Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union) _ Softlogic Holdings said that its subsidiary, Softlogic Retail Holdings Ltd, has been given the exclusive retail franchise rights, the production license, and the distribution rights of the Swiss-based Bata Shoe Company which has been operating from Sri Lanka for 73 years.
The deal was inked between the two companies recently in Colombo. As per this business contract “Bata” and all Bata-related products and a 100% share in the Footwear manufacturer which was previously known as Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Ltd was purchased by Softlogic Retail Holdings for Rs.239 million.
In the Sri Lankan context, “Bata” has been a well-known household name since the 1950s and is a well-known international brand for high-quality, scientifically and uniquely designed footwear.
In a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange, Softlogic Holdings Chairman Ashok Pathirage stated that the company aims to begin the path to resuscitate and reposition “Bata” and Bata products by making it the No. 1 brand in the footwear sector in Sri Lanka.
“Softlogic Retail aims to tap into Bata’s deep history and evolution of fusing technology and distinctive designs in the creation of Bata footwear and to open the gateway for new seasonal designs to be launched in Sri Lanka concurrently with the Bata’s international seasonal launches, giving customers the experience and opportunity to buy the season’s newest, best quality, and distinctive footwear in Sri Lanka,” Pathirage added.
Bata began operating in Sri Lanka in 1950, and for the past 73 years, the country has produced and distributed Bata products nationwide. With more than 150 employees, Footwear Retailer Ltd. (Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Ltd.) has a manufacturing facility in Ratmalana, a sizable network of department stores, and a product lineup that includes more than 20 brands and labels, including Bata, North Star, Power, Bubblegummers, Weinbrenner, Sandak, and Ambassador.
With its experience in the distribution and retailing of international brands, including footwear brands like Nike, Puma, Adidas, Skechers, Aldo, Joma, Canterbury, Pegada, Vizzano, Moleca, Language, Converse, Charles and Keith, Clarks, and Birkenstock, Crocs and Havaianas, Softlogic is the market leader in Sri Lanka.
On June 9th, 1950, 53 people formed the Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Limited in a modest warehouse at Grand Pass in Colombo. Retail activities started in 1951 from one outlet in Main Street, Colombo 11, and the company’s original presence was limited to the City of Colombo.
As of now, the business has expanded into a significant local footwear manufacturer and international exporter with a large Ratmalana factory and headquarters. With Retail Stores and Depots all throughout the Island, Bata is well-established. Our clients include many department shops and independent retailers, as well as 74 Authorized Dealers.
Additionally, it has gained access to the international export market and takes pleasure in being “Made in Sri Lanka”. It grew to be the largest exporter of high-quality shoes from Sri Lanka. The fair treatment of the clients is the company’s guiding principle. Maintaining the position in the export market is an ongoing battle, the corporation claimed.
After purchasing Footwear Retailer Ltd., which has the franchise and a plant to produce Bata-branded shoes on the island, Softlogic stated that it aimed to “revive and re-position ‘Bata'” to make it the top footwear brand in Sri Lanka after purchasing Footwear Retailer Ltd, which has the franchise and a plant to produce Bata branded shoes on the island. “Seasonal designs” will debut in tandem with Bata’s global launches.
With only 12 employees when it first started operating in 1991 as a software developer, Softlogic Holdings PLC has grown to hold prominent positions in a number of domestic growth-oriented industries, including ICT, healthcare, retail, financial services, automobiles, and leisure. The company is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most dynamic and reputable conglomerates.
The Softlogic Group today employs more than 8,000 people and generates more than $300 million in revenue. The Group’s partnerships and strategic alliances with well-known international organizations and significant multinational enterprises attest to its unrivaled local status.
