Nykaa, a leading fashion eCommerce platform, has announced the appointment of Abhijeet Dabas as Executive Vice President and Business Head - Fashion eCommerce. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Abhijeet brings extensive experience from his strategic roles at McKinsey & Company and leadership positions at prominent tech and e-commerce firms, including Cars24, Swiggy, Myntra, and Lazada.   In his new role, Abhijeet will lead Nykaa Fashion’s online growth strategy, drive global expansion, and build strategic partnerships, including current alliances with major international retailers such as Foot Locker and REVOLVE. His expertise is expected to further Nykaa’s ambition of strengthening its position in the fashion e-commerce sector.

Sports company PUMA has appointed Indrajeet Sen (38) as Senior Vice President PUMA Group Sourcing, taking over the operational responsibilities of the Chief Sourcing Officer role. PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer Anne-Laure Descours has decided not to extend her board contract and will support the company as an external advisor in the field of sustainability.   In his new position, Indy will oversee the global sourcing and development of footwear, apparel, and accessories, as well as operations and sustainability, reporting directly to PUMA Chief Product Officer Maria Valdes. He will be based in Xiamen, China. Indy has been with PUMA since 2016, most recently working as Vice President of Sourcing and Development Footwear. Before joining PUMA, he worked as Global Quality Manager for German footwear retailer Deichmann.   “Indy has been instrumental to our success in Footwear,” said Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA. “He has excelled in various key roles such as adeptly managing the challenges of the COVID pandemic, diversifying our supply chain, and driving exceptional operational efficiency. Indy’s forward-thinking approach, people-first mindset, and relentless dedication of continuously challenging the status quo make him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of growth. I would like to thank Anne-Laure for her outstanding contributions she has made to PUMA’s business over the past years, especially when it comes to successfully establishing and executing PUMA’s sustainability strategy, which earned PUMA international recognition and awards in this space. I look forward to continuing to work with her as our external advisor in the field of sustainability.”   Anne-Laure Descours has decided after more than 12 years with PUMA that she will not extend her services as a Board Member of PUMA SE. After more than 35 years in the industry, she intends to dedicate more time to her personal interests and continue her professional focus in the fields of sustainability. In this capacity, she will continue to support PUMA as external advisor and sustainability consultant to ensure continuity and a seamless transition.   With Anne-Laure’s departure at the end of 2024, the number of members of the management board will be reduced from four to three. The board will consist of Arne Freundt, CEO, Hubert Hinterseher, Chief Financial Officer and Maria Valdes, Chief Product Officer. 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announced the appointment of Akhil Shrivastava as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2024. He succeeds Tracey T. Travis, who will retire on June 30, 2025.   Shrivastava, with over 25 years of financial and leadership experience, joined ELC in 2015 and has held several senior roles, most recently as Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller. He previously spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble. Shrivastava holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Control from Delhi University and is a graduate of Engineering College in Rewa, India.   In his new role, Shrivastava will oversee Global Finance, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, and New Business Development.

26-06-2024: Sports company PUMA has appointed Erik Janshen (46) to lead its worldwide Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business, which includes PUMA’s owned and operated stores, the website puma.com and several online marketplaces.   Erik, a German national, has more than 10 years of experience in leadership positions in digital sales and the DTC business, most recently as the SVP of Digital Sales for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein at PVH Corp.   Improving the quality of its distribution is one of PUMA’s strategic priorities and seamlessly connecting consumers with the company’s products and initiatives both online and offline is an important aspect of this.   “We are incredibly fortunate to have Erik join the PUMAFamily, and I am confident that his leadership will drive us towards our ambitious goals to elevate our DTC consumer experience to drive further brand heat,” said PUMA CEO Arne Freundt. “His innovative approach and passion for consumer-centric strategies will undoubtedly be an asset for our DTC business.”   Erik replaces Karthik Balagopalan, who was appointed as Managing Director of PUMA India last year and has been leading PUMA’s DTC business on an interim basis since then.

Deepika Deepti has been appointed as the Head of Marketing at Bata India, bringing over two decades of invaluable experience in the footwear industry. With a proven track record of success in marketing and business roles at leading footwear brands, Deepti is known for her innovative strategies and keen understanding of consumer behavior.   Prior to joining Bata India, Deepti held the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing at Metro Brands, where she played a pivotal role in driving brand growth and market expansion. Her contributions to introducing sneaker culture in India through her roles at adidas and CAMP SMA have been widely recognized.   In her new role at Bata India, Deepti is poised to lead the marketing efforts of the iconic brand known for its trust and quality. She is eager to leverage her expertise to bring unique experiences to Bata’s extensive portfolio of brands and further strengthen the company's position in the market.   With a focus on innovation and adapting to evolving consumer preferences, Deepti's appointment underscores Bata India's commitment to driving growth and building strong brand equity. Her visionary leadership and strategic insights are expected to propel the brand towards new heights of success in the dynamic footwear industry.

