A month ago, Reliance had announced that it would launch a subsidiary to run its retail business.
It also said that the RIL board has approved setting up of hypermarkets, convenience stores and supermarkets across the country with an initial investment of Rs 3,375 crore (Rs 33.75 billion).
The plan is to set up 775 huge retail stores in the next five years.
On the recruitment front too, the company is investing heavily. Industry sources say, the company is expected to pay nearly Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) in salaries for the retail division alone in its first year of operations.
Recently, Reliance appointed former Unilever Nigeria chief Gunender Kapur as CEO of its food and grocery division.
According to industry sources, the retail business of Reliance will have as many as 25 high profile CEOs and over 150 middle-rung professionals.
Raghu Pillai is set to join Reliance Industries as CEO, strategic operations. He was managing director of retail home solutions at Pantaloon.
In a career spanning 20 years, Pillai has worked across various sectors, which include consumer durables, information technology and entertainment.
Prior to Pantaloon, Pillai was president and CEO of the retail sector of RPG Enterprises.
His prior experience includes VP-marketing and international business with Saregama India for five years; general manager - operations with Fujitsu ICIM for four-and-a-half years.
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