Bata India FY 10 profit up 42.6 pc at Rs 142.9-crore

The company's profit before tax (PBT) in the previous fiscal stood at Rs 100-crore. Bata's net turnover for the full year stood at Rs 1,265.85-crore as against Rs 1090.17-crore in the year-ago period.

Meanwhile, overall sales in the last quarter ending December 31 grew by 23.5 per cent at Rs 356-crore as against Rs 288-crore in the year-ago period. "The year 2010 has been an incredible year for Bata India.

We have opened a record 108 stores during the year with each outlet having an area of more than 3,000 square feet. With separate defined sections offering hundreds of designs, for men, ladies, children and youth, the new Bata stores offer a whole new experience to consumers," Bata India's Group Managing Director, Marcelo Villagran, said in a statement here today.

The growth came in from the restructuring exercise the company has undertaken over the last 5-years, where it focused on large format stores, renovating all its stores and closing down small and unviable ones.

The new stores, with latest retail designs, enhanced layout and wide range of products along with continued focus on youth and women segments, boosted the company's sales and margins, he said.

"With large format stores and complete segmentation of its product offering, Bata is now well prepared to serve its growing customer-base in the future," Villagran added. The company also introduced new designs during the year under its international brands-- Marie Claire, North Star & Weinbrenner and Bata Comfit.

The company also continued expansion for the Hush Puppies brand, where it opened new exclusive outlets during the year. Presently, Bata India has 12 such brand outlets along with 13 shop-in shops.

"Bata India is on a growth trajectory and will continue to invest and implement several growth initiatives to meet the evolving needs of its growing customer base," he said.