Footwear manufacturer and retailer Bata India plans 100 new stores this year, added to its current portfolio of 1250 stores in more than 500 Indian cities.

Bata India says will invest Rs. 700 million (US$14 million) into new stores and more into modernising its manufacturing facilities in Bangalore, Patna and Batanagar. 

The modernisation is expected to increase Bata India’s production by 15 to 20 per cent, says Rajeev Gopalakrishnan, MD of Bata India.

Meanwhile, the additional stores will be developed in smaller cities with retail area of more than 3000 sqft each.

Bata India, whose portfolio includes Hush Puppies, Marie Claire, Bata, NorthStar and Weinbrenner, also aims to sell 50,000 pairs of shoes this year online, up from from 17,000 in 2011.

The company also plans to expand its portfolio of international footwear brands as the Indian government loosens its restrictions on international retailers.

“If multi-brand retailing opens up in India, we may look into the opportunity,” said Gopalakrishnan.

GB