“Luxury is no longer the privilege of the few who were born into wealth. There is now a larger consumer base, which has the money to splurge but want a real value proposition. Going forward, this will be the biggest challenge faced by luxury brands this year.”

Abhay Gupta

About Abhay

Widely recognized as India’s foremost authority on luxury retail and brand strategy, Abhay Gupta has a multitude of expertise. In this capacity, he pursues a plethora of activities including writing, advisory, public speaking, thought leadership and philanthropy. He is a thought leader, brand leader, luxury retail expert, and consumer champion.

Over the two decades’ experience of working in luxury & retail companies, he has been credited to have continually delivered sustainable revenue growth in the luxury, retail, apparel manufacturing and brand launch initiatives amongst other industry-changing functions.

In his efforts to promote and educate the nation about luxury brands & lifestyle, he has founded Luxury Connect LLP, Luxury Connect Business School and Luxury Cruxx.

A Marshal Goldsmith stakeholder centered certified coach, he is also the President of Center for Education Growth & Research, Delhi NCR Chapter and an advisor to – ‘Promising Indians’, Behind The Ramp & Modestreet Fashions.

Actions That Get Results

Abhay has a passion for actions that get results – in everything he does. He has led businesses in sectors including luxury and fashion brands, branded goods, high-end retail and fashion manufacturing. His latest venture – Luxury Connect Business School, a part of Luxury Connect LLP, is India’s first and only luxury business school. With the most prolific set of mentors and award-winning faculty from the luxury industry, retail and sourcing experience, Luxury Connect Business School aims to be the guiding light in the phenomenal world of luxury. Prior to founding Luxury Connect & LCBS, Mr Gupta had held leadership positions in leading luxury brands. As the country head for Versace & Corneliani, he was responsible for the entire change management process for the master franchisee Blues Clothing Company. He led the franchise tie-up with luxury fashion brands like Gianni Versace; Versace Jeans; Versace Collection and Corneliani and the launch of the first boutiques of these brands into India. As the General Manager – Manufacturing in Stencil Apparel, Abhay led the setup of the entire modern manufacturing and process systems for Lacoste. At KB+T, a Groupo Marzotto project, as V.P Operations, he was responsible for the entire operations from green field to launch and after including the technology Transfer operations for the entire process.

Over the two decades’ experience in the luxury industry, Mr. Abhay Gupta has conceptualized and strategized a multitude of revolutionary ideas such as the introduction of Versace mobile phones in India, launch of BLUES HOMES with an area of 60000 sq. ft. with six unique concepts including VERSACE HOME, setting up of the first state of the art plant to manufacture Ready-to-wear suits made by Italian technology, the conversion of luxury brand franchisees into licensing agreements with Cadini across 25 product categories and conducted India’s first anthropometric study for sizing of Indian men for suits. He also conceptualized and launched innovative private labels like ‘Bench & Bar’, clothing for the legal professionals; ‘SU Misura’ – clothing for all shapes and sizes as the first ever off the shelf complete line for odd sizes in India.

Mr Abhay Gupta is a natural communicator with the ability to lead, build and motivate a management team and to engage the team throughout an organisation. His thought leadership & excellence in leadership have been demonstrated time & again especially in compliance management for the manufacturing turn around during the anti-sweatshop drive by various US brands, creating new concept brands ground up and the latest venture, conceptualizing and launching India’s first and only Luxury Business School.

Affiliations & Associations

Media &
Publications

Media & Publications

Awards & Accolades

Black Book – Indian Luxury’s Most Influential Top 100
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

Most Influential Retail Leader across Asia, GCC and SA regions
2017 & 2016 – Asia Retail Congress

Jury Member – ASIAN LUXURY LIFESTYLE AWARDS
2015

Luxury Retail Icon of the Year – 2012
Feb 2012    World Retail Congress