Bata India is accelerating the rollout of its Floatz casual footwear brand even as it faces an ongoing design dispute with US-based Crocs. With sales already past ₹100 crore and likely to hit ₹200 crore this fiscal, the company plans over 60 exclusive Floatz outlets by FY26 and aggressive overseas pilots.
Floatz at the heart of Bata’s revival
Floatz, launched less than four years ago as a lightweight, washable casual range, has become Bata’s fastest brand to cross the ₹100‑crore mark and now contributes about 15% of revenue amid otherwise flat topline growth. Despite Crocs’ lawsuit in the Delhi High Court, there is no stay on Floatz sales, and management insists the litigation is not altering business plans.
Key highlights
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Floatz revenue already above ₹100 crore; tracking towards ₹200 crore in FY25 and a medium‑term ambition of ₹500‑800 crore.
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Expansion plan includes more than 60 exclusive Floatz outlets and kiosks across India by FY26, plus pilots in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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Bata has invested over ₹20 crore in product development, including Disney and Marvel tie‑ups and proprietary “Flow Foam” comfort technology.
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Brand rode the pandemic-led shift to casual, washable clogs and continues to grow above 30% annually, outpacing the rest of the portfolio.
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Floatz sits within a broader strategy of casualisation, franchise‑led expansion into smaller towns and premiumisation via brands like Hush Puppies and Bata Comfit.
Sources: The Financial Express industry report; Fortune India feature on Bata