Brands
SSBeauty unveils first fragrance-exclusive boutique in Bengaluru
BENGALURU — Are you a fragrance-phile or perfumista? And if you are in Bengaluru, you can head to SSBeauty by Shoppers Stop which has unveiled its first fragrance-exclusive store at Nexus Mall in Koramangala.
The gleaming new boutique presents itself as a sensory sanctuary, with elegant glass display cases housing crystal flacons that catch the light. Rich wooden accents and subdued lighting create an atmosphere of refined luxury as customers navigate the carefully curated collection of premium scents.
Visitors can explore a handpicked selection of prestigious fragrances from both international luxury houses and celebrated Indian brands. The store features interactive scent profiling stations where patrons can discover their olfactory preferences, from fresh citrus notes to rich orientals and woody accords. Fragrance experts glide between displays, offering personalised consultations and helping customers uncover their signature scent through sampling stations that allow for an immersive experience.
Shoppers Stop CEO of Beauty & customer care associate Biju Kassim explained the strategic vision behind the launch: “The Bengaluru market is dynamic, fashion-forward, and passionate about beauty. This boutique is designed to be a true fragrance destination where customers can immerse themselves in the art of perfumery.”
He added: “Having established a legacy for curating the finest fragrance assortments, we plan to open many more fragrance-exclusive stores in the coming years.”
The new store boasts an impressive array of prestigious perfume houses including Givenchy, Guerlain, Tom Ford, Armani, Gucci, Hermes, Prada, Valentino, and Creed, alongside artisanal and niche fragrance brands. The collection spans everything from timeless classics to contemporary blends.
This opening marks a significant step in SSBeauty’s strategic expansion, with the brand positioning itself as Bengaluru’s premier destination for fragrance enthusiasts and novices alike. Beyond the new fragrance boutique, SSBeauty continues its commitment to “inspiring elegance” through its broader portfolio of beauty stores, which include dedicated treatment rooms offering indulgent facials and spa services.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
