1 week ago
Indian Retail GCCs Expect Sharp Rise in AI Talent
Retail companies in India use special offices called global capability centres, or GCCs, to do important work.
These centres are hiring more people who understand artificial intelligence and data.
The share of AI workers more than doubled between 2022 and 2025.
It is expected to grow even more by 2028.
Nearly 7,800 people already work in core AI and data jobs at retail and consumer GCCs.
Bengaluru has the largest group of these workers.
However, there are only about 320 very experienced AI professionals in the country.
TeamLease Digital says companies need to develop more senior AI leaders instead of relying mainly on expensive outside hiring.
AI workforce penetration in Indian retail GCCs rose from 2.1% in 2022 to 4.8% in 2025 and is projected to reach 10.6% by 2028.
Retail and consumer GCCs employ nearly 7,800 professionals in core AI and data roles, with 990 AI and data positions demanded in 2025.
Only 22 of the top 50 mega retail GCCs among 180 assessed have established AI capabilities, according to TeamLease Digital.
Bengaluru holds 54% of India’s retail GCC AI talent pool, representing about 4,200 professionals.
India has only 320 senior AI professionals with at least eight years of experience, highlighting a leadership gap.
- Who
- Indian retail and consumer global capability centres, their AI and data professionals, and TeamLease Digital.
- What
- AI workforce penetration in retail GCCs is increasing, while senior AI leadership remains limited.
- Where
- India, with Bengaluru leading the AI talent pool, followed by Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad.
- When
- The figures cover 2022 and 2025, with a projection for 2028; the report was released on Wednesday.
- Why
- Retail GCCs are expanding AI use in supply chains, product pricing, and customer service, creating demand for more AI and data talent.
Key facts
- AI workforce penetration
- 2.1% in 2022; 4.8% in 2025; projected at 10.6% in 2028.
- Core AI and data workforce
- Nearly 7,800 professionals in retail and consumer GCCs.
- AI and data demand
- 990 positions in 2025.
- GCCs assessed
- 180 GCCs were assessed by TeamLease Digital.
- Established AI capabilities
- 22 of the top 50 mega retail GCCs were found to be building AI capabilities.
- Bengaluru share
- 54% of India’s retail GCC AI talent pool, or about 4,200 professionals.
- Senior AI talent
- 320 professionals nationally have at least eight years of experience.
Quotes
Neeti Sharma
Chief Executive Officer of TeamLease Digital
“The durable answer is to build senior AI talent, not buy it back at a premium. That's where we work with GCCs: combining specialist hiring with structured transformation programs so centres build their own AI leadership capability, instead of just renting it”
thehansindia.com
“Retail GCCs in India have moved decisively past the pilot stage on AI, adoption has more than doubled in just three years, and it now touches how these centres plan supply chains, price products and serve customers. But leadership hasn't kept pace”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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