Crocs looks to manufacture in India

1.5 Million pairs of Crocs shoes were sold in India during 2016.

US-based Crocs is investigating the possibility of manufacturing its products in India – if the Goods and Service Tax (GST) proves to be favourable for the footwear sector.

“We do have business plans in place, based on certain assumptions on GST,” said Crocs India managing director Deepak Chhabra. “If it is favourable, we are going to plan manufacturing products in India. We will take [the] decision in six to eight months.”

According to Mr Chhabra, there is no incentive at present for manufacturing locally, with current taxation being higher for footwear than for apparel. At this time, Crocs India sources all its finished products from its global manufacturing hub in southeast Asia. Crocs is reportedly looking at doubling its India business within three years, in line with the widening of the company’s product portfolio and the expansion of its retail footprint.

While the iconic clog-style shoe still accounts for more than 45 per cent of the company’s footwear sales, its product range also includes flats, flip flops, loafers and sneakers. Since its inception in 2002, Crocs is said to have sold more than 300 million pairs of shoes in more than 90 countries. Last year, customers bought 55 million pairs of Crocs shoes around the world, with 1.5 million pairs of these sold in India.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 4 of the May 2017 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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