Footwear manufacturer Bata India Limited plans to enter the defence and paramilitary segments, for which it has put in place a dedicated team to secure contracts.
"It is the clear intention of the company to enter the defence, paramilitary and police segments where the volume is large. But it will take some time," Bata India non-executive chairman P M Sinha told reporters after the company's annual general meeting in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The company also plans to open 65 to 70 stores across the country and re-model 30, he said.
At present, shoes for defence personnel were mainly procured from the unorganised sector.
Sinha said Bata was also looking at the rural market which was expected to grow in a big way.
He said in the organised shoe industry, Bata was enjoying a leadership position with a market share of 33 per cent.
Recently, the company had forayed into the segment of manufacturing accessories for ladies like handbags.
While 80 per cent of the company's products were sold through the retail route, 20 per cent were through wholesale.
