PC: Business Today
Ranjit Babu, who headed consumer electronics at Amazon India, has reportedly left the company. This is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the e-commerce giant, reflecting the changes taking place within its executive ranks.
Ranjit Babu had spent more than a decade at Amazon India. His tenure in the group included a high-profile position serving as the head of Cloudtail, Amazon’s largest seller, from 2021 to 2022. In December 2023, he added other responsibilities when Noor Patel became the head of Amazon US, thereby increasing his reach throughout the company. By July 2024, Babu was made category head of consumer electronics that was responsible for the country’s most important smartphone portfolio for Amazon.
This resignation is just about a time when Amazon has strategically positioned itself in the highly competitive Indian market. It comes about just months after a series of leadership changes, such as naming Samir Kumar the new country head for India in September 2024. Kumar also leads Amazon’s consumer businesses in the Middle East, South Africa, and Turkey. He replaces Manish Tiwary, who left the company in August 2024 to explore opportunities outside of Amazon.
With the exit of Ranjit Babu, the future of Amazon’s consumer electronics wing remains somewhat uncertain, especially in an increasingly competitive market. There are many players looking to share the smartphone and electronics pie, and with that kind of competition, it’s only the leaders who will be able to find a way out. Amazon will have to act pretty fast to fill up this vacuum and ensure that all strategic moves are carried on as planned.
Despite all these executive changes, Amazon India continued demonstrating robust growth. The company reported a 14.5% growth in the revenue from operations for FY24 at ₹25,406 crore, up from ₹22,198 crore in FY23. This revenue growth portends that, after leadership transitions, the company has been able to attract more customers and increase the market presence.
Looking forward, Amazon is also getting ready to enter the quick commerce market, which is currently dominated by players like BlinkIt and Zepto. This is likely to happen in the first quarter of 2025 and marks Amazon’s further commitment to diversifying its offerings in India. The quick commerce sector is rapidly evolving, driven by consumer demand for fast delivery services, and Amazon’s entry could significantly alter the competitive landscape.
As Amazon is going through these changes, it will also have to work on strengthening its leadership team and ensuring that it retains key talent. Ranjit Babu’s exit reminds one that large organizations find it increasingly difficult to maintain stability in an era of growth and change.
In the aftermath of his resignation as head of consumer electronics at Amazon India, Ranjit Babu marks a change within Amazon’s leadership. The company prepares to face future challenges and opportunities, especially in emerging sectors such as quick commerce – a field that requires strong leadership. Thus, it would be the next months that would prove crucial for Amazon, in consolidating its position in the Indian market and responding to the evolving structure of competition.
