Going forward, the company plans to double its rate of new store openings
Footwear brand Bata has crossed 700 franchise stores across the country, marking a significant step in its retail expansion journey and reinforcing the growing importance of the franchise-led model in taking the brand deeper into emerging India.
Around 70 per cent of Bata’s franchise stores are located in Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets. Going forward, Bata expects even faster and stronger franchise momentum as it plans to double its rate of new store openings.
“The franchise model has become a strong pillar of our retail expansion strategy because it brings together the strengths of both partners. Our franchise partners bring deep local market understanding and on-ground operational efficiency, while Bata brings strong brand equity, consumer trust, and a wide portfolio. This allows us to grow with speed and discipline, especially in markets beyond metros where branded footwear demand is rising steadily,” stated Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, Bata India.
The official statement noted that for franchise partners, the model offers an attractive business proposition with an initial investment of around Rs 35 to Rs 40 lakh. For Bata, it enables faster market entry and expansion with relatively lower capital deployment, while strengthening presence in high-potential markets.
The company’s expansive retail network consists of over 1,900 stores (company owned and franchise). Augmented by thousands of multi brand outlets and an omnichannel presence across D2C and marketplaces, Bata India sells close to 50 million pairs annually.
