Brands
Shoppers Stop names Sandeep Jabbal as customer care associate and CDTIO
Mumbai: Shoppers Stop has announced Sandeep Jabbal as customer care associate and chief digital transformation and information officer (CDTIO) with effect from 23 May 2022, according to a company statement.
He will be responsible for providing strong leadership and support in digital transformation initiatives led by the brand.
Jabbal has more than 18 years of extensive experience in developing IT strategies and designing & delivering the IT roadmap for large organisations with a focus on digital transformation for enhancing customer experience. Jabbal’s expertise lies in Strategic IT Leadership, IT Operations, Program Management and Digital Transformation.
Prior to joining Shoppers Stop, Jabbal has served as vice-president-IT at Jubilant Foodworks and as Head of IT at Marks & Spencer Reliance India. He has also worked as a project manager with Birlasoft and has delivered large IT projects in diversified domains including FMCG, retail, finance and manufacturing, in his earlier stint.
An alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, he also holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute Of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur.
Speaking on the appointment, Shoppers Stop managing director and chief executive officer Venu Nair said, “Digitalisation is reinventing businesses and capturing unique competitive advantages. Today, digital transformation is not an option; it is necessary to escape the comfort zone, reinvent and compete in this world overrun by technological advances. We need to offer best in class experience for our customers and stakeholders.”
“Technology plays a critical role in driving business and building brand authority. With digital strategy as our core focus and its importance for our organisation, we are confident that Sandeep Jabbal is the right fit in helping us achieve this transformation,” he further said.
Sandeep Jabbal added, “I am honoured to join Shoppers Stop at this exciting stage in their digital transformation journey. The brand has truly evolved with the changing consumer dynamics! The retail industry is gearing up with hi-tech advancements and Shoppers Stop is leading the change with its distinct offerings and consumer-friendly digital platforms. I am happy to be a part of this glorious journey and looking forward to working with the stellar team.”
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
