Meet Radhakishan Damani: architect of D-Mart and India’s largest investor

Founding of D-Mart: a retail revolution

In 2000, Damani left the stock market to found D-Mart, which ushered in a new era in retailing. With the opening of its first store in Powai in 2002, D-Mart embarked on a journey of unparalleled growth, revolutionizing the hypermarket sector with its customer-centric approach and unbeatable value proposition.

Under Damani’s astute leadership, Avenue Supermarts, the parent company of D-Mart, has emerged as a frontrunner in the Indian retail landscape. As of 2023, Avenue Supermarts ranks first in the IDFC First Private list of the top 200 self-made entrepreneurs, with a market value of Rs 2,38,188 crores.

Empowering young entrepreneurs: a catalyst for innovation

Beyond his own success, Damani’s influence extends to nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs. His support for innovative startups such as Zerodha, Paytm, Zomato and Flipkart underlines his commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and boosting India’s economic growth.

Legacy and mentorship: inspiring generations

Damani’s lasting legacy extends beyond business success; he serves as a mentor and inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs across India. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, known as the ‘big bull’ of the stock market, had said in an interview, ‘I wish I had the wisdom of Radhakishan Damani. What I learned from him is that he is one of the largest investors in India and he does not have a research analyst. Everything is done by him from a broad perspective. If I know 100 things about trading, I have learned 60 things from Radhakishan Damani ji.”