PUMA INDIA TO APPOINT RAMPRASAD SRIDHARAN AS MANAGING DIRECTOR, SIGNALLING NEW GROWTH PHASE

Puma India is set to appoint Ramprasad Sridharan, former Benetton India CEO, as Managing Director, succeeding Karthik Balagopalan. The move signals Puma’s focus on lifestyle-driven growth in India’s fast-expanding sportswear market. Sridharan’s expertise in fashion retail and localization is expected to help Puma balance sports performance with streetwear appeal.

In a major leadership transition for one of the world’s fastest-growing sportswear markets, Puma India is set to appoint Ramprasad Sridharan, the former Chief Executive of Benetton India, as its new Managing Director. The move underscores Puma’s renewed focus on blending sport, lifestyle, and fashion to maintain its strong growth trajectory in India’s dynamic retail landscape.

Sridharan will succeed Karthik Balagopalan, who stepped down earlier this month after leading the brand’s India operations for about a year. Balagopalan, a long-time Puma executive, is returning to Germany to focus on personal priorities, the company confirmed earlier. His tenure saw the brand consolidate its leadership position in the Indian sportswear segment and further strengthen its direct-to-consumer network.

The appointment of Sridharan comes at a time when India continues to be one of Puma’s strongest-performing markets globally, consistently delivering double-digit growth. This success has been driven by the country’s booming athleisure demand, a growing youth demographic, expanding retail presence, and robust digital engagement. However, with increased competition from rivals like Nike, Adidas, Skechers, and Decathlon, Puma’s next phase of growth will depend on sharper positioning and greater innovation.

Sridharan’s track record at Benetton India makes him a strategic fit for the role. At Benetton, he spearheaded a turnaround strategy focused on product localization, supply-chain agility, and a shift toward direct-to-consumer business models. His deep understanding of fashion-led retail and customer experience is expected to help Puma strengthen its lifestyle credentials while staying true to its sports DNA.

Industry observers see this as a well-timed leadership change that could help Puma navigate India’s evolving consumer trends. The country’s growing preference for “athleisure as everyday fashion” presents opportunities for brands that can merge performance wear with contemporary street style—a space where Sridharan’s expertise could be pivotal.

“The challenge for Puma will be to sustain its momentum in a market that’s both promising and fiercely competitive,” said a retail analyst familiar with the sector. “Ramprasad’s fashion retail experience positions him well to steer the brand as consumers increasingly seek lifestyle-driven sportswear.”

Under Sridharan’s leadership, Puma India is expected to double down on innovation, digital transformation, and localized collections to appeal to younger consumers. The brand’s strong engagement with athletes, influencers, and creative communities—through collaborations, limited editions, and experiential retail—will likely remain central to its strategy.

Puma’s global focus on blending sports performance with cultural relevance has already found resonance in India, where urban youth are driving demand for apparel and footwear that reflect both comfort and identity. As the company moves into its next growth phase, Sridharan’s appointment is seen as a move to balance international brand strength with local insight.

For Puma, this leadership transition isn’t just a change in command—it’s an evolution in mindset. By bringing in a leader with deep roots in fashion retail and a strong sense of market adaptation, the brand signals its readiness to shape the next chapter of India’s sports-lifestyle revolution.

In a country where sportswear is becoming the new everyday wear, Ramprasad Sridharan’s leadership could define how Puma runs the next leg of its Indian journey—stylish, steady, and sprinting ahead.