Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, April 2026 – Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) has announced the appointment of Dr. Suraj Bahirwani as CEO Designate – Pantaloons, marking a significant leadership transition for one of India’s most iconic fashion retail formats. In this role, he will be responsible for steering Pantaloons into its next phase of growth, strengthening its omnichannel presence, and enhancing customer experience across markets.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Suraj Bahirwani served as Senior President and Global Sales Head at Grasim Industries Limited (Pulp & Fibre business), where he led a $2 billion global business, managing large-scale operations across 48 countries and driving sustainable growth through customer-centric strategies and global partnerships.
Earlier, he held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Pantaloons, where he managed a large-format retail network, driving store operations, e-commerce integration, and business expansion. His leadership contributed to scaling the brand’s footprint while enhancing profitability and customer experience across channels.
Before this, he was associated with Aditya Birla Retail Limited in multiple leadership roles, including Chief Operations Officer – Hypermarkets and Head – Operations, where he led large-scale retail operations, business expansion, and profitability initiatives across formats, managing extensive store networks and large teams.
He began his career with the Aditya Birla Group as Executive Assistant to the Group Chairman, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, where he worked on strategic initiatives, business analysis, and global expansion opportunities, laying a strong foundation in leadership and enterprise strategy.
Dr. Bahirwani holds a PhD in Business Policy and Administration from University of Mumbai and a PGDBM in Finance from SPJIMR, equipping him with deep expertise in strategy, finance, and organizational leadership.
About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), part of the Aditya Birla Group, is one of India’s leading fashion companies with a strong portfolio of brands and retail formats. With over 1,167 stores spanning 7.3 million sq. ft., ABFRL caters to diverse consumer segments across value, premium, and luxury categories.
Its portfolio includes Pantaloons, a widely recognized fashion destination, along with brands such as The Collective, Jaypore, Tasva, and TCNS brands. The company is also expanding into digital-first fashion through its TMRW platform, collaborating with emerging entrepreneurs to build scalable fashion businesses.
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