Role Overview
We are looking for a Senior Manager Business Development (Retail Expansion) to lead and drive the organization's retail growth strategy across India. This role will be responsible for identifying high-potential markets, securing strategic locations, and expanding the store network across a diverse portfolio of brands, including luxury, premium, lifestyle, and toys.
The ideal candidate will play a key role in shaping expansion strategy, leading high-value negotiations, and building long-term partnerships with developers and landlords, directly contributing to revenue growth and market leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end retail expansion strategy by identifying priority cities, target micro-markets, and high-growth locations aligned with brand positioning and business goals
- Conduct detailed catchment analysis, consumer profiling, and competitive benchmarking to evaluate the commercial viability and long-term potential of proposed store locations
- Identify, evaluate, and secure premium retail spaces across malls, high streets, and emerging retail destinations, ensuring alignment with brand requirements and visibility standards
- Own and drive lease negotiations, commercial structuring, and contract finalization, ensuring favorable rental terms, revenue-sharing models, and long-term value for the organization
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with mall developers, landlords, IPCs (property consultants), and brokers to gain early access to upcoming properties and strategic opportunities
- Drive multi-brand expansion planning, ensuring optimal placement of different brands across cities, malls, and high streets based on target audience and market dynamics
- Collaborate closely with brand, design, operations, finance, and legal teams to ensure seamless execution of store rollout, from site finalization to store launch
- Monitor and manage the entire store rollout lifecycle, ensuring adherence to timelines, cost efficiency, and quality standards
- Track competitor expansion strategies, rental trends, and evolving retail landscapes to identify gaps and emerging opportunities for expansion
- Prepare and present business cases, location proposals, and expansion plans to senior leadership for strategic decision-making
- Drive continuous improvement by optimizing the store portfolio performance, renegotiating leases where required, and identifying underperforming locations for corrective action
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in Retail Expansion / Real Estate Business Development, preferably within retail or consumer-facing industries
- Strong expertise in mall leasing, high street retail strategy, and commercial real estate dynamics
- Demonstrated track record of driving large-scale expansion, closing high-value deals, and managing store portfolios
- Well-established network with developers, landlords, and key real estate stakeholders
- Strong leadership capabilities with experience in managing teams and cross-functional coordination
- Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and strategic decision-making skills
- Ability to manage multiple brands, large-scale projects, and complex expansion pipelines simultaneously
