Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate services firm, has announced the appointment of Sona Aggarwal as Managing Director, Head of Retail Sales and Strategy, Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, Sona joins at a pivotal time as the firm scales up its regional retail platform, aiming to deliver global expertise to clients across Asia Pacific (APAC) and beyond. 

With over 25 years of experience in global brand management and retail operations, Sona has led the launch and operations of more than 200 stores across APAC, managing cross-border teams of over 1,300 people. Her deep understanding of consumer engagement, combined with insights into retailer strategies and operational challenges, positions her to deliver hyper-localised growth solutions tailored to diverse market dynamics. Her sector experience spans apparel, beauty, healthcare, watches, and home furnishings, backed by a strong understanding of regional and international markets. 

“This is a significant appointment for our retail business in Asia Pacific,” said Anshul Jain, Chief Executive – India, SEA & APAC Tenant Representation. “Sona’s client-side perspective, having worked with iconic global retail brands, brings a competitive edge to our retail platform. Her vast experience and leadership in the retail sector will be instrumental in deepening client partnerships as well as driving and unlocking new growth opportunities for our retail business across the region.” 

In this newly created role, Sona will lead Cushman & Wakefield’s APAC retail strategy, collaborating with regional teams to expand the client base and enhance service delivery. She will also strengthen cross-border synergies, connecting global retail clients and teams, while working towards building a sustainable and profitable business. 

“I’m excited to take on this role during such a transformational time for the retail industry,” said Sona Aggarwal. “Cushman & Wakefield’s blend of market intelligence and global operational scale puts us in a unique position to help clients navigate change and achieve outcomes that meet their business objectives. I look forward to working closely with our teams across the 60 countries that we operate in around the world to reinforce our position as a thought leader and more importantly, a trusted advisor to our clients in the consumer space.” 

Sona also noted the APAC region’s retail growth momentum, driven by demographic and psychographic shifts. With a rising middle class, urbanisation, youth-driven consumption, and high digital adoption, she highlighted increasing demand for local, regional, and global brands. 

“Retail has never been more dynamic. There is inbound and outbound opportunity within and from APAC. Asian consumers are growing more sophisticated, and there is demand for aspirational lifestyle and entertainment brands. Western markets, in turn, are embracing Asian health, beauty, wellness, hospitality, and F&B. There is also momentum in tech-led sectors like Auto/EV. Additionally, wealth transfer into the region is pushing financial institutions to deliver more differentiated private wealth experiences,” she added. 

Sona aims to combine data insights, operational knowledge, and local expertise to deliver customised, strategic retail solutions across APAC, aligned with evolving consumer behaviour and business goals.