Bata to open 100 stores every year

Global footwear manufacturer Bata is planning to opening 100 stores in the country every year, a top executive said on Saturday.

“We have around 1,250 stores across India. And every year we are planning to open almost 100 stores. Last year, we opened a little bit more. We opened 189 stores. Now, going forward, we are planning to open 100 stores every year,” Bata India Group Managing Director Rajeev Gopalakrishnan said.

“We invest almost Rs 1 crore for a store spread across 3,000 square foot,” Balakrishnan said. The company is also planning to have specialised footwear stores for its licenced brands like Hushpuppies across India, he said. According to Bata Global Chairman and Chief Executive Thomas George Bata, “In India, the company has 30 exclusive outlets for retailing Hush Puppies range of shoes,” adding that there is a possibility for the company to focus more on independent stores.  “Every year we may add 5-10 stores,” he added. Stating that India offers a lot of opportunity for the company, George Bata said, his company has been witnessing a 20 per cent top line growth year-on-year.