ECCO plans 50 Indian stores

India is now viewed as one of the most high-potential markets for the company.

Footwear producer ECCO is said to be focusing attention on India, as a growing appetite for luxury goods is driving demand in the premium footwear segment. Reports suggest that the Danish company intends to expand its number of stores in the country to 50 by 2028.

ECCO opened its first two retail outlets in India in 2019 and currently operates nine stores. The company aims to boost this to 20 by the end of 2026, in addition to around 80 other points of sale across multi-brand channels.

“India was ignored for a very long time, but today it is one of the most high-potential markets for us,” commented Sumeet Lohia, ECCO country manager for India. “Given the rise in disposable incomes and the growing aspiration for premium products, India has become a seed market that is getting equal focus from our global headquarters.”

According to ECCO, its strategy will continue to be weighted towards offline methods, as it believes consumers in the premium segment prefer a physical experience before making their purchases.

“We are not playing the price-conscious game,” said Mr Lohia. “Our focus is on building a premium walking brand. Once customers enter the ECCO ecosystem, they stay with the brand because of the comfort, craftsmanship and technology.”

Around the world, the purchase of women’s footwear accounts for more than 50 per cent of ECCO’s business. However, things are very different in the Indian market, where men’s shoes currently make up 75 per cent of the company’s sales. ECCO expects the women’s category to increase its share in the coming years as premium consumption in India increases.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the May 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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