16 June 2022, Mumbai:
Footwear major Bata India plans to expand its retail footprint in India by adopting the franchise model and launching new products across categories.
Bouncing back to the pre-pandemic levels of sales, Bata India clocked 11 percent growth in sales during the current fiscal (YTD) up to May, says VidhyaSrinivasan, Chief Financial Officer, Bata India. Bata India registered nearly 35 percent growth in revenues at Rs 2,300 crore during the year ended March 31, 2022, backed by improved consumer sentiments.
The company currently has over 1,600 retail outlets including its own stores (1,266) and over 300 franchises. Besides setting up its own stores across the country, the brand plans to increase the share of the franchise network to over 500 in the next two-to-three years.
Currently present across 1,000 towns in India, Bata India aims to expand to newer towns and cities even while it continues to strengthen its footprint in existing markets.
The company’s continued focus on key thrust areas of franchise and MBO (multi-brand outlets) expansion, consumer-relevant communication, portfolio casualization, and digital footprint expansion has resulted in an increase in footfalls across retail outlets, along with significant growth driven via e-commerce platforms and expansion in Tier III to Tier V towns.
Online sales have grown significantly over the last one to two years and currently contribute nearly 15-16 percent of its total sales, she said.
The company expects double-digit growth in the segment during the current fiscal. It plans to enhance its portfolio in the casual and fashion footwear section across categories.
