These Shoes Walked Into Our Lives…From Europe!

Picture this: It’s the 90s. You’re in school, wearing those sturdy black shoes with buckles. You probably hated them—but also knew they’d last forever. Yes, we’re talking about Bata. The name alone smells like PT class and monsoon puddles.

Now, would you believe that the same brand that made your school shoes has also made combat boots for armies, designer heels for runways, and comfy sneakers for millennials? Yep. Bata isn’t just your neighbourhood shoe shop. It’s a global giant. A shape-shifting, sole-reviving, 130-year-old shoe-nami that started in Europe and marched into our hearts (and feet) across 90 countries.

So, how did a shoe company from a small Czech town become more Indian than some Indian brands? And how did it manage to go from school corridors to fashion ramps without missing a step?

Let’s lace this story up.

The Shoe Saga Begins

Bata was born in 1894 in Zlín, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), thanks to the Baťa siblings—Tomáš, Anna and Antonín. They didn’t just want to sell shoes—they wanted to make them affordable for the masses. At a time when shoes were a luxury, Bata made them everyday essentials. By 1905 , the company had grown rapidly to become the largest footwear manufacturer in Europe, making 2200 pairs of shoes daily.

During World War I, Bata innovated by mass-producing canvas shoes, which were cheaper than leather. Demand boomed. Supply soared. And Bata marched on.

By the 1930s, the company wasn’t just making shoes—it was building entire cities! That’s right. The Bata empire included housing, schools, hospitals, and cinemas for its workers. The brand became a lifestyle long before that word became a cliché.

How India Fell Head Over Heels

Bata landed in India in 1931. And no, it didn’t tiptoe in. It stomped in. A full-fledged factory came up in Konnar, West Bengal, and later moved to the now-iconic Batanagar —an entire town named after the brand!

But Bata didn’t just sell shoes here. It became Indian. From pricing strategies to designing for dusty roads, monsoons, and the great Indian jugaad lifestyle—it adapted like a desi chameleon with laces.

By the time we were stuffing math books into oversized backpacks, Bata had already walked into every Indian household. The school shoes, the floaters, the white canvas for sports day, the black ones for assembly—there was a Bata for every occasion.

In 1973, Bata became a listed company as Bata India Ltd., sealing its place as one of India’s most trusted footwear brands in India. Here’s the thing: Indians thought Bata was a local brand. That’s how deep it ran in our cultural veins. It didn’t feel foreign. It felt like home.

Today, Bata isn’t just a household name—it’s a global footprint with serious sole. The brand now walks strong in over 90 countries and owns more than 5,000 retail stores around the world. Also, Bata doesn’t just sell shoes—they make them too, with factories in India, Italy, China, and Indonesia, and popular brands like Power, North Star, Pawel Gamers, and more under their belt.

Reinvention: From Dad Shoes to So Stylish

Let’s be honest—Bata, for the longest time, had the reputation of being your dad’s brand. Functional? Yes. Fashionable? Ahem.

But the 2010s brought a new chapter.

Bata rebranded with slicker styles, bolder collections, and younger ambassadors. Enter Sushant Singh Rajput —the new face of Bata, breaking the “uncle shoe” stereotype with cool sneakers and easy swagger. Suddenly, wearing Bata wasn’t just practical—it was cool.

From walking ramps in Milan to strutting college corridors in Mumbai, Bata shoes were everywhere—and not just because they lasted 10 years. The company also began collaborating with global designers, expanding beyond traditional styles.

What Makes Bata So Relatable?

Localisation.

Even though it’s headquartered in Switzerland now, Bata has cracked the code on blending global sophistication with local relevance. In India, it understands what we want before we do. It’s why the school shoes still have extra sole padding, and why you’ll find durable chappals next to swanky loafers in the same store.

Bata isn’t trying to be trendy—it’s trying to be timely. Affordable, accessible, and always around the corner.

In fact, during COVID-19, while many brands struggled, Bata quickly pivoted—rolling out home delivery, enhancing their online store, and launching sanitisation-friendly footwear. Who knew a shoe brand could be so pandemic-savvy?

A Foot in the Past, A Step in the Future

From Czech workshops to Indian walkways, Bata has literally walked the talk for over a century. It has survived world wars, economic shifts, fashion faux pas, and TikTok trends. And through it all, it’s stayed true to its roots—making good shoes for real people.

So, the next time you walk into a Bata store—or slip on your old pair for a rainy commute—know you’re not just wearing a brand. You’re wearing a story. One that started halfway across the world but found its soul right here, under your feet.

Bata. From Europe. But always, somehow, unmistakably ours.