Being of service means different things to different people.  It could be as simple as holding a door open for someone or as profound as dedicating one’s fortune to uplift an entire community. But what happens when this spirit of service merges with visionary business acumen? It transforms individual acts into an organised enterprise that not only delights its customers but also empowers its employees.

This is precisely what unfolded in 1991 when B S Nagesh envisioned creating a retail company that would stand as a beacon of business excellence and service to humanity. His vision gave birth to Shoppers Stop—a brand that would go on to set benchmarks not just in retail, but in how businesses could truly serve society.

From day one, B S Nagesh set ambitious goals for the company, driven by the belief that business should impact lives meaningfully. Over time, an extraordinary team of passionate individuals joined him, amplifying these goals and turning Shoppers Stop into a household name. It became synonymous with an experience—a unique blend of exceptional service, a welcoming environment, and a commitment to making every customer feel valued. Co- authored by Ritu D Ferrao, SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way—captures the essence of this iconic brand’s journey while reflecting the remarkable growth of India’s retail industry.

SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way, published by Crossword was launched at Crossword’s flagship store in Kemps Corner, Mumbai. With over 200 titles published by Crossword, the brand continues its mission to highlight impactful stories and thought leadership. The first ever book of BS Nagesh, is a fitting addition to their growing collection.

In the presence of an enthusiastic audience, including industry stalwarts and thought leaders like the CEO of Crossword Book Store, Aakash Gupta, Kishore Biyani Founder, Future Group, Neel Raheja, President of K Raheja Corp, Kavindra Mishra, MD, Shoppers Stop and Harsh Mariwala, Founder and Chairman of Marico. B S Nagesh in conversation  with Co-founder and Director, Founding Fuel Publishing Pvt Ltd, Indrajit Gupta. They discussed a few key nuggets of the book and the evolution of modern retail in India.

Proud to celebrate the launch of SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way, Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword, shared, “B S Nagesh is not just a pioneer of modern retail in India but also the visionary behind a transformative retail culture. We are privileged to publish his debut book, which aligns perfectly with our mission to highlight impactful stories and    promote thought leadership. This project honours his remarkable legacy and serves as a source of inspiration for the next generation of changemakers.”

B S Nagesh stated, “SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way, is a story of how dreaming the impossible is good. What’s better is taking people along with you and making this seemingly impossible dream come to life. And in the process, changing lives and industries for the better.”

Ritu D Ferrao said, “While SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way is a tale about how modern retail got introduced in India, it is also about how being kind, empathetic and compassionate towards  people can build a successful business.”

With a portfolio of over 200 published titles, Crossword is proud to announce   that SERVE Business from the Heart—the SHOPPERS STOP way is now available at Crossword stores, its website www.crossword.in ,  and other online platforms like Amazon and Shoppers Stop.