Radhakishan Damani
Founder, D-Mart- Avenue Supermarts
- Stake in United Breweries
- Stake in VST Industries
- Radisson Blu Resort, Mumbai
Radhakishan Damani's Journey so far ...
- Radhakishan Damani was brought up in a one-room flat in Mumbai. He studied commerce in a Mumbai college but dropped out after the first-year examination. At the age of 32, he lost his father and joined his brother's stockbroking business
- His first venture was that of ball bearings but soon left it to start an investment company called BrightStar in 1989. He became a SEBI-registered stockbroker in 1992
- Damani made his mark in stockbroking and built his fortune by buying MNC stocks early in his career and kept an eye on companies with high-quality businesses that were available for a reasonable price
- Known as 'RD' in Dalal Street, Damani was inspired by veteran stock market investor Chandrakant Sampat. He made money during the Harshad Mehta-fuelled bull run when he shorted stocks owned by Mehta
- In 1999, Damani and Damodar Mall took up a franchise of Apna Bazar in Nerul, Mumbai. Damani founded Avenue Supermarts in the year 2000, and two years later, acquired Apna Bazar and set up the supermarket retail chain that works under the brand D-Mart
- The first store opened in 2002 and it works on the principle of offering the best and lowest price to its customers. In 15 years, Damani turned the supermarket chain among the most profitable food and grocery retailers in India with over 200 stores across the country.
- In 2017, the retail tycoon decided to list D-Mart and in a blockbuster debut on the stock exchange, its shares were listed at a premium of 102.14% on offer price of Rs 299. Later that year, Avenue became the most expensive retail stock in the world on key financial parameters
- The owner of Avenue Supermarts, who went on a supermarket opening spree, also has stakes in United Breweries, tobacco company VST industries and owns the Radisson Blu resort in Mumbai
Before you go ...
- Radhakishan Damani's trademark dress is a white shirt and a pair of white trousers because of which he is famously known as 'Mr White and White'
- Damani is very reclusive and rarely seen in social gatherings
- Ace market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala considers Damani as his guru
- Despite the stock market meltdown during the Covid 19 pandemic, Damani saw his fortune grow
Radhakishan Damani News
NCDEX raised Rs 770 crore from star investors like Radhakishan Damani, Madhusudhan Kela, Sunil Singhania, Groww, and Zerodha after Sebi’s nod for equities. It plans to launch equity trading in 2026, competing with NSE and BSE.
Ace investor Radhakishan Damani is set to benefit from his investment in the National Stock Exchange. He holds a significant stake in NSE. The exchange is preparing for its IPO. Damani's investment could substantially increase his net worth. The IPO is expected in FY26. It will attract considerable investor interest. The listing could unlock value from his long-term investment.
Radhakishan Damani’s marquee portfolio stocks, Trent and VST Industries, fell 36% and 55% respectively from their peak and struggled in H1CY25. They have recently cleared crucial resistance levels and are now poised for an upward rally. The ace investor presently holds 12 stocks in his Rs 2 lakh crore worth portfolio, with a lion's share accounted for DMart operator Avenue Supermarts (Rs 195,717 crore), according to Trendlyne data.
The top 7 stock investors in India in 2025
Kalpraj Dharamshi reflects on his market journey since the 1980s, learning from industry giants like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Radhakishan Damani. He shares insights on evolving as an investor, emphasizing the importance of conviction, learning from market veterans, and adapting investment strategies. Dharamshi highlights the transformative impact of company fundamentals and market dynamics on successful investing.
In 2025, the Indian market selloff has severely impacted the portfolios of top investors like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akash Bhansali, and Madhusudan Kela, leading to major losses. However, Radhakishan Damani's portfolio saw a modest gain, showcasing resilience amidst the downturn.
Radhakishan Damani's 5 Qualities That Make Him India's Richest Stock Market Investor
Hurun India reports Deepinder Goyal as India's second-largest self-made entrepreneur following Zomato's valuation surge. Radhakishan Damani retains the top spot. The list highlights the impact of self-made entrepreneurs, with their businesses valued at $431 billion. Zepto's Kaivalya Vohra, 21, is the youngest entrepreneur on the list.
India's luxury housing market is booming, driven by a surge in wealth and demand from billionaires and HNIs. Sales of luxury apartments skyrocketed, with properties worth hundreds of crores being snapped up. Branded residences and smart homes are gaining popularity, attracting both domestic and NRI investors.
According to data from primeinfobase.com, the value of the portfolios of Radhakishan Damani, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's family, Ashish Dhawan and Nemish Shah, among others, fell amid the 10% decline in the Nifty since Sept 27.
