BigBasket, the online grocer backed by Tata Group, is preparing for a leadership change as cofounder and chief executive Hari Menon looks to step back from daily operations. According to people aware of the matter, Menon has been drawing up a succession plan over the past few months and may take on a mentor’s role once a new chief executive is appointed.
The move comes as Tata Sons sharpens BigBasket’s playbook in quick commerce, a segment where rivals Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto have seized ground. Menon, who launched BigBasket in 2011 alongside Vipul Parekh, VS Sudhakar, Abhinay Choudhari and VS Ramesh, has steered the company for over a decade, including its acquisition by Tata Digital in 2021. Choudhari is the only founder to exit following the deal.
Tata Digital, a wholly owned unit of Tata Sons, had acquired 64.3% of BigBasket’s wholesale business Supermarket Grocery Supplies for $200 million three years ago, valuing the company at $3.2 billion. Since then, the grocer has been repositioning itself through BB Now, its 10-minute delivery service, and a broader app overhaul designed to move beyond grocery into multiple categories.
The leadership change is also being closely watched by investors as BigBasket looks to raise fresh capital with Citi and Moelis advising Tata Sons on the process. The grocer’s performance has come under pressure. Tata Sons’ latest annual report shows revenue at its consumer-facing arm Innovative Retail Concepts declined 3% to Rs 7,673 crore in FY25, while its wholesale unit fell 7% to Rs 2,227 crore. Losses widened to Rs 1,851 crore from Rs 1,267 crore a year earlier.
The transition at BigBasket coincides with a broader shake-up at Tata Digital, which recently brought in Sajith Sivanandan, former Jio executive, as its new chief executive to accelerate execution across digital platforms.
