Indian multi-brand footwear company, Metro Brands, is in talks with Foot Locker to bring the US brand into India.
According to ET Now, Foot Locker was reported to be in discussions with four potential Indian franchisees, whose identities have not been disclosed. Neither Foot Locker or Metro Brands responded to media requests for comment.
Established in 1977, Metro Brands is one of India’s largest footwear retailers. As of the end of September, it operated 598 stores in the country and its brand portfolio includes Mochi, Walkway, Davinchi, Crocs, Fitflop.
Foot Locker has been expanding its presence in Asia during the past few years. The specialty athletic retailer entered Indonesia in 2021 before expanding into the Philippines with the first store opened inside Manila’s Glorietta shopping mall last December through an exclusive partnership with Map Aktif Adiperkasa.
Foot Locker retails footwear and activewear from brands including Vans, Puma, Adidas, Converse, New Balance, and Nike.
Meanwhile, Reliance Retail, which secured the rights to distribute US fashion brand Gap last year, has opened the brand’s first store in the country in Infiniti Mall in Mumbai. The Indian retail conglomerate aims to roll out 50 stores in the next 12 months.
