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Corporate Update

Avenue Supermarts Appoints Anshul Asawa As CEO and Managing Director Effective February 1

• By  Textile Excellence
• January 20, 2026

Avenue Supermarts Ltd., the operator of the DMart retail chain, has announced the appointment of Anshul Asawa as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective February 1. He succeeds Neville Noronha, who has played a pivotal role in shaping DMart’s disciplined growth model and operational excellence over the past several years.

Asawa brings nearly three decades of leadership experience from Unilever, where he held senior roles across sales, distribution, marketing, and digital commerce in multiple international markets. His previous assignments include Country Head of Unilever Thailand and General Manager for the Home Care business across Greater Asia. He has also handled global responsibilities focused on digital commerce and customer strategy, areas increasingly central to modern retail transformation.

The leadership change comes at a time when India’s organised retail sector continues to expand at scale. The Indian retail market is valued at over US$ 900 billion, while organised retail accounts for around 12% of total sales and is projected to reach 18% by 2030. DMart remains one of the strongest performers in the segment, operating more than 350 stores nationwide and consistently delivering high return on capital employed through tight cost control and efficient supply chains.

Industry observers note that Asawa’s deep consumer goods background and regional leadership exposure position him well to steer Avenue Supermarts through the next phase of growth, amid rising competition, evolving consumer behaviour, and increasing focus on technology led efficiency. The company acknowledged Neville Noronha’s contribution in building a resilient, scalable retail platform and expressed confidence in a smooth leadership transition.

The appointment comes at a time when India’s organised retail sector continues to scale rapidly. Industry estimates place the Indian retail market at over US$ 900 billion, with organised retail accounting for nearly 12% and expected to cross 18% by 2030. DMart remains a key player in this growth, operating more than 350 stores across India and maintaining a strong value led proposition driven by operational efficiency and high inventory turnover.