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.

Titan Company has announced the appointment of Ajoy Chawla as its new managing director, effective January 1, 2026. Chawla, currently the chief executive officer of Titan's jewellery division, will succeed C.K. Venkataraman, who will retire on December 31, 2025, after serving as managing director since October 2019.   Chawla, a Tata veteran who joined the group in 1990, has held various leadership roles within Titan, including positions in the watches division and as chief strategy officer. Since 2019, he has been at the helm of the jewellery division, overseeing significant growth and transformation.   The appointment is subject to the approval of Titan's shareholders. The company is expected to announce Chawla's successor for the jewellery division in the coming months.