Seasoned retail professional Priya Bhatia has announced her new role as Head – Buying & Merchandising: Clarks at Metro Brands Limited. In her new position, Priya will lead strategic buying, product range development, and merchandising for the Clarks brand within the Metro Brands portfolio, bringing her extensive experience in retail planning, category management, and brand development to the forefront.
With a dynamic career spanning leading retail and footwear organizations, Priya has built deep expertise across multiple product categories and formats. Before joining Metro Brands, she held several leadership positions at Bata India Limited, where she drove growth as Division Head – Sneakers & Outdoor and earlier as Merchandising Manager – Sneakers (Men & Ladies). During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in strengthening Bata’s fashion-forward product portfolio, enhancing consumer appeal, and aligning the brand with emerging sneaker and outdoor lifestyle trends in India.
Her earlier experience includes impactful roles at METRO/MAKRO Cash and Carry, where she managed Apparel, Footwear & Luggage categories across 16 stores, focusing on vendor negotiations, category planning, and market analytics to optimize assortment and profitability. Priya also worked with Tesco HSC, managing Range & Space Operations for the retailer’s Poland market, ensuring seamless coordination between commercial, supply chain, and merchandising teams.
She began her career in merchandising with S. Kumars Nationwide Ltd., handling men’s formal and casual apparel, and gained early exposure to retail operations and consumer insights as a Management Trainee with Pantaloon Retail India Ltd. (now Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.).
Known for her strategic mindset and ability to merge trend forecasting with business objectives, Priya brings a well-rounded perspective to modern retail. Her appointment underscores Metro Brands’ commitment to strengthening its premium footwear and accessories segment through expertise-driven leadership.
Priya shared her excitement about the new role, saying she looks forward to driving brand growth, innovation, and consumer engagement in her journey with Metro Brands and Clarks.