India. Bata bets with WhatsApp

The Czech shoe retailer Bata reopened 53% of Indian stores in a total of 1,400 units. The firm is now winning business via WhatsApp and focusing on online sales channels. “Our desire to invest in India is still there, but we need to understand the demand”, says C.E.O. Sandeep Kataria. “On the other hand, investment of Capex to factories and warehouses continues. To date, Bata stores in category 3 and 4 cities are performing well, but we expect demand to return to cruising speed by the end of the year”. In the quarter ended March, Bata’s margin fell by 57%.