FSN E-Commerce Ventures, popularly known as Nykaa, has announced the appointment of Santosh Desai as an independent director on its Board, effective July 15, 2024, for a term of three years, subject to shareholder approval.   Santosh Desai brings a rich background in brand strategy and advertising, having served as the CEO of Future Brands for nearly 17 years. His extensive experience includes a significant tenure as the president of McCann, where he spent over two decades building key brands for various local and multinational organizations.   In addition to his new role at Nykaa, Desai serves on the boards of Think9 Consumer Technologies, Dainik Jagran Group, and Breakthrough. He is also a member of the Governing Councils of Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad, and Praxis Business School, Kolkata. His past board memberships include ING Vysya Bank and OXFAM India, highlighting his vast expertise and leadership in the industry.   Nykaa’s leadership believes that Desai’s strategic insight and deep understanding of the relationship between culture and brands will be invaluable. His appointment is expected to provide significant guidance in strengthening Nykaa’s brand equity and supporting the company’s vision for sustained global success.

L’Oreal India announces the appointment of Raagjeet Garg as Director – consumer products division (CPD). He will take over from Pankaj Sharma, who has been elevated to Managing Director- consumer products division, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand.   In his new role, Raagjeet will be responsible for the accelerated growth of L’Oreal India CPD which houses L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, and NYX Professional Makeup. He will lead the company’s initiatives on market growth strategies such as developing innovative product offerings, ensuring effective marketing and distribution, delivering on both valorisation and democratisation missions.   Raagjeet has over twenty years of experience in personal care and beauty. He joined L’Oreal in May 2009, and successfully launched Garnier Men in India. Subsequently, went on to lead L’Oreal Paris in India where he developed the Ecommerce business for the brand, ensuring a double-digit growth through his tenure. Raagjeet had a stint with L’Oreal Australia in 2019 as the L’Oreal Paris general manager and then moved to L’Oreal Vietnam as the business head - consumer products division.

Aditya Birla Textiles at Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of USD 60 billion Aditya Birla Group, has welcomed Chandra Bhattacharjee as the new Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO).     With over 32 years of industry experience, Bhattacharjee has been with Aditya Birla Group since 2004 serving the company in various roles and responsibilities.   “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Human Resources Officer, Aditya Birla Textiles at GRASIM INDUSTRIES LIMITED ( ADITYA BIRLA GROUP)!,” Bhattacharjee posted on Linkedin.   She has been serving Aditya Birla Textiles as CHRO since August 2023. Besides Aditya Birla Group, she also worked with the National Stock Exchange, DGP Windsor, Silverline Industries, and Larsen & Toubro.   In her previous role at Aditya Birla Group, Bhattacharjee held the CHRO role for the domestic chemicals, insulator, overseas chemicals, and fertilizer businesses of the Aditya Birla Group.

