Wishing Mr. Shantanu Chakravartty greater responsibilities and exciting challenges in this impressive new chapter!
WHSmith India has officially elevated Shantanu Chakravartty to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Director, recognizing his instrumental leadership over the past seven years. Under his guidance, the company has navigated some of its most transformative periods, setting ambitious goals for the future.
Shantanu steps into this new role with a clear and powerful vision: to triple WHSmith India’s revenue within the next four years and establish the brand as the gold standard in modern travel retail. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “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”.
“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. Retail is not just a business. It’s a platform for people to grow their careers and transform their lives”, he added.
Last year, WHSmith India hit a revenue milestone of ₹200 crores, expanded its presence in key airports, and introduced digital, data-driven methods to enhance customer experiences. With his appointment, Shantanu now aims to boost revenues to ₹500 crores within three years.
“WHSmith stores are no longer just transit points,” said Shantanu. “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.”
A seasoned travel retail expert with over 15 years of experience, Shantanu’s expertise spans operations, supply chain management, passenger insights, and merchandising strategies that have positioned WHSmith India as a leader in airport retail.
Known for his hands-on approach, Shantanu actively visits stores, mentors teams, and fosters open communication to drive ongoing improvements. Beyond business, he passionately supports industry collaboration and serves pro bono as General Secretary of the Airport Services Association of India, influencing policies and championing infrastructure upgrades.
“We are entering a phase of rapid expansion in India’s aviation sector,” Shantanu noted. “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.”
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