Bata India, the country’s leading footwear retailer, reported a 14% year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹66 crore for the December quarter of FY26, driven by strong traction in premium products, well-planned execution across channels and improved operating leverage.
Revenue from operations for the quarter grew 3% to ₹944 crore, compared with ₹918 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. The reported performance includes a one-time exceptional expense of ₹6 crore recognised under the new Labour Code. Excluding the exceptional item, profit before tax rose 10% to ₹96 crore, up from ₹88 crore in Q3 FY25, despite continued elevated investments in marketing to support brand visibility and demand momentum.
Commenting on the performance, Gunjan Shah, MD & CEO, Bata India, said the improvement in consumer demand following the rollout of GST 2.0 continued through the quarter, with early signs of recovery translating into a strong EBITDA performance. “All channels delivered growth during the quarter, supported by solid gross margin management. Our results reflect disciplined execution of key strategic levers across channels,” Shah said.
Bata India continued to see robust growth in premium product categories, led by brands such as Hush Puppies and Power, reinforcing the company’s premiumisation strategy. Fresh product launches contributed to a rising share of sales on a quarter-on-quarter basis, supporting both revenue growth and margin expansion.
During the quarter, the company added 27 franchise stores, strengthening its retail footprint. The Zero Base Merchandising (ZBM) programme was scaled to over 400 stores, delivering sustained improvements in consumer experience and higher revenue per square foot. Operational efficiencies also improved, with strong progress in inventory optimisation, both in terms of quantity and quality, aiding faster stock turns and better assortment freshness.
Shah said initiatives around store decluttering, inventory freshness and cost efficiencies helped drive operating margin leverage during the quarter. He added that continued marketing investments, alongside focused execution across product, channels and inventory, position the company well for future growth. “Against the backdrop of GST 2.0, our strategic levers keep us enthusiastic about the road ahead,” Shah said.