Age of Agility: Why Long-Serving CEOs Are Stepping Aside in India’s Retail Market

Market Upheaval Reshapes India’s Consumer & Retail Leadership Landscape

The dynamic and fast-evolving consumer and retail market environment in India is driving an unprecedented churn at the CEO level. Seasoned, long-serving CEOs of large multinational corporations and legacy retail firms are stepping down or being replaced by younger, more adaptable leaders who align with the sector’s rapid digitalization and shifting consumer dynamics.

According to a recent study by WalkWater Talent Advisors, nearly one in three consumer sector CEOs in India changed roles in the past three years. Many top executives are moving from large corporates to nimble Indian startups and PE/VC-backed firms, signaling a new leadership paradigm centred on innovation, agility, and market responsiveness.

Private equity’s expanding footprint in India’s consumer space is accelerating this leadership mobility, bringing fresh capital and demanding sharper growth focus. Simultaneously, younger promoter families are embracing professional management, further fueling CEO transitions.

The sector is also grappling with a significant gender gap in leadership roles, with women occupying less than 7% of CEO positions, underscoring untapped talent potential amid transformational change.

As the market explodes towards becoming one of the world’s largest consumer hubs by 2030, these leadership shifts reflect a broader narrative of renewal, bringing opportunities and challenges for India’s retail and consumer evolution.

Key Highlights:

Nearly 33% of consumer sector CEOs changed roles over the past three years.

Leadership shift from long-serving MNC CEOs to younger, agile leaders.

Growth in startups and PE/VC-backed firms driving executive mobility.

Increasing professionalization among Indian promoter families.

Significant gender gap persists with women holding less than 7% of CEO roles.

India’s consumer market poised for rapid expansion towards $1.9 trillion by 2030.

Source: Economic Times, WalkWater Talent Advisors, Business Standard, PwC India (2025)