WHSmith India, the retail arm of the iconic British travel brand, has officially appointed Shantanu Chakravartty as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant chapter in the company’s growth story.
Chakravartty isn’t new to WHSmith India—in fact, he’s been a driving force behind the brand’s transformation over the past seven years. From navigating the chaos of the pandemic to shaping the brand’s presence in India’s busiest transport hubs, his steady leadership has already left a lasting mark.
At the height of the COVID-19 crisis, when travel came to a grinding halt for the first time in a century, Chakravartty led WHSmith India through its most challenging period—safeguarding over 20,000 jobs and maintaining operations across major Indian airports. “I’ve always believed that disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger, that’s why we created the Airport Services Association of India, which helped the industry survive in 2020 and 2021,” said Chakravartty. “With WHSmith, my vision is to grow our store footprint by 5x and create an ecosystem where both business and people thrive. We are currently operating 40 stores in India at various metro stations, airports and university campuses. What motivates me most is knowing that every store we open means more livelihoods, more opportunities.”
Known for his hands-on approach, Chakravartty is often found on the shop floor—mentoring staff, gathering feedback, and championing a people-first culture that puts both customers and employees at the heart of the retail experience.
Under his leadership, WHSmith India isn’t just looking to scale—it’s looking to redefine what travel retail means for the modern Indian consumer. “Retail is not just a business. It’s a platform for people to grow their careers and transform their lives,” he added. “WHSmith stores are no longer just transit points. Our focus is on convenience, consistency, and customer delight. From book lovers to business flyers, from families to solo explorers, we are constantly reinventing our offerings to match their expectations and capture their attention in a short dwell time.”
With 40 stores already in operation across metro stations, airports, and university campuses, WHSmith India now aims to triple its revenue in the next four years and grow in tandem with the country’s fast-evolving airport infrastructure. “We are entering a phase of rapid expansion in India’s aviation sector. With millions more passengers expected in the coming years, the opportunity for airport retail is immense. At WHSmith India, we are ready to lead this evolution—with scalable infrastructure, people-first culture, and tech-led operations that deliver seamless experiences,” Chakravartty concluded.
As India’s travel ecosystem continues to expand, WHSmith India is clearly positioning itself as a frontrunner in the next era of smart, human-centered retail.
Read more: VDO.AI Adds Motion To Static Ads With Its Innovative In-Scroll Display Ad Format
