As part of an initiative to boost up retail sales, Bata India, one of India’s footwear majors, plans to add a new product range to its collection. The company also plans to take bids from hospitals and armed forces, informed a top company official.
Meanwhile, the company is also planning to shut down some of its unprofitable stores. The company has already cut the number of unprofitable stores to 74 from 140 across India. “We are focusing more on big format stores of around 3,000 to 10,000 square feet and will open new stores, most of which will be franchise-run. We are also going to introduce a new range of sports shoes in India this year,” justified PM Sinha, chairman, Bata India.
However, the company also plans to set up 60 stores every year over the next three years across the country using cash accruals, said Marcelo Villagran, managing director, Bata India.
Currently, the company runs over 1,100 stores in India and 2,000 stock keeping units (SKUs).
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
