Raman Agrawal:
When I look back at my career, it almost runs in parallel with how Sawariya Group has grown over the years. I officially joined the business at a time when we were strong in Maharashtra, but the real expansion journey was just beginning. My early years were spent understanding the ground realities of distribution – warehouse operations, supply chain, brand handling and how relationships actually drive this industry. This phase shaped me the most because it taught me the value of discipline, consistency and trust.
As I took on a bigger role, we started expanding beyond our home market. Step by step, we moved from district-level distribution to multi-city warehousing and eventually to a Pan-India presence. Between 2009 and 2015, our warehousing footprint grew across major Indian cities and even into the UAE, where we built facilities for Indian ethnic consolidation and duty-free trade. This exposure pushed me to think global while still holding on to our values.
From 2017 to 2023, my focus shifted toward transforming Sawariya into a multi-category powerhouse. We built distribution operations in Singapore, entered the Free Trade Warehouse Zone at Nhava Sheva, and strengthened our long-term partnership with Unilever by becoming the Master Importer for 27+ of their brands in India.
Those years taught me patience, strategic thinking and the importance of creating systems that can scale.
Then came the phase where we started moving beyond traditional FMCG. From 2023 onwards, I pushed the group to diversify – we set up a men’s grooming manufacturing unit in Jammu, expanded into fragrances and lifestyle and built a strong niche perfume chain with 30+ brands. By 2024-25, we entered the travel and luggage segment with brands from the UK, Taiwan and France and added a new modern warehouse in Bhiwandi with a 1.5 lakh sq ft area.
Every milestone shaped me in some way – some taught me to take bold decisions, some taught me to slow down and think, and some reminded me that teams make everything possible. What stays constant is the belief that growth should be steady, meaningful, and backed by strong values. Today, when I look at our journey from a small grocery store in 1990 to a global distribution and lifestyle business, I feel grateful. The timeline is long, but every stage pushed me to grow as a leader and as a person.
Aman Agrawal:
My career started with global exposure. I spent time understanding international supply chains, retail models and how global brands think. When I joined the family business, I applied those learnings to modernise systems, introduce new categories and identify brands that fit India’s growing consumer aspirations. The timeline of my career has shaped me into someone who believes in innovation, agility and staying ahead of the curve.
Read the full story that first appeared in The Global Indian here:
Leave a Reply