WHSmith India Names Shantanu Chakravartty as CEO and Director, Sets Sights on ₹500 Crore Milestone
New Delhi, June 4, 2025 — WHSmith India, the Indian arm of the iconic British travel retail brand, has officially appointed Shantanu Chakravartty as its Chief Executive Officer and Director. A stalwart in the travel retail industry, Shantanu has been a transformative figure within WHSmith India, steering the company through a defining seven-year journey marked by growth, resilience, and innovation.
Under his leadership, WHSmith India not only weathered the COVID-19 storm but emerged with renewed purpose, streamlined operations, and a bold expansion agenda. Now, Chakravartty embarks on his new role with an ambitious vision: to triple the company's revenue to ₹500 crore and expand its retail footprint fivefold over the next three to four years.
Leadership Through Crisis
Chakravartty’s leadership was especially critical during the pandemic years, when global travel was brought to a halt—crippling airport and transit retail sectors worldwide.
“I’ve always believed that disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger,” said Shantanu, reflecting on the pandemic years. “That’s why we created the Airport Services Association of India—to ensure collective survival and progress when the odds were against us.”
In his capacity as a founder and current General Secretary of the Airport Services Association of India, Shantanu played a central role in helping the industry recover, protect over 20,000 jobs, and ensure business continuity at India’s major transit hubs.
Growth Targets: From 40 to 200 Stores
Currently operating 40 stores across metro stations, university campuses, and airports, WHSmith India under Chakravartty’s guidance is preparing for exponential growth.
“Our plan is simple but ambitious—grow our store footprint five times,” Shantanu said. “Every store we open means livelihoods, empowerment, and opportunity. Retail is a platform for transformation.”
This people-first approach complements the company’s strategy of digitisation, data-driven merchandising, and customer-focused convenience. Last year, WHSmith India crossed the ₹200 crore revenue mark, backed by operational improvements and its growing presence in key airports.
Redefining Travel Retail in India
WHSmith India is redefining its role from being just a transit retail stop to becoming a holistic experience centre for travellers.
“From book lovers to business flyers, we are reinventing WHSmith to appeal to every kind of traveller,” noted Chakravartty. “In high-dwell time locations like airports, even a few minutes matter—and we want to make those moments memorable.”
The company’s emphasis on customer delight, operational consistency, and omnichannel innovation is positioning it as a benchmark in modern Indian travel retail.
Hands-On Leadership and Policy Influence
Known for his hands-on leadership, Shantanu regularly visits retail locations to interact with staff and gather on-ground insights. His passion for empowering frontline teams has shaped a strong internal culture centered around feedback, growth, and mentorship.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Shantanu continues to contribute to policy advocacy and infrastructure development in Indian aviation, through his pro bono role at the Airport Services Association of India.
“We are entering a phase of rapid expansion in India’s aviation sector,” he said. “WHSmith India is ready to lead—with scalable infrastructure, a people-first culture, and tech-led operations delivering seamless customer experiences.”
About WHSmith India
WHSmith entered the Indian market as part of its global expansion into emerging travel retail destinations. In India, the brand is known for offering curated selections of books, travel essentials, food & beverages, and gifting items at high-traffic transit locations.
With growing demand for convenient retail experiences in airports, metro stations, and educational campuses, WHSmith India is well-positioned to capitalise on the next wave of aviation and infrastructure growth in the country.
Shantanu Chakravartty’s appointment marks a new chapter in WHSmith India’s journey—one driven by scale, sustainability, and shared success. With strong leadership at the helm, the company is gearing up to be more than a retail destination—it’s becoming a symbol of modern Indian travel retail excellence.
