MAM
Havas Media Group wins Integrated Media mandate for iOrderFresh
MUMBAI: Havas Media Group has won the integrated media duties of iOrderFresh, a mobile-first commerce venture in the fresh perishable foods and groceries retail space.
The mandate includes integrated media buying and planning across traditional media and digital solutions for search, social and mobile. The account will be handled by Havas Media’s New Delhi office.
iOrderFresh, founder and CEO Nitin Sawhney said, “iOrderFresh has a simple promise to the consumer; fresh produce directly from the farm to your kitchen in a few hours. The business is built on the premise of freshness and convenience. It aims to create a whole new experience for shopping for food and groceries available at your doorstep by just downloading the app from any smartphone. Currently available in Delhi and Gurgaon, on both Android and iOS platforms, we are looking to consolidate our presence in the NCR region before expanding to other cities. Havas Media carved out a compelling mobile-first, integrated media strategy to get more people to download the app and also to scale the brand.”
Havas Media Group India and South Asia CEO Anita Nayyar added, “Getting home delivered fresh fruits and veggies in our hurried lifestyle and traffic bound commute is a blessing. The Indian shopper’s attitude to online retail is very positive today so the perishable retail space is only set to grow. Havas Media with its digital strengths and integrated media offering is well geared to engage this shopper and add to the shopper basket.”
Havas Media India managing director Mohit Joshi said, “It is a good win in a challenging category. We are happy that our rich experience in the dotcom domain is helping us get more clients in the category. We look forward to a great association with them.”
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.
