Bata increases footprint in Chennai

Chennai:

Bata increased its footprint in Chennai by adding another another outlet in Forum Mall in Vadapalani on Saturday.

The outlet was opened by Tamil actress Trisha and chairman and chief executive of Bata Thomas George Bata. With this Bata has now 1,250 outlets and it has ambitious plans to add 100 outlets every year in India. Last year alone Bata has opened 189 stores.

The investment required for each store is Rs one crore and focus is more on the family customers.

Later in an interview to reporters, Bata said that India contributes nearly 15 per cent of the total sales of Bata worldwide. “India is the most important market for us as we have a long heritage here. We got to re-invent ourselves and catering to the changing tastes of the population,” he said.

He said that Bata’s growth is linked to prosperity in the developing countries like China, India and Indonesia but Europe is still a major market for Bata. He said that India has a growing middle class population with a lot of spending power and it provides a huge opportunity for Bata.

Talking about the investment plans, Bata said that the focus is on creating synergies between various countries in providing centers of excellence for product development and development of human resources. Interestingly, Bata has continued to focus on improvements in shoe designs through constatnt research and analysis. The footwear collection has been vastly improved during the years with the company launching trendy and fashionable designs which has been well received by the modern day young customer.

Currently, we are modernizing our manufacturing plants in Kolkata, Patna, Bangalore, Hosur and Faridabad, says Bata. He also said that Bata’s store are getting bigger as big as 3,000 square feet and it caters to men, women and children.

Interestingly, the new Bata store is made as per Bata’s global format, designed by experienced designers and architects, using the latest retail techniques and best quality furniture to enhance the store’s layout and provide for an attractive product display.

“The focus is also more on women as there is a large presence of women in workforce and they have the spending power. The store now has ladies handbags, ladies belts, men’s handbag, belt, men’s wallet, socks and other accessories,” says Bata adding that children too are important customers.

He said the women’s category is growing 30 per year on year and is the fastest growing market.

He also evaded questions on whether he wants to tap the luxury segement. Interestingly, of the total footwear market, 70 per cent is unorganized and among the organized sector, Bata has an estimated 30 per cent share.