Avirup Chandra
CEO
In the competitive realm of home decor, efficient retail management plays a crucial role in enhancing customer satisfaction. This managerial efficiency can lead to a notable increase in sales and profits, fostering a healthy business environment. Moreover, astute management of inventory ensures that supply aligns perfectly with consumer demand, avoiding overstock situations and ensuring that popular items remain available. This balance helps in solidifying a brand's reputation as reliable and responsive to market needs.
Blends & Dome entered the home decor market in 2016 with a clear and visionary goal: to offer unique, high-quality decor items that resonate with the aesthetic sensibilities and functional needs of the Middle East market. The company's offerings are carefully curated to blend into the intricacies of everyday life, providing style, comfort, and practicality. At the helm of Blends & Dome is Avirup Chandra, whose role as CEO is bolstered by his deep-seated expertise and broad experience within the industry. Having worked with several high-profile entities in the field, Chandra brings a wealth of knowledge and an innovative approach to his leadership at Blends & Dome.
His insights, gained from years of substantial collaborations and achievements, are now being leveraged to steer his current organization toward continued success and influence in the home decor industry. Under Chandra’s guidance, Blends & Dome continues to thrive by emphasizing customer-centric practices, innovative design, and strategic market adaptations, ensuring the company not only meets but anticipates customer needs and preferences in a dynamic market landscape.
During a candid interview, Avirup provided us with numerous industry insights and also briefed us on the current trends dominating the sector.
With a robust professional background spanning more than twenty years, could you provide an overview of the key highlights and milestones of your career journey thus far?
My career commenced around 1999, beginning with employment at an FMCG company named Cadbury's. Subsequently, I transitioned to roles at Gillette and Procter and Gamble before joining L'Oreal, where I spent approximately seven to eight years. At L'Oreal, I led the Vichy brand, gaining invaluable insights into consumer behavior and the impact of branding. Moving from FMCG to retail, I joined Big Bazaar, where my experiences at L'Oreal significantly influenced my approach to consumer behavior and
intrapreneurship.
In both industries, the emphasis on understanding and transforming consumer behavior was paramount, with a belief that people drive business transformation. This journey taught me the importance of prioritizing people, leading to a focus on trust, transparency, diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. By aligning these values, I aimed to create an environment conducive to consumer satisfaction and market understanding, amidst the ever-changing landscape of business. In essence, my leadership philosophy centers on adapting to change, driving organizational transformation, and maintaining a clear focus on desired outcomes.
Could you elaborate on your insights and experience in developing successful corporate growth strategies? What key considerations do you factor in when crafting these strategies?
When discussing an effective growth strategy for an organization, several key elements come into play. These include focusing on four fundamental pillars: people, consumers, the retail landscape, and the specific country in which the organization operates. In today's dynamic business environment, it's crucial to consider the unique characteristics of the market, such as the demographics and economic conditions. For instance, in my current context in Saudi Arabia with a company like Casey, understanding the country's demographics, such as its young and progressive population, is essential.
This demographic landscape influences consumer preferences and purchasing power, shaping strategies around areas like e-commerce and female labor force participation, which are increasingly significant factors in Saudi Arabia's market dynamics. Moreover, embracing digital retailing trends like omnichannel and social commerce becomes integral to navigating and driving growth in the retail sector. Overall, these factors form the foundation for devising and executing effective growth strategies that align with the evolving needs and preferences of consumers and the market.
What are the optimal methods you instill in your team or emerging talent to foster a culture of continuous learning and unlock their full potential?
Drawing inspiration from my mentors, who often cited Martin Luther King’s teachings on the value of resilience and perpetual progress, I have shaped my leadership philosophy around the idea of continual forward motion, regardless of the challenges that arise. This core belief underpins my entire approach to guiding my team and navigating the complex dynamics of the retail industry. My leadership style emphasizes the critical role of innovation in overcoming industry obstacles and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.
In both industries, the emphasis on understanding and transforming consumer behavior was paramount, with a belief that people drive business transformation. This journey taught me the importance of prioritizing people, leading to a focus on trust, transparency, diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. By aligning these values, I aimed to create an environment conducive to consumer satisfaction and market understanding, amidst the ever-changing landscape of business. In essence, my leadership philosophy centers on adapting to change, driving organizational transformation, and maintaining a clear focus on desired outcomes.
Having worked with several high-profile entities in the field, Chandra brings a wealth of knowledge & an innovative approach to his leadership at Blends & Dome
Could you elaborate on your insights and experience in developing successful corporate growth strategies? What key considerations do you factor in when crafting these strategies?
When discussing an effective growth strategy for an organization, several key elements come into play. These include focusing on four fundamental pillars: people, consumers, the retail landscape, and the specific country in which the organization operates. In today's dynamic business environment, it's crucial to consider the unique characteristics of the market, such as the demographics and economic conditions. For instance, in my current context in Saudi Arabia with a company like Casey, understanding the country's demographics, such as its young and progressive population, is essential.
This demographic landscape influences consumer preferences and purchasing power, shaping strategies around areas like e-commerce and female labor force participation, which are increasingly significant factors in Saudi Arabia's market dynamics. Moreover, embracing digital retailing trends like omnichannel and social commerce becomes integral to navigating and driving growth in the retail sector. Overall, these factors form the foundation for devising and executing effective growth strategies that align with the evolving needs and preferences of consumers and the market.
