Shantanu Chakravartty Appointed CEO of WHSmith India
Shantanu Chakravartty Appointed CEO & Director of WHSmith India with Vision to Triple Revenue
WHSmith India, the Indian arm of the renowned British travel retail brand, has announced the appointment of Shantanu Chakravartty as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director. With a solid reputation as a seasoned travel retail professional, Chakravartty steps into this leadership role with a bold goal—to triple WHSmith India’s revenue in the next four years and position it as a model for modern travel retail excellence.
Bringing over 15 years of industry experience, Shantanu Chakravartty has consistently demonstrated strong operational acumen and strategic foresight. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a critical role in steering WHSmith through one of the most challenging periods in travel and airport retail history. Amid a global shutdown, his steady leadership helped secure over 20,000 jobs and maintained uninterrupted operations across India’s busiest airports.
Reflecting on that period, Chakravartty said, “I’ve always believed that disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger, that’s why we created the Airport Services Association of India, which helped the industry survive in 2020 and 2021”.
“With WHSmith, my vision is to grow our store footprint by 5x and create an ecosystem where both business and people thrive. We are currently operating 40 stores in India at various metro stations, airports and university campuses. What motivates me most is knowing that every store we open means more livelihoods, more opportunities. Retail is not just a business. It’s a platform for people to grow their careers and transform their lives”, adds Chakravartty.
In the past year alone, WHSmith India achieved a milestone revenue of ₹200 crores, expanded its presence in key airports across the country, and introduced digital and data-driven solutions to enhance customer experiences. Now, under Shantanu Chakravartty’s guidance, the company is aiming for ambitious growth, targeting ₹500 crores in revenue over the next three years.
Known for his deep understanding of supply chains, merchandising, and passenger behavior, Chakravartty has helped transform WHSmith India into a benchmark brand in airport retail. His career has been defined by a hands-on leadership style and a strong focus on frontline empowerment. Regularly visiting stores and mentoring team members, he fosters a culture of continuous improvement driven by real-time feedback and team engagement.
With a clear strategic roadmap and a passion for elevating customer experiences, Shantanu Chakravartty is set to lead WHSmith India into a new era of growth and innovation.
“We are entering a phase of rapid expansion in India’s aviation sector,” Shantanu noted. “With millions more passengers expected in the coming years, the opportunity for airport retail is immense. At WHSmith India, we are ready to lead this evolution—with scalable infrastructure, people-first culture, and tech-led operations that deliver seamless experiences.”