Ace Turtle, a leading technology-native retail company in India, has announced the appointment of Pradeep Mukim as its Chief Commercial Officer. In his new role, Pradeep will spearhead the sourcing function and outlet business, while also driving strategic initiatives for Ace Turtle.   Bringing over thirty-three years of experience and expertise in the Indian fashion and apparel industry, Pradeep Mukim has a stellar track record in building and managing high-performing sales teams, developing successful sales strategies, and establishing strategic partnerships. His most recent role was Co-founder & CEO at Onip Lifestyle, a startup focused on school uniforms. Pradeep has held significant leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Reid & Taylor India, Head of International Business Development at Reliance Brands, and Senior Vice President at VF Corporation.   Nitin Chhabra, CEO of Ace Turtle, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, "We are excited to welcome Pradeep to the Ace Turtle leadership team. As a rapidly growing company with ambitious expansion plans for our brands, having Pradeep, a fashion industry veteran and former entrepreneur aboard, is invaluable. His extensive experience, strategic vision, and passion for building customer-centric businesses will be critical as we continue to leverage technology to launch new brands and scale the business of existing brands.”   Pradeep Mukim, the newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Ace Turtle, shared his excitement, stating, “I am deeply impressed by Ace Turtle’s innovative and technology-driven approach to scaling the business of global fashion and lifestyle brands in India. I am excited to partner with the talented team here to accelerate the company’s growth and unlock new avenues for success.”   Since 2023, Ace Turtle has significantly expanded its leadership team to facilitate rapid and sustainable growth while continuing to broaden its licensed brands portfolio. The company serves as the exclusive licensee for iconic global denim brands Lee and Wrangler. Additionally, it holds licensing rights for the renowned American toy retail chain Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us and the California-based casual wear brand Dockers in India and other South Asian markets.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced today that Gary Smith has been appointed chief executive officer, effective November 27, 2023.   Smith will replace Dean Williams who has served as acting CEO since August. Williams will continue in his role as chief financial officer and assist with the transition. Smith will be responsible for The LYCRA Company’s global organization and will report to the company’s board of directors.   Smith is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, with a focus on brand-driven commercial strategy, operational transformation and global expansion. Most recently, Smith held the position of CEO at Hatteras Yachts, Inc., a custom motor and sports fishing yacht company, leading a successful turnaround and subsequent sale of the company. As CEO of Polartec, he spearheaded transformation efforts that set the textile company on a path to success. He also previously served as president of the Outdoor Group at The Timberland Company.   “Gary is a proven CEO with deep brand experience and knowledge of our industry, along with a long history of successfully growing companies and creating shareholder value,” said Craig Rogerson, Executive Chairman of The LYCRA Company. “We are confident that his leadership will help us accelerate our long-term growth plans.”   “I am excited to join The LYCRA Company with its portfolio of world-class brands, pre-eminent market position, and history of innovation,” said Smith. “I look forward to leading this incredible organization and working collaboratively to build upon its foundational success."

Soch Apparels, India's largest evening-occasion women's ethnic wear brand, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deepak Mahnot as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In his new role, Deepak will lead various strategic areas, including Brand Marketing, CRM, Visual Merchandising, PR, and Customer Experience, with the goal of firmly establishing Soch as a leader in the women's ethnic wear segment in India.   Deepak Mahnot is a seasoned marketing veteran with over two decades of experience, boasting an impressive track record in elevating brands across diverse industries. He is renowned for bringing path-breaking campaigns to life, some of which have received prestigious awards, including Cannes and Effie. Deepak is known for his proficiency in leveraging data analytics and insights to drive complex transformative projects and initiatives. Prior to joining Soch, he served as the Marketing Director for Vision Express India Operations for over four years. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions at prominent organizations such as Reliance Infocomm, The Mobile Store, VLCC, and Babyshop (Landmark Group, Dubai).   "I am excited to be joining Soch at such a crucial period, as the brand prepares for the next phase of exponential growth. Soch has built a fantastic legacy and is among the most beloved brands, consistently evolving with the women of India today. I look forward to helping Soch take the next step forward," shared Deepak.   Vinay Chatlani, Managing Director and CEO of Soch, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Deepak is a passionate marketer with diverse industry experience across various retail sectors. He brings a keen understanding of how to strategically activate and drive business. We welcome Deepak to the Soch family, and he will play a critical role in shaping the next chapter of Soch."   With over 160 stores in more than 60 cities across India, Soch continues to evolve and expand its presence in the ethnic wear market, as it has successfully done for the past 17 years. Deepak's leadership is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and transformative strategies to implement initiatives that will drive the growth that Soch aims to achieve in the coming years.

US-based fashion and lifestyle retailer JCPenney India has announced Kaushik Das as its new Managing Director. Das will be based in JCPenny’s Bengaluru office and lead innovation at the business with a focus on AI.   “We’re thrilled to welcome Kaushik as the new managing director of JCPenney India,” said JCPenney’s CIO Sharmeelee Bala. “We’re confident that he’ll lead the organisation with his vision and heart, and look forward to Kaushik leading our Bengaluru centre.” Das has over 22 years of experience working across the world in operations, strategy, and business transformation in both retail and finance. “With AI changing the retail landscape, I’m looking forward to leading our teams and driving our global transformation strategy,” said Das.    Before joining JCPenney, Das worked for Giant Eagle as its global senior director of operations and analytics, the Economic Times reported. The executive has also worked for Target and Kabbage Inc.  JCPenney is an American retail company which was first founded in 1902 by James Cash Penney, according to the business’ website. JCPenney markets apparel, home furnishings, jewellery, cosmetics, and cookware among other lifestyle goods. The business launched its office in Bengaluru in 2016 and has expanded its presence in the metro to count over 700 employees today.

