Mumbai/New Delhi: Sara Mukadam, a retail executive at an upscale mall in Mumbai, is engaging Friday afternoon shoppers with the intricacies of a high-end leather goods brand's latest collection. Adept at explaining the finer points of bags costing in excess of ₹ 50,000, Sara effortlessly recommends complementary items on sale at the store. In pursuit of a better compensation, Sara transitioned to luxury retail in 2023 after a stint at one of India's top five-star hotel chains as well as a business process outsourcing company.
The near-double salary and performance-based incentives were significant motivators, she said. Buoyed by the rising demand for international brands domestically, Sara finds exceeding monthly targets increasingly achievable as customers indulge in luxury purchases. The switch to retail from hospitality was, in a sense, a good career shift for the 28-year-old who holds a bachelor's degree in hotel management, she told Mint.
Several luxury retail industry officials Mint spoke to are finding it increasingly hard to draw in fresh talent, in a sign of a broader shortage of skilled manpower. The growing demand for talent and attractive compensation as well as working hours have prompted those employed in aviation and hospitality firms to switch to the luxury retail sector, recruiters said. Read more: Germany's Hansgrohe accelerates India expansion with ambitious retail strategy “Talent has moved and continues to move—about 30-40% of all the job placements.
