Bata Pivots to Sneakers as Gen Z Threatens Its Legacy Grip on India's Footwear Market

CEO Gunjan Shah is readying sneaker-led launches to shed Bata's legacy image and counter Campus, Relaxo and RedTape, all charging into athleisure and lifestyle footwear. The next 12 months will test whether the 90-year-old brand can convert Gen Z mindshare into market share.

— Source publishedSat, 6 Jun, 2026, 07:00 IST·First seen Sat, 6 Jun, 2026, 07:59 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Bata India is crafting a sneaker-led strategy to win Gen Z shoppers, acknowledging its legacy-brand perception. CEO Gunjan Shah hinted at upcoming product

Why this matters

Bata's brand reset opens windows for sneaker-DTC tuck-ins or licensing deals that could shortcut Gen Z credibility versus building it organically.