Providing Support Before You Know You Need It

CFLA is determined to change the sector’s perception by providing the stakeholders with the representation that they require, whenever they need it, at all possible governmental points. Such consistent and convincing representation has finally delivered some result, footwear priced upto ₹ 1000 will now attract 5% GST.

While spearheading Liberty Group Adesh Gupta noticed that the footwear and accessories retail sector in India had one of the most deprived and ignored relation with the authorities. It was imperative for him to ensure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could access the correct advice and representation surrounding taxation as well as workplace relations matters. “Our goal is simple. We want to help SMEs succeed by helping them build a solid business foundation. That starts with fair treatment to the retail and manufacturing sector. The authorities’ policies and grants are most evident in how it administers the taxation, policy norms and minimum wages,” says Adesh, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Shoes Limited and the Chairman of CFLA.

CFLA has members across the industry stretching from South to as far North. Its core team advises and represents the footwear and accessories businesses “before they might even think they need help”. “It’s been a steep learning curve,” he explains. “You have to work out how to inspire and lead, helping people to understand and believe in the future that you are trying to create. You also need to work out which fights are worth fighting and which ones you need to let go, and move on from making sure you conserve your energy for the right moments of impact so you’re not wasting your time.”

With his relentless quest for fair treatment, coupled with his own values and vision resonating through each representation of the council, CFLA is now the most important body of its kind. Commitment is a value that Adesh has always strived for and tries to bring to CFLA, stressing that he expects everyone to commit first and foremost to what CFLA is seeking to achieve as a team. He shares the progress and outlook of CFLA for 2018-19 with S&A’s Amit Chopra.