Bata India Likely To Partner With Adidas For Domestic Market: Report

Footwear company Bata India is in talks with athletics shoemaker Adidas for a strategic partnership for the Indian market, sources were quoted as saying by CNBC-TV18. The talks between the two footwear giants are in advanced stages and added that ‘final deal contours in the work.’

The report of a likely partnership between the two footwear brands came amid Bata India starting trials for sports apparel, according to the CNBC report.

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Bata India chairman Ashwini Windlass said he is optimistic about the company's future growth given the market outlook. He also said that the company is working on strategies to retain a high growth trajectory that includes expanding its distribution footprint.

Bata India’s net profit soared from Rs 100 crore to Rs 319 crore in the previous year. Revenue for the year was Rs 3,451.5 crore, Windlass told shareholders at the company's 90th AGM on 10 August.

Windlass also revealed that the footwear giant will invest  ₹100 crore during the year to focus on 'casualisation' and 'premiumisation'. It is also looking at the growth and expansion of both of its franchisee and multi-brand stores. 

It plans to also invest in front-end operations, stores to back-end infra, technology, design, R&D etc, as per media reports.

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In FY2023 it crossed 2,000 plus stores across all formats and will expand its presence in smaller towns and cities and will collaborate with small and medium entrepreneurs to bring franchisee stores. Bata India aims to expand the number of franchisee stores to 500 by 2025, Chairman Windlass said.

Bata India's Managing Director and CEO Gunjan Shah said, in an interview with news agency PTI,  that the footwear company is re-entering the premium price points market with fresh portfolios. It also plans to increase spending on advertising and promotions to connect with young digital savvy consumers.