all control is with the trust only. So there is a long-term view...

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#105

Yes, sir. Sir, can you just dwell further of the transfer of -- I was coming to it, that 50% stake, I think so would be transferred to the trust. So what is the thought process behind it? And currently, what -- how is the -- is the company managed by professional or the second generation is being prepared to take the charge going ahead, if some color -- if you could give some more color on the same?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#106

So we are working on a model which is a blend of professional plus the promoters because we understand that a good blend can lead to higher growth and accelerated growth at a company level as well. Apart from that -- hello?

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#107

Yes, sir, I can hear you. Please continue.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#108

Yes. So yes, that's the thing. Like we are the third generation who has come into the business, but we do understand the importance of sales on board. And without them, you can't grow at an accelerated manner. So it would be a blend of the 2. And as far as shifting our 51% towards trust, it's basically to ensure that the interest of the company is given priority as opposed to if any difference happens in the mindset of the promoters. So it's like interest of the company ahead, that's it.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#109

Sir, 2 small points. Firstly, sir, you mentioned that...

Operator

Operator
#110

Mr. Kapoor, I'm sorry to interrupt, sir. There are other participants waiting for their turn. I request you to get back to the queue please.

Unknown Analyst

Analysts
#111

But I have been very brief, ma'am, in comparison to other participants. Anyway, it is your judgment.

Operator

Operator
#112

[Operator Instructions] We'll take our next question from the line of Prashant, an individual investor.

Unknown Attendee

Attendees
#113

So my first question related to merger is, are we seeing any benefit on account of tax, whether it is GST or any other because of the merger?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#114

No. Basically, all the companies are on the same tax rate. So there is no major. But you can say we can save GST because at the time of payment of rent, we have to pay the GST also. So that's part of GST sale that is very negligible. Total rent amount is only INR 1.9 crores only.

Unknown Attendee

Attendees
#115

Okay. And relating to this only, I mean, with this merger process, I mean, what will be the -- I mean, because there is a large value of property involved, so will there be any stamp duty or SA duty or property-related taxes involved?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#116

It is only around 2% to 3% in Calcutta in West Bengal for merger 2% of the duties charge.

Unknown Attendee

Attendees
#117

So value-wise that would...

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#118

Around INR 2 crores to INR 3 crores only.

Unknown Attendee

Attendees
#119

INR 2 crores to INR 3 crores. And the second is, I mean, with the job work unit coming under the fold, I mean, do we see -- anticipate any increase in labor cost or employee cost on an overall basis?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#120

No, no. Basically, we have to target to reduce the labor because at many, our compliance cost is reduced many type of compliance, which is we have to done annually is reduced. So we hope that it reduce the employee cost, not much, but ultimately reduce.

Unknown Attendee

Attendees
#121

Okay. And any loss of incentive, state government or anything because of the merger or the change of the fiduciary relationships or anything?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#122

No, no, no impact.

Operator

Operator
#123

We'll take our next question from the line of Shubhankar Gupta from Equitree Capital.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#124

Can you just repeat the name of the digital marketing agency, Ankit?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#125

So it's Digital Abhiyan that we work with.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#126

Digital Abhiyan, okay. And last time we met, I think you mentioned that 20%, 25% of the manufacturing was from our own factories, that is capability-wise, right? So does getting -- doing this merger also increase that capacity?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#127

Yes.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#128

Yes.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#129

By how much?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#130

Not much because it would be adding only the stitching units that we have that will get merged into this. So it would be miniscule, but it would be what like shift making 25% to 27%, 26% maybe.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#131

Okay. Not much, not much. Fair enough. Actually, my main question, Ankit, was around the sales discounting. So I saw that the dealer incentives and schemes went from around INR 125 crores to INR 175 crores from last FY to this FY, right? So can you please detail this out, like what has this increase been? Like what is the key reason for this increase? And how does this exactly work? This is, I think, one point that I'm not very clear. Hello, am I audible?

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#132

Yes. So this discounting has been because of the intensified competition, which happened in Q3 and Q4 of last year and mainly it's effect of Q4 only. So that's it. Like no other reason of increasing it.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#133

No. But where exactly does this go? Like it's a huge amount, right? Like our own PAT is lesser than this amount. So my concern is that where does this amount exactly -- okay, can you like break it down is what I'm asking?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#134

So basically, if you're looking after, sir, our total percentage of scheme and discount is less than the peers. So in quarter 4, there is some intensive competition in the industry. We have the new brand in our segment and 6 to 7 brands, and they are heavy discounted at dealers level. So for our share of market share, we have to some also incentivize to our distributor. If you're looking after the last year result, our 9-month EBITDA is more than 12%. But in quarter 4, it is reduced. So overall, main impact is in quarter 4 only. And we are thinking that it is normalized within 2 to 3 quarters in current year.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#135

Okay. Okay. Like, I'm not very -- again, I mean, I'm sorry, I'm asking this question again. But it is -- can you just detail this out like how does one break this number down?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#136

It is mainly scheme part only because the discount already given in the bills itself, it is mainly the scheme part and incentive to the dealers when he complete the target, like if it completes the target of 100%, it gives a 1% extra benefit. If it is target more than 110%, then it gets the 1.5% benefit. That is the scheme in our segment actually all over in the industry. That is the main part.

Shubhankar Gupta

Analysts
#137

Okay. But let's say, you're having Project Lakshya also, right? So if this amount is increasing so much, right, then what is the point -- so Lakshya, say, organization [Foreign Language], like it will become more structured, but then your cost is increasing at this pace, then what goodness does Project Lakshya has?

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#138

This is very beneficial for the Lakshya also. Our Lakshya royalty calculation is also included in the dealer incentive scheme. The Lakshya accrual -- yes, this includes also. And due to Lakshya, we have last year get more benefit in our growth than our peers. Because once the distributor is involved in Lakshya, he is associated lifetime for Dollar only because he has to take the benefit through old performance and new performance. So at that area, we benefit in the Lakshya market.

Operator

Operator
#139

Ladies and gentlemen, we'll take that as the last question for today. For any follow-up questions, you can reach out to the CFO and Investor Relations team. I now hand the conference over to management for closing comments. Over to you. Any closing comments? Yes, please go ahead.

Ankit Gupta

Executives
#140

On behalf of the promoter group and management team, I thank you once again for joining us today. We are wishing you and your families a very happy and prosperous Navaratri. Thank you so much.

Ajay Patodia

Executives
#141

Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#142

Thank you. On behalf of Arihant Capital Markets, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

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