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Speaking to newspersons in Kolkata yesterday, Bata said, "The
redevelopment project of Batanagar reaffirms our sincere commitment
to the people of West Bengal."
He also announced major initiatives to revamp the company image
and operations which will be highlighted by an important modernisation
of its retail network and the introduction of new categories of
footwear in addition to updating its classic and traditional ranges.
The company proposes to bring about a qualitative change in the
environment of Batanagar to evolve it as a satellite township in
due course. The development project offers quality healthcare, education,
sports and recreation and efficient utilities to the city of Kolkata.
The project is being undertaken with Calcutta Metropolitan Group
Ltd.
"Apart from offering healthcare, education and housing facilities,
the project will generate employment opportunities and as well as
attract substantial outside-investment for such infrastructure development
work," said Bata.
Bata said that a greater focus would now be on specialty-manufacturing.
The company is also developing a state-of-the-art integrated retail
management system in partnership with Infosys.
This multi-million dollar investment by the group will be piloted
in France this summer with a worldwide roll-out schedule starting
in Q4 2004, informed an official release.
PM Sinha takes over as chairman from Constantin Salameh, who was
appointed as the acting chairman of the company recently. The appointment
of the new chairman is expected to add a fresh impetus to the company's
new vision and initiatives to bear fruit in the coming years.
On his appointment as chairman, the official statement quoted Sinha
as saying, "Bata India Limited, an integral part of the country's
footwear industry, has always been known and recognised as one of
the best brands that has been a part of everyone's life at some
point of time.
“To face the challenge of a competitive environment and the
ever-evolving preferences of the consumers, Bata India today wishes
to reposition itself as a market driven, fashion conscious lifestyle
company and I am pleased to be a part of the team driving the company
towards its goal."
Keeping in sync with Bata's new avatar as an international retailer
of repute, new footwear range reflecting global trends is being
introduced every week. The new contemporary designs are being launched
for men, women and children, in both lifestyle and sports category.
The conceptualisation of retail segments into flagship/city, family
and bazar/factory outlets will enable retail division to focus on
a variety of customer groups in India and will offer contemporary
shopping experience, with exclusive range of footwear targeted at
that segment.
Two of the new generation Signature Flagship stores are already
operational in Mumbai and Gurgaon.
Bata India, better known for its men's range of footwear earlier,
will also be giving special emphasis on ladies and children's range
of footwear now, on a competitive price range. The first quarter
of 2004 has already witnessed a significant increase in Bata's retail
business by eight per
cent, said the release.
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