Footwear retail major Bata India has posted 6.8 per cent revenue growth and over 27 per cent profit before tax (PBT) in the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. While the revenue growth stood at Rs 2,330.32 million against Rs 2,181.99 million in the same period last year, PBT grew at Rs 162.35 million against Rs 127.69 million in the corresponding period last year, according to a company press release.
Marcelo Villagran, MD, Bata India said, “Our strategy of opening large format stores has been successful and we continue to invest in expanding our retail business. We were focused upon providing our customers with a new trendy collection and better shoe designs. Our value pricing, coupled with improved customer service, has helped us to grow in a big way.”
Bata India has opened 32 new retail stores and renovated 3 existing stores in the first quarter of 2009. These new stores are based on the international format of Bata stores and have a minimum area of 3,000 square feet each.
Besides metros, the company has strong presence in tier I and II cities including Kota, Jodhpur, Ludhiana, Kakinada, Berampur, Mandya, Gangtok, Hassan, Hubli, Ahmednagar and Nasik with 1200 Bata stores. The company also sells its products through 20,000 independent shoe dealers in over 400 cities across India, added the release.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
