Nikhil Lekhi
Head Retail Business Development & Projects
Malad West
Summary
Dynamic and accomplished retail real estate executive with over 23 years with progressive leadership in Retailer Leasing and Retail Business Development. Successfully led the leasing of over 7 million sq. ft. in premium malls nationwide, delivering high-impact growth and profitability. Developed excellent relationship with Leadership teams for developers, landlords, and retail stakeholders, with a sharp focus on opening long term and profitable stores at a PAN India level. Strategic planning, market intelligence, site selection, and scaling operations across tier-1 to tier-3 markets. Known for building and leading high-performing teams, managing full P&L, and shaping market-entry and development strategies across diverse retail formats.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Head Retail Business Development and Projects (Associate Director)
Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd
08.2025 - Current
- Spearhead strategic retail expansion across PAN India for four brands under Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd by identifying, evaluating, negotiating and acquiring new store locations.
- Oversee end-to-end Retail Expansion, ensuring strict compliance with timelines, budgetary controls, and operational readiness for seamless, successful retail launches.
- Conduct comprehensive market research and competitive analysis to identify prime retail locations with strong revenue potential; drive profitability and analysis of store-level P&L.
- Lead Contract/LOI/MOU negotiations and finalize commercial terms with mall developers and landlords at a national level and securing favourable terms in the contract to minimize risk.
- Own and manage the annual retail expansion budget, ensuring optimal allocation and timely store launches.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Projects, Operations, and Finance teams to ensure smooth site handovers, timely completion of civil works, and strict adherence to brand standards.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives by streamlining store acquisition processes, optimizing costs, and spearheading retail expansion to support sustained business growth.
AVP Leasing
Phoenix Mills Limited
06.2021 - 07.2025
- Head Leasing for 2 Malls in Phoenix Mills Portfolio.
- Heading a team of 4 members.
- Decision maker in leasing strategy in terms of tenant mix, business plans, churn plan of non-performing brands and replace with marquee brands, renewals etc.
- Provide annual forecast/ annual budgets and ensure that these targets are achieved by the team, which in turn increase the Net Operating Income for the centers.
- Negotiating and closing deals with renowned National and International Brands in the country as well as with renowned local retailers of these cities.
- Negotiating the Leave & License and the Collateral Agreements with the retailers for signing and executing the agreements before the retailer commences fit-out/ operations.
- Ensure the brands accept the handover of stores and commence fit-outs within the stipulated time.
- Successfully leased approximately 3.5 Million square feet space in malls at PAN India level.
- Headed Leasing for all operational / upcoming centers at a PAN India level i.e, the Northern, Southern and Western Part of India.
- Negotiated and signed contracts with renowned National and International Brands in the country as well as with renowned local retailers of these cities.
AVP Leasing
Virtuous Retail (VR Malls)
09.2017 - 05.2021
- Headed a team of 5 members.
- Headed Leasing for Malls at a PAN India Level.
- Negotiated and signed contracts with renowned National and International Brands in the country, including renowned local retailers in the respective city.
- Accomplishments:
- Achieved an average rental increase of 37% in centers such as Surat, Nagpur etc.
- Successfully increased the Occupancy percentage by 28% in Mohali.
- Churned Approx. 60 Non Performing brands and replaced them with marquee brands, due to which the overall Trading Density of the mall had increased by 35%.
AGM Leasing
Reliance Industries Ltd
12.2011 - 08.2017
- In April 2015, I got promoted to Asst. General Manager.
- Headed a team of 7 members.
- Successfully leased approximately 3.5 Million square feet space in malls at PAN India level.
- Headed Leasing for all operational / upcoming centers at a PAN India level i.e, the Northern, Southern and Western Part of India.
- Negotiated and signed contracts with renowned National and International Brands in the country as well as with renowned local retailers of these cities.
- Accomplishments:
- Achieved an average rental increase of 21% in all operational centers.
- Successfully leased malls predominately in Tier I & Tier II cities i.e, Bangalore, Mysore, Delhi, Pune, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Rajkot, Bhilwara, Jalandhar, Jamnagar, Surat, Salem, Erode, Karimgar etc.
- Efficaciously leased property worth 3.5 Million & more than 6 Million across the career.
Manager Leasing
Phoenix Mills - Marketcity Resources
09.2009 - 11.2011
- Accountable for leasing approximately 1 million square feet.
- Carried out Catchment Analysis for the malls in Bangalore and Chennai
- Formulated the Business Plans for the malls in Bangalore and Chennai basis the final closure rate based on factors like prevailing rentals in the city.
- Conducted market research and mapped high streets & malls for understanding the current retail scenario of the city.
- Studied market and identified new local and international brands for the development of business.
- Accomplishment:
- Successfully leased Market City in Chennai and Bangalore
- Bangalore – successfully executed and ensured that retailers commences fit out
Manager Leasing
Runwal Group Of Companies
09.2008 - 09.2009
- Handled leasing of space in the malls at different locations in Mumbai (Rcity, Ghatkopar, RMall, Thane)
- Negotiated Leave & License and the Collateral Agreements with the retailers for signing and executing the agreements before the retailer commences fit out/ operations.
Manager - Customer Care
MSquare Mall Management and Marketing Company
07.2007 - 09.2008
- Led a team of 6 members
- Collection of all sales data from the retailers to determine the sale patterns, seasonal swings, category performances etc.
- Footfall data to understand flow of traffic from various vantage points, at different times & levels across the mall.
- Conducted research to find out customer/tenants satisfaction levels & feedback on various facilities / services / events / promotions at the mall.
- Agreements, Income Summary Forms and other leasing related procedure.
- Handled Staff Grooming, Training & Development.
Customer Care
3 Global Services
09.2003 - 06.2007
- Played an integral role in Retail Support Team
Marketing Executive
Lekhize Shoes
04.2001 - 08.2003
- Handled Business Development.
- Managed large format retail stores like Shopper’s stop, Lifestyles and specialty stores like Ebony, Catwalk and Metro.
- Served as an important part of the Business development team.
- Collaborated with marketing and the production team and was involved in account recovery.
Education
Post Graduate - Human Resource
Mumbai Educational Trust
04.2010
Bachelor - Business Management
Shree Nehru Maha Vidalaya
03.2001
Skills
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Leadership
- Decision Making
- Revenue Generation
- Critical Thinking & Strategy Planning
- Management Skills
Interests
Playing Cricket, Music, Traveling
Timeline
Head Retail Business Development and Projects (Associate Director)
Samsonite South Asia Pvt Ltd
08.2025 - Current
AVP Leasing
Phoenix Mills Limited
06.2021 - 07.2025
AVP Leasing
Virtuous Retail (VR Malls)
09.2017 - 05.2021
AGM Leasing
Reliance Industries Ltd
12.2011 - 08.2017
Manager Leasing
Phoenix Mills - Marketcity Resources
09.2009 - 11.2011
Manager Leasing
Runwal Group Of Companies
09.2008 - 09.2009
Manager - Customer Care
MSquare Mall Management and Marketing Company
07.2007 - 09.2008
Customer Care
3 Global Services
09.2003 - 06.2007
Marketing Executive
Lekhize Shoes
04.2001 - 08.2003
Bachelor - Business Management
Shree Nehru Maha Vidalaya
Post Graduate - Human Resource
Mumbai Educational Trust
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