Forest Essentials has appointed Nupur Sarda as its new Head of Retail Marketing, marking a significant addition to the brand’s leadership team. Sarda steps into the role after an impactful eight-year career at VAHDAM India, where she played a pivotal part in shaping the brand’s global identity.   At VAHDAM India, Sarda led Global PR, Influencer Marketing, and Social Media, helping position the company as one of India’s most celebrated homegrown global brands. Her contributions extended beyond marketing leadership — she was also the first angel investor in VAHDAM, supporting the brand during its formative years. Reflecting on her journey, she described the company as “disruptive, global, and formative,” and thanked Founder Bala Sarda for his mentorship and trust.   In her announcement on LinkedIn, Sarda expressed deep excitement about joining Forest Essentials, a brand she noted she has “long admired and been a loyal consumer of.” She extended special appreciation to Karishma Manga Bedi and Ira Kukrety for entrusting her with the retail marketing charter.   Sarda brings over a decade of experience across marketing and communications, with a portfolio spanning public relations, social media, influencer campaigns, and content strategy, having previously worked with brands including nearbuy and ICICI Bank.   Her appointment signals a promising new chapter at Forest Essentials as she aims to strengthen the brand’s retail experience, storytelling, and customer engagement across India.

Myntra’s former Chief Business Officer (CBO), Sharon Pais, has been appointed as the Business Unit Head for Flipkart Fashion, effective immediately. She succeeds Kunal Gupta, who now heads Flipkart’s quick-commerce arm, Minutes.   Pais has extensive experience in e-commerce, having spent nearly eight years at Flipkart across sales, category marketing, and loyalty divisions before joining Myntra as CBO in 2021. In her new role, she will lead Flipkart’s fashion business unit, driving growth and innovation while reporting to Nandita Sinha, CEO of Myntra and Head of Flipkart Fashion.   This leadership change reflects Flipkart’s continued focus on strengthening its fashion vertical and leveraging industry expertise to deliver enhanced customer experiences.

Arvind Ltd., one of India’s leading conglomerates with a strong presence across textiles, apparel, advanced materials, and engineering, has announced the appointment of Sunitha Lal as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).   With over 25 years of experience in building purpose-driven and people-centric workplaces, Sunitha will collaborate closely with business leaders across Arvind Ltd. to enhance organisational effectiveness, strengthen talent development and retention, and further embed employee experience at the heart of the company’s people practices.   Welcoming her to the leadership team, Punit Lalbhai, Vice Chairman, Arvind Ltd., said, “We are delighted to welcome Sunitha to Arvind Ltd. Her deep understanding of culture, leadership development, and organisational transformation will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and grow. Her people-first approach aligns perfectly with our values and aspirations.”   Prior to joining Arvind Ltd., Sunitha served as the CHRO at Ather Energy for eight years, where she played a key role in culture building, leadership development, and organisational growth. Her previous experience also includes leadership roles at Matrimony.com, AIG Systems, and Mphasis.   Sunitha’s appointment marks an important step in Arvind’s ongoing journey to nurture a high-performing, inclusive, and future-ready workplace where both people and ideas thrive.

Benetton Group has announced the appointment of Nikhil Upadhye as its new Managing Director for India, effective 16th October 2025. He succeeds Ramprasad Sridharan, who is leaving Benetton India to pursue a new professional opportunity.   Nikhil Upadhye returns to Benetton India after previously serving as the Commercial Director until February 2025. He first joined the company in 2017 and brings over 20 years of experience across the sports, footwear, and fashion industries, having worked with leading brands including Idea Cellular, Reebok, Tata Wolverine, Welspun UK, and Jio. A Sloan Fellow from London Business School and an alumnus of IMT Ghaziabad, Nikhil is expected to lead Benetton India into its next phase of growth.   Benetton India expressed its gratitude to outgoing MD Ramprasad Sridharan for his leadership post-COVID-19, which helped consolidate the brand’s position in the market through a multi-channel strategy, effective product offerings, and enhanced communication initiatives.   “India remains a key market for Benetton, where we have been present since 1992. We look forward to ushering in a new era of growth under Nikhil’s leadership,” the company stated.

