MAM
Bata joins hands with Easyrewardz for the “BataClub” loyalty program
Mumbai: Easyrewardz, South Asia’s CLM and loyalty solution provider announced that Bata footwear brands globally have leveraged the “Zence” CRM solution stack by Easyrewardz, for the success of their multi-national “BataClub” program.
Founded in 1894, Bata has been at the forefront of making customer-centricity a reality with its motto of ‘going the extra mile’. Seeing that in the retail sector, the role of CRM has evolved into a vital necessity, and it stands poised for significant growth, Bata International is leveraging CRM solutions to provide an unparalleled shopping experience for its customers in geographies like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Bangladesh, having over 20 brands and labels, such as Bata, North Star, Power, Bubblegummers, Weinbrenner, Sandak or Toughees.
The Footwear market in Southeast Asia is projected to grow by 5.18 per cent (2023-2028) resulting in a market volume of US$20.78bn in 2028. – Statista
Easyrewardz CEO Soumya Chatterjee said Easyrewardz CLM stack helps transform customer engagement in the retail landscape. Our CRM and loyalty solutions seamlessly manage the entire customer journey, from initial acquisition to continued engagement and retention offering an optimal shopping experience for Bata’s customers.
With the Zence CRM stack, we’ve equipped Bata International with advanced capabilities, providing a unified view of each customer across multiple locations. This enables personalised and attentive service, ensuring that every interaction with the brand is tailored to meet the unique preferences and expectations of Bata’s diverse customer base. We thank Bata for choosing us as their CRM and loyalty partners. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to empowering retailers with cutting-edge solutions to navigate the evolving landscape of customer expectations and digital transformation.”
Bata International, leverages Easyrewardz Zence Loyalty solutions, seamlessly integrating various features to enhance customer engagement, utilizing LPaaS for crafting personalized loyalty journeys and fostering active engagement through WhatsApp.
Easyrewardz’s collaboration with Bata extends beyond conventional retail solutions as they have also played a pivotal role in establishing a program microsite for Bata. This microsite empowers customers with access to personalised dashboards, the ability to refer friends and family, and the opportunity to unlock delightful rewards and more.
Bata global customer experience director Geoffroy Berthon said on the success of the program “Bata and Easyrewardz are thrilled with the introduction of the “BataClub” program. This initiative was designed keeping in mind the values on which Bata was founded over 130 years ago. As a global group, we believe in respecting different cultures, and thus we have a very unique set of customers with diverse sets of needs & expectations. We are delighted to have chosen Easyrewardz as our partner in this journey to improve Customer Lifecycle Management to delight and reward customers. This facilitates tracking customer visits, enhancing service experiences, and fostering loyalty through personalized offerings and delightful services.
As market leaders in the footwear retail sector, the protection of our customers’ data and privacy is of utmost importance to us. Easyrewardz has been instrumental in ensuring the security of customer information through their end-to-end solutions, providing us with a 360° view of our customers’ profiles. Thank you to team Easyrewardz for their continuous support, we are eager to see this partnership grow and succeed.”
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
