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Tag: Ankur Sharma

  • Jockey races ahead with 1500 stores as comfort meets retail milestone

    Jockey races ahead with 1500 stores as comfort meets retail milestone

    MUMBAI: Looks like Jockey’s running a winning streak and this time, the finish line reads 1,500. The iconic innerwear and lifestyle brand has hit a major retail milestone with the launch of its 1500th Exclusive Brand Store (EBS) in India, marking a new chapter in its three-decade-long evolution from comfort staple to fashion statement.

    The milestone outlet, featuring a sleek, youthful design, mirrors Jockey’s shift towards a more style-conscious audience. Stocked with a full range of apparel and innerwear for men, women, and children, the store embodies the brand’s mantra of fusing everyday ease with contemporary flair.

    It’s been quite the journey since Jockey opened its first Indian store back in 1995. What began as a trusted name for innerwear has now grown into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, one that understands that comfort isn’t just worn, it’s lived. From metros to tier II and III towns, the brand’s 1,500 exclusive stores stand as proof of its deep market connect and inclusive retail strategy.

    “We are thrilled to reach this incredible milestone of 1500 stores in India,” said Page Industries chief retail officer Ankur Sharma. “This achievement is a testament to our consumers’ love and our franchisees’ trust. It marks another step forward in our mission to redefine comfort and style in everyday essentials.”

    The new store format reflects how Jockey has evolved to stay in step with India’s changing retail rhythm. With clean lines, digital integration, and an inviting layout, each outlet doubles up as an experience hub, a space where shoppers can explore, try, and indulge in the brand’s growing lifestyle collection.

    Behind this steady sprint is a clear strategy: blend a robust offline network with a strong online presence. By aligning its distribution with the pulse of modern consumers, Jockey continues to hold its own in an increasingly competitive apparel landscape.

    From its humble beginnings to a 1,500-store-strong empire, Jockey’s story proves that comfort never goes out of style, it just finds new ways to fit. And as the brand slips comfortably into this next phase, it’s safe to say that Jockey isn’t just keeping pace with India’s fashion-forward consumers, it’s setting the rhythm.
     

  • Cifdaq doubles down on firepower with high-stakes C-suite shake-up

    Cifdaq doubles down on firepower with high-stakes C-suite shake-up

    MUMBAI: There’s a storm brewing in the crypto world, and Cifdaq Group is flying straight into it — but not without bolstering its cockpit first. The blockchain beast has just recruited two heavyweight copilots to chart its next big leap in the Indian and global markets. Enter: Ankur Sharma as group chief financial officer (CFO) and Smrita Singh Chandra as group chief brand and communications officer (CBCO).

    These aren’t just titles to slap on a LinkedIn update. Sharma and Chandra bring over 35 years of combined experience to a Web3 outfit that’s got its eyes set on a multi-billion-dollar future. According to company brass, the move is about more than beefing up the leadership bench — it’s a statement of intent.

    “The cryptocurrency industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, projected to attain a valuation of $5 billion globally by 2030. These appointments are part of our strategy to build a future-ready leadership team capable of navigating rapid change, scaling operations, and creating meaningful impact. Ankur will be instrumental in refining our financial strategy, strengthening investor relations, and enabling sustainable growth. Smrita’s strategic storytelling expertise will be key to building trust and strengthening engagement across stakeholders—from consumers and regulators to partners worldwide. Together, they will help us fortify our foundation, drive innovation, and elevate our brand as we continue to lead in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. We’re excited to welcome them aboard at this transformative moment,” said Cifdaq group founder & chairman Himanshu Maradiya.

    Sharma comes packing some serious numbers. With a track record that includes turbocharging boAt’s omni-channel revenue almost threefold in under three years, he’s now in charge of cracking the crypto-finance code at Cifdaq. Past roles at Cravatex (FILA, VANS), AGS Group and Reliance Capital make Sharma less of a CFO and more of a revenue ninja.

    “Cifdaq Group is at the cutting edge of blockchain and digital finance, and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to support its acceleration towards the next chapter. With a strong foundation in place, my focus will be on refining our financial strategy to unlock new growth opportunities, streamline operations, and ensure that we’re well positioned to deliver long-term value to both, our users and investors”, said Sharma.

    Chandra, meanwhile, joins the war room with a megaphone in one hand and a brand manual in the other. With nearly two decades shaping brand and policy narratives — from Dream11 to Fedex to Jet Airways — she’s the communications powerhouse Cifdaq wants as it courts regulators, dodges FUD, and chases user trust.

    “Joining Cifdaq at this pivotal moment is an exciting opportunity and a challenge. As we redefine the future of blockchain and financial technology, my focus is on amplifying our brand voice and reinforcing our values—transparency, trust, compliance, and innovation—to connect meaningfully with both Indian and global communities”, she said.

    With the crypto market ballooning and India’s digital asset debate simmering on low heat, these appointments mark a crucial play. If the future of finance is being rewritten, Cifdaq wants a firm grip on the pen — and it just handed it to two of the sharpest scribes around.