Women leaders are reshaping India’s fashion retail landscape with bold innovation, strategic foresight, and a deep understanding of evolving consumer needs. Across segments—from luxury and fast fashion to D2C—these trailblazers are championing growth, sustainability, and inclusivity, while leading the charge in brand storytelling and digital evolution.
Overcoming challenges such as gender biases and work-life dynamics, they continue to raise the bar and elevate India’s presence on the global fashion map. This special feature celebrates dynamic women who have reimagined business strategies, introduced game-changing innovations, and driven their brands to new heights.
In this edition, we spotlight Shruti Shukla, Head E-Commerce, Monte Carlo.
Shruti Shukla, a PGDM graduate in Footwear Technology from FDDI Noida, has built a dynamic career in retail and e-commerce. Her journey began at the inception of India’s e-commerce boom, playing a pivotal role in shaping the online footwear market. She was instrumental in launching Snapdeal’s Footwear category during its transition into a fashion marketplace and previously contributed to Yebhi, where she navigated the early, uncharted days of online retail.
Shruti has evolved into a strategic leader, currently heading the e-commerce division at Monte Carlo. She drives P&L growth, business expansion, and digital transformation, leveraging her deep expertise to scale operations and enhance customer experiences in the ever-evolving retail landscape.
Challenges & Triumphs in Leadership
Retail leadership remains largely male-dominated, and establishing authority required significant effort for Shruti. She navigated this challenge by delivering strong results, making data-driven decisions, and leading with confidence. By letting her work speak for itself, she earned trust and drove meaningful change in the industry.
Key Strengths & Areas for Growth
- Strengths: Strategic planning; Leadership; Willpower & Positive attitude
- Area of Improvement: Enhancing technological expertise
Game-Changing Decisions for Brand
Shruti played a pivotal role in scaling Monte Carlo’s e-commerce operations to a comprehensive 360-degree level through strategic initiatives. She spearheaded the launch of a marketplace warehouse near the mother warehouse in Ludhiana, optimising logistics and reducing lead times. By revising margins with partner portals, she improved profitability while introducing a Special Make-Up (SMU) range tailored for e-commerce demand. Additionally, she strengthened brand positioning, increased direct-to-consumer sales, and implemented data-driven marketing and customer retention strategies to enhance engagement and conversions.
Career Aspirations & Future Goals
- Mentoring young professionals, especially women in retail and e-commerce
- Opening an NGO
- Elevate to a larger leadership role like COO
- Drive digital transformation in retail at a larger scale
Essential Skills for Success
- E-commerce & Marketplace management
- Business development & Growth strategy
- Product & Category management
- Digital marketing & Analytics
- Vendor & Stakeholder management
3 Emerging Trends & Technologies Shaping Retail
- AI & ML – Enhancing personalisation, predictive analytics, and customer engagement
- Quick Commerce
- Sustainable & Ethical retailing
3 Career Learnings
- Adaptability – The industry evolves rapidly; staying agile is key
- Continuous Learning – Always upskill to stay ahead in a competitive market
- Building Relationships – Networking and collaboration open doors to new opportunities
Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
Stay confident, be data-driven, and never hesitate to take up challenges. Build your expertise, find mentors, and keep learning. Your vision and resilience will set you apart.
Biggest Role Model
Every woman is a role model in her own way.
Life Mantra
‘Work hard in silence, let success make the noise.’