What are the optimal methods you instill in your team or emerging talent to foster a culture of continuous learning and unlock their full potential?
Drawing inspiration from my mentors, who often cited Martin Luther King’s teachings on the value of resilience and perpetual progress, I have shaped my leadership philosophy around the idea of continual forward motion, regardless of the challenges that arise. This core belief underpins my entire approach to guiding my team and navigating the complex dynamics of the retail industry. My leadership style emphasizes the critical role of innovation in overcoming industry obstacles and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.
Innovation isn't just about technology and products; it's about fostering a mindset that challenges the status quo and encourages creative thinking at every level of the organization. To cultivate such a mindset, I place a strong emphasis on learning and development initiatives within our team. I firmly believe that our investment in our people goes beyond mere expenditure; it is an essential investment in the future of our business.
Continuous personal and professional growth not only benefits each team member but also contributes significantly to the overall success and adaptability of our organization. In my career, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of well-structured training programs. These programs are designed not just to improve skills but also to empower employees, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their roles and adapt to future changes within the industry. Such empowerment helps to create a more dynamic and responsive workforce. By making these learning opportunities a priority, we do more than just enhance individual careers. We foster a culture of high engagement and commitment, which in turn drives employee retention and attracts top talent to our organization.
What kind of influence do you envision making in your career moving forward?
For me, trust and transparency are fundamental values that I strongly uphold and intend to continue as guiding principles in my future endeavors. I aim to make a meaningful impact within my industry and the countries where I operate by presenting my organization in a positive light to the world and engaging with the local population, particularly the younger generation. I strive to leverage the skills and mentorship of both junior and senior professionals to cultivate a forward-thinking and sustainable organization. A future-fit organization, in my view, aligns its vision and mission with that of the country it operates in, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and serving the community effectively. Ultimately, I aim to instill a culture of passion, effectiveness, and service within my team and organization.
Avirup Chandra, CEO, Blends & Dome
Avirup Chandra boasts a 24-year career journey focused on Business Management and Development. Throughout his tenure, he has adeptly managed Category management, Strategic initiatives, P&L management, Retail operations, Supply chain management, Buying, and Inventory management. He excels in conceptualizing and executing long-term, ambitious strategies aimed at driving exponential growth. Additionally, Avirup has a knack for identifying and nurturing talent, preparing them for leadership positions within the organization.
Hobbies: Playing cricket, swimming, mountaineering
Favorite Travel Destination: India
Awards & Recognitions: During my time in school and college, I earned significant recognition and also played in the State level cricket. Professionally, my work has also been consistently acknowledged. Particularly notable was my tenure with Landmark, where I was part of the team that earned the 'Great Place to Work' award consecutively in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for the brand I managed, in my previous organization. Additionally, under my leadership, which had been experiencing a decline, underwent a successful turn around. From 2013 to 2018, I spear headed efforts that reversed our fortunes, earning me the 'Best Retail Standard Award' in 2014 and 2015 for the brand’s rejuvenation.
Continuous personal and professional growth not only benefits each team member but also contributes significantly to the overall success and adaptability of our organization. In my career, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of well-structured training programs. These programs are designed not just to improve skills but also to empower employees, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their roles and adapt to future changes within the industry. Such empowerment helps to create a more dynamic and responsive workforce. By making these learning opportunities a priority, we do more than just enhance individual careers. We foster a culture of high engagement and commitment, which in turn drives employee retention and attracts top talent to our organization.
What kind of influence do you envision making in your career moving forward?
For me, trust and transparency are fundamental values that I strongly uphold and intend to continue as guiding principles in my future endeavors. I aim to make a meaningful impact within my industry and the countries where I operate by presenting my organization in a positive light to the world and engaging with the local population, particularly the younger generation. I strive to leverage the skills and mentorship of both junior and senior professionals to cultivate a forward-thinking and sustainable organization. A future-fit organization, in my view, aligns its vision and mission with that of the country it operates in, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and serving the community effectively. Ultimately, I aim to instill a culture of passion, effectiveness, and service within my team and organization.
Avirup Chandra, CEO, Blends & Dome
Avirup Chandra boasts a 24-year career journey focused on Business Management and Development. Throughout his tenure, he has adeptly managed Category management, Strategic initiatives, P&L management, Retail operations, Supply chain management, Buying, and Inventory management. He excels in conceptualizing and executing long-term, ambitious strategies aimed at driving exponential growth. Additionally, Avirup has a knack for identifying and nurturing talent, preparing them for leadership positions within the organization.
Hobbies: Playing cricket, swimming, mountaineering
Favorite Travel Destination: India
Awards & Recognitions: During my time in school and college, I earned significant recognition and also played in the State level cricket. Professionally, my work has also been consistently acknowledged. Particularly notable was my tenure with Landmark, where I was part of the team that earned the 'Great Place to Work' award consecutively in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for the brand I managed, in my previous organization. Additionally, under my leadership, which had been experiencing a decline, underwent a successful turn around. From 2013 to 2018, I spear headed efforts that reversed our fortunes, earning me the 'Best Retail Standard Award' in 2014 and 2015 for the brand’s rejuvenation.