Sandeep Kataria, the global CEO of the Bata Corporation, has reportedly resigned, five years after becoming the first Indian to lead the footwear behemoth.
Plans for succession are still in progress, and a formal announcement is anticipated this week. According to people with knowledge of the situation, Kataria will probably remain for six months to assist with the leadership change.
Kataria is leaving Bata after eight years, having led Bata India for three of those years before assuming the top global position in 2020.
Bata underwent a transformation during his leadership, modernising its brand identity, simplifying business processes, and boosting design-led and digital innovation. As part of a larger plan, Bata improved its positioning in strategic markets in Asia, Africa, and Europe under his leadership. Additionally, there was a move towards flexible global supply chain models, with India being a key location for sourcing and design.
Before joining Bata in 2017, Kataria had worked for Vodafone, Yum! Foods, and Unilever. During his tenure at Bata, the Indian business expanded from Rs. 1,707 crore (US $ 198 million) in FY ’21 to Rs. 3,554 crore (US $ 413 million) in FY ’25 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%.
With an annual sales volume of around 50 million pairs through more than 1,960 locations, Bata is the largest footwear company in India in terms of both income and volume. Additionally, after Italy, the nation is anticipated to rank as Bata’s second-largest sourcing and design hub.
