Bata India Ltd, one of the largest footwear retailers in India, posted 38 per cent increase in profit after tax, to touch Rs 162 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, up from Rs 117 crore in the corresponding period last year.
The company posted a 14.85 per cent increase in turnover at Rs 286 crore for the quarter under review, up from Rs 249 crore in the corresponding period last year.
The company opened 32 new stores and renovated 22 existing stores in first half of the year and continued to focus on improving shoe design, particularly for women and youth. This together with stricter cost control, improved product mix, consolidation of manufacturing activities and transformation of the wholesale business resulted in improved profitability, Bata said in a release.
Currently the company has a retail footprint of over 1000 stores in more than 56 cities.