Lakshman Kandarpa is a seasoned retail leader with more than three decades of experience spanning grocery, pharmacy, apparel and quick-service restaurant formats. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Nature’s Basket, the premium and gourmet food retail business of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, having assumed the role in May 2026.
Kandarpa brings extensive expertise in retail operations, business expansion, supply-chain optimisation, store network development and P&L management. Before joining Nature’s Basket, he was Chief Operating Officer at SAVOmart and previously served as Chief Retail Officer at MedPlus Health Services. His career also includes senior leadership roles with More Retail, Aditya Birla Retail and Future Group, giving him broad experience across multiple retail formats and stages of business growth.
At Nature’s Basket, Kandarpa is responsible for driving overall business operations and supporting the company’s next phase of growth. His appointment comes as the gourmet retailer continues to evolve its premium food proposition, including its experiential Artisan Pantry format and omnichannel retail ecosystem.
Known for his hands-on approach to retail leadership, Kandarpa has built his career around scaling businesses, improving operational efficiency and creating customer-focused retail experiences. His cross-sector experience positions him at the intersection of traditional retail execution, modern grocery and evolving consumer expectations.