MAM
Sony India increases Vaio’s marketing budget by Rs 400 mn
MUMBAI: Electronics major Sony India has earmarked a marketing budget of Rs 900 million for the fiscal to push its new line of Vaio laptops. In the previous fiscal the company spent Rs 500 million for the laptop range.
While conceding that there is an overall economic slowdown, Sony India MD Masaru Tamagawa said that there is a lot of potential for growth in the laptop segment as the market penetration is limited. “We aim to sell 650,000 units this fiscal. We sold 500,000 units in the previous fiscal. We have launched a new campaign ‘Spark a Trend‘ featuring our brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor. This campaign runs from June-August 2012.”
He added that Sony Vaio has the strongest brand recall among laptop brands on the basis of top of the mind, spontaneous and aided recall. The contribution of Vaio to Sony India‘s sales will grow from 20 per cent to 25 per cent this fiscal. “We will offer free onsite services. Through the ‘Spark a Trend‘ campaign we aim to create a new trend in the laptop industry. About 50 per cent of our spends will be on above the line,” added Tamagawa.
On her role as the brand ambassador and the new campaign, Kapoor said that before a campaign is finalised she sits with the company to discuss what will work. “The focus of this campaign is on accenting the edge. The previous campaign had focussed on the different colours. Sony is my most prestigious brand. It is iconic in terms of the way that they shoot their ads. It is more a part of me than my films. I have been associated with Sony for four years and I appreciate the fact that they have been loyal towards me,” she said.
Sony India will also increase the distribution network for by 500 more outlets from 4000 at present. The company will also open 15 exclusive Vaio flagship stores this fiscal.
Among the products launched is Vaio E14A which comes with a new wrap design with a colour accent around the laptop‘s edge, touchpad and keyboard. This targets the fashion conscious.
Vaio T is the company‘s first ultrabook. This connects to devices like desk monitors, projectors and ethernet. The Vaio E series targets young students and professionals. There are three screen sizes and three colours to choose from.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
