PUMA India is set to appoint Ramprasad Sridharan former Managing Director & CEO of Benetton India as its new head for the India market, according to media reports.
This leadership change follows the exit of Karthik Balagopalan, who stepped down from his India role to focus on family in Germany.
Ramprasad Sridharan: A proven footwear & retail leader
With over two decades of experience across sportswear, footwear, and fashion retail, Sridharan has built a strong cross-market portfolio across India, APAC, UK and SEA.
Before his stint at Benetton, he spent more than a decade at Clarks, where he rose to become President – South East Asia, Australia & New Zealand, after leading marketing, digital, channel expansion, and brand strategy roles across APAC and the UK.
Prior to that, he served as:
CEO – Clarks India
CEO – Lerros Fashions India
Director – Sales & Retail, Reebok India (where his career originally began)
His journey reflects a deep understanding of both global brand-building and local consumer nuance — especially in the footwear category.
PUMA India: entering a critical transition phase
PUMA globally is navigating a tough period — marked by double-digit sales decline, currency pressure, elevated retailer inventory, and heavy discounting affecting brand equity.
The company has already begun a major restructuring exercise, aiming to optimise costs by reducing roles globally and reshaping wholesale partnerships.
Despite this, India remains a bright spot.
DTC retail via PUMA stores and online continues to expand
Running, fitness and grassroots sport investments are paying off
India’s athleisure and performance category is still fast-growing
Sridharan’s appointment comes at a time when PUMA India is expected to recalibrate — strengthen brand desirability, push premium full-price DTC, and build deeper community relevance.
With his strong cross-market leadership experience in footwear and lifestyle categories, Sridharan is expected to guide PUMA India through a strategic reset in 2026 — and lay the foundation for a stronger growth comeback by 2027.
