Last updated : July 14, 2026 3:59 pm
The company now plans to aggressively expand its network to 3,000 stores nationwide over the coming years. The expansion will primarily focus on Tier III and Tier IV markets through a franchise-led growth model.
Bata India, the leading footwear brand, has crossed the milestone of 2,000 retail stores across the country, strengthening its position as India’s largest and most expansive footwear network. According to the company, the milestone reflects Bata India’s continued focus on accessibility, innovation and consumer-first retail expansion.
India stands as Bata’s largest market globally and largest manufacturing and sourcing hub. It also contributes close to one-fourth of Bata’s global revenues and supports sales of close to 50 million pairs annually through company-owned stores, franchise outlets, multi-brand outlets and digital channels.
Bata India now plans to aggressively expand its network to 3,000 stores nationwide over the coming years. The expansion will primarily focus on Tier III and Tier IV markets through a franchise-led growth model, enabling the company to accelerate its reach across emerging consumption centres.
Commenting on the achievement, Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, Bata India said, “Crossing 2,000 stores is a significant milestone for Bata India and reflects the trust generations of consumers have placed in the brand. Our focus now is on building a future-ready organisation driven by retail scale, omnichannel capabilities and manufacturing strength. As Bata's most strategic market globally, India continues to offer significant headroom for growth, particularly across emerging towns and cities. Going forward, we will continue to expand accessibility through a balanced mix of company-owned and franchise-led stores while strengthening our digital and omnichannel capabilities.”
The company is accelerating investments in digital and omnichannel capabilities across online and offline touchpoints. With nearly 90% of its stores operating as hyperlocal fulfilment hubs, Bata is expecting digital channels to contribute 20–25% of overall business over the next few years as it continues to invest in younger consumer segments, app-led engagement and omnichannel retail experiences.
As part of its retail transformation journey, Bata India has expanded its Zero-Based Merchandising (ZBM) format to around 775 stores and plans to scale this to nearly 900 stores by the end of 2026. The initiative is helping enhance merchandising efficiency, improve inventory agility and deliver a more elevated in-store consumer experience. With a growing retail footprint, a stronger franchise-led model, deeper omnichannel integration and a clear expansion roadmap, Bata India is entering its next phase with scale, discipline and ambition.