Right Foot Forward
Forbes India|May 22, 2020
With a revamp of product lines and stores, and its image, Bata India has been bringing customers back to the brand of their childhood
Monica Bathija
Right Foot Forward
Besides its own and franchise stores, Bata is available in over 10,000 multi-brand outlets across India

Ever since Sandeep Kataria took over as CEO of Bata India in August 2017, one of his favourite jobs involves driving into a small town and asking for directions to the Bata store there. “And very often there is a Bata chowk in the town, where the Bata store is,” he says with a laugh. “So that itself is a nice, solid kick in the morning.”

It is the middle of the countrywide lockdown and like probably every other CEO in the country, Kataria has been planning scenarios and strategies for the omnipresent brand post-lockdown. But he is also glad to be doing something normal, like discussing normal times. Which at Bata India have been good—not just over the past few years, but also through the economic stasis last year.

Bata India clocked revenues of ₹2,636.32 crore in FY18 and ₹2,928.44 crore in FY19, registering an 11 percent growth. In the same period, its net profits grew 47 percent from ₹223.58 crore to ₹329.66 crore. In Q3 of the current financial year, it reported revenues of ₹829.6 crore and a net profit of ₹117.2 crore. This took the total profit for the fiscal up to December to ₹289.3 crore, a 20 percent increase over the ₹241.3 crore profit for the same period last year.

During the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Bata India opened over 130 own and franchise stores, strengthening its already strong distribution network to over 1,500 exclusive stores in 600 towns and cities. It has also launched a store refurbishment drive across 500 selected stores.

This story is from the May 22, 2020 edition of Forbes India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 22, 2020 edition of Forbes India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FORBES INDIAView All
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
Forbes India

Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued

The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
Forbes India

Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years

As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 4, 2021
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Forbes India

THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN

Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Forbes India

LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment

time-read
7 mins  |
May 21, 2021
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Forbes India

PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST

Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground

time-read
9 mins  |
May 21, 2021
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
Forbes India

INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR

While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
Forbes India

DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION

As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Forbes India

Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?

Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent

time-read
10 mins  |
June 4, 2021
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Forbes India

EV Dream Still Miles Away

Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure

time-read
6 mins  |
June 4, 2021
Living Waters
Forbes India

Living Waters

A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet

time-read
4 mins  |
June 4, 2021