DEEPIKA KHARE
Mumbai
Summary
Dynamic business development leader with extensive experience driving expansion and revenue growth at Orra Fine Jewellery,Kaya Skin Clinic,Smaaaash,Funky Monkey,Circa & Art of time. Skilled in strategic planning, relationship management, store launches, and achieving AOP targets. Strong negotiator and team mentor with a proven ability to collaborate across departments and deliver high-impact results. Multi-talented business leader bringing several years of experience as successful professional. Strategic problem solver and change manager. Visionary executive implements plans that meet current and future needs. Key expertise in industry.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President & Head of B u s i n e s s Development/Projects and Design
Orra Fine Jewellery
Mumbai
02.2026 - Current
- Also leading retail expansion for group brands like Smaaaash/Funky Monkey/Airmaniax/Art of Time /Circa and Kaya Skin Clinic
- Led strategic business development retail expansion, project execution, design collaboration for 95+ stores across the country.
- Lead process from site selection, legal due diligence, commercial negotiation, legal documentation, store design, to project execution and handover to operations.
- Drive location strategy, site selection, leasing commercials and store roll outs.
- Drove business results by opening new stores on schedule and achieving established store months.
- Planning expansion pipeline by analyzing online browsing and sales funnel on the brands website, competition mapping and market benchmarking and projecting revenue from New Stores for the AOP.
- Concluded all store renewal agreements while achieving desired ROI.
- Directed design and project management functions to ensure alignment with brand standards.
- Ensuring that the quality of the project is in line with the quality benchmarks and also execution happens on time.
Business Head
Airmaniax India Pvt Ltd
Mumbai
07.2025 - 02.2016
- Spearheaded entry of adventure parks into Indian market.
- Signed first location in Ahmedabad, establishing a 30,000 sq ft facility.
- ensuring Store Months are achieved and delivering revenue numbers
- Reviewing Quarterly Targets, ROI numbers and ensuring that the team is achieving the same.
- Facilitated store renewal agreement processes to maintain operational continuity.
- Led design and project execution, coordinated vendor selection and collaboration with manufacturers in China, customs team, and licensing officers.
- Finalized the marketing and website agency , Food curator and various vendor partners.
National Head Business Development
CaratLane Trading Pvt Ltd
Mumbai
08.2022 - Current
- Achieved business results by launching new stores promptly and meeting monthly targets.
- Executed store signings New stores as per AOP pipeline , working on relocation /Expansion & renewal of stores as per plan across high street, Malls and Airports.
- Planned expansion pipeline by analyzing online browsing and sales funnel, mapping competition, benchmarking market trends, and projecting revenue for new stores in alignment with AOP.
- Spearheading coordination with internal department like Operations, HR, Legal, Compliance , Finance, Design & Projects to ensure that the stores are ready for business operations on time
- Trained regional business development team members and regional managers on BD processes, providing ongoing guidance to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Identified and interviewed franchises, ensuring adherence to SOPs during onboarding and effective handover for store operations.
- Analyzed quarterly targets Quarterly Targets, ROI numbers and ensuring that the team is achieving the same.
- Managed crisis response efforts to crisis situations quickly to mitigate risk or damage.
- Collaborated with auditors with auditors and answer their queries and also implement learnings shared by them
General Manager Leasing
The Phoenix Mills Ltd (Marketcity Kurla)
Mumbai
11.2019 - 08.2022
- Retail Leasing: Drive leasing for the center along with the team ,work out commercial estimates and drive negotiations with retailers to achieve desired commercials
- Developed and articulated mall leasing plan focusing on brand mix and retail zoning, identified potential retailers/brands and created pipeline for vacancies.
- Negotiated and closed legal documentation with retail brands from LOI to LLA, ensuring clarity in all terms of the agreements.
- Planned lease renewals based on retailer performance, upcoming requirements, and zoning modifications, reworked rates to maximize revenue.
