Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Bata India Expands Zero-Based Merchandising to 800 Stores by 2026
Bata India, a big shoe company, is planning to use a special system called Zero-Based Merchandising (ZBM) in 800 of its stores by the end of 2026.
This system helps keep stores neat and organized with the right products.
Right now, they have over 2,000 stores in India, and about 700 of them are run by franchise partners.
They want to double the number of franchise stores in the next few years.
Bata also sells a lot of shoes online, which is growing fast.
However, their profits went down in the last quarter because people and stores bought less due to changes in tax rules.
Bata India aims to implement Zero-Based Merchandising (ZBM) in 800 stores by December 2026, more than double the current count.
The company operates over 2,000 stores in India, including 700 franchise outlets, with plans to double the franchise stores in 2-3 years.
Bata's twin-engine growth strategy focuses on company-owned stores in urban areas and franchise-led expansion in smaller towns.
E-commerce is Bata's fastest-growing channel, contributing early double digits, supported by AI-led personalization and hyperlocal fulfillment.
Bata India reported a 73.72% year-on-year decline in net profit to ₹13.76 crore for Q2, with revenue falling to ₹801.33 crore due to GST rate rationalization.
- Who
- Bata India
- What
- Expanding Zero-Based Merchandising (ZBM) to 800 stores by December 2026
- When
- By December 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To declutter stores, optimize product assortments, and drive growth
- Target Stores
- 800 by December 2026
- Current ZBM Stores
- Less than 400
- Total Stores
- Over 2,000
- Franchise Stores
- 700
- Franchise Growth Target
- 1,400 in 2-3 years
- E-commerce Contribution
- Early double digits
- Q2 Net Profit
- ₹13.76 crore (down 73.72% YoY)
- Q2 Revenue
- ₹801.33 crore