Fashion
India’s PDS Q3 revenue up 2% as margins remain under pressure
The gross profit for the quarter grew 13 per cent to ₹720 crore, up from ₹637 crore a year earlier, indicating improved product mix and operating discipline. However, EBITDA rose 11 per cent to ₹109 crore from ₹96 crore, while profit after tax (PAT) declined 18 per cent to ₹37 crore compared to ₹45 crore in Q3 FY25.
PDS Limited has reported GMV growth of 6 per cent to ₹4,660 crore (~$513.78 million) in Q3 FY26 and revenue increased by 2 per cent, while PAT fell 18 per cent.
For 9M FY26, GMV rose 7 per cent to ₹14,760 crore (~$1.63 billion), though EBITDA and PAT declined.
The company improved working capital, cut net debt sharply, and expects gains from new trade agreements and tariff reductions.
For the nine months (9M) period, GMV increased 7 per cent YoY to ₹14,760 crore (~$1.63 billion). Revenue from operations rose 6 per cent to ₹9,591 crore, compared to ₹9,052 crore in 9M FY25, PDS Limited said in a press release.
The gross profit for 9M stood at ₹1,982 crore, up 8 per cent from ₹1,830 crore in the same period last fiscal. However, EBITDA declined 16 per cent to ₹263 crore from ₹312 crore, while PAT fell 35 per cent to ₹106 crore from ₹162 crore in 9M FY25, reflecting margin pressures and a challenging global retail environment.
PDS reported significant improvements in working capital efficiency, with net working capital days reducing from approximately 17 days to around 7 days over the past nine months. The company generated ₹644 crore in operating cash flow during the nine-month period.
As a result of stronger cash generation and disciplined capital management, net debt reduced sharply from ₹374 crore in March 2025 to ₹70 crore as of December 2025, strengthening the company’s balance sheet and financial flexibility.
The company expects to benefit from recently signed trade agreements, including the EU-India trade deal and the UK free trade agreement, as well as US tariff reductions applicable to India operations, particularly Knit Gallery, and Bangladesh. These developments are anticipated to enhance sourcing competitiveness and support future growth.
With improved working capital metrics, lower leverage and steady GMV expansion, PDS is positioning itself to navigate global demand volatility while capitalising on emerging trade and tariff advantages.
Commenting on the results, Pallak Seth, executive vice chairman, said, “The global apparel landscape continues to be shaped by evolving trade dynamics, sourcing realignments and shifting customer priorities. Demand trends are exhibiting gradual and uneven stabilisation across key markets, with customer buying behaviour remaining cautious. Benefits from the EU trade agreement, UK FTA and reduced US tariffs on India & Bangladesh are expected to unfold progressively, the acquisition of Knit Gallery & our diversified sourcing operations position us well to capture these opportunities.”
Sanjay Jain, group CEO, said, “In a period marked by external volatility, we remain focused on strengthening operational effectiveness across the organisation. We have undertaken strategic actions to optimise costs at both the platform and business levels, reinforcing our commitment to building a resilient and cost-efficient PDS. By concentrating on high-impact areas and streamlining underperforming verticals, we are enabling sustainable growth while building a stronger, future-ready organisation focused on enhancing long-term profitability.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)