- Income & Budget projection: Worked along with CFO and devised unit wise budgets and income projections for the upcoming financial year
- Income & Budget projection: Plan unit wise/category wise budget projections and business plan for coming financial year, present it to the board and take a final sign off
- Relationship Management: Maintain good relationships with retailers by interacting with their Business Development team discussing sales and business performance from time to time, provide them with support via marketing collaborations
- Created and implemented standard operating process to ensure consistent task execution across leasing operations.
- Facilitated team management by setting goals and conducting regular reviews.: Supporting the team in their day to day task and guiding them. Setting goals with each team member and timely review and one on one feedback, Identifying training needs and ensuring implementation of training
General Manager Leasing & Marketing
BKC Mall Management (JV between Reliance Industries & Makers Developer)
Mumbai
10.2018 - 11.2019
- Marketing Management: Develop and articulate integrated marketing plans, designed to meet marketing program / financial goals, align with company objectives, and capitalize on market opportunities
- Developed annual marketing calendar and budget projections aligned with financial goals for upcoming fiscal year.
- Category Management: Develop seasonal category go-to-market strategies based on product priorities and revenue targets
- Retail Mix planning: Develop item and retail mix plans that project the inventory required for the management's approval
- Insights and Reporting: Analyze actual business performance relative to plans and trends, reporting variances to plan
- Income & Budget projection: Worked along with CFO and devised unit wise budgets and income projections for the upcoming financial year
- Planned Zoning mix for the mall and Leased out the mall ensuring that the rental income is inline with the Business Plan rates.
- Collaborated with legal and finance teams to finalize documentation with retail brands, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
- Documentation: Coordinated with the legal team in formulating and closing contracts with retailers
- Presented preferred brand to management, detailing product mix, existing store presence, store aesthetics, and 3-year revenue projections to secure leasing approval.
Company Director & Key Accounts, Marketing & Licensing Manager- India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka
The Woolmark Company
Mumbai
02.2017 - 10.2018
- Contributed to partner strategy by creatively introducing and disseminating Australian Merino Wool's value proposition
- Marketing: Drive joint development of co-marketing material and create partnership campaigns that develop demand for wool
- Architected effective marketing strategies and communication plans, coordinating with Sydney HQ for annual marketing campaigns
- Conceptualized and launched 'Grown in Australia - Made in India' campaign, promoting Australian merino wool and recognized as best campaign by Asia Retail Congress
- Infused Merino Wool in travel gear of RCB cricket team by partnering with Zeven World
- Hosted an evening for Zegna's HNI clients to showcase their latest collection in Merino Wool, held at Taj Hyderabad and Leela Palace Delhi
- Collaborated with Designers like Sukhet DHir, Rina Singh, Sahil Kochhar, and Dhruv Vaish to showcase their collection in Merino Wool at Taj Coimbatore
- Showcased Raymonds Collection Khadi in wool at Australian High Commission
- Oversaw Woolmark licensee portfolio
- Connected with top ten designers of India along with Tata Luxury and rolled out: 'The Shall Project'
- Mapping various sub segments / categories in terms of their attractiveness on growth potential, profitability, competitiveness and strategic fit
- Other key promotional partnerships with: HDFC (sponsors for Marathon), Ministry of Textile, and Manish Malhotra
Sr Manager - Property Acquisition
Infiniti Retail (TATA – Croma)
Mumbai
03.2011 - 02.2017
- Engaged in developing new stores and managed lease actions for existing stores, built core real estate strategies based on the Tata Croma's expansion strategy across the West region, and building relationships with key business partner
- Collaborated with business and projects teams to create a medium-to-long term real estate strategy.
- Played a pivotal role in working out P&L and Board approval presentations
- Executed area / new store development (finding new real estate deals, market analysis, sales forecast, negotiation on conditions, suggestions for Malls / High-Streets, coordination and conclusion of contracts, etc.) based on strategy plans
- Comprehended Tata Croma's overall growth strategy to plot out selection criteria for candidate stores, priority, and strategy
- Facilitated collaboration between mall owners, property owners, and internal teams to meet marketing and operations requirements.
