In a significant leadership development, Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed Hiren Gor as the new Managing Director for SAMEA (South Asia, Middle East & Africa). The position had remained vacant since Amisha Jain’s exit earlier in 2025, making this announcement a pivotal step in Levi’s renewed focus on the region.
Hiren’s rise to MD comes after over 16 years at Levi’s, most recently serving as General Manager for South Asia—overseeing operations in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
Hiren holds an MBA in Marketing from NMIMS, Mumbai, and brings over 23 years of cross-industry experience, including roles at Colgate-Palmolive, Future Group, and VF Corporation.
Career Highlights at Levi’s India: Building the Brand Brick by Brick
Since joining Levi Strauss & Co. in 2008, Hiren has been a central figure in transforming Levi’s® into a household name in India. His track record includes:
- Expanding to 400+ exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) in 160+ cities, including Tier 2 & 3 markets
- Launching Levi’s largest Asian flagship store in New Delhi — a 9,150 sq. ft retail experience
- Championing omni-channel growth, improving e-commerce, and building a franchise-led hybrid model
- Optimizing store formats, merchandising strategies, and retail execution for profitable growth
- Scaling up D2C and digital integration in response to evolving consumer behavior
- Reinforcing Levi’s premium positioning with local relevance and product innovation
Hiren’s style is strategic yet grounded—earning him a reputation as a collaborative, execution-focused leader who empowers teams and builds scalable systems.
India Performance Snapshot: From Recovery to Consolidation
India remains one of Levi’s fastest-growing markets globally, with performance trends indicating both strength and evolving challenges:
Revenue & Profit Trends:
- FY2022: Levi’s India revenue rose 58% YoY to ₹1,154 crore, driven by strong demand in Tier 1 & 2 cities
- FY2024: Revenue grew further to ₹1,843 crore (up 3.4%), though net profit declined 13.4% to ₹159.4 crore due to rising operational costs and margin pressure
- Global FY2023 Revenue: $6.2 billion, with Asia as the fastest-growing region
India is now Levi’s largest market in Asia and 6th globally by sales volume – a testament to the brand’s enduring equity and agile retail strategy.
Retail Footprint:
- 400+ Levi’s® exclusive brand outlets (EBOs)
- Robust partnerships with large-format stores (e.g., Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle)
- A scaled e-commerce presence (both D2C and marketplaces)
- An integrated omni-channel strategy linking online and offline journeys
About Levi Strauss & Co.
Founded in 1853, Levi Strauss & Co. is a globally recognized leader in denim and casual wear, most famous for inventing the 501® blue jeans. The company operates in 110+ countries with approximately 3,200 stores and shop-in-shops, serving consumers through retail, wholesale, franchise, and online channels.
Global Revenue Goals:
- FY2023 Revenue: $6.2 billion
- Target FY2027 Revenue: $9–10 billion, led by growth in Asia
Leadership Transition: From Amisha Jain to Hiren Gor
Prior to Hiren, the SAMEA MD role was held by Amisha Jain, who brought strong digital and operational acumen from her tenure at Zivame, where she scaled the business 9x before its acquisition by Reliance.
Under Amisha’s leadership, Levi’s strengthened its digital commerce, retail formats, and premium positioning. Her departure in early 2025 left the MD post vacant until Hiren’s appointment—marking a return to internal succession and stability.
Strategic Outlook Under Hiren Gor’s Leadership
Now tasked with driving growth across South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, Hiren’s roadmap includes:
- Accelerated store expansion in Tier 2 markets and key urban hubs
- Omni-channel innovation: Tighter integration between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores
- Localized product lines: Including premium denim, casualwear, and regional styles
- Sustainability & Purpose: Aligning with Levi’s global goals for responsible sourcing and production
- Digital acceleration: Strengthening tech-led consumer experiences across channels
- Profit focus: Maintaining margin discipline amidst rising input and real estate costs
Why Hiren’s Appointment Matters
Hiren’s elevation reflects Levi’s confidence in homegrown talent and its commitment to building leadership pipelines from within. With his deep operational insight, nuanced understanding of Indian and South Asian consumers, and a clear eye on execution, he’s uniquely positioned to lead Levi’s through its next growth wave.
India, now the anchor of Levi’s Asia business, is poised to play a central role in the brand’s global future. And at the core of that vision stands a leader who’s seen every phase of that journey.
