Brands
DMart announces key leadership appointments
MUMBAI: Avenue Supermarts, the parent company of DMart, has announced significant leadership changes, including the appointment of Anshul Asawa as chief executive officer designate and senior managerial personnel, effective 15 March 2025. Asawa will succeed Ignatius Navil Noronha, the current managing director & CEO, when his term ends on 31 January 2026.
Reports are that Navil chose not to renew his contract after 20 years of being at the helm of the company transforming it from a five store operation to 380 stores all over India. In the process, he managed to accumulate a 1.95 per cent stake in DMart, which is valued at around Rs 5,000 crore, making him one of the richest professional CEOs in India.
Asawa will officially assume the role of MD & CEO on 1 February 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
An alumnus of IIT Roorkee and IIM Lucknow, Asawa brings a wealth of experience from his 30-year career at Unilever, where he held leadership roles in India, Asia, and Europe. Most recently, he served as country head for Unilever Thailand and general manager for the home care business in greater Asia. Known for his consumer-centric approach and focus on digital transformation, Asawa has spearheaded innovations in sales, marketing, and distribution.
Additionally, DMart has announced the following appointments and changes effective 11 January 2025:
* Hitesh Shah has been named head of the pharma business and designated senior management personnel. Shah, who joined DMart in 2007, has over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and retail management, including a 13-year tenure at Hindustan Unilever.
* Rajeev Chandrasekharan, previously general manager – DC, will now serve as head of the centre of excellence, overseeing process audits. With 23 years of experience in supply chain and operations, Chandrasekharan has been with DMart since 2015 and has also worked at Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and Toyota (Oman).
* Ashutosh Dhar will transition to the role of head-loss prevention but will no longer be classified as senior management personnel due to a change in reporting structure.
DMart, founded by Radhakishan Damani, operates 381 stores across India, offering a wide range of home and personal products at competitive prices. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company continues to expand with new locations planned across the country.
Brands
Hyundai India posts record February sales of 66,134 units
Domestic sales hit 52,407 (plus 9.8 per cent YoY) and exports 13,727 (plus 24.8 per cent YoY) in Feb 2026.
MUMBAI: Hyundai India just floored the accelerator because when February sales hit an all-time high, even the calendar wants to take a victory lap. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) reported its highest-ever February sales since inception, clocking 66,134 units in February 2026, a robust 12.6 per cent year-on-year growth. The figure comprises domestic sales of 52,407 units (up 9.8 per cent YoY) and exports of 13,727 units (up 24.8 per cent YoY), marking the strongest February performance for both total and domestic volumes in the company’s history.
HMIL MD & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We kicked-off 2026 on a high note achieving our highest-ever monthly sales in January and the momentum continues in February. With a total sales (domestic plus exports) of 66,134 units, the highest for any February in our history, we posted a robust growth of 12.6 per cent YoY. This includes domestic sales of 52,407 units, also the highest-ever February sales since inception.”
The results reflect HMIL’s strong product momentum, growing export footprint, and focus on connected technology and ownership experience as the company nears 30 years in India. As one of the country’s leading passenger vehicle makers, the February numbers underline sustained demand across segments and markets, with exports showing particularly sharp acceleration.
In a market where every month counts toward yearly targets, HMIL’s February surge isn’t just a number, it’s proof that when the road gets busy, Hyundai knows exactly how to keep the pedal down and the smiles wide.