- Assessed the locations of existing stores, identified opportunities for growth/location changes, and created an annual goal plan accordingly
- Managing lease actions for existing stores, developed plans for each fiscal year including Competition Mapping and Rental Benchmarking, and supported execution based on these plans
- Trained and mentored subordinates to enhance their skills and performance. and other members within the team
- Ensured store fit outs were completed within the fit-out period and handed over the fitted-out store to the Operations Team
- Working closely with Consultants, Local brokers and Mall leasing teams to negotiate commercials, terms, MOUs and agreements
Leasing Manager – Leasing
High Street Phoenix Mall
Mumbai
03.2009 - 03.2011
- Planned Retail brand Mix and Zoning theme
- Ensured all available space is leased in an appropriate, timely and effective manner Planning and implementing the tenancy mix
- Established and built networking channels with prospective, existing tenants and real estate marketing agents
- Negotiated and closed agreements terms with key brands
- Delivered lease presentations to international consulting firms, large retail International, and Indian brands
- Presented property and provided amenities in a positive light to prospective tenants
- Determined the commercial needs, business standards and economic viability of prospect clients / brands
- Designed sales and marketing strategies to increase property traffic, maintains closing ratios and works to achieve and exceeds budgeted occupancy percentages
- Maintained thorough product knowledge, master plans and local regulations for the property and that of major competition
- Prepared and demonstrated a thorough knowledge of all lease-related paperwork
Manager - Retail Leasing
Mumbai International Airport Limited
02.2007 - 04.2009
- Identified locations that could be used for retail along with formats that would do well in travel retail, took necessary approvals internally as well as from BCAS
- Discussed and negotiated commercials with respective brands to achieve Business plans, presented the same to internal authorities and closed documentation along with legal team post approval
- Assisted brands in coordination for their passes, design approval and permits for commencement of work
- Monitored Brand sales figure and pushed them to participate in various promotional events and supported them in increasing revenue
- Key Achievements: Created Baby care room with partnership with Disney
- Helped Brand movement during decommissioning of old terminal
Department Manager
Croma (Venture of Tata's & Woolworths)
Mumbai
11.2006 - 12.2006
Asst. Manager Store Expansion
Infiniti Retail (Croma )
Mumbai
09.2005 - 01.2007
Education
Executive MBA - Leadership & Strategy and Marketing
NMIMS
03-2022
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Mumbai University
Mumbai, IndiaSkills
- Business development
- Project execution
- Retail expansion
- Market analysis
- Site selection
- Strategic planning
Key Areas Of Impact
- Real Estate Acquisition & Leasing
- P&L Management
- Sales and Marketing Leadership
- Events and PR
- Business Expansion
- Relationship Management
- Retail Management
- Team Leading
- Negotiations and Closures
Timeline
Vice President & Head of B u s i n e s s Development/Projects and Design
Orra Fine Jewellery
02.2026 - Current
Business Head
Airmaniax India Pvt Ltd
07.2025 - 02.2016
National Head Business Development
CaratLane Trading Pvt Ltd
08.2022 - Current
General Manager Leasing
The Phoenix Mills Ltd (Marketcity Kurla)
11.2019 - 08.2022
General Manager Leasing & Marketing
BKC Mall Management (JV between Reliance Industries & Makers Developer)
10.2018 - 11.2019
Company Director & Key Accounts, Marketing & Licensing Manager- India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka
The Woolmark Company
02.2017 - 10.2018
Sr Manager - Property Acquisition
Infiniti Retail (TATA – Croma)
03.2011 - 02.2017
Leasing Manager – Leasing
High Street Phoenix Mall
03.2009 - 03.2011
Manager - Retail Leasing
Mumbai International Airport Limited
02.2007 - 04.2009
Department Manager
Croma (Venture of Tata's & Woolworths)
11.2006 - 12.2006
Asst. Manager Store Expansion
Infiniti Retail (Croma )
09.2005 - 01.2007
Executive MBA - Leadership & Strategy and Marketing
NMIMS
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Mumbai University