Brands
LVMH names François Kohler president for South and Southeast Asia
Appointment follows exit of Chris Chong after regional expansion drive
PARIS: Louis Vuitton parent company LVMH has appointed François Kohler as president, South and Southeast Asia, effective 23 February, 2026, as the luxury group steps up its ambitions in one of its fastest-growing regions.
Kohler will report to Stéphane Bianchi and will be tasked with accelerating growth across a cluster seen as strategically critical for the group’s maisons. LVMH said Kohler would draw on his deep retail and client expertise to expand networks and strengthen brand presence across diverse and rapidly evolving markets.
The appointment comes as Chris Chong exits the group after helping structure LVMH’s regional operations and laying the foundations for its expansion in South and Southeast Asia. Chong is leaving to pursue new career opportunities.
Commenting on the move, Bianchi said the region offered “amazing potential” for further growth, adding that Kohler’s entrepreneurial leadership and experience in developing retail networks across cultures would be key to capturing new opportunities. He also credited Chong with consolidating LVMH’s local footprint and reinforcing synergies to support long-term growth in South Asia.
The leadership change underscores LVMH’s renewed focus on Asia, where rising affluence and appetite for luxury continue to reshape the global growth map for high-end brands.
Brands
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
