MAM
Cushman taps retail ace Sona Aggarwal to lead APAC’s shopfront strategy
MUMBAI: She’s opened stores, managed cross-border teams, and built brands now she’s opening new doors for Cushman & Wakefield. Cushman & Wakefield has appointed retail veteran Sona Aggarwal as managing director, head of retail sales and strategy, Asia Pacific, in a move that signals the real estate giant’s intensified focus on the region’s fast-evolving consumer landscape. Based in Singapore, Sona steps into a newly created role aimed at boosting retail growth across markets and connecting global clients with on-ground insights and solutions.
Sona brings over 25 years of experience in brand management and retail operations, having launched and scaled 200 plus stores across APAC and led cross-functional teams of 1,300 plus people. Her portfolio spans everything from beauty and apparel to healthcare, home furnishings, and watches, with deep expertise in tailoring go-to-market strategies for diverse local markets.
“This is a significant appointment for our retail business in Asia Pacific,” said Tenant Representation chief executive for India and SEA & APAC Anshul Jain. “Sona brings a client-side view sharpened by years at iconic global retail brands giving us the edge we need to evolve with the times.”
In her new role, Sona will spearhead Cushman & Wakefield’s APAC retail strategy, working closely with local teams to expand client partnerships and integrate the firm’s global retail insights with local execution. The focus: to unlock growth in both mature and emerging markets, and build a sustainable, future-ready retail platform.
“Retail has never been more dynamic,” Sona said. “Demographically and psychographically, the APAC region is undergoing a seismic shift. With a rising middle class, young digital natives, and a booming appetite for global and homegrown brands, this market is ripe with opportunity.”
She also pointed to outbound momentum: “The Western world is discovering Asia in new ways whether it’s in health and beauty, wellness, hospitality or F&B. At the same time, we’re seeing a tech-driven surge in categories like Auto and EV, and a growing need for differentiated luxury and financial experiences to match the rise of high-net-worth consumers.”
Sona’s mission? To stitch together Cushman & Wakefield’s operational scale, talent and data insights with local understanding to deliver retail strategies that are not just globally informed but culturally attuned.
As the lines between physical and digital retail blur, and consumption patterns evolve at warp speed, Cushman & Wakefield is betting on leaders who understand both the shop floor and the boardroom. And in Sona Aggarwal, they’ve found someone who’s fluent in both.
MAM
Jack&Jones unveils Spring Summer ’26 collection with 3 themes
Music, Rush and Travel chapters anchor expansive youth-focused drop.
MUMBAI: If fashion had a playlist, this one would come with a bass drop, a road trip, and a wardrobe change in between. Jack&Jones has rolled out its Spring Summer ’26 collection, pitching it as its most expansive seasonal showcase yet less a drop, more a three-act cultural statement. At the centre of the campaign is Volume 1: Music, a chapter that taps into India’s independent music scene and wears its attitude on its sleeve quite literally. Featuring artists like Loka, Wazir Patar and Aksomaniac, the line blends bold graphics with relaxed silhouettes and versatile denim designed to move effortlessly from stage lights to street style.
Denim, unsurprisingly, remains the headline act. From lived-in washes to rip-and-repair textures and wide-leg fits, the collection leans into familiarity while nudging expression forward aiming to feel both personal and performative at once.
The brand didn’t stop at aesthetics. Extending its music-first narrative into the real world, Jack&Jones partnered with the UN40 Music Festival held on March 14 and 15 in Bengaluru. The collaboration featured an experiential pop-up, complete with denim customisation zones, interactive installations and exclusive viewing experiences turning fashion into something you could not just wear, but play with.
Volume 2: Rush shifts gears into a faster lane, embracing high-energy aesthetics tailored for movement, momentum and a lifestyle that rarely stands still. Think sharper silhouettes, dynamic styling and a sense of urgency stitched into every look.
In contrast, Volume 3: Travel slows things down. This chapter leans into sun-washed palettes, lightweight layers and easy silhouettes built for spontaneity designed for consumers who prefer their fashion with a side of wanderlust.
Across all three volumes, the thread that ties it together is clear: denim as a constant, supported by breathable cottons and summer-ready fabrics that balance comfort with structure. The result is a collection that doesn’t just follow trends but attempts to mirror the rhythm of youth culture itself.
With Spring Summer ’26, Jack&Jones isn’t just selling clothes, it’s curating moods. And in a season where identity is as fluid as style, that might just be its strongest fit yet.
