Opens North’s largest outlet at Lucknow.
India’s largest footwear retailer, Bata, is looking at big format stores even as it plans to increase its presence in Tier II and III markets.
With over 1,200 stores across 400 cities at present, Bata is planning to open 100-odd new outlets this year.
The company on Friday launched its largest store in North India at Lucknow, spread over 8,600 square feet in the heart of city. The store offers complete range of Bata comprising footwear and accessories like handbags and belts.
“Many of our upcoming outlets would be even bigger than this store,” Bata India managing director Marcelo Villagran told Business Standard after the launch.
Bata sells over 50 million pairs of shoes every year entertaining 5,00,000 customers daily. In the last five years, Kolkata-headquartered Bata has opened 350 stores and renovated 200 existing stores.
He said most existing stores were located in the metros and other major towns, however, the company planned to expand its footprint to serve virgin territories. However, he clarified that Bata was not planning to launch other accessories to complement its current portfolio.
“Last financial year (January-December), Bata posted 15 per cent growth in sales and 43 per cent increase in profits,” Villagran added.
Bata owns five manufacturing units in India, however, it also sourced a ‘good percentage’ of its products from other units as well, including from Kanpur.
The company has launched Bata Home Delivery Service under which customers, unable to find footwear of their choice/size, are delivered the product at doorsteps without extra cost.
