28 June 2022, Mumbai:

Bata India plans to display products on social media platforms including Instagram and provide consumers a link to direct them to the website. This will help the company boost online operations that currently account for 15 per cent of its total business.

Having entered India in 1931, the Czech company has, over the years, become a leading name for school and formal shoes. However, over the last 5-6 years, the brand has been evolving from a ‘functional and durable’ brand to a ‘casual and fashionable’ one.

ALSO READ Bata India to expand retail footprint

It recently released campaign ‘It’s got to be Bata’, to take the brand to the next phase of evolution. Starring new brand ambassador Disha Patani, the campaign highlights its new versatile 24x7 casual collection. It features brands like: Bata, Bata Red Label, Bata Comfit and Naturalizer.

Bata India is also increasing focus on sneakers across its various brands such as North Star, Hush Puppies and Power.

The brand has set up a large number of sneaker studios in its stores to display up to 300 styles across nine brands, including younger ones like North Star, Hush Puppies, Red Label and Power. It even launched a digital campaign ‘Unlimited sneakers’ in December last year and a SneakerFest campaign to drive the portfolio.

For fiscal ended March 2022, Bata India's consolidated net profit was Rs 102.99 crore. It had reported a net loss of Rs 89.31 crore in 2020-21.Sneakers led growth recovery in Q4 FY22. It accounted for 20 per cent of Bata’s total revenue during the quarter.

Bata has also expanded its retail network to 107 stores. As of 2021, Bata had more than 1,500 retail stores across the country, including franchisee stores. As a part of its expansion push, Bata is increasing its focus on the franchisee model. It has 325 franchisee stores and intends to take them to 500 soon.

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24 June 2022, Mumbai:

Skechers has signed an agreement with real estate developer Lodha for the project. The distribution centre will transform the brand’s current distribution facility into a technologically-advanced centre and expand its business in India in the next 5-7 years.

The distribution centre will be set up in two phases. In the first phase, around 660,000 sq ft will be made operational by mid-2023. The space will be utilized to ship up to 100,000 units of footwear, apparel and accessories per day. Additional 440,000 sq ft will be expanded in the next 3-4 years.

A frontrunner in technology, Skechers has always adopted a progressive mindset. The brand aims to grow its capabilities and strengthen its presence in India's sneaker market is pegged at $ 2.6 billion, and is expected to grow at 11 per cent Y-o-Y, says David Weinberg, COO.

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24 June 2022, Mumbai:

Japanese sportswear brand Asics plans to expand its store network by focusing on Tier II and III markets of India.

The manufacturer of performance footwear is expanding local sourcing and has begun selling Made in India products at the stores. Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, Asics India, and South Asia says, the brand plans to open around 12 stores by this year-end.

Over the months, its footfalls have surged past pre-pandemic levels with performance footwear and apparel categories driving sales. Around 35 percent of the brand’s sales are coming from Tier II and III markets, he adds.

Asics is also revamping stores in line with the new global retail concept that aims to provide shopping experiences with a strong focus on innovation, creativity, and sustainability.

The footwear major expects to comply with the norm for 30 percent mandatory local sourcing over the next 4-5 years to be able to open a few large-format company-owned stores in the country under the single brand FDI policy.

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29 June 2022, Mumbai:

Established in 1989, Cantabil Retail has achieved its milestone of 400 stores with opening the of a new store in Hajratganj, Lucknow. Vijay Bansal, Chairman & Managing Director says, the brand aims to stay on the same strategic path involving higher penetration and presence in new locations pan India.

The company’s employees, store staff and customers have greatly contributed in achieving this milestone.

ALSO READ  Cantabil Retail sets optimistic target over next 3 years 

Cantabil Retail India is involved in designing, manufacturing, branding and retailing of apparels under the brand name of Cantabil. The company has a network of over 390 exclusive retail outlets across India.

The company started garments manufacturing and retailing business in 2000 and opened its first Cantabil store in September 2000 in New Delhi. The Cantabil brand offers complete range of formal-wear, party-wear, casuals and ultra-casual clothing for men and women in the middle to high income group.

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23 June 2022, Mumbai:

Making its third attempt to enter China, renowned US apparel retailer Forever 21 plans to launch a new bricks-and-mortar store in the country by June end.

As per an Apparel Resources report, the fashion retailer will open its physical store at the Jingjiang Impression City shopping centre in Taizhou. The brand tried to re-enter China last year by selling exclusively online through platforms such as Vipshop and Pinduoduo.It also launched a store on Alibaba’s Tmall marketplace.

Founded in 1984, Forever 21 sells accessories, beauty products, home goods and apparels for women, men and children. The brand is a fashion retailer of women's, men's and kids clothing and accessories and is known for offering the hottest, most current fashion trends at a great value to consumers.

In July 2016, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail acquired the exclusive online and offline rights to the India network of Forever 21. The brand reaches out to customers in over 300 towns and cities of the country to meet the aspirations of the fashion conscious women and men.

It is one of the most searched brands online and occupies a unique position in the fast fashion space.

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22 June 2022, Mumbai:

Apparel and lifestyle brand Cantabil Retail aims to be a Rs 1,000 crore revenue company over the next three years, says Deepak Bansal, Director. The retailer presently has 378 stores across the country and plans to add over 80 stores per year in future, adds Shivendra Nigam, Chief Financial Officer.

In last quarter, Cantabil Retail recorded sales worth Rs 133 crore. The brand also registered Rs 383 crore sales on an annual basis.

Cantabil’s profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 38 crore. Nigam told Economic Times, over the last year for many months, they recorded the highest sales and have the same plans for the company in future.

The brand is present across India except in South India. Its core presence is in North India, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Eastern part of the country. In future, it plans to expand across all three regions by adding over 80 stores this year. In all, it plans to add 300 new stores over the next three years.

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