Darshan Mehta, former chief executive officer of Reliance Brands Ltd. and a pioneer in India's luxury retail space, died on Wednesday at the age of 63.
The Retailers Association of India, an apex body of Indian retail industry, expressed condolences on X, saying that Mehta's vision "brought global icons to Indian shelves" and "his leadership shaping an entire industry". "His legacy will endure in every storefront and brand he helped bring to life."
Multiple media reports claimed that his death occurred while he was working out on a treadmill at Taj Hyderabad.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Darshan Mehta, the founding CEO of Reliance Brands and a pioneer in India's luxury retail space.
Darshan's vision brought global icons to Indian shelves, and his leadership shaped an entire industry. His legacy will endure in every… pic.twitter.com/HmfomE156hMehta's Life Trajectory
Mehta, a qualified chartered accountant and cost and works accountant, started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mumbai. He later advanced to a senior leadership position at Trikaya Grey Advertising, now a part of the WPP Group.
Before joining Reliance, Mehta was the president of Arvind Brands Ltd from 2001 to 2007. He also played a pivotal role in launching major international brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Gant and Nautica, to the Indian market.
Reliance Brand also partnered with many Indian designers like Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla, Manish Malhotra, and Rahul Mishra, introducing them to the global fashion landscape.
In the fashion retail sector, RBL holds a portfolio of over 60 prominent global brands. Mehta also headed the launch of Reliance Group's two luxury retail hubs in Mumbai—Jio World Drive and Jio World Plaza—which have transformed luxury retail in India.
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