The India CEO and the South Asia Regional General Manager discuss the Hot Wheels sales strategy during the inspection of the Road No. 3 branch
Hyderabad, November 6, 2025 – Lalit Agarwal, Asia Head and India CEO of Mattel Inc., along with Murat Ariksoy, Regional General Manager for South Asia (India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), visited the Bachpan Kids showroom on Banjara Hills Road No. 3 on Tuesday to review Hot Wheels product performance and discuss strategies to boost sales in the local market.
The unannounced inspection saw both executives spending over an hour at the store, examining product displays and engaging with the retail team about consumer buying patterns in Hyderabad.
High-Level Discussion on Market Strategy
Musharaf Hussain, CEO of Bachpan Kids Wear, welcomed Agarwal and Ariksoy and showcased the showroom’s extensive Hot Wheels collection. The executives discussed several key areas, including inventory management, local consumer preferences, seasonal demand trends, and opportunities for market expansion in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
“We had a productive discussion about how Hot Wheels performs in our market and ways to enhance customer engagement,” said Hussain. “Both Mr. Agarwal and Mr. Ariksoy were particularly interested in understanding what drives sales at the ground level and how we can collaborate more effectively.”
The meeting covered various aspects of retail operations, from product placement and pricing strategies to competition analysis and marketing initiatives tailored for the Hyderabad market. Ariksoy’s expertise in managing markets across South Asia brought valuable regional perspectives to the discussion.
Leading Hot Wheels Retailer in the Region
Bachpan Kids has established itself as one of the top Hot Wheels sellers across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, operating 13 showrooms strategically located throughout both states. The Banjara Hills location, positioned in one of Hyderabad’s premium residential areas, serves as a key outlet for the brand’s complete product range.
The showroom stocks everything from basic die-cast cars to elaborate track sets and collector’s editions, catering to both children and adult enthusiasts. According to store staff, Hot Wheels remains one of their consistently best-performing product categories.
Focus on Local Market Growth
During the visit, Agarwal and Ariksoy explored several growth opportunities specific to the regional market. The discussions touched on understanding Hyderabad’s unique consumer demographics, optimizing supply chain operations, and developing localized marketing campaigns.
The toy industry in India has seen significant growth, with cities like Hyderabad emerging as important markets for international brands. Hot Wheels, with its wide price range and multi-generational appeal, has found strong traction among urban consumers in the region.
Strategic Partnership
The visit reflects Mattel’s increasing focus on strengthening relationships with key regional retailers. Bachpan Kids’ track record in moving Hot Wheels inventory across their 13-store network has made them a valuable partner for the global toy manufacturer in South India.
While specific details of future plans weren’t disclosed, the presence of both the India CEO and South Asia Regional GM indicated the strategic importance Mattel places on this partnership. Both parties expressed interest in exploring enhanced collaboration, including potential exclusive launches and joint marketing initiatives targeting local consumers.
Agarwal and Ariksoy’s visit comes at a time when Mattel is actively working to expand its footprint in India’s growing toy market, with regional retailers playing a crucial role in reaching consumers across diverse geographies.
The Bachpan Kids team expressed enthusiasm about the interaction, viewing it as validation of their retail strategy and an opportunity to align more closely with Mattel’s vision for the Indian market.
About the Companies
Mattel Inc. is a global toy manufacturing company and owner of the Hot Wheels brand, which has been a market leader in die-cast cars since 1968. Bachpan Kids Wear operates 13 retail showrooms across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, offering children’s products including toys, games, and apparel.
