Brands
Nishant Gupta named VP, chief strategy at PepsiCo India
GURUGRAM: PepsiCo has handed the strategy reins for India and South Asia to Nishant Gupta, appointing him vice president, chief strategy, transformation and deployment. In a role that blends big-picture thinking with on-ground execution, Gupta will shape the company’s strategic direction while driving large-scale change across one of its most dynamic markets.
Announcing the move, Gupta said he was excited to begin a new chapter at PepsiCo India and South Asia, and credited the vision and trust of Athina Kanioura and Jagrut Kotecha for the opportunity. His mandate, he noted, is clear and ambitious: enable sustainable, profitable growth while building a more resilient future for both the business and the communities it serves.
Gupta arrives with a résumé that reads like a tour of modern consumer transformation. Most recently, he was partner for CPG and Retail at Tata Consultancy Services, where he managed consulting P&L, opened new client relationships, and led transformation programmes spanning go-to-market strategy, digital and AI roadmaps, supply chains, quick commerce and M&A due diligence across India, the Middle East and Africa.
Before TCS, he held senior consulting roles at KPMG and Accenture, advising FMCG, retail and consumer businesses on growth, efficiency and channel strategy. He also brings entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of Farmery, a direct-to-consumer dairy venture that built a full-stack farm-to-home supply chain and broke even within 15 months.
With deep roots in strategy, operations and execution, Gupta now steps into a role where thinking big is only half the job. The other half is making it happen, at scale, in a region that never sits still.
Brands
Akoirah rolls out Diamond Draw campaign across cities for Akshaya Tritiya
Festive offer blends discounts with prize draws to boost jewellery shopping buzz
MUMBAI: Akoirah has launched a festive ‘Diamond Draw’ campaign across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune, aiming to add a dash of excitement to jewellery shopping ahead of Akshaya Tritiya.
Running from April 6 to 19, the limited-period initiative offers customers a chance to win diamond jewellery worth Rs 1.5 lakh with every eligible purchase. Winners will be announced in-store, with one winner selected per outlet, turning a traditional shopping ritual into a more interactive experience.
Alongside the draw, the brand is also offering a flat 20 per cent discount on diamond value during the campaign period, positioning the offer as both celebratory and value-driven.
The move reflects a broader shift in festive retail strategies, where brands are looking beyond straightforward discounts to create more engaging, experience-led campaigns. By linking each purchase to a unique entry in a store-specific draw, the campaign aims to keep participation simple while ensuring fairness across locations.
Speaking on the initiative, Akoirah founder Namita Kothari said the idea was to make festive buying more meaningful and rewarding. She noted that while Akshaya Tritiya remains deeply rooted in tradition, customers today are increasingly seeking memorable shopping experiences alongside value.
The campaign also taps into evolving consumer preferences, with buyers leaning towards lighter, design-led jewellery rather than purely weight-based purchases. This shift has encouraged brands to combine product appeal with experiential elements to drive footfall and engagement.
Backed by digital promotions and in-store activations, the Diamond Draw campaign is expected to build momentum during the festive window. As competition intensifies around key buying occasions, initiatives like these underline how jewellery brands are reimagining the retail experience to keep customers coming back for more than just the sparkle.
