MAM
Consumer sentiment shows recovery and improves with a minor uptick: LSEG-Ipsos PCSI September 2024
Mumbai: Consumer sentiment among urban Indians has improved and has shown recovery in September 2024 with a minor uptick of plus 0.4 percentage points. Further, the consumer sentiment is up for jobs, economy, investments and personal finances, according to the September wave of the LSEG-Ipsos primary consumer sentiment index (PCSI) India report.
The LSEG-Ipsos PCSI maps consumer sentiment on four sub-indices and the sentiment for the PCSI employment onfidence (“Jobs”) sub-index, has seen an uptick of plus 1.1 percentage points, the PCSI urrent personal financial conditions sub index (current conditions) is up plus 0.3 percentage points; the PCSI investment climate (“Investment”) sub-index is up plus 0.1 percentage points; and the PCSI Economic Expectations (“expectations”) sub-index is up plus 0.5 percentage points.
Also, India has ranked second on national index score across 29 markets.
Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar has high hopes on H2, after a tough H1: “Consumer sentiment has shown recovery after being downbeat last month. Apart from the overall upswing in consumer confidence this month, the sentiment has shown recovery for daily household spends, savings, economic growth and jobs. H1 saw major cutback by companies due to tough macro conditions and the global economic slowdown, global inflationary conditions and job cuts. With a good monsoon this year and the festival season reaching its pinnacle with navratri, dhanteras and diwali coming up, consumer sentiment should see a major boost next month. Sentiment around jobs improved last month, and this month too consumers are bullish about the job market and hiring. India is also recovering from the havoc unleashed by extreme weather conditions, in terms of flooding and landslides through July and August.”
Consumer sentiment in 29 countries
Among the 29 countries, Singapore (62.5) now holds the highest national index score. Singapore, along with India (62.0) and Indonesia (61.5) are the only countries with a national index score of 60 or higher.
Eleven other countries now show a National Index above the 50-point mark: the Netherlands (57.4), Mexico (55.9), the U.S. (55.0), Great Britain (54.1), Sweden (54.0), Germany (53.7), Thailand (52.1), Brazil (51.3), Malaysia (51.2), South Africa (50.5), and Australia (50.2).
In contrast, just four countries show a National Index below the 40-point mark: South Korea (39.7), Japan (39.4), Hungary (36.4), and Türkiye (30.8).
“Notably, India has stayed among the top three markets with high national index score and stayed resilient despite several global crises popping up one after the other. Being a growth oriented emerging market and its economy resting greatly on domestic consumption, we have been able to offset the extreme impact. Though global economic slowdown has further weakened the rupee against the dollar,” stated Adarkar.
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.
