About the episode

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What does it take to lead over 200 stores, steer a beloved family-first brand, and stay grounded in the realities of the shop floor?

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In this episode of Retail Re:Mix Stories, we sit down with Ruban Shanmugarajah, CEO of Babyshop, to talk about leadership that’s both human and high-performing. With over 20 years in retail, Ruban shares how a career he never planned for became a calling—shaped by curiosity, customer proximity, and a deep understanding of the modern parent.

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This conversation goes beyond buzzwords and trend decks. Ruban breaks down what it takes to stay relevant in the decade ahead: tuning into what parents really need, building teams that care, and resisting the pressure to digitize for the sake of it. He shares the mindset shifts, leadership habits, and cultural levers that keep Babyshop grounded and growing.

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If you're thinking about how to build brands that parents trust and teams that deliver at scale, this episode is for you.

About the guest

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About your guest, Ruban Shanmugarajah

Ruban didn’t set out to be a retailer, but two decades later, he’s leading one of the region’s most iconic family-first brands. Now CEO of Babyshop, Landmark Group’s flagship kids and baby retail concept with 200+ stores across the Middle East and Asia, Ruban brings a rare mix of operational depth, sharp execution, and deep empathy for the everyday customer.

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About Babyshop

Founded in 1973, Babyshop is a trusted one-stop destination for children’s products, offering everything from fashion and nursery items to toys and travel gear. As part of Landmark Group, Babyshop is present across the Middle East and Asia, serving millions of parents through its omnichannel footprint.

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About your host, ⁠⁠Dharmendra Mehta⁠⁠

Dharmendra is the Managing Director, MEA at Fynd and a retail-tech veteran with 20+ years. From startups to global giants, he’s all about bold moves, smarter tech, and building brands that mean business.

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LinkedIn

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