Brands
Honasa Consumer Elevates Meetu Mulchandani as VP- head of Brand Factory
MUMBAI: Honasa Consumer Ltd, home to renowned brands like Mamaearth, The Derma Co., Aqualogica, Bblunt, and Dr Sheth’s, today announced the elevation of Meetu Mulchandani as vice-president & head of Brand Factory in the leadership team. Hitherto she was associate vice-president, head of Brand Factory – new brands and business.
Brand Factory, Honasa’s dedicated division for launching and nurturing emerging brands, has been a pivotal driver of the organisation’s growth.
Meetu has been instrumental in shaping the division, spearheading the success of brands like Aqualogica, The Derma Co, Dr Sheth’s, and Staze.
In her expanded role, Meetu will lead the end-to-end journey of crafting new brands within Honasa’s house of brands portfolio. This will encompass ideation, in-depth market research, consumer insights, concept testing, and shaping business and marketing strategy, with a strong emphasis on innovation, and market dominance through strategic growth initiatives.
Said Honasa Consumer CEO & co-founder Varun Alagh: “Brand Factory is central to Honasa’s vision of building India’s largest beauty and personal care (BPC) house of brands. By identifying market gaps and understanding evolving consumer needs, we’ve consistently launched and scaled successful brands. Meetu has been instrumental in this journey, driving innovation and growth for brands like Aqualogica and Dr Sheth’s, transforming them into Rs 100 crore success stories. I am confident she’ll continue to excel in this expanded role and bring her unique perspective, creativity and strategic mindset to lead the Brand Factory team.”
“I am both honored and excited to step into this new role at a time when Honasa Consumer is poised for even greater innovation and growth. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to be part of this dynamic team, and I’m eager to continue building impactful brands that resonate with our customers. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to driving forward our vision of creating brands that not only disrupt the market but also make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” added Meetu.
She brings nearly two decades of experience in the beauty and personal care industry. She has been with Honasa for nearly four years now and has been at the helm of building young brands. Her career spans impactful roles at Nyumi, The Mom’s Co, Healthkart, Alteus Biogenics, and Mankind Pharma.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
