Shantanu Chakravartty to lead WHSmith India as CEO & Director

With plans to triple revenue and expand nationwide, he sets the course for a new chapter in Indian travel retail........

WHSmith India has announced the appointment of Shantanu Chakravartty as its Chief Executive Officer and Director. His leadership over the past seven years has been instrumental in driving the company through its most significant phases of growth and transformation.

A seasoned professional in travel retail, Shantanu steps into this role with a clear vision to expand WHSmith India’s reach and triple its revenue within the next four years. His goal is to establish the company as a benchmark for modern travel retail, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Shantanu played a pivotal role in stabilizing WHSmith amid challenges faced by the travel and airport retail sectors. With airports experiencing an unprecedented standstill, his leadership ensured business continuity and safeguarded over 20,000 jobs across India’s busiest airports. Reflecting on this period, he remarked, “Disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger, which is why we established the Airport Services Association of India to support the industry during the crisis.”

Under his leadership, WHSmith India aims to multiply its store footprint fivefold. Currently operating 40 stores at metro stations, airports, and university campuses across India, Shantanu sees retail as a platform for creating opportunities and livelihoods. He believes that every new store enhances job prospects and contributes to economic growth.

Shantanu’s vision for WHSmith stores extends beyond just transit retail. He emphasizes convenience, consistency, and customer engagement, continuously refining offerings to cater to book lovers, business travelers, families, and solo explorers within short dwell times. His strategy focuses on optimizing customer experience and strengthening brand presence.

With over 15 years of expertise in travel retail, Shantanu has a deep understanding of supply chains, passenger behavior, and merchandising. His approach has transformed WHSmith India into a symbol of excellence in airport retail. He is also committed to team development, frequently visiting stores, mentoring staff, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Looking ahead, Shantanu envisions a phase of rapid expansion in India’s aviation sector. With a projected increase in passenger traffic, he sees immense potential for airport retail and aims to position WHSmith India at the forefront of this evolution through scalable infrastructure, a people-centric culture, and technology-driven operations.