In the rapidly evolving landscape of Indian retail, few have witnessed and shaped the transformation quite like Mayur Saxena. Now leading More Retail's ambitious expansion in Eastern India, Mayur shares his journey from managing a single department to spearheading the company's growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns - bringing modern retail experiences to the heart of Bharat.
The Leap into Retail's Future
"January 18, 2010," Mayur recalls with remarkable precision. "That's the day I walked into More's Indore Hypermarket as a Division Head managing the CDIT section."
With a background in electronics at Samsung and Videocon, retail was uncharted territory. But Mayur sensed the winds of change. "India was transforming, retail was evolving, and I believed this sector was going to explode. Being part of that wave was both exciting and terrifying."
At the time, More was still finding its footing in Indore with just three stores. Today, More Retail operates over 773 stores across 350+ cities and towns, serving approximately 25 lakh customers monthly - A testament to the vision Mayur and his colleagues saw early on.
The Resurrection of Thane Hypermarket
Every retail leader has their defining challenge. For Mayur, it came after being fast-tracked through the Retail Next program when he was handed the keys to the struggling Thane Hypermarket.
"It was one of our lowest-performing stores. People had stopped believing in its future," he remembers. "Some said, 'Let it go.' But walking into that store at 6:30 AM, lights half on, shelves half full - I saw something worth fighting for."
What followed was a masterclass in retail turnaround. "We worked relentlessly. Late nights, early mornings, endless troubleshooting. I brought the team together and said, 'Let's give it 100 days."
The turnaround wasn't just about inventory management or operational efficiencies, though those were crucial. It was about reigniting belief. "Slowly, it happened. Footfalls rose. Inventory improved. We became profitable for the first time in months."
This philosophy of believing in potential - whether in underperforming stores or underserved markets has become a cornerstone of More Retail's expansion strategy into Bharat.
Leading Through Why, Not Just What
As Mayur progressed from store manager to Regional Operations Head, his responsibilities expanded dramatically - from running a single store to overseeing 8 hypermarkets across North India, leading more than 13 direct reports and over 600 indirect team members.
"I went from being a doer to a decision-maker. That shift wasn't easy," he admits. "Some store managers had 15-20 years of experience. Some were skeptical of my approach. I had to earn trust, not assume it."
A breakthrough came from an unexpected source - honest feedback from a team member.
"During a store visit, I asked how they felt about a new process we'd rolled out. The response was illuminating: 'Honestly, sir, we don't understand the why behind it. It feels like an extra task.'"
That moment transformed Mayur's leadership philosophy. "From that day, every change came with a 'why.' Because people don't resist change, they resist confusion." Today, as Circle Director, Mayur leads operations for 110 supermarkets and 3 hypermarkets, supported by 13+ direct reports and a team of over 700 people.
This insight reflects More Retail's broader approach to leadership - creating clarity of purpose that empowers teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences even in newly-entered markets.
Building Retail for Bharat
Today, as Circle Director for the East Zone, Mayur is at the forefront of More's expansion into Tier 2 and 3 towns - bringing the company's hybrid omnichannel model to previously underserved communities.
"We're standing at the edge of a new chapter - over 100 new stores opening soon, many in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns full of untapped potential," he shares. "It's thrilling, but also humbling. Because behind every new store are real people with real expectations."
This expansion isn't merely about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about inclusion. "I've met team members who had never worked in organized retail before. Some didn't know how to use an app. Others had never led a team," But with training, trust, and time - they blossomed.
This commitment to developing local talent reflects More's approach to entering new markets - becoming part of the community rather than merely serving it.
The Human Side of Retail Excellence
For all the business metrics and expansion plans, Mayur believes More's true strength lies in moments that never appear on dashboards.
"Like when a new floor staffer stayed late during stock count, unasked. Or when a warehouse boy found a stock mismatch no one else could."
One memory stands out: "A senior cashier in Kolkata told me, 'Sir, aap jab store aate ho, lagta hai ki hum important hain' (Sir, when you visit the store, we feel important)."
These human connections mirror More Retail's commitment to creating meaningful shopping experiences that go beyond transactions whether in metropolitan cities or small towns.
Wisdom from the Aisles: Mayur's Retail Insights
After 15 years in retail, Mayur distills his experiences into three guiding principles:
1. Learn to Learn
"There is no cheat code in retail. You grow by getting your hands dirty, making mistakes, and showing up again the next day. The ones who rise fastest are those who stay hungry the longest."
2. Stay Visible
"As you climb the ladder, the temptation is to step back and strategize from a distance. But retail isn't built in boardrooms - it's built in breakrooms, backrooms, and busy aisles. I never go more than a few days without spending time in a store. The real insights come from casual chats with team members and quiet observations of shoppers."
3. Move Now, Perfect Later
"The idea of a 'perfect moment' is comforting but it's also a trap. What I've realized is: movement creates momentum. Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's taking the first step despite it."
These principles have not only guided Mayur's career but also echo More Retail's approach to expansion - learning continuously, staying connected to customers, and moving decisively into new markets.
The Road Ahead: Modern Retail for Every Indian
Looking ahead, Mayur remains focused on More's mission to bring price, convenience, and selection to consumers across Bharat.
"Every day still begins with the numbers. Sales trends, footfalls, fill rates, customer feedback. If something's off, I don't wait for a report. I call, I ask, I listen. Because the magic is always in the details and the people behind them."
This hands-on approach exemplifies More Retail's commitment to operational excellence as it expands its footprint, ensuring that whether a customer walks into a store in Bangalore or Kumta (small coastal town), they experience the same standards of quality and service.
As More Retail continues its growth trajectory, aiming to reach approximately 1,700 stores across 1,100 towns by 2030 - leaders like Mayur will continue bridging the retail gap, bringing modern shopping experiences to every corner of India.
This article is part of More cookbook, a platform where the stories of More Retail come to life - sharing the experiences, insights, and journeys that define us as we transform retail across India.
Mayur Saxena
Circle Director of East, More Retail
Team Cookbook
More Retail