529
/ 3
Min Read
Soch Apparels Pvt Ltd, the Bengaluru-based women’s ethnicwear retailer, has appointed retail industry veteran Srikrishna S as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), strengthening its leadership bench as the brand intensifies its focus on operational excellence, domestic expansion, and global growth.
Srikrishna shared news of his appointment on LinkedIn, calling it a return to familiar territory after having previously spent several years developing and strengthening Soch’s retail operations framework.
Srikrishna brings more than two decades of experience spanning fashion, specialty retail, and consumer businesses, with deep expertise in P&L leadership, retail expansion, and driving operational transformation.
He was previously associated with Soch from 2015 to 2024, holding key leadership positions such as General Manager – Operations and later Head of Retail Operations, where he led nationwide store performance, drove expansion initiatives, and managed overall business operations.
Before rejoining Soch, he served as Chief Executive Officer at Stanley Lifestyles from February 2024 to January 2026. Over the course of his career, he has also held leadership roles at Craftsvilla, Shoppers Stop, Future Group, Axiom Telecom, and Style Spa Furniture Ltd.
Founded in Bengaluru, Soch Apparels Pvt Ltd has evolved into a leading organised ethnicwear brand, catering primarily to women’s occasionwear and contemporary Indian fashion.
The brand predominantly operates through company-owned stores across India, allowing for greater control over merchandising, inventory management, and the overall customer experience.
In 2024, Soch forayed into international markets with a calibrated, franchise-led expansion strategy, targeting diaspora-driven demand.
The company currently operates international stores in Toronto, Canada, and across Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Klang, and Johor Bahru. These overseas outlets typically span 1,000 to 1,200 sq. ft., optimised for quicker breakeven and enhanced merchandise productivity.
All global locations function through franchise partnerships, enabling asset-light expansion while retaining centralised oversight of assortment planning, visual merchandising, and brand standards.
The international assortment features sarees, salwar suits, kurtas, fusionwear, co-ord sets, and occasion-focused collections, with selective adaptations in fabrics and silhouettes to align with regional climates and consumer preferences.
As COO, Srikrishna is set to enhance operational efficiencies across Soch’s growing retail footprint while steering the brand into its next phase of expansion. His mandate includes boosting store productivity, reinforcing supply chain capabilities, accelerating entry into emerging markets, and building scalable systems to support international franchise growth.
His appointment comes at a time when India’s organised ethnicwear segment is seeing rising consumer demand for branded occasionwear, unlocking fresh opportunities for established specialty retailers like Soch.
Backed by a leadership team that blends deep institutional knowledge with diverse retail expertise, Soch is well positioned to pursue growth with operational rigour as it consolidates its presence in both domestic and global markets.