Pepe Jeans London, one of India’s leading denim and lifestyle brands, has announced the appointment of Rakesh Jallipally as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 24, 2025.   Bringing over 18 years of leadership experience across fashion, retail, and consumer tech sectors, Rakesh steps into the role with a proven track record of driving high-growth businesses, executing transformative brand strategies, and navigating the evolving Indian consumer landscape.   Prior to joining Pepe Jeans, Rakesh served as Vice President at Flipkart, where he led the launch and expansion of Spoyl, a youth-focused fashion platform, and managed the men’s fashion portfolio. His tenure at Reliance Retail included the launch of AZORTE, further establishing his influence in India’s fashion retail ecosystem.   He also spent nearly a decade at Arvind Fashions Ltd., where he held senior leadership positions including CEO and COO, playing a key role in scaling brands like USPA and Flying Machine. His retail journey began at Raymond Ltd., overseeing operations in South India.   Rakesh holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Lucknow, with specializations in Marketing and Strategy.   Commenting on his new role, Rakesh said: “I’m really thrilled to be joining Pepe Jeans, a brand that has continually redefined denim and casual wear for millions of Indian consumers. I can’t wait to collaborate with the talented team here to enhance the brand’s presence, broaden our market reach, and connect more deeply with our diverse customer base. Together, we’re looking to build on Pepe Jeans’ iconic legacy and unlock the next phase of growth for our business in India.”   With Rakesh Jallipally at the helm, Pepe Jeans London is poised to strengthen its presence in India by deepening consumer engagement, expanding its retail footprint, and accelerating digital innovation.

Bata India has announced the appointment of Abhinav Sharan as its new Vice President and Head of Retail Operations. In his new role, Sharan will spearhead the brand's retail strategy and operations across India, further strengthening Bata’s market position in the country’s evolving footwear retail landscape.   Prior to this elevation, Sharan served as Assistant Vice President – Head of Franchise Business and Retail Centre of Excellence at Bata India, playing a key role in streamlining retail excellence and expanding the brand’s franchise network.   With over 18 years of rich experience, Abhinav Sharan brings with him deep expertise in retail operations, franchise business, exclusive brand outlet (EBO) management, trade marketing, visual merchandising, and category marketing. His extensive career spans renowned organisations such as Panasonic India, Pernod Ricard, Nokia India, and LG Electronics India.   His appointment is expected to bolster Bata India's commitment to driving customer-centric retail innovations and expanding its footprint through a strong omnichannel and franchise-driven strategy.

adidas has announced the appointment of Vijay Chauhan as the new General Manager of adidas India, effective August 1, 2025. In his new role, Chauhan will lead adidas' business operations in India and will be based out of the company’s Gurugram office.   Chauhan succeeds Neelendra Singh, who will step down after an impactful tenure spanning over two decades with the adidas brand. Under Singh’s leadership, adidas India achieved significant milestones, particularly in elevating cricket as a high-impact category for the brand. His efforts in redefining India’s cricket jersey culture not only strengthened brand affinity but also contributed to strong commercial growth for adidas in the country.   Vijay Chauhan brings with him more than 25 years of global experience across the sporting goods and fashion lifestyle sectors. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President - International at American Eagle Outfitters in New York. Notably, Chauhan has previously been part of the adidas family, having joined the company in 1999. During his earlier tenure, he held several leadership positions including Vice President of Retail/Franchise for SEAPAC and General Manager for adidas Thailand.   Commenting on the leadership transition, Dave Thomas, Managing Director, adidas Emerging Markets, said, “We’re grateful to Neel for his strong leadership of the India business over the past six years, during which he significantly strengthened adidas’ brand presence, accelerated business growth, and deepened our connection with consumers across India. We also look forward to welcoming Vijay back to the three stripes. With his strong commercial acumen and growth mindset, I’m confident he will continue to drive the adidas brand and business forward in India.”   To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Singh will continue to serve in his role until August 2025.

L'Oréal has announced the elevation of Saksham Sharma to the position of Head of Media for its Luxe and Dermatological Beauty Divisions in India. In his expanded role, Sharma will oversee media strategy and execution for some of the company’s most prestigious brands, building on his extensive digital marketing expertise.   Prior to this role, Sharma served as Senior Manager - Digital Marketing for L'Oréal’s Professional Products Division, where he played a critical role in enhancing the brand’s digital footprint. He has been with the company for approximately three years, contributing to its digital growth and brand impact.   Before joining L'Oréal, Sharma gained valuable experience at leading organizations, including Philip Morris International, Philips, and Videocon, where he developed a strong foundation in digital and brand management.   Sharma confirmed his new role through a recent LinkedIn update, expressing his commitment to further strengthening L'Oréal’s presence in the Luxe and Dermatological Beauty segments.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) has appointed Vishak Kumar as the Chief Executive Officer of Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands.   Kumar, a seasoned leader within the Aditya Birla Group, brings extensive experience in retail and brand management to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as the CEO of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, a key division of ABFRL known for leading menswear brands like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England.   Kumar's journey with the Aditya Birla Group began in 1995 as a management trainee, and over the years, he has held various leadership positions in sales, marketing, and retail. His tenure at ABFRL has been marked by strategic brand growth, operational excellence, and a focus on expanding the reach of Madura's brands across India.   He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, reflecting a strong foundation in both technology and business management.