Radhakishan Damani

Retail, Mumbai. Damani, a former stock trader, opened the first DMart in Powai in 2002 and built it slowly around one discipline: own the store buildings rather than rent them, keep the range tight and price everyday groceries and household goods below rivals. Low occupancy costs let DMart stay profitable on thin margins where many Indian retail chains burned cash. It shows how a dull, patient model beat faster-growing competitors.