FILE PHOTO: The logo of Bata shoes brand is pictured on a store in Paris, France, February 15, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

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Footwear major Bata India on Monday said that it has crossed the 2,000 retail stores-mark positioning it as the most expansive footwear network.The company said its next eyeing 3,000 stores in the coming years which will focus primarily in tier-III and tier-IV markets through the franchise-led growth model.India is the company’s largest market globally and also the 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.Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, Bata India, said: “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.”With nearly 90 per cent of its stores operating as hyperlocal fulfilment hubs, the company expects digital channels to contribute 20–25 per cent of overall business over the next few years as it continues to invest in younger consumer segments, app-led engagement and omnichannel retail experiences.The company is also expanding 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,”it added.Published on July 13, 2026