From ₹2,000 to ₹7,000 Crore: The Remarkable Journey of Vijay Sales Founder Nanu Gupta
From ₹2,000 to ₹7,000 Crore: The Remarkable Journey of Vijay Sales Founder Nanu Gupta
In the world of business, where many dream big but hesitate to act, the life of Nanu Gupta stands as proof that determination, vision, and customer trust can create empires. Born in 1942 into a modest farming family in Haryana, Gupta’s early life showed no signs of the retail giant he would one day become. In 1954, as a young boy, he moved to Mumbai, where destiny set him on a different path—one that would eventually lead to the creation of one of India’s largest electronics retail chains, Vijay Sales.
Armed with just ₹2,000, Gupta began working for Usha International, selling fans and sewing machines. This early job became a valuable training ground, teaching him the importance of understanding customer needs, the art of selling, and the power of building strong relationships. These skills would later become the foundation of his business philosophy.
In 1967, he took his first entrepreneurial leap, opening a small 50–60 sq ft shop in Matunga, Mumbai, named Vijay Sales in honour of his brother. Initially, the store sold only fans and sewing machines, but in 1974, Gupta introduced black-and-white televisions. The real breakthrough came with the arrival of colour TVs in India. While many retailers were hesitant, Gupta took a bold step, opening a larger showroom in Mahim dedicated to showcasing these new products.
His strategy was as simple as it was effective—keep every television in the store switched on. The vibrant colours and moving images caught the attention of passersby, drawing them into the store and boosting sales. More importantly, Gupta was far ahead of his time in customer service. Long before EMI schemes became common, he offered customers installment payment options, making high-value electronics affordable for middle-class families. If a buyer faced any issue, Gupta would personally visit their home to resolve it, creating deep trust and loyalty.
By the early 2000s, Vijay Sales had grown to 8–10 stores across Mumbai. In 2006–07, the company made a major investment, acquiring a four-storey retail space in Goregaon, with each floor spanning 1,300 sq ft. This bold expansion paid off, and soon after, the brand entered cities like Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Delhi. By 2008, Vijay Sales’ annual revenue had crossed ₹500 crore.
Over the years, the brand evolved with changing consumer needs, expanding its range beyond televisions and home appliances to include mobile phones, laptops, and other digital products. Today, Vijay Sales operates over 120 stores across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, offering over 3,500 products in more than 11 categories. With annual revenues exceeding ₹7,000 crore, it has become a household name in India’s electronics retail market.
Nanu Gupta continues to lead the company as Chairman, while his sons, Nilesh and Ashish Gupta, serve as Directors. The next generation, represented by Karan Gupta, is also playing an active role in its growth. According to a senior company executive in 2021, Vijay Sales aims to achieve revenues of ₹8,000–₹10,000 crore and expand to over 200 stores by 2025.
What began as a tiny shop in Mumbai has grown into a nationwide electronics powerhouse—all built on Gupta’s unwavering belief in quality, customer satisfaction, and personal service. His journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t always need massive capital to succeed—sometimes, courage, consistency, and a willingness to go the extra mile are enough to change the course of your life.
