In a strategic leadership move, Quest Retail, one of India’s leading beauty-focused specialty retailers, has elevated Shriti Malhotra to Executive Chairperson. Succeeding her as Quest Retail’s new Group CEO is Rahul Shanker.
Shanker’s appointment at Quest Retail comes at a pivotal time as the company looks to accelerate its growth, enhance its omnichannel strategy, and deepen its market presence.
That said, in this new role, he will take charge of Quest Retail group company operations which includes The Body Shop, Kiehl’s, Avon, Kylie Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Max Factor, Boddess, The Honest Tree, alongside other brands in the Quest Retail portfolio.
Prior to joining Quest Retail, Shanker was associated with Modicare as CEO between August 2018 and Dec 2024. With a distinguished career in globally recognised organisations, including FMCG giants, such as PepsiCo, Wrigley-Mars, Philips, Avon and Modicare, his expertise spans across multiple consumer categories- from FMCG to personal care and health and wellness.
In fact, under the CEO remit, Shanker’s leadership will focus on accelerating growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving innovation in customer experience
Furthermore, Malhotra also steps into the role of Executive Chairman after a transformative tenure as Group CEO, during which Quest Retail cemented itself as a key player in India’s beauty industry, expanding its brand portfolio and pioneering new retail concepts.
As Executive Chairman, she will now steer the company’s long-term strategic direction, working closely with the Board of Directors to shape its future growth.
With nearly three decades of experience in India’s retail sector, Malhotra has played a key role in the growth of influential brands like Benetton, Nike, and Puma. She specializes in sport licensing, branding, retail development, and general management.
In fact, it was about two decades ago that she significantly impacted India’s beauty landscape by launching The Body Shop in India, where her leadership drove rapid expansion, operational excellence, and innovative customer engagement, positioning the brand as one of the leaders in the competitive beauty and personal care market.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Shriti Malhotra, Executive Chairman, Quest Retail, said, “A company’s true strength lies in the passion of its people, and it has been my privilege to lead Quest Retail to where it stands today. Rahul’s depth of experience in consumer businesses and his transformational leadership make him the ideal person to drive the company’s next chapter. His appointment is crucial for enhancing our omnichannel capabilities and continuing to solidify our position in the market.”
To this, Shanker added, “I am thrilled to join Quest Retail at such an exciting time. The company has established a robust portfolio and a powerful omnichannel ecosystem that positions it uniquely for growth. My focus will be on scaling our operations, innovating the customer journey, and identifying new opportunities to further accelerate our success. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional team and stakeholders to take Quest Retail to new heights.”
