Isha Ambani , the master behind Reliance Retail

 Under the direction of its Executive Director, Isha Ambani, the daughter of Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani, India’s largest retailer, Reliance Retail, has made a significant decision to streamline its operations by hiring seasoned Indian expatriates to help run its grocery chain and online fashion retail company, AJIO.

Isha Ambani’s Reliance Retail has reportedly recruited foreign workers with retail experience from South Asia, the US, and Europe in an effort to increase profitability and streamline operations, according to a report published in the Economic Times (ET). According to the story, which cited officials from Reliance Retail, the company has also assigned the expats the responsibility of teaching a group of young Indian business leaders in order to prepare them for senior leadership positions.

As per the report, at least five chief executives , who are in their late 50s and 60s, are likely to be moved to mentoring roles as advisors or retire over the next few years, and the company is looking for young leaders to fill these top spots.

“Some 20-30 professionals—some expats and some from within India—have recently joined as consultants to work on supply chain, finance, operations, category, inventory management and most importantly, margins,” the ET report quoted a Reliance Retail executive as saying.

Despite not having a formal retirement strategy in place, the report stated that Reliance Retail has also started a succession plan to replace its top executives, who are in their late 50s and 60s, with youthful leaders.

Managing Director of Reliance Retail Ventures, currently held by V Subramaniam; Chief Executive Officer of Grocery Retail, currently held by Damodar Mall; Brian Bade, CEO of the electronics retail business; and CEO of the lifestyle and fashion retail business, currently led by Akhilesh Prasad, are among the top positions in the company that could be replaced in the upcoming years, according to the ET report.

Vineeth Nair and Vipin Tyagi, the CEOs of AJIO and Reliance Trends, respectively, may also be replaced down the line, the report said.

“It is still not decided when these executives will move to a mentoring role but like every big organisation, a succession planning has recently started. They themselves are grooming the successors along with the expat coaches,” the report quoted an executive as saying.

The largest retailer in India, Reliance Retail, is owned by Isha Ambani, the daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani. It is a partner brand of major international labels including Versace, Amiri, Armani, and Balenciaga, introducing reputable international brands to the Indian market. With an estimated valuation of approximately Rs 8.3 lakh crores, Reliance Retail has experienced rapid expansion under Isha’s direction, adding 3,300 shops nationwide in 2023.