“In these difficult times, when we fighting the Covid-19, I appeal to the People of India, not to indulge in Hatred, share Positivity and  Help the Needy.” – Geeta Khatri

“In these difficult times, when we fighting the Covid-19, I appeal to the People of India, not to indulge in Hatred, share Positivity and  Help the Needy.” – Geeta Khatri

Geeta Khatri is The Head for Retail Design Inorbit Malls Pvt Ltd, Pan India. She has previously worked with Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd and Future Group. She has been instrumental in Setting up & Launching more than 150 retail outlets for all the companies she worked for, and quite an important person in Retail Establishments in India.

Q. You are a certified interior designer, initially, started Your career as independent consultant and later went to work with Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd, Future Group and currently associated with Inorbit Malls India Pvt Ltd. Can You share Your journey with us ?

The journey has been very enriching and each step in my life has taught me a lot – I feel I have learnt from my mistakes & experiences and all that has helped me be what I am today – although I still have a long way to go. I started working at an early age as I always wanted to be independent. I never realized what hard work could do for me – I always strived to be perfect and set a goal for myself even if the work did not demand it. I am self Motivated.
I have learnt a lot form my seniors & colleagues in every Company I worked for. All these companies are amongst the top companies in their respective fields and I am indeed proud to be associated with them and owe my current position and status to them. I gradually but steadily have climbed the Corporate ladder and am happy where I am today.Although I know Sky is the limit and am working on achieving more & more each day.

Q. You had led and set up 75 Planet M retail out lets across India, which is an achievement, as in those days, the music stores were just a thought / concept in India. How was your experience? What challenges did you face and how you overcame those?

Planet M happened to me at a stage when I was looking for a change and wanted to venture into something new – moving from an Interior Designers role to Retail Operations and then to setting up new stores which had a mix of Both Operations & Design was initially a challenge and later became a passion for me. Being part of Retail, Music and one of the Largest Companies like Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd was a kick by itself and I needed no external motivation, as the Internal one was so inspiring that it just helped me glide over with the expansion with ease. Also, not to forget the team I headed, was one of its kind where they would just stand like rocks beside me and we worked amazingly well as one great team – my entire career clearly has a great support from the Seniors and Teams who worked with me – I think that’s what takes you to great heights.
Planet M setting up 75+ Stores had lots of challenges as well, but trust me, when I say everything is possible when you are dedicated, have a great support from your seniors and Teams below. There was never a dull day, always full of action and challenges but it was all worth it.

Q. You were also instrumental in the expansion of Value Formats Store – Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar How was your experience, working with Future Group. How was it different from Planet M in terms of Target consumers and Value formats?

Moving to Retail of Large format stores was very challenging and Interesting, learnt a lot in terms of Different Market Types as the growth happened at a Pan India level and I was heading very large teams. The profile also I started with was first Operations and then moved to Setting up New stores, handholding the store teams till they settled and then moving on to other projects. The world was very different here as compared to Music industry where we only met the Page 3 Crowd and a different segment of customers, at Big Bazaar & Food Bazaar we saw the basic Indian consumer who would come to us for his daily needs – the likes and dislikes of everyday Indian masses – the planning, designing and look n feel was very different from a Music store. This again give me a different perspective into Retailing.

Q. In 2006- 2007, You were also assigned a special task to stabilize the than existing business of Gini Jony Future Fashions Ltd, where You played a critical role to set up 15 new stores for the brand and double the organization’s revenue in just 8 months. Can You elaborate?
As part of Future Group joint Venture with the Kids Brand – I was appointed as an Operations & New Store Set Up head – this was another excellent opportunity in my life which taught me how to work with a Joint venture – reporting to two Business partners. Working with a Kids brand gave me a new Perspective to Retail once again.

Q. How is Inorbit Malls retail doing ? what is your role in the organization? What is the future plan of the organization? 

Inorbit as a Group is expanding rapidly and is one of the largest and oldest Mall Company in India. The Company has huge expansion plans & I am honored to be associated with the Brand. I am proudly associated with the group which is certified as one of the Top 50 Great places to Work.
I head the Retail Design Team here Pan India and my job includes close coordination on Interior Designing of the Stores, Execution and Store Launch.

