MAM
Ipsos-Nestle joint paper bags first runner-up at 31st MRSI Annual Seminar
Mumbai: The 31st Annual Market Research Seminar has announced the winners. Ipsos-Nestle joint paper titled Potential Value of Innovative Reality and Metaverse in Consumer Research, submitted under the category Maiden Voyage has bagged the first runner-up spot. It was chosen from 100 entries across clients and market research fraternity.
The research paper elucidated on the potential of conducting consumer research in an immersive environment through virtual reality. This innovative approach allowed one to gather unfiltered and authentic responses from respondents, removing distractions and providing a unique immersive research experience. The immersive environment (Café verse) was a game changer on how we conducted research, enabling us to delve deeper into consumer insights. We conducted ‘Café verse’ research for Nestle’s Nescafe brand, specifically to test cafe themes. The results were nothing short of intriguing, providing valuable insights and informing strategic decisions.
The authors were Shelly Jain: research director, Ipsos India; Ashwini Sirsikar, group service line leader, Ipsos Qual and Synthesio, Ipsos India; Aprajita Chauhan: research manager, Ipsos India; Abhinav Goel, lead consumer insights, Nestle India and Smriti Jain, manager consumer insights, Nestle India.
The annual market research seminar with the theme Taming the Choppy Waters was held on 9 & 10 October 2023 at The Leela, Mumbai.
Ipsos India had seven shortlisted research papers in penultimate round. Ipsos had sent over 20 synopses in the first round.
Within the theme, the seminar sought submissions under the four key categories of – maiden voyage, adventure, steering and sailors, The objective was to understand the journey in choppy waters as well as new lands that have been charted through the endeavours. And to understand the navigation tools created and the new understanding landed about the new world.
Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar said, “We are very proud of our unprecedented participation and the 1st runner up win. The theme of the 1st runner up paper was futuristic and immersive and captured consumer views in the true sense. Unfiltered and experiential. This was a game changer for Nestle. Congratulations to our teams.”
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.
