Who’s In, Who’s Out: The C-Suite Shuffle Behind Indian Retail’s Next Big Moves

A dynamic season of leadership changes is sweeping across Indian retail, signaling new strategies, new faces, and bold new directions. Here’s a curated view of the who’s who making headlines in 2025

The Indian retail industry is undergoing a strategic leadership churn. As consumer behaviors shift, digital transformation accelerates, and market dynamics grow more competitive, retail companies are rethinking the leadership at their helm. Recent high-profile appointments and exits signal a clear intent—bringing in leaders who can navigate complexity, fuel innovation, and create deeper consumer resonance.

Here’s a round-up of some of the most significant leadership movements reshaping India’s retail and lifestyle ecosystem:

New Appointments & Transitions

1. Sumit Dhingra – Country Director, Bestseller India
   Joining Date:June 1, 2025
   Previous Role:SVP & GM – India, SEA, MEA at Crocs
   Sumit Dhingra takes over as Country Director at BESTSELLER India, succeeding Vineet Gautam. With over 20 years in retail across Arvind Fashions, Benetton, and Crocs, Dhingra brings deep omnichannel and brand expertise to lead the company’s next phase of growth.
2. Karthik Yathindra – CEO, Page Industries
   Joining Date:April 1, 2025
   Previous Role: Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Page Industries
   After nearly a decade across marketing, retail, supply chain, and transformation roles at Page, Yathindra was elevated to CEO. He will steer the Jockey and Speedo licensee into its next growth cycle.
3. Saibal Chandra Banerjee – CEO, Magson Retail
   Joining Date:May 2025
   Previous Role: Sr Vice President – Merchandising & CMO, Wellness Forever Medicare Limited.
   A seasoned professional with 26+ years in food and gourmet retail, Banerjee’s appointment aims to scale Magson’s premium food retail footprint.
4. Manish Kapoor – Managing Director, Marks & Spencer India
   Joining Date:April 15, 2025
   Previous Role:CEO & MD, Pepe Jeans London India
   Kapoor returns to mainstream fashion retail to lead M&S India’s premium positioning and physical-digital integration.
5. Shantanu Chakravartty – CEO, WHSmith India
   Promotion Date:June 01, 2025
   Previous Role:COO, WHSmith India
   A long-time member of the WHSmith India leadership team, Chakravartty steps into the top role to deepen the brand’s footprint in travel retail and urban formats.
6. Vishak Kumar – Deputy MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands
   Joining Date:May 01, 2025
   Previous Role:CEO, Madura Fashion & Lifestyle
   With this new title, Kumar will likely oversee lifestyle and fashion segments across ABFRL’s growing portfolio, including brand partnerships and new format innovations.
7. Ajoy Chawla – Incoming MD, Titan Company
   Appointment Effective:January 1, 2026
   Predecessor:C.K. Venkataraman (Retiring December 31, 2025)
   Currently CEO of Titan’s jewellery division, Chawla has been named successor to Venkataraman, bringing continuity and a strong design-retail lens to the role.
8. Jeyandran Venugopal – Speculated Incoming CEO, Reliance Retail Ventures
   Expected Announcement:2025 (Unconfirmed)
   Current Role:CTO, Flipkart (Past)
   Industry reports suggest that Venugopal may assume the CEO role at Reliance Retail Ventures, potentially strengthening its digital and tech-led strategy.
9. Anshul Asawa – CEO-Designate, Avenue Supermarts (DMart)
   Assuming Role:February 2026
   Predecessor:Neville Noronha (Stepped down January 13, 2025)
   Asawa, currently CFO, is set to succeed Noronha and steer DMart’s low-cost, high-efficiency retail model into its next era.
10. Sunil Kataria – MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet
    Joining Date:September 1, 2025
    Previous Role:CEO – Lifestyle Business, Raymond Group
    With deep experience in FMCG and retail, Kataria is set to bring consumer-centric leadership to Godrej’s agri-business.
11. Vibhor Jain – Acting CEO, ONDC
    Appointment Date:May 2025
    Previous Role:COO, ONDC
    Following a leadership transition, Jain steps in as acting CEO to keep India’s open digital commerce infrastructure on track for rapid adoption.
12. Bhuvanesh Mendiratta – Managing Director, Miraj Cinemas
    Joining Date: May 2025
    Previous Role: Chief Operating Officer, Miraj Cinemas
    Bhuvanesh Mendiratta has taken over as Managing Director of Miraj Cinemas, succeeding Amit Sharma, who stepped down after a 14-year tenure. With more than two decades of experience in entertainment and hospitality—and having served as COO at Miraj for over 10 years—Mendiratta now takes charge of driving the company’s overall strategy, daily operations, and long-term growth.

13. Recent Resignations & Sabbaticals

    Several seasoned leaders have stepped down recently, many choosing to take a sabbatical before their next move—indicating both a pause and a potential reshuffle in the months ahead.

    • Alok Dubey – Former CEO, R&B (Apparel Group)
    • Nidhi Raj – Former CEO, Flying Machine
    • Amisha Jain – Former MD, Levi Strauss & Co., South Asia, Middle East & Africa
    • Suparna Mitra – Former CEO, Titan Watches
    • Manshu Tandon – Former CEO & KMP, V2 Retail

    The Bigger Picture

    These leadership transitions underscore a broader trend in Indian retail: companies are doubling down on innovation, digital transformation, and customer intimacy. The new appointees aren’t just seasoned veterans—they are transformation architects with proven ability to scale brands, pivot formats, and build agile omnichannel ecosystems. As India’s retail ecosystem matures and moves toward a projected $2 trillion horizon, leadership agility becomes not just valuable—but vital. The C-suite reshuffle of 2025 reflects more than a change of guard; it signals a strategic pivot toward future-forward thinking. As these leaders take charge, the industry watches with anticipation: will they simply fill big shoes—or chart even bigger paths?