On a chilly winter morning in Gurugram, a city synonymous with corporate India's power, the new headquarters of footwear giant Bata India tells a surprising story. Stepping inside the Sector 15 office, one is greeted not by the typical, sober corporate ambiance but by a vibrant explosion of shoes. Footwear adorns the walls, covers tables, and lines the corridors in a bold display of colours and contemporary styles. This space, pulsating with energy, feels more like a dynamic sneaker studio than the nerve centre of a century-old company. It is a clear visual declaration: Bata is moving fast to shed its old skin.
The Architect of Change: Gunjan Shah's Vision
Driving this aggressive transformation is Gunjan Shah, who took over as the Managing Director and CEO of Bata India in 2021. A former executive from Britannia, Shah is instilling a product-obsessed culture within the organisation. His directive is simple yet profound: he wants every employee to see and engage with shoes first, before they turn to the data on their computer screens. "That's the heart of the business," Shah remarks with a smile, emphasising a return to the core product as the foundation for renewal.
A Legacy Brand's Modern Ambition
The radical redesign of the Gurugram headquarters is not merely an aesthetic upgrade; it is a strategic metaphor. For decades, Bata was a household name associated with reliable, school and work footwear. However, the brand gradually lost its cachet among the younger, style-conscious generations who began flocking to newer, trendier competitors. The contemporary and restless energy of the new office space signals a deliberate attempt to bridge this gap. It represents a physical and cultural shift towards innovation, design, and speed—attributes crucial for appealing to today's young Indian consumer.
The Road Ahead: Reclaiming Relevance
The challenge before Shah and his team is monumental. Transforming consumer perception, especially for a brand with such deep-rooted heritage, requires more than a colourful office. It demands a consistent pipeline of fashionable products, savvy marketing that resonates on digital platforms, and a retail experience that matches the aspirations of the youth. The company's efforts indicate a recognition that to thrive for another century, it must fundamentally reorient itself from a manufacturer of necessity to a curator of style and choice. The journey to find favour again among young and stylish Indians is well underway, with its new Gurugram base serving as ground zero for this ambitious reboot.
