Footwear and accessories manufacturer and retailer Bata India Ltd will consolidate its position as a “destination store for the family” with bigger outlets and a wider product range, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Thomas G Bata.
Addressing media persons at the opening of a 4,800-sq.ft outlet at the Forum Mall here, he said Bata has gone beyond footwear for the entire family to handbags and fashion accessories, and will soon include more product lines for men.
India, which accounts for nearly one-sixth of its global sales, and the Asia-Pacific region are important growing markets. The fast growing middle income segment is its target.
Rajeev Gopalakrishnan, Group Managing Director, Bata Emerging Markets India, said that last year the company opened 189 outlets in India and plans to add about 100 stores every year.
Each of these will be at least 3,000 sq. ft. Capital expenditure on each store could be around Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
The company has over 1,250 outlets, making it one of the largest footwear retailers in India.
Bata has over a couple of dozen brands and also has the licence for the Hush Puppies and Scholl range of foot care products.
Nearly 10 per cent of its outlets are located in malls.