Vidya Chhabria: Steering Jumbo Group to Unprecedented Heights

Vidya Chhabria has proven that good leadership does not mean only preserving legacy but rather expanding it. With the sudden loss of husband, Manu Chhabria-the “takeover tycoon”, Vidya took helm of Jumbo Group and steered that company to become one of the largest and most respected consumer electronics distributors in the Gulf. Under her leadership, one can quite safely conclude that the company has survived but indeed thrived into new and exciting sectors in terms of industries and partnerships and steadily upheld the values set forth by its founder.

Launched in 1974 by Manu Chhabria, better known as the “takeover tycoon”, a solitary retail store was to take Dubai by storm, all when Manu’s great deal with Sony Corporation had indicated the definitive moment for the company itself: Jumbo Electronics was to become the solitary distributor for Sony across the Gulf region. From then onwards, Jumbo Group became one of the most prominent household names in the UAE, dominating the leader’s position in the consumer electronics market.

Vidya Chhabria took over the helm of the Jumbo Group after her husband Manu Chhabria passed away in 2002. She headed the company’s expansion to more than 50 countries worldwide. Today, she is the chairperson of the multi-billion-dollar group where she oversees all its business units – her enterprise partnerships with technology leaders such as IBM, Microsoft, Huawei, and Cisco. Under Vidya’s leadership, Jumbo Group has developed as the body of the consumer electronics market in the Gulf region. The company expanded its range to all other areas like retail, logistics, and 3D manufacturing. Its manufacturing wing takes up a 60,000 square feet space and is an example of how keenly Vidya works towards innovation and expansion.

Vidya Chhabria is an inspired leader, deeply rooted in compassion. She cares about employee welfare. As a leader she recognizes the value of 2,500 employees and their families whose lifeblood is tied to her success. She balances being unequivocally assertive with being compassionate. She is able to lead confidently while at the same time creating and fostering an atmosphere of independence and growth around her people. Not only does she run a successful business, but she also mentors the next generation. Vidya takes pride in offering a strategic direction while also mentoring her team members, to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit for them while keeping the company on track towards the long-term goals.

In the years gone by, Jumbo Group has not only expanded spatially but also adopted cutting-edge technologies. The company continues playing a crucial role in digitalizing the regional landscape. Leading the launch in 2023 of a new, upgraded e-commerce platform for Jumbo, jumbo.ae, is part of a broader effort into improving the customer experience. Chhabria brings the evolution of changing technologies into one e-commerce site that gives more interaction and immersion on behalf of the customer. Another area of focus for Vidya has been corporate social responsibility and sustainability for the company. As a leader in promoting the global standards of good practices through ESG strategies, Jumbo Group has positioned the good business practices and environmental consideration as deeply ingrained within the structure of the organization. Vidya adheres to raising transparency and accountability within the organization and also finding ways to serve and make a difference in society.

As Jumbo Group is set to reach the 50th year of its existence in December 2023, in coincidence with UAE’s 53rd year formation, Vidya took time out to reminisce through her journey with the company she loves the most. She and husband Manu Chhabria set new dimensions to the concept of multiplexes in UAE, with their growth leading to the maturation of this great nation. One of the major contributions by Vidya has been to strengthen the multibrand strategy of the group and diversify its portfolio. The group has added more brands and services while adding more geographies under its fold, thereby strengthening its stance in becoming one of the largest consumer electronics distributors in the region.