Young Women Disruptors of Retail Design 2026: Jyoti Kumari

Jyoti Kumari, Senior Manager-Visual Merchandising, Technosport started her career in visual merchandising in 2013 within the home and furnishing space but quickly developed a strong eye for design that goes beyond aesthetics.

She has played a pivotal role in successfully translating digital-first brands such as Blissclub and Technosport into high-performing brick-and-mortar retail formats. By aligning brand storytelling with spatial design, consumer insights, and revenue objectives, Jyothi has enabled seamless omni-channel transitions and built scalable retail ecosystems that balance creativity with profitability. Having joined Technosport in 2024, Jyoti has been instrumental in launching the brand’s offline retail presence and spearheading store rollouts.

Taking the reins of the brand’s store expansion program, Jyoti is currently leading the brand’s ambitious retail roadmap of 0 to 150 outlets. Jyoti has led multi-city teams, aligned cross-functional stakeholders, and coordinated with external vendors to deliver consistent store quality within ambitious timelines.

Beyond execution, Jyoti is equally invested in people. Her team shares that she actively mentors junior VM designers and store teams, while building structured guidelines and training programs that enable teams to independently maintain brand standards and deliver strong in-store experiences.

What stands out about her is the balance she maintains. She pays attention to the details, but never loses sight of the bigger picture. And that’s what makes her work both relatable and impactful.

What is the best part of being a retail designer?

The most exciting part is seeing an idea on paper transform into a real, living store. Watching customers engage with the space, discover products, and experience the brand through design is incredibly fulfilling.

What’s the biggest advantage of being a woman in retail design?

Women often bring strong empathy and attention to detail. These qualities help in understanding how customers move through spaces, how they interact with products, and what makes an environment feel welcoming. That perspective can add a lot of depth to retail design.

The top challenge as a woman in retail design?

Retail design is a fast-paced and execution-heavy field. It involves on-site coordination, working with multiple stakeholders, and managing tight timelines. Navigating these dynamics can sometimes be challenging, but it helps build strong planning and problem-solving skills.

Where do you derive your inspiration from?

Inspiration often comes from everyday experiences - travel, architecture, global retail spaces, street culture, and even how people interact with their surroundings.

Favourite retail project & why?

One of my favourite projects was launching a large-format exclusive brand outlet (Sarath City Mall, Hyderabad) for Technosport. It was exciting because it combined strategy, design, and execution, and it allowed us to create a strong brand experience for customers.

Dream project

My dream project would be designing a flagship experiential store for the international market that seamlessly blends technology, sustainability, and immersive storytelling. A space where design doesn’t just display products but creates a memorable brand experience.

Any advice that you would like to share with fellow & upcoming women in the field of retail design?

Retail design is constantly evolving, so adaptability and collaboration are key. At the same time, always think from a business perspective - a design should not only be visually appealing but also work commercially, guiding the customer journey and ultimately driving product sales.

Favourite travel destination and why

My visit to Europe, especially Venice, was highly inspiring. Every element - from the architecture to the streets and surroundings - reflected a deep sense of design, craftsmanship, and perspective. However, I feel there is still a lot more to explore and experience across different places.