Bata set to grow Indian store franchise model

Bata – said to be India’s largest footwear retailer – has announced that it aims to use franchising to grow its presence within smaller cities and large towns, as well as boosting its distribution strategy to sell more footwear through multi-branded outlets and increasing the number of company-owned stores.

According to Gunjan Shah, managing director and chief executive of Bata India, moving to a franchise model will provide more flexibility while being able to make the most of the country’s entrepreneurship. “We are significantly moving the smaller towns and maybe even suburbs or metros to a franchise model,” commented Mr Shah. “That’s given us great traction. [In the] last two quarters, we’ve been adding almost 20 to 30 stores every quarter. Hopefully that pace continues and maybe accelerates going forward.”

Bata India reportedly sells footwear from 1,700 Bata-owned stores, shop-in-shops and franchisee stores, as well as in several thousand multi-brand footwear dealer stores across the country. The company markets products under the Bata, Bata Red Label, Bata Comfit, Bubblegummers, Hush Puppies, Marie Claire, Naturalizer, North Star, Power, Scholl and Weinbrenner brands.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 4 of the June 2022 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

Other articles from this issue »

---