Brands
LVMH names François Kohler president for South and Southeast Asia
Appointment follows exit of Chris Chong after regional expansion drive
PARIS: Louis Vuitton parent company LVMH has appointed François Kohler as president, South and Southeast Asia, effective 23 February, 2026, as the luxury group steps up its ambitions in one of its fastest-growing regions.
Kohler will report to Stéphane Bianchi and will be tasked with accelerating growth across a cluster seen as strategically critical for the group’s maisons. LVMH said Kohler would draw on his deep retail and client expertise to expand networks and strengthen brand presence across diverse and rapidly evolving markets.
The appointment comes as Chris Chong exits the group after helping structure LVMH’s regional operations and laying the foundations for its expansion in South and Southeast Asia. Chong is leaving to pursue new career opportunities.
Commenting on the move, Bianchi said the region offered “amazing potential” for further growth, adding that Kohler’s entrepreneurial leadership and experience in developing retail networks across cultures would be key to capturing new opportunities. He also credited Chong with consolidating LVMH’s local footprint and reinforcing synergies to support long-term growth in South Asia.
The leadership change underscores LVMH’s renewed focus on Asia, where rising affluence and appetite for luxury continue to reshape the global growth map for high-end brands.
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.
