Kavitha Rao

About Kavitha Rao

I am a senior business leader with ~25 years of experience in the retail & consumer industry with proven ability to start up, scale, transform and lead large businesses, with a people centric approach, to delivering business results.In a career spanning over 2 decades, I have had both operating roles as well as consulting roles focused on the retail and consumer industry.I currently work as a Market Leader with Apple Retail.In the past, on the retail front, I have worked for IKEA, Walmart & Target. In my role at IKEA, I was part of the India management team in their start up phase in India and led the retail business of IKEA to deliver long term sustainable profitable growth. As the Chief Commercial Officer for India, I was responsible for Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, Merchandising, Retail design, Customer Experience and Food business across both physical and online retail channels. I also led the market entry strategy and implementation for one of the largest home furnishing markets, as well as, worked in the Germany & UK markets of IKEA, as Market manager. In my first role at IKEA, I led the supply chain function in the startup and establishment phase in India. In my roles at Walmart & Target, I was a leader in the Merchandising function, responsible for various outcomes linked to product assortment, pricing and markdowns as well as planning category/store launches and the commercial calendar.On the Consulting front, I have worked with Accenture, Capgemini and Infosys, and was responsible for starting up and growing the retail and consumer practice; focused on transforming client businesses in this industry, both globally as well as in India.I started my career with Unilever in India and managed several key supply chain transformation initiatives working across channel partners, distribution centers and manufacturing locations.Working in both operating and consulting roles, throughout my career, allows me to both deliver business results here and now as well as transform businesses for the next horizon of growth.Working with people and supporting their development inspires me and I am an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation. I coach people on a regular basis to help them achieve their true potential.I love the outdoors and I am an avid high-altitude trekker, having been to many summits and treks across the world, over the last decade. I am passionate about the environment and sustainability.

Experience

1. Market Leader - Apple Retail

   Apple

   Jan 2026 — Present · IN

   Lead and inspire teams to deliver customer experiences that build loyalty, combine executive vision with execution to achieve market goals and bring the Apple vision to life and make an impact on management teams and employees

Education

• Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow

  PGDM

  1998 — 2000

• Anna University Chennai

  Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science

  1994 — 1998