Tata International forays into footwear retailing
Source: TATA INTERNATIONAL

03 November, 2010
Tata International forays into footwear retailing

Tata International, the global trading arm of the Tata group and India’s leading leather and leather-products exporter, announced its foray into footwear retail with the launch of Tashi, a speciality footwear retail chain. The company unveiled its first retail store at Greater Kailash, New Delhi. Spread across 2,500sq ft, the Tashi store at New Delhi brings the latest and most elegant fashion trends in footwear and leather accessories to customers all under one roof.

In the first phase of the rollout, Tata International will open six exclusive Tashi stores in Mumbai, New Delhi and Chandigarh. The speciality footwear retail chain will have exclusive stores located at high streets, major city markets and leading malls to ensure maximum brand visibility and customer accessibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Noel Tata, managing director, Tata International, said, “With the launch of Tashi, Tata International brings its longstanding expertise in leather to the domestic organised footwear retail segment which is poised for rapid growth, as more and more Indian customers begin to appreciate fine craftsmanship and innovation in design. Our design studio in Italy will bring forth the latest international style and quality footwear and accessories for its Indian customers in stunning styles that will suit every unique taste!”

Tata International has a history in the leather business, having collaborated with international fashion brands and retailers in the manufacturing, design and supply of footwear and accessories. The company has one of the largest manufacturing facilities in Asia, in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, and runs manufacturing units in Chennai.

Deepak Deshpande, vice president, retail, Tata International, said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of Tashi — our multi-brand footwear and accessories retail chain and the opening of the very first store in New Delhi. Tashi will redefine the branded footwear retail space and will provide the Indian customer with a range of globally-designed footwear and accessories in an international store ambience coupled with excellent customer service.”

The Indian footwear retail market is estimated at Rs16,000 crore and is growing at over 15 per cent CAGR. With the increase in per capita consumption, changing lifestyles and greater fashion consciousness of the Indian consumer, the organised footwear retail space is on the threshold of expanding rapidly.