CaratLane has announced the appointment of Avnish Anand, currently Chief Operating Officer of CaratLane, as its new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Avnish, an alumnus of ISI Kolkata and IIM Lucknow, was an integral part of the founding team.   Commenting on the announcement, C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan, said: “We are delighted to appoint Avnish as CaratLane’s new Chief Executive Officer. Avnish comes with exceptional strategic and people leadership capabilities and has been instrumental in making CaratLane the true omni channel brand. As CaratLane and CaratLaners look to the future with great excitement and confidence, I am sure Avnish will provide the right leadership that will enable the creation of the highest standards of excellence in everything we do and reach for the stars through those standards.”   Avnish Anand on his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of CaratLane said: "Being a part of the founding team here at CaratLane, I’ve seen the brand’s evolution up close and it’s been such a remarkable journey. Mithun has been a pillar of support and a sounding board for all my ideas these past years, so of course it’s sad to see him go. But I’m really excited for this new chapter as we have a great opportunity to build a bigger and more remarkable business in front of us. It’s definitely a moment of pride for all of us and we look forward to working more closely with the Titan leadership on this exciting journey."

Shoppers Stop has announced the promotion of Kavindra Mishra, Chief Commercial Officer and CEO Homestop, as its Executive Director & CEO, subsequent to the resignation of its Managing Director & CEO, Venu Nair.   Kavindra Mishra has been promoted as Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer - Based on the recommendation of the nomination, remuneration and corporate governance Committee, the Board of directors of the company (“the Board”), at its Meeting held today, i.e. on August 24, 2023, approved the promotion and appointment of Kavindra Mishra as an additional director of the company w.e.f. September 1, 2023. He has also been appointed as an executive director & chief executive officer of the company for a period of 3 years effective September 1, 2023, subject to approval of shareholders of the Company.   Before joining Shoppers Stop as chief commercial officer and CEO of Homestop, Kavindra Mishra (Kavi) was working as the managing director and CEO of House of Anita Dongre, which has brands like AND, Anita Dongre and Global Desi.   Prior to that Kavi served as the managing director at Pepe Jeans India for a period of 6 years and managed the transition of company from a JV to a 100% subsidiary of Pepe Jeans Global. Kavi was instrumental in making Pepe Jeans as an aspirational and profitable denim brand.    

In a significant stride towards innovation and strategic growth, ace turtle, India's pioneering technology-native retail company, proudly introduces Shivcharan P as its Chief Business Officer, Fashion. With an illustrious career spanning over 17 years across diverse industries, Shivcharan brings a wealth of experience, strategic acumen, and a visionary mindset to lead the charge in propelling ace turtle's fashion portfolio to unprecedented heights.   Shivcharan's dynamic expertise in leadership roles within FMCG, online food delivery, and consumer internet sectors uniquely positions him to steer ace turtle's fashion strategy into new territories. His profound insights and proven track record in shaping successful business operations complement ace turtle's vision of revolutionizing the retail landscape through innovative technology-driven approaches.   As a seasoned professional with a history of strategic innovation, Shivcharan's appointment heralds an exciting chapter in ace turtle's journey. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for delivering top-tier consumer experiences, Shivcharan P is poised to lead the strategic vision for prestigious brands such as Lee, Wrangler, and the soon-to-be-launched Dockers in India. His leadership promises to be a driving force behind ace turtle's pursuit of scaling new heights, fostering innovation, and enhancing the overall shopping journey for consumers across the nation.

Sneha Mahant Mehta is an accomplished marketing professional with over 15 years of diverse experience in the field of Marketing & Sales. She has recently been appointed as the Head of Marketing for Apparel Group India's portfolio, which includes renowned brands such as Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Charles & Keith, Aldo, and many more.   Prior to her current role, Sneha made significant contributions to the advertising industry during her tenure as the Advertising Director at Vogue, where she served for approximately 3 years. Her expertise and strategic insights played a vital role in driving brand growth and establishing Vogue as a leading fashion publication.   Throughout her career, Sneha has showcased her versatility by working with esteemed organizations such as GQ India, Gulf News, Ocean Blue Boating, and Aditya Birla Fashion & Lifestyle. Her experience across various sectors and industries has provided her with a deep understanding of marketing dynamics and consumer behavior.   Sneha's innovative thinking, keen market insights, and ability to develop and execute effective marketing strategies have consistently delivered outstanding results. Her strong leadership skills and collaborative approach make her well-suited to lead the marketing efforts for Apparel Group India's prestigious portfolio of brands.   With her wealth of experience and a proven track record in driving brand success, Sneha Mahant Mehta is poised to make a significant impact on the marketing initiatives for Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Charles & Keith, Aldo, and other renowned brands within the group.

