MAM
Esprit signs up Ananya Pandey as brand ambassador
Mumbai: American watch brand Esprit is all set to strengthen its position in India and has appointed Bollywood actor Ananya Pandey as its celebrity brand ambassador.
Esprit’s India partner AP Group looks to pursue an aggressive expansion plan for Esprit watches in India and the brand is eyeing to regain the market share in the watch category.
Announcing the association, the company said that the actor’s youthful persona, confident outlook, and positive vibes resonate completely with the brand and made her an obvious choice.
Founder & CEO of Time Management Services (TMS), the official licensee of Esprit Watches, Marco Sieber said, “Since 1968 Esprit as a brand has come a long way. In the last 50 years, the brand has maintained the image of being the most transparent fashion brand in the world, connecting with the customers through positivity, innovation, and sustainability. The Indian market is very important to us as we do see that customers are always looking for new designs and trends. We are ready to bedazzle Indian customers with a specially crafted range of watches just for them. Ananya Pandey being a youth icon is the right choice to bring on board to re-create the connect of Esprit with Indian youth.”
Talking about her association with Esprit, Ananya Panday said, “I am delighted to be part of the Esprit community, as its intricately designed watches are a style statement on their own. Esprit watches are not only sturdy and fashionable but are classy as well, which appeals to my design aesthetics.”
“We have noticed that the Indian customer buying behaviour is not as it was a decade back. Indian customers are always looking for new trends and designs, but now they are also looking for brands with which they can connect on a much deeper level. So, to build trust and a bond of familiarity with Esprit Watches, we chose Ananya Pandey to endorse Esprit Watches. She will be promoting our new collection of watches specially tailored as per the need of Indian customers and priced attractively,” said AP Group managing director Hamza Patel.
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.
