by ABFRLadmin | September 5, 2025
Every great brand is built not only on strategy and style but also on the lessons passed from one person to another. At ABFRL, mentorship isn’t just a formal program, it’s our everyday culture, stitched into how we collaborate, lead, and create.
Teachers here don’t always stand at a podium; they’re the colleagues who guide us through a challenging season, the leaders who balance empathy with tough decisions, and the teammates who share knowledge without hesitation. Their influence shapes the way we work, the choices we make, and the leaders we become.
This Teachers’ Day, we’re celebrating them — the mentors who transform challenges into opportunities, who help us see beyond the task at hand, and who remind us that the most valuable lessons often come not from manuals or meetings, but from people who care enough to teach.
Calm Is the New Power
“I learned from Charu Goyal how to be calm and find ways to sort out any challenges. Always a team player who knows how to keep her team along and motivated.”
– Anamika Roy, Lead-HR Operation & Payroll-PTSZ, Pantaloons
In retail, where the pace can switch from serene to stormy and back again in a heartbeat, calmness isn’t passive — it’s powerful. Leaders like Charu Goyal, General Manager, South zone, Pantaloons, remind us that composure is not about inaction, but about creating clarity when chaos is at the door. Her lesson? Keep your team close, keep your mind steady, and keep moving forward.
Don’t Decorate. Communicate.
“VM is not just about placing products — it’s about creating moments that make people stop and feel. Biggest lesson from Sangeeta Tiwari? Don’t decorate, communicate.”
– Mohd Kamil, Visual Merchandiser, Pantaloons
Visual Merchandising (VM) often hides in plain sight — the beautiful window you pass by, the mannequin that makes you turn your head, the space that silently convinces you to pause. But as Sangeeta Tiwari-TVM North taught him, this craft is more than décor. It’s retail storytelling, a way to connect without a single spoken word.
Mentorship Beyond Metrics
“I have learned so much from my mentor and teacher, Amita — not only on a professional level, but also on a deeply personal one. Her guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support have shaped my journey in more ways than I can express.”
– Jyoti Singh, AGM, TCNS
A good mentor teaches skills. A great mentor shapes your spirit. For Jyoti, her mentor Amita Srivastava, Assistant General Manager, Supply Chain, has been that anchor — offering lessons that transcend KPIs and timelines, reminding her that growth is as much about who you are becoming as what you are achieving.
When Strategy Becomes a Lesson
Not every lesson is poetic — some are practical, measurable, and crucial to success.
“I learned effective problem-solving and retail financial acumen from Bhavika Padihar, my Deputy Manager, Operations, Pantaloons.”
– Arijit Mukherjee, Senior Executive, TCNS
“I learned external brand business & strategy from Mr. Apurva Thakur, Vice President,Category NPT, Pantaloons.”
– Sanjay Shinde, Deputy Manager NPT Planning, Pantaloons
These insights might not make headlines, but they build the foundation of a thriving retail ecosystem. Behind every successful strategy lies a teacher who patiently explains, challenges, and sharpens your instincts.
The Silent Language of Dedication
“I learned dedication, a willingness to always learn new things, and a helpful attitude from Deepanshu Goyal, Senior Manager, Finance.”
– Himanshi Aggarwal, Manager, TCNS
Sometimes mentorship isn’t formal. It’s the colleague who stays late with you, the one who shares their expertise without being asked, the one who leads not with a title, but with quiet consistency.
Leadership: The Ultimate Masterclass
“Recognizing individual strengths, celebrating small wins, guiding career goals, and balancing empathy with accountability — these are the lessons I learned in leadership from Vaibhav Goyal.”
– Pankaj Sharma, Manager Buying & Merchandising North, Pantaloons
True leadership is less about authority and more about architecture — building an environment where people thrive. From people-centric guidance to creating growth paths, leaders like Vaibhav Goyal, Joint Executive President-Function Head -UBS-Retail Vertical (Ultratech Cement Limited), remind us that empathy, when paired with decisive action, is a powerful force.
What This Really Means for ABFRL
At ABFRL, mentorship is deeply integrated into its culture. It’s in the daily check-ins, the patient walk-throughs of a new collection, the strategic conversations that turn into career milestones. It’s in the “you’ve got this” moments before a big pitch and the “let’s rethink this” after a missed target.
Teachers’ Day is our moment to pause and say: thank you. To those who make time to teach, even when their calendars are full. To those who guide with empathy, even when the stakes are high. To those who don’t just lead — they leave a legacy.
Fashion Changes. Good Lessons Stay.
The world of fashion retail is fast-moving, ever-changing, and sometimes unpredictable. But the wisdom passed from one professional to another, that stays. It’s the steady thread running through every bold campaign, every perfectly styled window, every successful season.
So, this Teachers’ Day, we’re not just looking back at what we’ve learned — we’re looking forward, carrying those lessons into the future. Because when mentorship becomes culture, growth becomes inevitable.
Happy Teachers’ Day, from all of us at ABFRL.
