Top Searches
Advertisement

Step by Step, Stitch by Stitch: Red Chief’s Homegrown Journey from Kanpur to Nationwide Fame

Updated: June 22, 2025 13:35

Image Source: CEO VINE
A modest leather export venture in Kanpur has become one of India's best-known made-in-India footwear brands—Red Chief. Founded in 1997 by Manoj Gyanchandani, Red Chief is currently a flagship brand of Leayan Global Pvt. Ltd., part of the ₹5,500 crore RSPL Group.
 
The Journey from Export to Empire:
In the early 1990s, Gyanchandani started exporting leather shoes to Europe. But in 1997, he turned towards the domestic market, perceiving a gap for quality, low-priced men's leather shoes.
 
Red Chief was conceived with a mission of delivering quality craftsmanship at affordable prices, utilizing in-house leather and manufacturing to maintain quality control.
 
Born in Kanpur, Worn Across India:
  • Red Chief operates three manufacturing units, a tannery and two plants in Kanpur and Haridwar.
  • The brand has 175 standalone stores across 16 states and is also represented in over 3,000 multi-brand stores.
  • 80% of the entire range is manufactured in-house, which translates into design consistency, quality of durability, and finish.
Business Milestones:
  • Annual turnover: ₹324 crore+
  • Price range: ₹2,500–₹4,000 per pair
  • Online presence: Available on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and its own e-store
  • Product line: Formal shoes, boots, casuals, belts, wallets, and accessories
Challenges & Strategy:
Gyanchandani notes that price-sensitive Indian buyers desire quality and value. Red Chief's strategy? No compromise on design material, even at the expense of lower margins. The company also emphasizes design innovation and retail growth, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
 
And now, Red Chief is not just a footwear brand—it's a symbol of Kanpur's leather legacy, revamped for the modern Indian male. 
 
Sources: YourStory, Danzio, Indian Retailer

Advertisement

STORIES YOU MAY LIKE

Image Source: Prime Video
“Ghayal Was a Piece of My Heart”—Sunny Deol Reflects on 35 Years of Iconic Action Drama
Image Source: India IPO
HDB Financial’s ₹12,500 Crore IPO: HDFC Bank’s Powerhouse Prepares for a Giant Leap
Image Source: MoneyControl
India’s Mutual Fund Moment: HDFC & Moneycontrol Summit Charts Trillion-Dollar Trajectory
Advertisement
Image Source: The Economic Times
High Stakes, Higher Towers: Raymond Realty Threads Rs 14K-Cr Vision
Image Source: INC42
Desi Intelligence Goes Global: Inside India’s Race to Build a Homegrown GPT
Image Source: South China Morning Post
China's Rocket Renaissance: LandSpace Ignites Reusability Race
Image Source: Instagram
Curiosity to Clarity: Deethya's NPTEL Leap into Purpose
Advertisement
Live Blogs
Mind Over Scatter: Why Your Thoughts Go Rogue During Meditation
Piggy Banks to Portfolios: Smart Investment Moves for Your Child’s Bright Future
Gates of Emotion: Bill and Melinda React Worlds Apart to Daughter’s Big News
Compound Your Habits Like Your Wealth: 120 Seconds to Smarter Investing
Top Stories
Image Source: Slurrp
Spice, Memory, and Heart: Anupam Kher Celebrates Kashmiri Cuisine
Image Source: The Hindu Business Line
Silicon Surge: Gujarat’s Rs 35,000-Cr Electronics Policy Powers Up India’s Tech Backbone
Not Just Rain—Delhi Weather Office Battles a Social Media Hack
Image Source: Pinterest
Kohli, Rohit, and the Race Against Time for 2027 World Cup
Advertisement
Advertisement

Follow WOWNEWS 24x7 on:

Copyright 2024 WOWNEWS 24x7. All rights reserved. The WOWNEWS 24x7 is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

Powered By Just Imagine