MAM
HLL launches six new home and personal care products
MUMBAI: Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) has introduced six new products in its personal wash, detergents, oral care and skin care portfolios in the September quarter.
In the foods division, Bru has been made the master brand for all formats in coffee. The slew of launches is in line with HLL’s strategy of relevant extensions of its Power Brands and improvement of product quality.
In detergents, HLL has launched Rin Advanced, both in powder and bar formats. The new formulation offers superlative whiteness and also has a new premium perfume and packaging. The new mix is being aggressively activated through a nationwide sampling exercise.
In personal wash, the company has launched a new variant of Lux soap, with exotic flower petals and Jojoba oil, offering the benefit of moisturising. The Lux soap franchise, which is the largest personal wash brand in India, also includes Lux Almond, Lux Sandal and Saffron and Lux Honey and Fruit Extracts.
HLL has also relaunched Hamam, which is the market leader in personal wash in Tamil Nadu. Hamam’s formulation now has improved with the addition of Aloe Vera to Neem and Tulsi. The shape has been contemporised and the packaging modernised. This is the first time the brand has undergone such a significant upgradation, since its launch.
HLL’s oral care Power Brand – Pepsodent, now has a new whitening variant, which contains a clinically proven ingredient to remove yellowness from teeth.
HLL’s skin care category has relaunched Vaseline Intensive Care Petroleum Jelly, in new distinctive packs. Vaseline is one of HLL’s fastest growing Power Brands. The new portfolio includes a low unit price pack, priced at Rs 4, aimed at aggressively growing the segment.
The foods division, in line with the Power Brand strategy, has made Bru the master brand for the Coffee business. Deluxe Green Label, the leading Roast and Ground Coffee brand, has been migrated to Bru, which already is nationally popular as an Instant Coffee. HLL’s Coffee business has been posting handsome growth. Bru, with its consolidated portfolio of both Instant and Roast and Ground formats, will further foster the brand’s position as a national choice.
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.
