Brands
Chennai clicks into place as Lego builds its first certified store in Tamil Nadu
MUMBAI: Chennai just got its newest reason to snap into joy Lego has finally clicked into the city, with its first-ever Lego Certified Store opening on 28 November 2025, marking the toy giant’s official entry into Tamil Nadu and signalling a major push into South India’s fast-growing premium retail scene.
Spread across ~2800 sq. ft. of ground-floor space, the store is designed as a full-blown playground for builders of every age. From immersive play zones and model displays to the iconic Pick-a-Brick Wall and a Make Your Own Minifig station, the space brings Chennai an authentic, world-class Lego experience. Adding to the excitement is an impressive portfolio of exclusive-to-store-only sets, spanning quick builds, rare collectibles, and complex, advanced creations.
To sweeten the grand opening, shoppers spending Rs 10,000 or more can unlock a free Lego Mini Store through a Gift-with-Purchase offer and if that’s not persuasive enough, the launch weekend brings a flurry of Black Friday deals, making the debut impossible for fans to ignore.
“We’re really excited to bring the authentic Lego experience to Chennai with our first certified store here,” said Lego India general manager Bhavana Mandon. She added that the strong response in Gurugram and Bengaluru has boosted confidence to expand across high-potential cities, with Chennai seen as a natural next step for its creative and family-driven culture.
For Ample Group, Lego’s retail partner in India, the launch is both a milestone and a springboard. “This marks an exciting new chapter for Lego enthusiasts in Tamil Nadu,” said Ample Group CEO & founder Rajesh Narang. “Chennai’s strong affinity for culture, creativity and family experiences makes it the perfect home for Lego, and this opening reflects our commitment to bringing leading global brands closer to Indian consumers.”
And Ample isn’t stopping at Chennai. Riding the momentum, the company is set to open a second Lego Certified Store in Bengaluru just weeks later, a 4,393 sq. ft. large-format destination featuring expanded experiential zones, interactive installations, and all hallmark Lego retail signatures. Located in one of the city’s busiest premium retail districts, the Bengaluru store aims to become a flagship-like hub for the region.
Together, the back-to-back launches position South India as one of Lego’s fastest-growing markets, blending nostalgia, creativity and premium retail in a region known for its appetite for global experiences. While Chennai lays the foundation with a vibrant new store, Bengaluru is set to elevate the experience even further, creating a thriving community of families, hobbyists and lifelong builders.
With the bricks now firmly in place, Lego’s South India chapter looks ready to build and build big.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