Q. You are also passionate about Music and music industry. You also founded Hamara Music in the process and launched many artists and bands in the music industry. How it all shaped up? What kind of music you like? What are your thoughts on the evolution of music over these years. What should be focused on?

Music became my passion when I joined Planet M and I always wanted to do something in that field, I took a sabbatical from Corporate role in 2009 and started our own Music Label and got into Events and Artiste management with My cousin Jitesh Lakhwani who is also a Great Singer and has many Songs to his Credit. The initial days were great when we started, and we Specialized only promoting Independent & New Artiste’s. we also released 2 Bollywood Music Albums, but with Piracy and Big Old companies already established we found it a bit difficult to sustain and we decided not to pursue this further.  We still have the Label and are available Online on all major Sites like Amazon Music and more.
The sound of Music has changed over the years, the same is thus a reflection of our Cultural evolution. In olden days traditional instruments were played and today its more of copying old tunes,  Lyrics and there is not soul to today’s Music. Music can change the world but I think we doing very little to achieve this

Q. Being into interior designing, You work more on visuals and creativity. Are you a creative person first or business focused, as setting up retail stores with right visuals encourages revenue. What all you focus on, when you design the stores? Can you cite any example?

I am a Business focused Creative person, I have always tuned myself to use my expertise to enhance the job I am doing. In retail the Look n Feel makes the most lasting impact and helps you attract customers. We have to adapt ourselves to the changing environment and work to maximize it – I have always believed in this and strive to achieve it through my work.

Q. How the Indian retail industry is evolving ? what is the impact of online retail on physical stores. How the physical retailing is tackling the online retailing?

Retail as per me is growing rapidly. Online stores will stay – for Shoppers/ Consumers –  the Touch and Feel aspect need is so high that we still like to visit brick & mortar stores. Retail today is not only Shopping, it is an experience and everyone wants to feel it. As a Customer – you are a King and everyone wants to be pampered and feel important – hence the Physical Stores are here to stay and add more Experience and Value to shopping.

Q. What society has taught You? How important it is to pay back to the society? What in individual capacity You do for it? Any appeal to the readers?

Society has taught us many Valuable things – The Lesson of Give & Take, The Lesson of Time & patience, Lesson of Pain & Fear, Lesson of Relationships, Lesson of Stability & Change, etc . Lessons are immense – it is how we learn and take it ahead.
We need to pay back society as educated & progressive individuals, we need to Self Introspect and work on how we can contribute to the society. As a lady and as a citizen of the country I do my bit in helping the needy, supporting the girl child. I do believe a Smile and being friendly can change someone’s life, donating to the needy and helping the senior citizens and being sensitive to each other can change the society where we live.
In these difficult times, when we fighting the Covid-19, I appeal to the People of India, not to indulge in Hatred, share Positivity and  Help the Needy. 

Q. Have you faced challenges/road blocks during your journey? Any incident you would like to share?
I seriously feel I have been very lucky to have worked with great people who have contributed to my success & wellbeing. I take this platform to Thank each one of them for what I am today.

Q. With experience of over 25 years in retail operations, how it feels when you look back? 

It really feels nice to have a rich experience of 25+ years but I still feel I have a long way to go, I still feel I can achieve much more and for that I am working hard even now. I believe there is lot more to learn and share till we are in this world. Do what you do to leave a legacy behind – people must remember you first as a good human and then as a successful person.

Q. How is Geeta Khatri in person? What you are addicted to or passionate about?

As a person I am Happy, fun loving and above all, I don’t like to imitate and follow others. I feel we all have an individual personality and we should be proud of what we are.
I am addicted to my work/ iam driven by Passion & Self Motivation – I do my best in whatever situation I am in and I Value time  – as I feel time once lost cannot come back.  I need a lot of time for myself and  enjoy being alone for a few hours every day. It helps me Unwind, Reflect and Rejuvenate. 

Q. You are an inspiration to lot of females who want to make career in retail industry. Any advice for them?
I just have a few words on aspiring career women – Being from a Retail background I realize Retail is Detail and it really helps delivering the job you are focused on. Be passionate, don’t strive to be perfect, believe in yourself, learn from your mistakes, Eradicate Negativity, don’t feel demotivated with failures, Value everyone and everything you interact with & above all you are a Woman who has the capability to take the lead in every situation, So – Go for it and keep Rocking!!!!