Tata International ventures into branded footwear

Tata International, the global trading arm of the Tata Group plans to venture into the

branded footwear segment with three brands for men and one for women. Tata International is one of India’s leading manufacturer, exporter and supply chain integrator of leather and leather products, including footwear. Footwear contributes Rs 700 crores to Tata International.

The company is introducing three men’s brands — Aristo in the formal wear category, comfort wear SCT and Arin in the casual wear category. These are mid-segment brands priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,500 and are being launched in June this year. In the women’s segment, the company has licensed comfort wear brand Aerosole of the US-based Aerogroup. Tata has the license to design, develop and sell the brand in Europe, Africa and India. Aerosole has been a leading brand in Europe between 2002 and 2008, selling six million pairs.

Tata has inked a distribution tie-up with Metro, Mochi and the group’s Westside stores. For the men’s footwear brands too, the company will initially associate with these retailers followed by opening exclusive brand outlets, while reviving its retail venture Tashi. Earlier, it was speculated that the company was planning to shut its footwear retail business Tashi by closing six stores of the chain.