Everyone frets over e-comm too much; we don't: DMart's Noronha

Over time e-comm should be seen as an ally to the brick-and-mortar business, especially in metros Neville Noronha MD and CEO, Avenue Supermarts

- Varun Sood

Over two decades ago, Avenue Supermarts Ltd's founder Radhakishan Damani hired Neville Noronha from Hindustan Unilever Ltd and made him the head of operations at DMart in 2004. Noronha eventually took over as the chief executive of DMart in February 2007. He took DMart public in 2017 and made the retailer the country's largest by revenue and market capitalization.

On Saturday, DMart announced that Unilever veteran Anshul Asawa would succeed Noronha on 1 February 2026. This leadership change comes at a time when DMart faces challenges from quick-commerce and other organised retail players, including Tata Group's Trent Ltd.

Below are Noronha's email responses to Mint's questionnaire (The email interview has been edited for clarity).

Why have you decided to leave DMart next year? How should investors look at this leadership transition, coming at a time when DMart is still trying to develop the right strategy in the e-commerce space?

Of the many reasons to leave, one is that 22 years' tenure is a reasonably long one and the company is in good shape, with a good depth of leadership across the entire firm. The board has carved out parts of the whole business which can be handed over easily to the new MD and CEO, and parts that will require my time as they will take time to understand.

I have discussed with the board and Anshul on the best way to ensure this transition is smooth and Anshul spends as much time as possible on the retail side of the business while I will stay on and help the board and Anshul more actively on the non-retail side of the business.