Karthik has been with PUMA since 2006. Prior to leading PUMA’s global DTC business, he held management positions in the Retail operations and Business Development at PUMA India. His local knowledge, relevant experience in the direct-to-consumer business across all channels combined with exposure to global business and headquarter functions makes him the ideal candidate for managing the important Indian market. Karthik will report into PUMA CEO Arne Freundt and will be based in Bangalore, India.   Karthik replaces Abhishek Ganguly, who worked for PUMA’s Indian business for 17 years and has been the Managing Director of PUMA India since 2014. Abhishek leaves PUMA to pursue a career as an entrepreneur in his own venture.

E-commerce major Nykaa has appointed Rajesh Uppalapati as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Rajesh Uppalapati, who has been named as the new CTO, is an experienced industry hand with 20 years in Amazon, where he performed different roles and in different geographies. More recently, he was with Intuit, where he delivered large-scale performance critical technology projects as well as led large teams.

Lalit Kumar Gupta has been approved as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).   CCI is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Textile. An order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has been issued, stating that Gupta will assume the role of CMD of CCI with immediate effect, for a period of five years or until his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever comes first.   Gupta was suggested by the PESB panel for the position of CMD of CCI, and he currently holds the position of Director (Finnane) within the same organisation.   Gupta has earned his MBA in Marketing from the ITM Business School located in Navi Mumbai, and he is a Chartered Accountant (CA) certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He is also a member of the Institute of the Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). With significant experience in the Finance and related sectors, Gupta has a lengthy connection with the Cotton Corporation spanning approximately 25 years. He became a part of CCI in August 1994.

Spencer's Retail has appointed Anuj Singh as its new CEO and Managing Director. Singh was made an additional Director of the RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group company on March 22. Singh will act as CEO and managing director for a period of three years.    He has extensive corporate experience in the food services and beverages industries and has worked for businesses including Nestle and Walmart India among others. He has held leadership positions in organisations in India, Europe, and West Asia for over 20 years. Spencer’s Retail is part of the RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group. The business retails a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, personal care goods, and lifestyle products. 

Global investment form Carlyle-controlled beauty and skincare brand, VLCC has appointed Vikas Gupta as CEO.   Gupta was previously the CEO of SuperStore, Naykaa’s eB2B business, and has worked with Walmart-owned Flipkart as Chief Customer and Marketing Officer. He started his career with FMCG major and HUL where he spent 21 years in various roles. Gupta has been appointed with immediate effect, after Carlyle announced in December 2022 that it would acquire a majority stake in VLCC.  

Saxena Pankaj has joined as a Chief Operation Officer (COO)- Domestic Home Textile with Trident Group He is a dynamic professional with over 23 years of rich experience in textiles- suiting and shirting fabrics, home textiles and apparels, retail with strong exposure in B2B and B2C sales.   He has an extensive background with in business management, including strategic planning. He is an expert in business, product and merchandising planning. His experience profiles in manufacturing, advertising and promotions, wholesale and retail channels both offline and online.         

Nisha Srivastava, a Member of the National Core Committee of the World Designing Forum and a Well-Known Fashion Designer, Takes Charge as National Head of the World Designing Forum in United States of America to Promote Indian Handmade Fabric in USA Culture.   In a landmark appointment, Nisha Srivastava, a prominent fashion designer and a member of the National Core Committee of the World Designing Forum, has been appointed as the National Head of the WDF venture in United States of America to promote Indian handmade fabric in American culture. The appointment was announced by the core committee of the World Designing Forum and it is expected to strengthen the cultural ties between India and the United States while promoting the rich heritage of Indian textiles in the American market.   As the National Head for the United States of America, Nisha Srivastava will be responsible for spearheading initiatives to promote Indian handmade fabric, such as handloom textiles, traditional weaves, and artisanal crafts, in the American fashion industry and consumer market. She will work closely with the US fashion industry stakeholders, government officials, and local communities to raise awareness about the unique beauty and craftsmanship of Indian textiles and encourage their integration into mainstream American fashion and lifestyle.   Nisha Srivastava brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. As a renowned fashion designer, she has been associated with the Indian fashion industry for over two decades and has been a vocal advocate for sustainable fashion and the preservation of traditional crafts.