Bata to launch sunglasses, scarves in June

Bata, a household name in the footwear market, is diversifying its business in accessories categories like sunglasses and scarves and is expecting to net 15-20 percent of revenues from this area in the next two-three years.

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"Our footwear business is growing at about 20 percent annually, which is very good, but we want a diverse portfolio. While we already have handkerchiefs in the market, in the next one month, we will introduce sunglasses and scarves," Bata managing director Rajeev Gopalakrishnan told PTI.

Over the next two-three years, the non-footwear business should contribute 15-20 percent of the overall revenues, he added. "We want to be a contemporary brand and be present across all categories. The products will be priced keeping in mind the middle and the upper-middle class population," Gopalakrishnan said.

These products will be introduced across all Bata stores. Bata has over 1,350 stores, including 1,000 company-owned stores. "We will add about 100 stores this year, of which some have already started operations. We are investing about Rs 100 crore this year for retail expansion and modernisation of manufacturing lines," he said.

On Monday, Bata launched its new monsoon collection starting Rs 199.